What makes me curious is that if the specs are true it seems to be a d300 with the d3 sensor, now the odd thing about that is that the differences between the d300 and d3 are already quite small, save for the sensor. how will the d3 justify 2000 dollars more? will be pretty minor stuff. a bit more fps, tougher build, thats about it. for 2000 dollars... seems to be amazing value for money this new cam if its true.

I think that the price difference between the d300 and d3 was too high considering the little differences between them. I think that throwing a miniD3 (the D700) version at a cheaper price and announcing/releasing a D3x short time after would make sense.

[axl]

$3K. Well that leaves me out right there.

NaCl(and I don't lust after Ferrari's either)H2O

Exactly...

Anyway, it will be interresting to see what will Pentax do next.
Though, Olympus is keeping their 4:3 sensor, why Pentax shouldn't stick with APS-C.
But hey, wasn't Pentax first brand to design FF DSLR (they never put it to production, I know)...
Well, let's wait and see...

[Art Vandelay II]

Though, Olympus is keeping their 4:3 sensor, why Pentax shouldn't stick with APS-C

Skimming the DP Review forums got me thinking about that question again today. It made me curious as to what you could get instead one $3000 body. I quickly put this kit together:

Pentax K20D: $970

Pentax DA 17-70mm f/4 SDM: $450
Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited: $265
Pentax DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited: $460
Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG HSM: $750
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC: $480
Sigma 1.4x EX DG Teleconverter: $180
Pentax AF 360FGZ Flash: $170
One 8 Gig SD Card: $70

Total: $3,070

Outside of the extremely wealthy what kind of a person would pay $3000 for a camera body that may or may not produce noticeably better results instead of getting the entire kit I just listed? I have to think that is a very, very low number of people. I personally think that could be a very good reason for Pentax to hold off on full frame for the time being unless they can unleash as sub $2000 body.

[Oldschool]

Art,
That's a great kit. I'd probably swap out the Sigma 10-20 for a macro. All I need now is 3K!

[Art Vandelay II]

Art,
That's a great kit. I'd probably swap out the Sigma 10-20 for a macro. All I need now is 3K!

I figured the Sigma 70-200mm could handle my Macro duties well enough. Now I just need $3000

[brothereye]

Skimming the DP Review forums got me thinking about that question again today. It made me curious as to what you could get instead one $3000 body. I quickly put this kit together:

Pentax K20D: $970

Pentax DA 17-70mm f/4 SDM: $450
Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited: $265
Pentax DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited: $460
Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG HSM: $750
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC: $480
Sigma 1.4x EX DG Teleconverter: $180
Pentax AF 360FGZ Flash: $170
One 8 Gig SD Card: $70

Total: $3,070

Outside of the extremely wealthy what kind of a person would pay $3000 for a camera body that may or may not produce noticeably better results instead of getting the entire kit I just listed? I have to think that is a very, very low number of people. I personally think that could be a very good reason for Pentax to hold off on full frame for the time being unless they can unleash as sub $2000 body.

This is kind of the boat I was in with Canon, then Sony. I had my old Maxxum film gear, but when I went digital, the Maxxum line of gear was in transition to Sony and there wasn't any digital "Maxxum" I could afford. I bought a small Canon kit, with the idea I would expand and upgrade it. But when I went to upgrade to a Canon 20D or 30D, I was shocked at how much it cost. Lenses were much the same. Buy the time I bought the three or four lenses I needed, it would have cost the same as an Alpha, and I could use my existing Maxxum gear. So that's what I did, convinced that Sony would eventually introduce a higher end model, with better low-light performance. And Sony did, but I worked out the math and realized that I could, for the price of an A700+premium kit lens that was for sale, buy new:

1) Pentax K10D and D-BG2
2) Pentax SMCP DA* 16-50(even more premium than the Sony)
3) AF360FGZ

So I decided to switch to Pentax. I just couldn't afford anything more than the most basic gear from the other companies, and I wanted something more. So I switched to Pentax, ended up with GX-1S, then K100D, sold the GX-1S and upgraded to K10D, I've added an *ist DS and while I haven't mentioned it here(Who cares?), I've added another K10D(found it on a clearance sale!). Since I started using Pentax equipment, I've never found the equipment making me wish I had kept my Canon or Sony and I've no overwhelming desire to switch to Nikon or Olympus, so I'm happy. The gear I have does what I need in a way that works for me and offered in my opinion the best value for the money. It's not that Canon or Sony are "junk"(or Nikon or Olympus for that matter), it's just that I felt that I got a lot more value with Pentax. I still feel that way and I expect that will continue.

[philmorley]

there is also rumors going around that will put out ff with sony's new 24mp sensor, which with this one, doesnt seem to leave d3 anywhere

[Kguru]

Skimming the DP Review forums got me thinking about that question again today. It made me curious as to what you could get instead one $3000 body.

It seems everyone mentions $3K-5K when talking FF.
I reckon Pentax FF (or 1.1x crop) will be aimed at $1500 market.

Which would make things interesting -- between $1000 K20D and $1500 FF which one would you go for?

[philmorley]

just to play (coz I haven't got a clue

I think $1999

and for 24-28mp FF with IS etc its a no brainer

[GaryM]

It seems everyone mentions $3K-5K when talking FF.
I reckon Pentax FF (or 1.1x crop) will be aimed at $1500 market.

Which would make things interesting -- between $1000 K20D and $1500 FF which one would you go for?

There is not a chance in %&@# that Pentax could afford to sell a FF body for $1500. Due to economics of scale, they would have a hard time even matching the $3k price that C&N are going with. It's going to be interesting to see what Sony is going to charge with their body, they could really shake things up with a low price.

Samsung is, IMO, more likely than Pentax to offer a FF K-mount body, since they have the resources to actually make it happen. Samsung could also help Pentax/Hoya restart the FA lens lineup, perhaps re-badged as Schneider for the FF Samsung. This makes a lot more sense financially speaking, and Pentax would avoid having to orphan the DA lineup they've spent the last few years building up.

[thePiRaTE!!]

D700... ooo, nice! This level of body would be my heaven, I wish Nikon great success. Perhaps it will energize the sector and get us our K-mount FF that much quicker.

[Kguru]

There is not a chance in %&@# that Pentax could afford to sell a FF body for $1500.

If Pentax can make $1300 MSRP K20D they can make a $2000 MSRP FF body, which after a few months becomes $1500 street price.

OTOH if it is implied that a FF body would necessarily require FF-league AF, FF-league fps, FF-league everything ... then I agree $2000 MSRP would be difficult.

[Art Vandelay II]

I'll be shocked if Pentax's FF camera will be $1300, even street at prices. I do expect them to undercut the price of the D700 and the Canon 5D Mark II, but $1300 seems awfully optimistic. I think $2000 retail will be more likely; and that's assuming they basically make a FF K20D, not a true "pro" model with machine gun-like speed. Then maybe after 6 months to a year the price may start to drop around to $1500.

Canon is currently selling the 3 year old 5D at $1800, and I assume Pentax will build a FF camera in that class...not something like a 6.5fps rapid fire sport shooter like the rumored D700.

[thePiRaTE!!]

I'll be shocked if Pentax's FF camera will be $1300, even street at prices. I do expect them to undercut the price of the D700 and the Canon 5D Mark II, but $1300 seems awfully optimistic. I think $2000 retail will be more likely; and that's assuming they basically make a FF K20D, not a true "pro" model with machine gun-like speed. Then maybe after 6 months to a year the price may start to drop around to $1500.

Canon is currently selling the 3 year old 5D at $1800, and I assume Pentax will build a FF camera in that class...not something like a 6.5fps rapid fire sport shooter like the rumored D700.

This makes sense given what we've seen from Pentax thus far. If Samsung are forging ahead with the sensor as mentioned, and if you are essentially correct about a FF K20, then Pentax could surprise everyone quickly at a decent price point. If they grab a lot of prosumers on the fence with a cost effective, quality FF solution, they could be looking at another K10 splash.

I whole heartedly believe if the DA*60-250 comes out as a FF lens, all doubt about intention will be removed (unless they release it with a body announcement). Fairly important release that lens, given the ranges popularity and as a strong indicator to Pentax future intents.

[Confused]

Hi all

I don't think there's any doubt whatsoever that there's a FF Samsung DSLR 'waiting in the wings', because as I mentioned in a previous post:

In Amateur Photographer magazine (3rd May 2008), there is a quote attributed to Samsung's Assistant Manager of Digital Camera Marketing & Planning Group, Mr. Kyong-Kock Shin in which he states that a Full-Frame 'Professional' DSLR is in the early stages of planning'

Therefore if Samsung's close 'co-operation' with Pentax bears fruit, I can only say:
"Bring it on, guys'......and lets give C***n & N***n a bl**dy good run for their money !!!"

Best regards
Richard