Originally posted by oxford_artist Pentax will have to have a professional's digital camera if they want to underline their seriousness as a camera maker
They don't have to do that.
There's zero need for a "professional" version of Pentax.
Pentax is more like Leica
...Leica's an "amateur" camera for the most part, but it's plenty "serious." (true for M6, M7, M8 digi)
Pentax has always been "serious," but has never been "professional" with the exception of the professionally-abandoned 645 (they found Canon better).
Nikon's new D700 (quite inexpensive, considering
) is already back-ordered everywhere and for good reason (ie professionals already have the lenses and they're certain D700 will be fabulous, since Nikons always are).
The upgraded Canon 5D will also sell-out fast to existing Canon users (most wedding photographers, who already have collections of expensive and wonderful Canon L lenses) and for the same reason.
Professionals already own Nikon or Canon, Pentax can't offer them anything as well proven professionally. Pentax hasn't bothered to introduce flash systems competitive with Canon or Nikon (or even Metz), which says directly that they have little interest in professionals.
I doubt we'll see a Pentax FF any time soon.