[Venturi]

Completely unreliable sources have passed the following along to me regarding Pentax Imaging, Photokina '08 and what the next year will bring.

After the buyout Hoya put a complete gag order on the imaging division in regards to plans for 2008 and 2009. In much the same way that a military division will pull back its ground forces prior to a massive aerial bombardment, Pentax "layed off" its US and Canadadian sales forces while its R&D and manufacturing facilities prepared the following triple threat, Canikon busting "Shock and Awe" lineup to be debuted at Photokina.

Three (3) new digital bodies:

+ DB-1Z - A completely weather sealed digital bridge camera with the same 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor as the K20D and a permanent version of the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 lens. MSRP: $850.00

+ K50-RS - Code name: Blackfish. Boasting Samsung's top-secret 33 megapixel MOSFET sensor, 10 FPS RAW continuous and an AF speed of 100ms down to 3EV (with SDM lenses), the K50-RS positions Pentax to re-enter the professional sports photography arena officially for the first time in nearly 40 years. MSRP: $4,500.00

+ DF-1X - The long predicted "645D" is finally here but with a twist - interchangeable backs. In yet another ground breaking alliance the DF-1 ships a digital back packing Kodak's new 50 megapixel sensor. But with the optional 120/220 film back, the DF-1 converts from digital to film shooting in as little as 10 seconds. MSRP: $6,800.00 with digital back; Optional 120/220 film back: $2,250.00

Regrettably, no unreliable information regarding any new lens lineup to coincide with the above bodies to share; though my source did hint that they were moving "very fast", that I can expect "big things" and that their "focus is long range".

While the manufacturing departments have been working all hours getting the product built and ready, marketing has been busy too. All of the "laid off" sales force has been in Japan the past several months undergoing bootcamp style remedial training on the complete Pentax/Samsung lineup and putting together a full assault marketing campaign, new incentive programs for brick-and-mortar retailers and ... (shhh) ... official sponsorship of both the NBA and NHL!

I'm totally stoked about this awesome news!!!

The above is entirely fictitious, but if we're making it up as we go then why not make up stuff that's fun?!

[Gooshin]

those sound like engine build codes to me

[clawhammer]

It'd be nice if it's true, but I guess we'll have to wait a week to know for sure

[kenyee]

If true, Ben is going to be happy with that DF-1X for his giant posters :-)

[Isaac314]

OMFG. this could be the best possible thing i could have heard with that title.

I'm not interested in any of the products whatsoever, but if any of it is true, it shows that pentax are still serious, still up there with the best.

I might buy the k50 just for the irony that i will shoot at 10mp because my computer cant handle anything more.

One question to put out there about the "bridge camera". Why would anyone buy something that is the same size and spec as a DSLR but without interchangeable lenses? No bridge camera so far has had a sensor that big, so i'm going to have to reject that one outright

[m8o]

( for those taking this seriously... read the fine print of the OP ):ugh:

[séamuis]

positions Pentax to re-enter the professional sports photography arena officially for the first time in nearly 40 years.

pentax has never 'entered' the professional sports photography arena thus they cannot 're-enter'. they definitely weren't in that game in the late sixties....

I applaud your creativity though.

[creampuff]

Threads like this waste bandwidth.

[ryan s]

I would have put the fine print in white with a smiley after, just to see what happened.

Something like this, like I do on another forum just to confuse the noobs

[séamuis]

n00bs don't know how to highlight?

[Clicker]

I'm going to hold off replacing my Canon bridge camera, so they finished the 645N in secrecy

[Oldschool]

I think I agree with you. 'Completely unreliable'

[clawhammer]

chalk one up for the gullibility score

Nice one

[offertonhatter]

There was one unconfirmed rumour that Venturi missed. Apparantly, Pentax are not bothered about CaNikon's of this world and are gunning for the Horseman's, Walkers and Linhof's instead, by bringing out a portable Large format Digital camera, with a 100MB 4'x5' sensor, with a street price of around £15k

Oh well, we can but dream.......

[clawhammer]

Now THAT is a camera I'd buy.