[vinzer]

Link here

Good read, really. Basic points I got from the article are:
- Samsung and Pentax relationship isn't perfect, but they will continue to collaborate in technological stuff for now
- 645D was chosen over a FF DSLR just because they're nearly there and can bring the product to market quicker
- best sensor in the market gets to be used in the 645D
- Pentax won't make FF DSLRs simply for prestige, it has to make a profit
- Pentax open to joining the micro 4/3 system

I like how this guy seems to want to get Pentax back to prominence. That's good for us current Pentax users.

"Mr Iue went on to comment that Pentax are very open-minded about the possibility of joining the Micro Four Thirds system, with the company free to join any system that they like at the present time."

On the other hand, it seems that Samsung didn't bring Pentax aboard their micro-APS format, seeing how Pentax could be considering joining the m4/3 consortium.

"Pentax’s relationship with parent company Hoya was questioned, with Mr Iue replying that “Hoya is really serious about Pentax, as it’s a well-known consumer brand, which Hoya isn’t”. Mr Iue admitted that Hoya bought Pentax predominantly for their medical division and expertise, but they did also want the camera part too. Hoya firmly denied any plans to sell the Pentax photo division to Samsung or any other company, commenting that they had only just bought the company. Similarly, Hoya aren’t planning to sell the lens-maker Tokina, which they also own, or to merge it with Pentax."

Good to hear that Hoya is serious with growing Pentax. But I'm quite surprised to find out that they own Tokina, too. I always thought they were separate entities.

[Pål Jensen]

Link here

- 645D was chosen over a FF DSLR just because they're nearly there and can bring the product to market quicker
- best sensor in the market gets to be used in the 645D
- Pentax won't make FF DSLRs simply for prestige, it has to make a profit

I don't read it that way. Neither FF or 645D will be made for prestige reasons. Neither have gotten the go ahead.

"A common theme running throughout the session was the need for any future projects – medium format, full-frame and compact cameras – to be financially viable. Apparently the technology for a medium format camera aimed at professional photographers has already been developed, but Pentax have not yet decided if there is enough demand for such a product. At the same time, Mr Iue commented “we shouldn’t wait too long to decide, we need to speed up”, indicating that a final decision would be reached soon. If Pentax do go ahead with medium format, the camera will use the biggest image sensor available at the time of production, with 40 or 50 megapixels mentioned as possibilities."

[SuperAkuma]

I know that Panasonic and Olympus are the two main pusher of m4/3, but I haven't kept up with all of the details. Is m4/3 going to be a lens mount where it is interchangeable with all m4/3 camera brands? Or will everyone have there own mount?

[clawhammer]

Remember a lesson from Dilbert: just cause marketing says they can do something doesn't mean the engineers know about it yet

[flyer]

As I understood it, micro 4/3 will have a shorter register distance than regular 4/3. So, it would be very easy to make an adapter that goes between body and lens to fit lens of ANY manufacturers.

[philmorley]

Remember a lesson from Dilbert: just cause marketing says they can do something doesn't mean the engineers know about it yet

LOL! I can imagine the lens designers and production teams being told that now that are close to filling the holes in apsc lineup, we need a set 645 lenses, a set of micro 4/3rds and then we'll look at some ff k-mount

[KungPOW]

Remember a lesson from Dilbert: just cause marketing says they can do something doesn't mean the engineers know about it yet

LOL...

I live this daily...

This is so true.

[zntgrg]

Remember a lesson from Dilbert: just cause marketing says they can do something doesn't mean the engineers know about it yet

Dilbert rocks, but this is quite the opposite: the engineers put the 645 prototype in front of the marketing door with a note: "Please, do 50.000 of these and sell all of them cheaper than Mamiya, FASTER"

[deejjjaaaa]

"Similarly, Hoya aren’t planning to sell the lens-maker Tokina, which they also own, or to merge it with Pentax."

at least that was put to rest - finally somebody from Hoya acknowledged the ownership of Tokina in 100% certain terms.

[thibs]

As I understood it, micro 4/3 will have a shorter register distance than regular 4/3. So, it would be very easy to make an adapter that goes between body and lens to fit lens of ANY manufacturers.

True on a mechanical point of view but a DA/FAJ lens will be unusable but f/22 or whatever smallest aperture setting.

[ogl]

There is no any proof that Hoya is the owner of Tokina, it's some kind of mistake.
It's not the interview with Iue, it's simply exposition of interview by journalist

Remember a lesson from Dilbert: just cause marketing says they can do something doesn't mean the engineers know about it yet

In this case, the marketing director doesn't even know if he wants that camera now! Market research is on the go. No results yet but expected soon, very soon. They could go 645D or FF, but either way that must be, has to be profitable.

[flyer]

True on a mechanical point of view but a DA/FAJ lens will be unusable but f/22 or whatever smallest aperture setting.

The 4/3 sensor is smaller than the APS-C sensor, so there shouldn't be any problems using any Pentax lenses.

[séamuis]

There is no any proof that Hoya is the owner of Tokina, it's some kind of mistake.
It's not the interview with Iue, it's simply exposition of interview by journalist

Ive heard that Hoya purchased Tokina sometime in the 90's.

[thibs]

The 4/3 sensor is smaller than the APS-C sensor, so there shouldn't be any problems using any Pentax lenses.

Sure but how will you set the aperture value??