[Zygonyx]

Yes, i'm pretty doubtfull re. Pentax's 645 future.
Not enough "ad hoc" lenses for very high resolution sensor, in particular those in the bigger format ; icoherent choices regarding lens roadmap (why the hell is the 28-45mmm only a DA lens?) ; no more ultra-wide lens (DFA25mm downsized to DA25mm, and then ended) ; not enough R&D capabilities to build-up the needed optics ; and a very stiff concurrence from Fuji who cut even further the market costs of their GFX system.

[someasiancameraguy]

A lot of the problems that we're seeing in the industry aside from mobile phones and computational photography is also because we're moving from a product mix that was inherently hierarchical to one that is more function focused now. So even though I do find the speculative price quite high, it no longer makes sense to compare the price to full frame bodies. Ricoh seems to get this, hence I'm reasonably optimistic in the ecosystem and any possible camera bodies they have in the pipeline. It makes no sense to call this the flagship unless they know there are product lines to be flagship of. They have probably learned a lot from the GR III (which has usable PDAF tracking) and will likely incorporate some of that to a future video body.

[Clinton]

We're saying exactly the same thing, you know. Asahi Optical's 100th anniversary in November 2019 was the end of their 100th year (had they survived past 89...), not the beginning of it, contrary to what @pres589 said (to whom I responded).

I see that you see what I did there.

[SunnyG.]

Yes, i'm pretty doubtfull re. Pentax's 645 future.
Not enough "ad hoc" lenses for very high resolution sensor, in particular those in the bigger format ; icoherent choices regarding lens roadmap (why the hell is the 28-45mmm only a DA lens?) ; no more ultra-wide lens (DFA25mm downsized to DA25mm, and then ended) ; not enough R&D capabilities to build-up the needed optics ; and a very stiff concurrence from Fuji who cut even further the market costs of their GFX system.

The pentax 645 is a terrific system. They better not kill it

[reh321]

The pentax 645 is a terrific system. They better not kill it

Being “a terrific system” may not be enough to save the system.
Have you ever seen a “Q-S2??

[SunnyG.]

Being “a terrific system” may not be enough to save the system.
Have you ever seen a “Q-S2??

Q-s2 was fun. The 645 is a serious camera. For pros! 645 has a bright future!

[Mistral75]

Q-s2 was fun. (...)

So much fun that those who had access to one never let go of it, forbidding it to ever hit the shelves.

[reh321]

Q-s2 was fun. The 645 is a serious camera. For pros! 645 has a bright future!

You must be thinking of the Q-S1.
There was no Q-S2
My post was a way of saying that the future may not be as bright as you think.
Pentax has said they are devoted the K-mount right now, and there is no reason to think that will change any time soon.

[thibs]

Q-s2 was fun. The 645 is a serious camera. For pros! 645 has a bright future!

Pentax has a big issue with 645.
Lenses are so-so for high MP count 48x36 sensors.
Fuji puts a lot of pressure with their own MF.
IMO they either need to go 645FF or mirrorless or both. In either cases, new lenses are mandatory and the dev efforts once allocated to 645 were rerouted to 24x36. That's the current state of things IMO.

[texandrews]

Pentax has a big issue with 645.
Lenses are so-so for high MP count 48x36 sensors.

I keep seeing people saying this, but also not with any test results to back this claim up. So, do you have those tests? Everyone would very much like to see them.

Fuji puts a lot of pressure with their own MF.

Sure, although while I admire the smaller form factor of the Fuji, I did not admire their implementation of the EVF at all---and I was used to a Sony A7R, which was fine for me. And besides the smaller form factor, I'm not seeing the same advantages in medium format for mirrorless as in FF/APSC

IMO they either need to go 645FF or mirrorless or both. In either cases, new lenses are mandatory and the dev efforts once allocated to 645 were rerouted to 24x36. That's the current state of things IMO.

Well, everybody's got an opinion...

[Zygonyx]

Pentax has a big issue with 645.
Lenses are so-so for high MP count 48x36 sensors.
Fuji puts a lot of pressure with their own MF.
IMO they either need to go 645FF or mirrorless or both. In either cases, new lenses are mandatory and the dev efforts once allocated to 645 were rerouted to 24x36. That's the current state of things IMO.

I don't think this is THE problem (unless maybe for 100 Mpix 33x44mm sensors).
The old film lenses render quite similar on digital 645 as they render on K-1, actually even with better quality and less flaws (due to their larger film dimension's design).
THE problem is rather cost analysis against Fuji GFX, who have litterally swamped the MF market.

---------- Post added 07-12-20 at 14:08 ----------

The pentax 645 is a terrific system. They better not kill it

I agree with this though.

[Mistral75]

There are no 36x48mm sensors anymore. Only 32.9 x 43.8mm (50MP FSI and 100MP BSI) and 40.0 x 53.4mm (100MP FSI and 150MP BSI).

The Pentax 645 system lacks the modern lenses able to take advantage of 100MP (rather than 50MP) with the smaller sensors and both the lenses and the professional services able to attract the professionals who can afford the costly cameras which include the larger sensors.

[rr1736]

I think that would be nice but is unlikely

[texandrews]

The Pentax 645 system lacks the modern lenses able to take advantage of 100MP (rather than 50MP) with the smaller sensors

Please demonstrate this with evidence. Not saying you don't have it, but I haven't seen it yet, so please show us.

and both the lenses and the professional services able to attract the professionals who can afford the costly cameras which include the larger sensors.

Again, I need to see the first bit demonstrated. Sadly, the second bit is true. OTOH, the best customer service is coming from this group as far as I've found, and the cost is something only institutions can really afford, plus a vanishingly small number of independent photographers.

[Kunzite]

I guess we will know their intentions regarding the 645Z after they will release a K-1 Mark III. Then, their next high end camera should either be a new 645, or they would abandon the format.