[kwb]

It's not official. None of the Ricoh/Pentax sites list the 645z as discontinued.

Ricoh Imaging Store clearly says that 645z is "out of production" in the description of the camera, and it's currently "out of stock" (see attached). They may or may not find some here and there in the future, but that's it. No new production.

Attached Images

 

[kwb]

Oh, and Yaotomi wrote that Ricoh Imaging officially notified them that 645z is out of production. https://twitter.com/yaotomicamera/status/1665650652498853889

[Rondec]

This is not surprising. It is an old camera and I think number of sales has dwindled.

The question is if Pentax thinks it is worth releasing a successor. "Full frame" medium format that shares DNA with the K-3 III and K-1 III would seem the most viable option "if" they decided to do something else in this direction.

[photoptimist]

Does a family "end" when the parents decide to stop production of more children?

A lack of new 645Zs has zero effect on all the 645Zs in existence.

[Mistral75]

(...)

The question is if Pentax thinks it is worse releasing a successor. "Full frame" medium format that shares DNA with the K-3 III and K-1 III would seem the most viable option "if" they decided to do something else in this direction.

Worse, no , but worth it, it don't think so either.

IMX411 (BSI, 151 Mpix), the latest (last?) 40.4 x 53,7mm sensor proposed by Sony Semiconductor Solutions, the sensor only used by Phase One in their IQ4 150MP digital backs ($42,990), is not listed among Sony Semiconductor Solutions' off-the-shelf sensors anymore:

Image Sensor for Consumer Cameras | Image Sensor for Consumer Cameras | Image Sensor | Products & Solutions | Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group

Besides, which lenses could Ricoh Imaging propose that could entice medium format aficionados into buying a $15,000-$20,000 Pentax with such a sensor?

There are only seven non-discontinued lenses left in the current 645 lineup, one less than the last time I had a look:

• HD Pentax-DA645 28-45mm f/4.5 ED AW SR
• HD Pentax-D FA645 35mm f/3.5 AL [IF]
• smc Pentax-D FA645 55mm f/2.8 AL [IF] SDM AW
• smc Pentax-FA645 75mm f/2.8
• smc Pentax-FA645 150mm f/2.8 [IF]
• HD Pentax-D FA645 Macro 90mm f/2.8 ED AW SR
• smc Pentax-FA645 Macro 120mm f/4

of which six lenses covering the 'full 645' format, of which only two are somewhat recent: the 55mm f/2.8 (announced in March 2010, together with the 645D, 13 years ago) and the 90mm f/2.8 macro (announced in September 2012, almost 11 years ago).

[James O'Neill]

My understanding of the 645Z was that it used the same motherboard as the original K3. My guess would be that the CPU on that board, the sensor and various other bits are out of production and have been for quite some time. Ricoh could produce a new 645 with current chips but any 645Zs sold recently were either full assembled and sitting in warehouses for years, or finally recently assembled from parts which have been siting in warehouses for years. Eventually those stocks would run out, if there's any surprise it should be how long that has taken. (There European store says it still has some in stock)
The same may well be true of most 645 lenses still available.

Whether investing in the 645 line makes any sense now is hard to say. If the existing 645 lenses are paired with a 100MP sensor would it show a great improvement? How many 645D and 645Z users are there would consider upgrading and what would bring in people who are not existing users? A decision not to invest further in the 645 and just to sell off the existing inventory was probably made long ago without saying so in public.

One might wonder about the K1-ii whether it's being made or sold from existing inventory, and if all the components are still available how much longer will they be. Have Ricoh made a similar decision on FF or are they quietly working on a K1-iii.

[HoundFrog]

A lack of new 645Zs has zero effect on all the 645Zs in existence.

Directly -- yes, but are the components still in production? This affects serviceability.

[nonpigliounoshoot]

Had an interview a few months ago where they said they are currently considering new sensors for the upcoming 645 camera, but have nothing specific to say, K-mount is priority number one at the moment
– Demand is also a problem
– There is an issue with to what extent older lenses will be usable on a new sensor
– The current 645z is very good value for money
– It would not be possible to come out with something at the same price now
– (Asked about a mirrorless 645) It would be unfair to the people who had picked up their existing lenses
- (When it was suggested that an adapter would fix this) Yes, but one would expect them to come out with a whole set of new lenses, which would be unrealistic for many years.


I think before choosing the sensor for the MF they have to choose the sensor for the k1III.
Possibly they have made their choices and will let us know.

[Alpha-Delta]

Does a family "end" when the parents decide to stop production of more children?

A lack of new 645Zs has zero effect on all the 645Zs in existence.

This just reminds me that old joke:

Patient: doctor, will I live?
Doctor: yes, in the hearts of those who love you…

[nonpigliounoshoot]

This just reminds me that old joke:

Patient: doctor, will I live?
Doctor: yes, in the hearts of those who love you…

my k1 is discontinued, so is it dead? However, she knows nothing and continues to take photographs.

[Alpha-Delta]

my k1 is discontinued, so is it dead? However, she knows nothing and continues to take photographs.

Discontinued but replaced by a K1 II.
If a 645 Z II replaces the 645 Z, why not?

[robgski]

I move to suggest all rumors of this sort get compiled into one one going “Pentax is Doomed” thread .

More snapping, less yapping.

[sb in ak]

It would be fun to see them come out with a successor, even if it’s similar to the KF treatment (replacing parts that are no longer made). 50MP is ample for a lot, and the images are subtly different from full frame. That said, I have to wonder how many people would buy said camera considering competing brands options today and that full frame (and APS-C for that matter) are quite good. If the K1-3 is released as a high MP camera with an upgraded OVF ala the K-3iii that might fill the niche occupied by the 645.

[jgnfld]

Some of the same words, but different song...



Is that all there is, is that all there is?
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is.


Sad announcement, but we'll manage.

[Dartmoor Dave]

The head honchos at Pentax have got an interesting decision to make, and I'm glad I'm not the one who has to make it.

Pentax could be an APS-C and medium format manufacturer, or it could be an APS-C and full frame manufacturer. But it hasn't got the resources to do both medium format and full frame alongside APS-C.

So which way do you jump? Do you ditch the full frame or the medium format line? Or do you do what might actually be the most sensible thing and become an APS-C only brand?

If it was my decision, I'd bite the bullet and go to selling APS-C only. The thing that would attract customers would be the optical viewfinder, things like a monochrome only camera (why haven't they thought of that?) and perhaps even a DSLR designed for fully manual operation. A sort of digital K1000. It's probably a good thing I'm not in charge.

Edit:
Oh, and they could do something really crazy like release a new film camera. Imagine the outrage that would cause. Pentax making nothing other than optical viewfinder APS-C DSLRs (one of them monochrome only) and a film camera!