Originally posted by Gooshin
pentax has a small market share, but they have no problems churing out 1-2 new cameras per year!
they are steadily introducing new lenses, some slower than others, but still at a steady pace
Coming out with different-colors of K-m's that are just K200D varieties isn't really remarkable. Especially considering the cameras mostly replace existing models. Same with lenses. They'll phase out the 50/1.4 eventually -- in favor of the 55/1.4. Who knows if they're still producing it.
Even if they come out with a new body every year, that offers no proof that they have the manufacturing force to actually create production runs of more than three or so cameras at a time.
And, more importantly, the lenses. Each lens has to have its own assembly process -- that's why it's so costly to introduce a new lens (as opposed to REPLACING an existing lens)
It would be one thing if Pentax REPLACED all their DA* lenses with full-frame versions -- their current production facilities could handle the production of the new lenses.
Even though -- remember -- they'd have to re-tool the entire plant, which would be incredibly costly. Not to mention all the R&D that would have to go into developing these new optics.
So they're obviously not going to do that (remember -- who is their target? who are they going after? people who want rugged, small, light D-SLRs they can take anywhere with them.)
Right now, Pentax has the K20D, the K200D, and the K-m.
Let's see what Canon has in store:
1Ds Mk III, 1D Mk III, 5D, 50D, 40D, Rebel T1i, Rebel XSi, Rebel XTi, Rebel XS.
That's what they have IN PRODUCTION right now. I count 63 lenses in their arsenal.
obviously, they have the resources to dedicate at least one body (actually two) to full-frame. All of their L-series glass is full-frame, because they've chosen to transition it over with their film system.
My point is -- it's not necessarily wrong to want a full-frame camera. But if that's what you think you need, you're in the wrong camp. Pentax just doesn't have the resources to produce that -- and you haven't offered any shred of evidence suggesting otherwise.
Not to mention, again:
THEY DON'T HAVE THE LENSES.
Maybe if I type it in capital letters it'll stand out and someone will comment on it.
DA* lenses -- even the telephoto ones -- exhibit unacceptable vignetting. They don't produce FA lenses anymore, and they obviously don't have the resources to bring them back into production.
They already have a DA line, a DA-limited line, a DA* line and a few old FA lenses still around. They're reinvigorating their medium format system -- which should have calmed you down, but apparently hasn't.
So, my question -- how do you expect Pentax to release a full-frame body, plus an entire line of full-frame lenses, in addition to their APS-C system (which they're already sruggling to meet deadlines) AND their medium-format system?
That's THREE systems. Canon and Nikon have two. And these companies are both at least 20 times larger than Pentax and have tremendous market share.
Answer me that, and then we'll talk.
Originally posted by Gooshin on the other hand, with all the 645D rumors, perhaps their strategy will be to just skip the whole FF phase...
Yes.