Would you buy a Pentax FF?

ozlizard · 11-21-2009, 10:14 PM

I have posted this here as it is associated with the thread regarding "FF in 2010". I thought it would be interesting to get some numerical feedback on this subject. So basically the question is, would you, in principle (regardless of price or specs) buy a Pentax full frame DSLR, or another brand if Pentax doesn't come through.

KungPOW · 11-21-2009, 11:14 PM

I don't think Pentax is going to come through with a 135 format camera in the next two to three years.

I'd like to be wrong.

But I just don't see Pentax being able to have four current camera bodies all in production at the same time. (entry APS-C, Advanced APS-C, FF, and MF). The closest they got was three, the K-m, K200D, K20D. Not to mention the required lenses are just not in the stores.

JohnBee · 11-21-2009, 11:33 PM

I would do it, if it showed a measurable advantage with my existing lenses.
However if it meant new lenses, then I might stick to what I have.

lesmore49 · 11-21-2009, 11:34 PM

Got too much money invested in lenses that I believe while they work with APS-C, will not be satisfactory with FF.

Maybe they will...there are adapters to use Pentax 6 X 7 and 645 lenses with APS-C...or does it not work the other way around...APS-C lenses with a FF ?

ishou80 · 11-21-2009, 11:36 PM

I seriously doubt they will launch any FF in the near future. (I might be wrong) Due to the fact that the management always seems to have lot of rumors saying they are selling to who and who..etc.

I think they also need to tweak the colors that is generated from the sensor as the colors from Pentax is kinda saturated which might not be that good for commercial jobs or on human skin.

Just my 2 cents worth. =P

Boris · 11-21-2009, 11:54 PM

I voted "would buy a Pentax FF" simply because this is what I would like to happen, eventually. Of course this is not unconditional, but no conditions were mentioned in the poll

.

**Ash** · 11-21-2009, 11:58 PM

When it comes through, whenever it comes through, I'll be looking at pro and user reviews first to tease out all the initial glitches and compatibility issues with DA and DA* lenses first.

Then probably dive in shortly thereafter, should it live up to expectations.

RawheaD · 11-22-2009, 12:46 AM

I voted "would buy" just because I need an FF body of one form or another (currently have a 5D), and IF Pentax releases one, there would be few reasons NOT to get it. With that said, I see it as extremely unlikely to happen soon, if ever, and furthermore, I don't necessarily believe that is something to be disappointed about.

Zebooka · 11-22-2009, 12:48 AM

It will depend on how cool this FF would be.
1) cost
2) size
3) features (video, SR, AF)

K-7 lacks only new AF system. All the other things are great (except DFS at Tv > 30 sec)

Richard Day · 11-22-2009, 04:07 AM

No I wouldn't, my two main reasons are:

The overall size and weight of a FF system is considerably more than APS-C. I already find size and weight an issue, that's why I chose Pentax, even a quality (Oly) 4/3 rds DSLR system is heavier!
The cost is curretly much higher for a "like for like" system and likely to stay that way.

There are other personal shooting style reasons that mean I don't "need" a FF system, such as better high ISO performance as I've never needed much above ISO 800, most of my phoography is at ISO 100 and 200 and that includes hand held night shots.

I also, quite strongly, have the belief that most (not all) of FF devotees only want it for bragging rights!

netuser · 11-22-2009, 04:52 AM

I would buy

**Rondec** · 11-22-2009, 05:07 AM

A lot would depend on cost and size, but wide angle isn't as important to me. For now, APS-C is what I want.

mickey · 11-22-2009, 05:45 AM

Stay with APS-C is what I voted.
I'm happy with it.

causey · 11-22-2009, 06:48 AM

I'd stay with APS-C. FF would be too expensive for me (body and lenses). And probably unnecessary. (Plus the reasons Richard Day mentions above. It seems to me he is right about 'bragging rights'.)

But apparently Hoya has plans to sell Pentax, so I can't imagine Pentax thinking of a FF over the next few years.

**LeoTaylor** · 11-22-2009, 06:50 AM

Like others, I have some, "Digital Lens" which in the fine print caution they should not be used for 35 mm cameras. All of my manual lenses from K1000 days would work of course but I could not give up my Tamron 18-200. I also have the matching pair, "kit lenses" which are APS sensor only. I was just pleasantly surprised to find the Pentax AutoFocus Macro my wife gave me IS full-frame capable. The manual Pentax Macro I gave her in her K-1000 days is full-frame capable.

There is also a problem that some of my astrophotography equipment is APS-challenged and would need replacement to function at Full Frame.

With such a mixture I will stick to 24 mm sensors.

View Poll Results: Would you buy a FF Pentax or another brand or stick with APS-C?
Buy Pentax FF DSLR	186	66.67%
Stick with APS-C or other format	82	29.39%
Buy another brand FF DSLR	11	3.94%
Voters: 279. You may not vote on this poll

11-21-2009, 10:14 PM	#1
ozlizard Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bridgetown West Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 903	Would you buy a Pentax FF? I have posted this here as it is associated with the thread regarding "FF in 2010". I thought it would be interesting to get some numerical feedback on this subject. So basically the question is, would you, in principle (regardless of price or specs) buy a Pentax full frame DSLR, or another brand if Pentax doesn't come through.

11-22-2009, 04:07 AM	#10
Richard Day Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gloucester UK Posts: 441	No I wouldn't, my two main reasons are: The overall size and weight of a FF system is considerably more than APS-C. I already find size and weight an issue, that's why I chose Pentax, even a quality (Oly) 4/3 rds DSLR system is heavier! The cost is curretly much higher for a "like for like" system and likely to stay that way. There are other personal shooting style reasons that mean I don't "need" a FF system, such as better high ISO performance as I've never needed much above ISO 800, most of my phoography is at ISO 100 and 200 and that includes hand held night shots. I also, quite strongly, have the belief that most (not all) of FF devotees only want it for bragging rights!

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11-21-2009, 11:14 PM	#2
KungPOW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,699	I don't think Pentax is going to come through with a 135 format camera in the next two to three years. I'd like to be wrong. But I just don't see Pentax being able to have four current camera bodies all in production at the same time. (entry APS-C, Advanced APS-C, FF, and MF). The closest they got was three, the K-m, K200D, K20D. Not to mention the required lenses are just not in the stores.

11-21-2009, 11:33 PM	#3
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	I would do it, if it showed a measurable advantage with my existing lenses. However if it meant new lenses, then I might stick to what I have.

11-21-2009, 11:34 PM	#4
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,344	Got too much money invested in lenses that I believe while they work with APS-C, will not be satisfactory with FF. Maybe they will...there are adapters to use Pentax 6 X 7 and 645 lenses with APS-C...or does it not work the other way around...APS-C lenses with a FF ?

11-21-2009, 11:36 PM	#5
ishou80 New Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 8	I seriously doubt they will launch any FF in the near future. (I might be wrong) Due to the fact that the management always seems to have lot of rumors saying they are selling to who and who..etc. I think they also need to tweak the colors that is generated from the sensor as the colors from Pentax is kinda saturated which might not be that good for commercial jobs or on human skin. Just my 2 cents worth. =P

11-21-2009, 11:54 PM	#6
Boris Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Israel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 932	I voted "would buy a Pentax FF" simply because this is what I would like to happen, eventually. Of course this is not unconditional, but no conditions were mentioned in the poll .

11-21-2009, 11:58 PM	#7
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	When it comes through, whenever it comes through, I'll be looking at pro and user reviews first to tease out all the initial glitches and compatibility issues with DA and DA* lenses first. Then probably dive in shortly thereafter, should it live up to expectations.

11-22-2009, 12:46 AM	#8
RawheaD Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: MA, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 831	I voted "would buy" just because I need an FF body of one form or another (currently have a 5D), and IF Pentax releases one, there would be few reasons NOT to get it. With that said, I see it as extremely unlikely to happen soon, if ever, and furthermore, I don't necessarily believe that is something to be disappointed about.

11-22-2009, 12:48 AM	#9
Zebooka Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Russia, Siberia, Novosibirsk Posts: 323	It will depend on how cool this FF would be. 1) cost 2) size 3) features (video, SR, AF) K-7 lacks only new AF system. All the other things are great (except DFS at Tv > 30 sec)

11-22-2009, 04:52 AM	#11
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236	I would buy

11-22-2009, 05:07 AM	#12
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	A lot would depend on cost and size, but wide angle isn't as important to me. For now, APS-C is what I want.

11-22-2009, 05:45 AM	#13
mickey Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	Stay with APS-C is what I voted. I'm happy with it.

11-22-2009, 06:48 AM	#14
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	I'd stay with APS-C. FF would be too expensive for me (body and lenses). And probably unnecessary. (Plus the reasons Richard Day mentions above. It seems to me he is right about 'bragging rights'.) But apparently Hoya has plans to sell Pentax, so I can't imagine Pentax thinking of a FF over the next few years.

11-22-2009, 06:50 AM	#15
LeoTaylor Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Connecticut Photos: Gallery Posts: 679	Like others, I have some, "Digital Lens" which in the fine print caution they should not be used for 35 mm cameras. All of my manual lenses from K1000 days would work of course but I could not give up my Tamron 18-200. I also have the matching pair, "kit lenses" which are APS sensor only. I was just pleasantly surprised to find the Pentax AutoFocus Macro my wife gave me IS full-frame capable. The manual Pentax Macro I gave her in her K-1000 days is full-frame capable. There is also a problem that some of my astrophotography equipment is APS-challenged and would need replacement to function at Full Frame. With such a mixture I will stick to 24 mm sensors.