Originally posted by normhead I guess the simple wisdom of an old "adage" if it ain't broke don't fix it" should apply here. I asked the question specifically, "Is there a technical reason to abandon the K-mount?" The answer seemed to be "No there isn't.
I've tried finding the answer to the question if FF+SR was possible with K-mount. At Photokina Pentax expressed their worries about this, and opted that a new mount would be required. I just can't seem to find any solid technical arguments in these threads that convince that it IS possible.
I might have just missed it, these very interesting threads move so very quickly that I can hardly keep up.
Originally posted by normhead I look at the empty space on my K-5 and less than a third of the ring is used. There is room for about another 15 control or sensor contacts.. You could design new lens with 6 or 7 contacts for a completely different type of focus control without changing the mount and have it be totally backwards compatable by keeping the screw drive and DC contacts.
True, more then enough space for extra contact points.
Originally posted by normhead Do you really think that because Sigma doesn't make everyone of it;s lenses in K-mount, it means there's something wrong with the mount?
We wish it was only Sigma!
The dropping interest in PK mount doesn't indicate that there is something wrong with the mount. It's a different issue. It indicates that the PK lens market has become so small that it is not of high enough interest any longer for 3rd party lens manufacturers.
You correctly refer to the tiny 5% market share. Taking into consideration that a few years ago PK was supported by a much larger number of 3rd party manufacturers, the decreasing of off-brand PK support indicates that it is 5% and dropping, not 5% and increasing. I think we all agree that something needs to be done to turn that around. Hopefully a Pentax FF, in whatever form, will do just that.
Originally posted by normhead Half the fun of Pentax is getting an old camera for 30$ taking the lens off of it, and producing stunning pictures with it.
Yes, that was great fun, while it lasted. Only the real dogs are 30$ now.
Originally posted by normhead For god's sake if you want a new mount... by a Canon or Nikon. There ya go different mount. Apparently the new Canon cameras have mounts which control stepper motors and have a feedback system so the camera knows where the lens is focused, and which way it has to go to achieve focus. it's available now. if you want it, you can get it without Pentax doing it.
Relax, already got one. And those really ARE great! That doesn't mean I would enjoy seeing Pentax go down the drain like this.
Originally posted by normhead But Canon didn't change their mount, they just added more contacts to their existing mount. Why shouldn't Pentax do the same if they want an improved system.
Because Canon didn't have IBIS that could get in the way of FF?