[c.a.m]

I'm sure that the OP didn't intend for this thread to take off in all directions, but I am at liberty to reveal that I'm testing a new Pentax FF designed specifically for the Canadian market. From field tests conducted to date, I'm certain that our American and northern European friends will also be interested. While my NDA precludes me from revealing design details, I can say that the camera features:

- operation in temperature extremes: -40 to +40 C.
- electrically heated alloy body
- special low-viscosity grease in the lens (only one lens so far)
- new SMC HD NC (Non-Condensating) coating
- large control buttons and levers to facilitate tactile operation with heavy gloves
- a novel battery chemistry to minimize capacity drop at low temps. (apparently the research has consumed Ricoh during the past two years)

- Craig

(just kidding, of course, but it is winter in Canada!)

[Michael Barker]

I have been testing FF VII in-camera, on and off since the late 90s... spent a lot of time in the field, checking Cloud statistics on my screen, burst-shooting (Barret) and leveling up near the dynamic range. I can say it's quite expansive and involves a lot of different materia. Not sure if it will ever get old, but it is a bit like playing a Link to the Past, which makes the experience that much sharper and raises the gamut of what you can imagine. As for the mounts, the important thing is the heritage, but what you put in their mouth (or beak, as it were) is important as well.

Ah, I imagine I've triggered a few BS sensors by this point, so I'll leave it there ...

[mrNewt]

Here, we only field test rumors

[stevebrot]

And the fear of being sent to the 9th circle of hell for treachery...

Been there...done that...

Steve

[stevebrot]

That is strange, the model they sent me was based on a Pentax LX, the camera is a bit taller with an un-crippled KAF4 mount*, made of solid mag-alloy the camera houses a full FX format 24Mp BSI Sensor, with a global shutter. It has built in WI-FI with a modular EVF/OVF that you can physically detach from the camera and maintain live view (this works in EVF mode only, it also has a small rechargable battery that charges from the primary camera battery). adn on the subject of batteries, you know the baseplate on the LX? - that is now an entire battery, at 1/2" thick 5" long battery I was able to get about 1500 shots out of it per charge. Pentax also has a second battery option which doubles as a grip which nearly triples the battery capacity, it includes a shutter release, 4 way controller with AF and metering selection dials on it and some programmable controls (sadly, no AA battery compatibility). the camera has a built in viewfinder curtain - which actually covers the focusing screen - the camera automatically deploys this when you detach the OVF/EVF, which also has a rear blind of its own to protect the internal optics.

*dimensions of the new mount are noticeably larger than the previously existing KAF3 mount the flange is identical the the original K mount - the increased diameter is to allow pentax to make a greater variety of wide aperture lenses without hitting the Achilles heel of the K mount.

You forgot to mention the removable/reverseable/tilting/articulating rear touch screen...oops...


Steve

[ZoeB]

I'm sure that the OP didn't intend for this thread to take off in all directions, but I am at liberty to reveal that I'm testing a new Pentax FF designed specifically for the Canadian market. From field tests conducted to date, I'm certain that our American and northern European friends will also be interested. While my NDA precludes me from revealing design details, I can say that the camera features:

- operation in temperature extremes: -40 to +40 C.
- electrically heated alloy body
- special low-viscosity grease in the lens (only one lens so far)
- new SMC HD NC (Non-Condensating) coating
- large control buttons and levers to facilitate tactile operation with heavy gloves
- a novel battery chemistry to minimize capacity drop at low temps. (apparently the research has consumed Ricoh during the past two years)

- Craig

(just kidding, of course, but it is winter in Canada!)

Sounds like the one they sent me in Norway, the lens came with a specialised hood that keeps snow off of it in 99% of adverse conditions? They also sent me a heating pouch to store extra batteries in ;P

[normhead]

They didn't even send me a Christmas card.

[c.a.m]

But please don't tell anybody I told you, OK?

Your NDA-protected secret is safe with us.

Sounds like the one they sent me in Norway, the lens came with a specialised hood that keeps snow off of it in 99% of adverse conditions? They also sent me a heating pouch to store extra batteries in ;P

No, they did not provide that option to me. Sounds like a nice feature, though. Maybe it will be offered as an accessory in Canada.

[Digitalis]

A bit of seriousness about the last part that I made bold. You'd like to faster then f1.2?

A larger lensmount would a not only allow pentax to make faster lenses - it would also give lens designers greater freedom with telephoto and wide angle optics, going for a larger mount would also have the upshot of making working with lens adapters a bit easier, so if Pentax decided to reduce the flange by half it wouldn't prevent people from using the older K series lenses.

[Kerrowdown]

the model they sent me was based on a Pentax LX

Oh happy days... died and gone to heaven, the Pentax FF at last, truly a camera among cameras. .

[LFLee]

...Well ok then, I'll spill the beans, it's a DSLR based on the 12mp hyper-sensitive sensor that is also used in the A7s. It does 12 fps. And the AF, including tracking AF, is amazing. It's the exact size of the K-5 though, so it's to small to be ergonomic and at the sime time to big and cumbersome for me to really take with me all the time. I just keep using my smartphone instead because it's always right there.

Men become so weak nowadays....
Pop photo 1994 Nov issue, page 60: Popular Photography - Google Books

"For Kerrick James, nature photographer, the problem was finding a camera offering large image size and system portability.
Solution: the PENTAX 67"

"I carry about six lenses almost everywhere I go, from 45mm to a 300mm.The whole kit - including two bodies - fit in a backpack. I can easily take it to the remotest regions to get a shot like this, or slide it under an airline seat. That's portability! "...

now people said K5 is too heavy to carry around.... LOL

[rawr]

Is that a hint that Pentax are field testing a digital 67? A 67Z maybe.
That would throw the cat amongst the pigeons.

Kerrick is still around and still shooting Pentax, AFAIK. If anyone is really field testing new Pentaxes at the moment, it would probably be him. Anyone seen him lugging some mysterious new bodies or lenses lately, with all the labels covered in duct tape?

[LesDMess]

A Rikon mirrorless FF would be fun. With dual F and K mount support

It's come full circle since Ricoh's first SLR - Ricoh Singlex, was in fact a Nikon lens mount before going to M42 then K Mount.

[rawr]

It's come full circle since Ricoh's first SLR

Very interesting. Nikon F lenses will mount on K-mount too, of course, since K is similar enough to F, and K is a tad larger than F. Not very useful for Nikon G lenses (without an aperture ring), but it works.

[pinholecam]

Its going to be based on that switchable pelicle mirror thing someone mentioned in another thread.