Originally posted by pathdoc The biggest problem with a mirrorless Pentax full-frame is that IIRC, Pentax/Ricoh have pronounced themselves dissatisfied with the current state-of-the-art of EVF tech…
From what I've seen, I can't argue with that conclusion, but it's really no excuse for not providing an option for either of their Pentax-badged mirrorless efforts to date, especially as it was provided for the two Ricoh-badged cameras. EVFs have improved somewhat since those Ricoh efforts, too.
Originally posted by pathdoc I can imagine a slimmer full-frame K-01 shipping with a registry distance bridge bearing all the appropriate contacts, to be fully compatible with Pentax glass first and foremost and allow for other adapters a very distant second, but ONLY after the EVF issues have been sorted out in the designers' minds. And if we're going to eliminate the formal mirror box, THEN is the time to reintroduce the aperture arm, when there will be a lot more in-camera space to play with, viz.
It's interesting how the negativity to this design suggestion has abated over the last couple of years. Of course, such a camera would allow a rebirth of the aperture sensor in something like its original form, probably with a digital encoder instead of the old potentiometer. The problem is that there isn't such a camera now, and we really have no idea if and when it might appear. The K-1 does exist, and with some good engineering design its successor could have an aperture sensor without compromising the other mirror box contents. Of course, that successor could also have a plethora of other technological advances, too, which would probably be a better use of Ricoh's engineering resources.