645D for the Masses

Ratmagiclady · 02-05-2011, 08:49 AM

Waist level finder and manual focus? or maybe EVF only?

(I think the idea of cutting out the weather sealing is pretty ludicrous: even a down-spec'ed 645D would still be too expensive a camera not to weatherseal or to start cutting out too many things that are just electronics. )

ogl · 02-05-2011, 08:49 AM

I think if low-end 645D will be real, it could cost approx. ~7000 USD (with 31 MP sensor).
Compare with - H4D-31 ~ 13000 USD.

645D ~ 10 000 USD
H4D-40 ~ 18 000 USD

And I think we could see 645D 50 MP version later .

ogl · 02-05-2011, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by zackspeed

Maybe 3 Body in complete?
One lower with Poliycarbonate body,no seals and 22 Megapixel.
One higher class is also possible.
And that the actually body will be alone the next time,is to exclude

Best regards,Andy

Weather seals costs very low.

DFA55 and DFA25 are WR. No need to remove WR from camera.

But...yes. Poliycarbonate body, 31 MP or less, worse VF, cheaper LCD, 1 AF point e.t.c

cats_five · 02-05-2011, 09:44 AM

If I was paying ££££ for a camera I'd want a top-of-the-line beast, not something cut down with horrors like a plastic body (saves very little I suspect - indeed may put up the price as it would be a different moudling) or an EVF. One of the main costs of the 645D I suspect is in it's restricted production run - you have all the development costs but far fewer bodies to bear it. Once you start fiddling with the design you are putting the development costs up, are you going to well enough extra bodies to make it worth-while? Probably not with something at this price level.

Kenn100D · 02-05-2011, 10:00 AM

Originally posted by blende8

You cannot use FF lenses on a MF body, except you change the register distance. And that makes no sense.

Principle is like Lumix LX3 for the sensor side. The rest will be dependent on the converter.

blende8 · 02-05-2011, 10:06 AM

Originally posted by Kenn100D

Principle is like Lumix LX3 for the sensor side. The rest will be dependent on the converter.

???
Sorry, I don't understand.

RonHendriks1966 · 02-05-2011, 10:27 AM

There is a question on dpreview Question: the Pentax 645D; any sales figures known? so any input on that topic?

@ogl I think that it is very easy to produce the 50mp 645D with the KAF-50100 sensor wich runs on the same platform as the KAF-40000. You coult just put it in I guess. Only it needs a faster CPU then the current PRIME II.

gazonk · 02-05-2011, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

@ogl I think that it is very easy to produce the 50mp 645D with the KAF-50100 sensor wich runs on the same platform as the KAF-40000. You coult just put it in I guess. Only it needs a faster CPU then the current PRIME II.

Indeed, the specs say it has the same pinout. It's slightly larger, so the 55mm lens, which is a "perfect normal" right now (equivalent to 43mm on 35mm) would be a moderate WA lens (equivalent to 38mm on 35mm).

ogl · 02-05-2011, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

There is a question on dpreview Question: the Pentax 645D; any sales figures known? so any input on that topic?

from April of 2010 till February 2011 - ~ 6 000 units, I guess...

ogl · 02-05-2011, 11:11 AM

Originally posted by gazonk

Indeed, the specs say it has the same pinout. It's slightly larger, so the 55mm lens, which is a "perfect normal" right now (equivalent to 43mm on 35mm) would be a moderate WA lens (equivalent to 38mm on 35mm).

Maybe Kodak will make new 44*33 sensor with 60 MP.

Sig M9 · 02-05-2011, 11:22 AM

The 645D is already "Cut Down" if you consider the lack of lenses available.

RonHendriks1966 · 02-05-2011, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by ogl

from April of 2010 till February 2011 - ~ 10 000 units, I guess...

really that much???? It was stated at start somewhere (if that was true?) that there was contract for 300-500 sensors a month. That would make it a year production of 3600-6000. Did that changed due to larger demand?

ogl · 02-05-2011, 11:28 AM

Originally posted by ronhendriks1966

really that much???? It was stated at start somewhere (if that was true?) that there was contract for 300-500 sensors a month. That would make it a year production of 3600-6000. Did that changed due to larger demand?

~ 6000

Yamanobori · 02-05-2011, 11:46 AM

Originally posted by cats_five

If I was paying ££££ for a camera I'd want a top-of-the-line beast, not something cut down with horrors like a plastic body (saves very little I suspect - indeed may put up the price as it would be a different moudling) or an EVF. One of the main costs of the 645D I suspect is in it's restricted production run - you have all the development costs but far fewer bodies to bear it. Once you start fiddling with the design you are putting the development costs up, are you going to well enough extra bodies to make it worth-while? Probably not with something at this price level.

Plastic bodies are far cheaper. The restricted production run is a reflection of the market. Dropping the price does not necessarily translate into an increase in sales. The market for this camera is limited, even if the price dropped 20%. I think Pentax believes/hopes this model will be in production for longer than a consumer camera, which will help them recoup their cost and turn a profit. And the sales will help them decide how much money they are going to put in to design lenses for it--the old FA lenses will probably not return. Pentax/Hoya is not the company that brought us the 645 and 67. In a way, they are starting from scratch again.

The good news is it looks like a success.

RonHendriks1966 · 02-05-2011, 12:08 PM

Originally posted by Yamanobori

And the sales will help them decide how much money they are going to put in to design lenses for it--the old FA lenses will probably not return.

Please stop spreading nonsens when you only make a guess instead of doing research.

The FA lens serie is for sale at the time. I don't believe old stock, but new production. Some of them where already in production in Vietnam for some years. I have a 75mm lens dat is assembled in Vietnam.

02-05-2011, 11:06 AM	#39
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 There is a question on dpreview Question: the Pentax 645D; any sales figures known? so any input on that topic? from April of 2010 till February 2011 - ~ 6 000 units, I guess... Last edited by ogl; 02-05-2011 at 11:28 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Stocking stuffer for the "masses" ;)	jeffkrol	General Talk	0	12-19-2010 09:06 AM
645d!!!	insulinguy	Pentax News and Rumors	1	10-12-2010 07:36 AM
645D is here ...	frank	Pentax News and Rumors	810	03-24-2010 10:14 AM
Using the 645D...	HawaiianOnline	Pentax Medium Format	13	03-23-2010 07:17 PM
Cheap lighting for the masses!	codiac2600	Post Your Photos!	17	02-23-2008 05:50 PM

02-05-2011, 08:49 AM	#31
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Waist level finder and manual focus? or maybe EVF only? (I think the idea of cutting out the weather sealing is pretty ludicrous: even a down-spec'ed 645D would still be too expensive a camera not to weatherseal or to start cutting out too many things that are just electronics. )

02-05-2011, 08:49 AM	#32
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	I think if low-end 645D will be real, it could cost approx. ~7000 USD (with 31 MP sensor). Compare with - H4D-31 ~ 13000 USD. 645D ~ 10 000 USD H4D-40 ~ 18 000 USD And I think we could see 645D 50 MP version later .

02-05-2011, 08:53 AM	#33
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by zackspeed Maybe 3 Body in complete? One lower with Poliycarbonate body,no seals and 22 Megapixel. One higher class is also possible. And that the actually body will be alone the next time,is to exclude Best regards,Andy Weather seals costs very low. DFA55 and DFA25 are WR. No need to remove WR from camera. But...yes. Poliycarbonate body, 31 MP or less, worse VF, cheaper LCD, 1 AF point e.t.c

02-05-2011, 09:44 AM	#34
cats_five Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 835	If I was paying ££££ for a camera I'd want a top-of-the-line beast, not something cut down with horrors like a plastic body (saves very little I suspect - indeed may put up the price as it would be a different moudling) or an EVF. One of the main costs of the 645D I suspect is in it's restricted production run - you have all the development costs but far fewer bodies to bear it. Once you start fiddling with the design you are putting the development costs up, are you going to well enough extra bodies to make it worth-while? Probably not with something at this price level.

02-05-2011, 10:00 AM	#35
Kenn100D Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Paranaque City, Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 697 Original Poster	Originally posted by blende8 You cannot use FF lenses on a MF body, except you change the register distance. And that makes no sense. Principle is like Lumix LX3 for the sensor side. The rest will be dependent on the converter.

02-05-2011, 10:06 AM	#36
blende8 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 1,521	Originally posted by Kenn100D Principle is like Lumix LX3 for the sensor side. The rest will be dependent on the converter. ??? Sorry, I don't understand.

02-05-2011, 10:27 AM	#37
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	There is a question on dpreview Question: the Pentax 645D; any sales figures known? so any input on that topic? @ogl I think that it is very easy to produce the 50mp 645D with the KAF-50100 sensor wich runs on the same platform as the KAF-40000. You coult just put it in I guess. Only it needs a faster CPU then the current PRIME II.

02-05-2011, 11:04 AM	#38
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 @ogl I think that it is very easy to produce the 50mp 645D with the KAF-50100 sensor wich runs on the same platform as the KAF-40000. You coult just put it in I guess. Only it needs a faster CPU then the current PRIME II. Indeed, the specs say it has the same pinout. It's slightly larger, so the 55mm lens, which is a "perfect normal" right now (equivalent to 43mm on 35mm) would be a moderate WA lens (equivalent to 38mm on 35mm).

02-05-2011, 11:11 AM	#40
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by gazonk Indeed, the specs say it has the same pinout. It's slightly larger, so the 55mm lens, which is a "perfect normal" right now (equivalent to 43mm on 35mm) would be a moderate WA lens (equivalent to 38mm on 35mm). Maybe Kodak will make new 44*33 sensor with 60 MP.

02-05-2011, 11:22 AM	#41
Sig M9 New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 17	The 645D is already "Cut Down" if you consider the lack of lenses available.

02-05-2011, 11:25 AM	#42
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by ogl from April of 2010 till February 2011 - ~ 10 000 units, I guess... really that much???? It was stated at start somewhere (if that was true?) that there was contract for 300-500 sensors a month. That would make it a year production of 3600-6000. Did that changed due to larger demand?

02-05-2011, 11:28 AM	#43
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by ronhendriks1966 really that much???? It was stated at start somewhere (if that was true?) that there was contract for 300-500 sensors a month. That would make it a year production of 3600-6000. Did that changed due to larger demand? ~ 6000

02-05-2011, 11:46 AM	#44
Yamanobori Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 573	Originally posted by cats_five If I was paying ££££ for a camera I'd want a top-of-the-line beast, not something cut down with horrors like a plastic body (saves very little I suspect - indeed may put up the price as it would be a different moudling) or an EVF. One of the main costs of the 645D I suspect is in it's restricted production run - you have all the development costs but far fewer bodies to bear it. Once you start fiddling with the design you are putting the development costs up, are you going to well enough extra bodies to make it worth-while? Probably not with something at this price level. Plastic bodies are far cheaper. The restricted production run is a reflection of the market. Dropping the price does not necessarily translate into an increase in sales. The market for this camera is limited, even if the price dropped 20%. I think Pentax believes/hopes this model will be in production for longer than a consumer camera, which will help them recoup their cost and turn a profit. And the sales will help them decide how much money they are going to put in to design lenses for it--the old FA lenses will probably not return. Pentax/Hoya is not the company that brought us the 645 and 67. In a way, they are starting from scratch again. The good news is it looks like a success.

02-05-2011, 12:08 PM	#45
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by Yamanobori And the sales will help them decide how much money they are going to put in to design lenses for it--the old FA lenses will probably not return. Please stop spreading nonsens when you only make a guess instead of doing research. The FA lens serie is for sale at the time. I don't believe old stock, but new production. Some of them where already in production in Vietnam for some years. I have a 75mm lens dat is assembled in Vietnam.