645D IR version... for museums?

panoguy · 12-14-2012, 09:56 AM

From the press release: "The camera is designed for research companies, museums, libraries and specialized law enforcement units such as CSI units. General consumers will not be the intended target for the "PENTAX 645D IR".
And at a production of 100 a year, they won't be able to get them.

For a bit more see the very brief press release.

And this application of the concept.

At least Ricoh consistently sees the value in removing parts (IR filter, AA filter) and selling the same camera as a "new version!"

Anvh · 12-14-2012, 10:44 AM

There was no AA filter to begin with

But here it clearly says the IR filter is removed but on the main page here some think there is an IR filter placed inside to take IR photos but that gladly isnt the case.

Adam · 12-14-2012, 11:28 AM

Originally posted by panoguy

From the press release: "The camera is designed for research companies, museums, libraries and specialized law enforcement units such as CSI units. General consumers will not be the intended target for the "PENTAX 645D IR".
And at a production of 100 a year, they won't be able to get them.

For a bit more see the very brief press release.

And this application of the concept.

At least Ricoh consistently sees the value in removing parts (IR filter, AA filter) and selling the same camera as a "new version!"

Notice how it's being announced by RIcoh, not Pentax Ricoh- this camera isn't going to be sold to consumers. Definitely seems like it will be useful for forensics, though I also think this means that the potential successor is farther out than we think..

Anvh · 12-14-2012, 11:35 AM

Doesnt have to, those market don't want the cutting edge but they want something reiable that works.

Na Horuk · 12-14-2012, 11:51 AM

I'm not sure how I feel about police taking my portraits with Pentax cameras, it might make things awkward

But its good to see that Pentax will be used for professional purposes, even outside classical photography. I hope this isn't where Pentax is headed, though. I want them to mostly design consumer and pro photographer gear, not just tools for other industries.

panoguy · 12-14-2012, 12:02 PM

Originally posted by Anvh

There was no AA filter to begin with

Sorry, you missed it. I was referring to the removal of the AA filter from the K-5II.

Originally posted by Na Horuk

I hope this isn't where Pentax is headed, though. I want them to mostly design consumer and pro photographer gear, not just tools for other industries.

It isn't where Pentax is headed (at least, not now that the procto-scope division is gone), rather this is where Ricoh already is. They already have a big legal and forensic division, and this adds imaging to the mix for relatively little investment. Just interesting that it's medium-format!

Anvh · 12-14-2012, 12:40 PM

Sorry you missed the wink

jon404 · 12-22-2012, 11:46 PM

A possible spin-off from the legal/forensic side -- recent rumors have it that the 645D-IR can 'see' through clothing, which may make it quite popular with airport screeners and certain advanced amateurs.

Na Horuk · 12-23-2012, 06:48 AM

Originally posted by jon404

ertain advanced amateurs.

lol you mean perverts? I'm just joking around, I'm sure IR has many uses.
I have seen some IR photography and its quite cool, but most of what I saw was landscape images with heavy processing. I'm pretty interested to see how this camera will actually perform. It would be neat if the Pentax Forums got their hands on one to make a review and upload some raw output

Anvh · 12-23-2012, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

It would be neat if the Pentax Forums got their hands on one to make a review and upload some raw output

It would but with only 100 being made i think only musea and the police would get them

Na Horuk · 12-23-2012, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by Anvh

It would but with only 100 being made i think only musea and the police would get them

So we should mail the museums and tell them to do it for us

It would be a great entry on the camera reviews section and an ad for the museum/researchers.

Anvh · 12-24-2012, 09:59 AM

I mean it's a bit pointless to review it since no mortal will get it.

jon404 · 12-27-2012, 01:22 AM

Could stimulate the economy (oops, the Japanese economy) if they give one to every TSA agent.

"Now, Barbie, we're going to take a few quick photos..."

Seriously, would be very useful for high-end galleries and museums. Quick fake detection -- like where the forger starts with a low-value painting on truly old canvas... overpainting it with his copy of a very valuable artwork. Won't have any trouble at all selling 100 of them.

On my old cameras, I had to focus a little differently for infrared. I guess they would have the AF re-calibrated?

12-14-2012, 09:56 AM	#1
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	645D IR version... for museums? From the press release: "The camera is designed for research companies, museums, libraries and specialized law enforcement units such as CSI units. General consumers will not be the intended target for the "PENTAX 645D IR". And at a production of 100 a year, they won't be able to get them. For a bit more see the very brief press release. And this application of the concept. At least Ricoh consistently sees the value in removing parts (IR filter, AA filter) and selling the same camera as a "new version!"

12-14-2012, 11:28 AM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by panoguy From the press release: "The camera is designed for research companies, museums, libraries and specialized law enforcement units such as CSI units. General consumers will not be the intended target for the "PENTAX 645D IR". And at a production of 100 a year, they won't be able to get them. For a bit more see the very brief press release. And this application of the concept. At least Ricoh consistently sees the value in removing parts (IR filter, AA filter) and selling the same camera as a "new version!" Notice how it's being announced by RIcoh, not Pentax Ricoh- this camera isn't going to be sold to consumers. Definitely seems like it will be useful for forensics, though I also think this means that the potential successor is farther out than we think.. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

12-14-2012, 12:02 PM	#6
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327 Original Poster	Originally posted by Anvh There was no AA filter to begin with Sorry, you missed it. I was referring to the removal of the AA filter from the K-5II. Originally posted by Na Horuk I hope this isn't where Pentax is headed, though. I want them to mostly design consumer and pro photographer gear, not just tools for other industries. It isn't where Pentax is headed (at least, not now that the procto-scope division is gone), rather this is where Ricoh already is. They already have a big legal and forensic division, and this adds imaging to the mix for relatively little investment. Just interesting that it's medium-format! Last edited by panoguy; 12-14-2012 at 12:09 PM.

12-27-2012, 01:22 AM	#13
jon404 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 696	Could stimulate the economy (oops, the Japanese economy) if they give one to every TSA agent. "Now, Barbie, we're going to take a few quick photos..." Seriously, would be very useful for high-end galleries and museums. Quick fake detection -- like where the forger starts with a low-value painting on truly old canvas... overpainting it with his copy of a very valuable artwork. Won't have any trouble at all selling 100 of them. On my old cameras, I had to focus a little differently for infrared. I guess they would have the AF re-calibrated? Last edited by jon404; 12-27-2012 at 01:32 AM.

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12-14-2012, 10:44 AM	#2
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	There was no AA filter to begin with But here it clearly says the IR filter is removed but on the main page here some think there is an IR filter placed inside to take IR photos but that gladly isnt the case.

12-14-2012, 11:35 AM	#4
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Doesnt have to, those market don't want the cutting edge but they want something reiable that works.

12-14-2012, 11:51 AM	#5
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	I'm not sure how I feel about police taking my portraits with Pentax cameras, it might make things awkward But its good to see that Pentax will be used for professional purposes, even outside classical photography. I hope this isn't where Pentax is headed, though. I want them to mostly design consumer and pro photographer gear, not just tools for other industries.

12-14-2012, 12:40 PM	#7
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Sorry you missed the wink

12-22-2012, 11:46 PM	#8
jon404 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 696	A possible spin-off from the legal/forensic side -- recent rumors have it that the 645D-IR can 'see' through clothing, which may make it quite popular with airport screeners and certain advanced amateurs.

12-23-2012, 06:48 AM	#9
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by jon404 ertain advanced amateurs. lol you mean perverts? I'm just joking around, I'm sure IR has many uses. I have seen some IR photography and its quite cool, but most of what I saw was landscape images with heavy processing. I'm pretty interested to see how this camera will actually perform. It would be neat if the Pentax Forums got their hands on one to make a review and upload some raw output

12-23-2012, 09:29 AM	#10
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	Originally posted by Na Horuk It would be neat if the Pentax Forums got their hands on one to make a review and upload some raw output It would but with only 100 being made i think only musea and the police would get them

12-23-2012, 04:04 PM	#11
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by Anvh It would but with only 100 being made i think only musea and the police would get them So we should mail the museums and tell them to do it for us It would be a great entry on the camera reviews section and an ad for the museum/researchers.

12-24-2012, 09:59 AM	#12
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	I mean it's a bit pointless to review it since no mortal will get it.