[tclausen]

Nice photoshop job - problem I see is with the "Photo-Video-Off" button, you have to slide it through the video setting to take a picture, not very practical. But - what a beautiful idea... A retro, FF camera, simple (don't really need the video at all), theoretically optimized for manual focus (wouldn't be opposed to a really nice autofocus system, but not at the expense of manual focus)...

It does need a photoshopped handgrip attachment (like you can get with the Leica M8/M9/M cameras)...

That all sounds very wonderful - do you think that we would be able to purchase it with photoshopped money?

In serious, looking at every digital cam I've had since the *istD, I use a fraction of the features: taking RAW, all the jpeg-processing and artistic filters are superfluous, I guess I've shot about 15s of movie over all the years, so that can go. I am shooting in Hyper-P/Av/M, so the scene/Tv modes can go. I always use spot metering, so the metering matrix and that sort of stuff can go also. Come to think, I also use AF in centre-spot mode, so more than a single focus point can go also.

Probably, the camera with all of that gone would appeal to me, and perhaps one or two folks on this forum also - and that'd be pretty much it (face it, Pentax isn't hip enough to appeal to the Leica M-crowd)....I don't think that that'd be a good business model for Pentax to go down that road.

[Jon Petersen]

That all sounds very wonderful - do you think that we would be able to purchase it with photoshopped money?

In serious, looking at every digital cam I've had since the *istD, I use a fraction of the features: taking RAW, all the jpeg-processing and artistic filters are superfluous, I guess I've shot about 15s of movie over all the years, so that can go. I am shooting in Hyper-P/Av/M, so the scene/Tv modes can go. I always use spot metering, so the metering matrix and that sort of stuff can go also. Come to think, I also use AF in centre-spot mode, so more than a single focus point can go also.

Probably, the camera with all of that gone would appeal to me, and perhaps one or two folks on this forum also - and that'd be pretty much it (face it, Pentax isn't hip enough to appeal to the Leica M-crowd)....I don't think that that'd be a good business model for Pentax to go down that road.

I totally agree - to the technical description, in really liking such a device - and in realizing, that likely, we are not enough potential buyers to make it viable.

On the other hand - it would be a concept that would not need constant model changes. Once created, it could probably remain unchanged for 5 years.


Jon

[tclausen]

I totally agree - to the technical description, in really liking such a device - and in realizing, that likely, we are not enough potential buyers to make it viable.

On the other hand - it would be a concept that would not need constant model changes. Once created, it could probably remain unchanged for 5 years.


Jon

And, for 4 of those 5 years, people wouldn't even consider it because "it's yesteryears technology"

[Jon Petersen]

I don´t think so - or at least not if the mp-count is "sufficient".

If you really want "dream" - why not construct the whole sensor/shakereduction unit as a sub-assembly, that can be changed as a cartridge?

Then, they could sell us a black-white unit too - and IF sensor technology keeps running forward, a new subassembly in 2-3 years time....


Jon

[tclausen]

I don´t think so - or at least not if the mp-count is "sufficient".

Well, maybe you're right - it would have to appeal to the enthusiast market, not the consumer or even "novelty market", though, as the latter tends to go for the "latest fad" - cf. why many DSLR manufacturers simply spew out a "slightly tweaked" version of their entry-level model on a yearly basis, simply so that the consumer can "buy the latest and greatest": if manufacturer X sells a product "from last year", even if technically better than the product that manufacturer Y sells but which is "from this year", then in the minds of many "newer must be better".

What I'm trying to say is, that this would - once again - reduce the potential number of customers to this camera, over its lifespan (that you suggest 5 years) that I figure we're now literally down to a figure that can be counted on 2 hands.....

If you really want "dream" - why not construct the whole sensor/shakereduction unit as a sub-assembly, that can be changed as a cartridge?

Then, they could sell us a black-white unit too - and IF sensor technology keeps running forward, a new subassembly in 2-3 years time....
Jon

Didn't Leica try that with their R8 and R9 SLRs: a removable back that could be replaced with a "Digital Module R" and make a 35mm camera into a digital ditto? If memory serves, the DMR and R8/R9 were discontinued in 2007 or 2008 or so, and....if Leica can't (with all the loyalty that comes with that brand, and the enthusiasts buying into it at a premium) make that work, I have little hope that Pentax could make it be both attractive technically and photographically, and financially viable.

Btw., I believe that the Hasselblad 500-series can do what you suggest, also

[Jonathan Mac]

Aw man, that is beautiful. Where do I place my pre-order?

Ditto.

[aurele]

it's beautiful but not ergonomic when it comes about button : to change anysetting while shooting, you should use your left hand, wich is a pain.

[Na Horuk]

it's beautiful but not ergonomic when it comes about button : to change anysetting while shooting, you should use your left hand, wich is a pain.

Yeah, its the button placement that makes me think its a hoax. Though, it really looks beautiful, great concept.
But those buttons and the shutter speed wheel on top.. :/
Though, I could live with awkward buttons if the price is low enough

[pinholecam]

Pentax does not like to put their buttons on the right side


That aside, where can I queue up for one

[Sandy Hancock]

Buttons on the right invite accidents. If your right hand is on the shutter, and your left hand is on the lens (as they should be) it takes a deliberate act to alter important settings.
Old school. Respect.

[p38arover]

For those of us who are left eye dominant, the current Pentax DSLR rear control placement is not ideal as they are next to one's nose.

[Aristophanes]

No room for a modern battery and circuitry, not with an FF motherboard and sensor on there.

[mattt]

Besides all that, renaming the company to Ricoh Imaging Ltd.... where does AOCo logo on the prism fit in? Maybe they ought to do up a Honeywell version too? It is pretty though.

[Digitalis]

the Nikon Hot shoe is a dead giveaway.

My hat is off to the photoshop artist, that is a remarkable job!

oooh I can do better...much better...

[gaweidert]

And it comes with one awesome lens too.