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08-05-2013, 10:53 AM - 2 Likes   #1
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Scored a Unicorn

I don't know how (and I'm not asking too many questions) but I scored a Pentax EI-3000 this week. It even has the "prototype" sticker on the bottom.



It was made in Japan. I don't know how many made it over here.

For those that don't know what this is, my EI-2000/HP912 is behind it, and these two cameras represent the two Pentax early DSLR cameras with a tilt screen and hackable camera operating system (DigitaOS). They were WAY ahead of their time for 2000-2001.

The EI-2000 was not sold in the U.S.A. under the Pentax brand, but as the HP 912 (Hewlet Packard). When Digita went belly up, along with the high price of the camera itself, coupled with the impending Optio launches, the replacement to the EI-2000 - the EI-3000 - was cancelled.

The EI-3000 was never sold and was cancelled along with the MZ-D.

I now have, what must be a handful of EI-3000 cameras that were made.

Wow. Talk about a score!


Last edited by LaurenOE; 08-05-2013 at 11:00 AM.
08-05-2013, 11:03 AM   #2
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Is it even K-mount? It doesn't look very K-like, but then again it looks like nothing familiar. Good catch, indeed!
08-05-2013, 11:05 AM   #3
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Wow, it's not even in the camera database. What size is the sensor? Too bad you didn't pick up an MZ-D prototype to go with it.
08-05-2013, 11:06 AM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by jimr-pdx Quote
Is it even K-mount? It doesn't look very K-like, but then again it looks like nothing familiar. Good catch, indeed!
Looks like a fixed lens and small sensor camera.

08-05-2013, 11:07 AM - 1 Like   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by jimr-pdx Quote
Is it even K-mount? It doesn't look very K-like, but then again it looks like nothing familiar. Good catch, indeed!
No, it's not an interchangeable lens camera. It came before the Optio age.
It's a single lens reflex camera.

I am over-the-moon because I now have a unique collection of early Pentax Digital cameras, starting with the EI-C90 (still in it's box).

The EI-3000 was something I NEVER thought I could find, as they weren't sold.

Crazy, crazy way I happened to score it.

08-05-2013, 11:12 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by kenafein Quote
Looks like a fixed lens and small sensor camera.
At the dawn of the digital camera age, Pentax aligned themselves with HP and others. The story of the MZ-D and it's Phillips sensor is fairly well known.

However, the collapse of the DigitaOS and collaboration with HP was the other part of the early digital camera story concerning Pentax.

What came out of these early Pentax disasters were the Optios and the *ist-D and what we have (and don't have) today.

08-05-2013, 11:17 AM - 1 Like   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by kenafein Quote
Wow, it's not even in the camera database. What size is the sensor? Too bad you didn't pick up an MZ-D prototype to go with it.
I don't think I will EVER be able to get an MZ-D prototype. In some ways, the EI-3000 might be rarer. I think I will take a picture of the "pioneers".

Kinda like a "never-before-seen" picture!



08-05-2013, 11:35 AM   #8
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I saw 'Unicorn' and thought 200mm macro, LOL but I guess that is even rarer. Maybe it's a pink unicorn,
08-05-2013, 11:44 AM - 2 Likes   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by jatrax Quote
I saw 'Unicorn' and thought 200mm macro, LOL but I guess that is even rarer. Maybe it's a pink unicorn,
At least a 200mm Macro was sold. The EI-3000 never saw the light of day. Everywhere on the internet the EI-3000 is labeled as "prototype".

I would not be surprised to get an email in the future asking for the EI-3000 back. I hope the person was authorized to sell it to me.

On my end, it was 100% legit.

We'll see how Pentax tracks down their intellectual properties.

Ricoh seems to care less about Pentax historical greatness, so I might be safe.
As long as I have the EI-3000 it will be taken care of!
08-05-2013, 12:05 PM - 1 Like   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by LaurenOE Quote
Ricoh seems to care less about Pentax historical greatness, so I might be safe.
Yeah, I have this vision of Ricoh employees dumping 50 years of historical archives in the trash. Sad really, that stuff should be in a museum.

QuoteOriginally posted by LaurenOE Quote
The EI-3000 never saw the light of day.
I think I worded my comment a little loosely, I meant the El-3000 is a pink unicorn. Maybe with gold spangles and a blue tail. 200mm macro is rare but at least it is seen once in awhile.
08-05-2013, 12:12 PM - 1 Like   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by jatrax Quote
Yeah, I have this vision of Ricoh employees dumping 50 years of historical archives in the trash. Sad really, that stuff should be in a museum.


I think I worded my comment a little loosely, I meant the El-3000 is a pink unicorn. Maybe with gold spangles and a blue tail. 200mm macro is rare but at least it is seen once in awhile.
Yep. I agree.

At least I have a complete set of early Pentax digital cameras now.

Here is another one of my hard-to-come-by Pentax digital cameras.



Yes. That is a COMPLETE EI-C90 still in the box.
08-05-2013, 12:22 PM - 1 Like   #12
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Or how about these two beauties?

Pentax EI-200 and EI-100



Yes, the EI-200 and EI-100 are digital cameras with optical viewfinders.

Ricoh wants folks to think their "GR" is so beautiful and retro.
Sorry, but AOC did it a decade ago.
08-05-2013, 12:28 PM   #13
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I wonder what the specs are for it. Also, if you take a pic with it post it!
08-05-2013, 12:32 PM   #14
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You sound like a couple of the curators of museums that I know. Congratulations on your rare acquisition!
08-05-2013, 12:56 PM - 1 Like   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Docrwm Quote
You sound like a couple of the curators of museums that I know.
Funny, I feel the same way but about lenses. I have no desire or interest to collect the cameras but wave a nice lens in front of me and LBA kicks in quick. I'm only missing a couple to have a complete set of S-M-C Takumars. (500 f/4.5 and 1000 f/8)
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