Originally posted by benjikan Another little survey...
Should Pentax perhaps in collaboration with another manufacture develop their own sensors an if so which type would be attractive to you?
Only if it can equal or outperform the existing suppliers (Sony). AFAIK Sony have been rumoured to have a FF sensor in development, if not already in trials.
They have huge experience in this technology and to date haven't, on balance, been bettered, some may state Canon have, but I have my own personal view about that. Only Fuji have shown any real capability in having some IQ improvements, I know some see Foveon as a contender as well, but I'm not totally convinced, it's a bit of a curates egg, very tasty in parts, but not in others.
In both cases (S & C) have invested huge amounts of money and time into the technology, probably more than Pentax and Hoya turn over!
Even if they can find a partner, the quantities that even an enlarged Pentax could require, would probably not be sufficient to make it economically viable.
As far as possible contenders, let Fuji or Kodak decide if they want to go head on with S & C. There is also a lot of research going on into alternative technologies which I suspect S & C, and maybe some existing fabricators will eventually bring to market. Sony and Kodak are the prime major fabricators that offer OEM supply, Canon, Fuji and even Panasonic keep it in house for themselves (at the moment).
What Pentax need to do, in the short to medium term, is to develop a full and comprehensive range of lenses and accessories to attract ALL sectors of the market place and refine their 1.5x crop bodies based upon proven sensor and processor technology, and that also is true for the 2x size (36 x 48mm) of the Kodak sensors proposed for the 645D.
I think there is far too much narrow mental focus on sensors (size, maker etc.,) without due consideration to the broader implications that come with it.
Ben, as a footnote, and I'm sure that you know this, you are not the only one feeding back to Pentax either, there are quite a few of us in the UK, Europe and USA who have been garnering information and ideas via a whole and diverse group of Pentax users, not only photographic, but those whose expertise lie in electronics, semiconductor technology, software, code writers, IT specialists, and electro/mechanical design for some years.