Pentax 50th Anniversary Asahi DSLR

WildSioux · 06-01-2007, 04:39 AM

Just a K10D minus the pop-up flash and a different viewfinder.

In the Pentax Square in Shinjuku, Japan Pentax has revealed a special 50th Anniversary edition 'Design Study Model' digital SLR with the tentative name of 'Asahi Pentax'. This prototype camera is based on the K10D (as is obvious on closer inspection) but has a very different viewfinder, which is of the same design as that found on the very first Asahi Pentax from 1957, the first Japanese SLR with a fixed pentaprism viewfinder. Note that there are no plans to put this camera into production, rather it is a celebration of Pentax's 50th anniversary and their long contribution to SLR photography.

Pentax 50th Anniversary Asahi Pentax DSLR: Digital Photography Review

More Photos
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Looks nice, I don't think I would buy it. Come on Pentax, any other DSLR news???

carpents · 06-01-2007, 06:06 AM

Originally posted by WildSioux

Just a K10D minus the pop-up flash and a different viewfinder.

They've answered my prayers! A K10D with a bigger, brighter viewfinder and better support for older lenses (better metering, scroll wheels control exposure compensation, non-crippled KAF2 mount)...

Fingers crossed...

GaryML · 06-01-2007, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by carpents

They've answered my prayers! A K10D with a bigger, brighter viewfinder and better support for older lenses (better metering, scroll wheels control exposure compensation, non-crippled KAF2 mount)...

I don't see anything to suggest a different viewfinder or better support for old lenses. Just restyled top and bottom plates with a matching restyled DA 40mm "Takumar" to match. But I do think it looks cool; I like the classic penta-prism look.

(BTW, the viewfinder issue is due to the fact that the focusing screen is 2/3 the size of a film SLR. The K10D viewfinder image is brighter than my LX, but the image is smaller and harder to focus manually. I'd love an enhanced manual focus screen for the K10D such as the ones that Canon offers for their better DSLRs.)

carpents · 06-01-2007, 07:26 AM

Originally posted by GaryML

I don't see anything to suggest a different viewfinder or better support for old lenses.

Don't burst my bubble, man! Can't a man have a dream?!?

Originally posted by GaryML

I'd love an enhanced manual focus screen for the K10D such as the ones that Canon offers for their better DSLRs.)

AMEN! E-mail Pentax, copy that line, paste it in, send.

joele · 06-01-2007, 07:36 AM

ugly yet somehow very cool looking collectors item

arbutusq · 06-01-2007, 08:01 AM

I like it, oddly enough. I wouldn't miss the flash as I never use one and I kinda like the retro stylings/ Wonder if they'll ever put it into production?

J.Scott · 06-01-2007, 08:08 AM

Originally posted by WildSioux

Just a K10D minus the pop-up flash and a different viewfinder.

In the Pentax Square in Shinjuku, Japan Pentax has revealed a special 50th Anniversary edition 'Design Study Model' digital SLR with the tentative name of 'Asahi Pentax'. This prototype camera is based on the K10D (as is obvious on closer inspection) but has a very different viewfinder, which is of the same design as that found on the very first Asahi Pentax from 1957, the first Japanese SLR with a fixed pentaprism viewfinder. Note that there are no plans to put this camera into production, rather it is a celebration of Pentax's 50th anniversary and their long contribution to SLR photography.

No plans to make it??!! - why do they tease us like this? I truly dislike the goofy pop-up flash on 'serious' DSLR's.

It has a nice nostalgic look to it that appeals to an old fart like me.

Last edited by J.Scott; 06-01-2007 at 08:12 AM. Reason: adding image

HawaiianOnline · 06-01-2007, 08:47 AM

ASAHI Pentax? I thought the merger was with Hoya? Does that mean that Pentax will be making beer now???

Cool in a very retro way...

Harald · 06-01-2007, 10:04 AM

They dont make them.... ????

Why?

An moment I thought to send immediately an order and sell my black K10D.....
and then read that they will not make it....

Chocolar · 06-01-2007, 02:43 PM

It's not "square" enough

, still look too "modern".

Photo Tramp · 06-01-2007, 03:06 PM

One can only hope. Even in limited production I can just imagine the price of this beauty. It would be like the golden LX. But you know I would really think about ordering one. (I wonder what the bank of wife would say)

I would love to own one.

MikePerham · 06-02-2007, 04:39 PM

Originally posted by J.Scott

No plans to make it??!! - why do they tease us like this? I truly dislike the goofy pop-up flash on 'serious' DSLR's.

It has a nice nostalgic look to it that appeals to an old fart like me.

I could accept dropping the built in flash, but Pentax would have to come up with some form of wireless remote to trigger off camera flash (as Nikon have) without requiring a second camera mounted flash unit.

Anyway, I find the design incongruous, I dont mind the angular lines of the old style pentaprism, or the curved lines of the modern K10D. They just don't go together.

Mike.

kshapero · 06-05-2007, 04:58 AM

I'll take two.

Matjazz · 06-05-2007, 07:41 AM

They won't sell it probably because it wouldn't sell and IMHO it looks too mashed-up, like MikePerham said. Oh and built in flash can save a shot and doesn't get in the way when you don't need it. Perhaps I'd be able to trade it if it ment bigger/brighter viewfinder but I don't think that is the case with this camera.

vinzer · 06-05-2007, 08:00 AM

Put off by the design? Well, Sony's mock-up of their higher-end offering for the Alpha system looks much worse. I'm not brand-bashing, as I still own quite a number of Sony gear.

Of course, this is just a mock-up and subject to change. But I still maintain that THAT design is a much worse retro homage styling than the Pentax Anniversary cam.

Personally, it's just the curved contoured grip that's derailing the Anniv cam's design.

EDIT: Image sourced from Engadget.com

06-01-2007, 04:39 AM	#1
WildSioux Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: FL Posts: 103	Pentax 50th Anniversary Asahi DSLR Just a K10D minus the pop-up flash and a different viewfinder. In the Pentax Square in Shinjuku, Japan Pentax has revealed a special 50th Anniversary edition 'Design Study Model' digital SLR with the tentative name of 'Asahi Pentax'. This prototype camera is based on the K10D (as is obvious on closer inspection) but has a very different viewfinder, which is of the same design as that found on the very first Asahi Pentax from 1957, the first Japanese SLR with a fixed pentaprism viewfinder. Note that there are no plans to put this camera into production, rather it is a celebration of Pentax's 50th anniversary and their long contribution to SLR photography. Pentax 50th Anniversary Asahi Pentax DSLR: Digital Photography Review More Photos ƒyƒ“ƒ^ƒbƒNƒXAƒNƒ‰ƒVƒbƒN’²ƒfƒWƒ^ƒ‹ˆêŠáƒŒƒt‚ÌƒRƒ“ƒZƒvƒgƒ‚ƒfƒ‹ Looks nice, I don't think I would buy it. Come on Pentax, any other DSLR news???

06-01-2007, 08:08 AM	#7
J.Scott Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,675	Originally posted by WildSioux Just a K10D minus the pop-up flash and a different viewfinder. In the Pentax Square in Shinjuku, Japan Pentax has revealed a special 50th Anniversary edition 'Design Study Model' digital SLR with the tentative name of 'Asahi Pentax'. This prototype camera is based on the K10D (as is obvious on closer inspection) but has a very different viewfinder, which is of the same design as that found on the very first Asahi Pentax from 1957, the first Japanese SLR with a fixed pentaprism viewfinder. Note that there are no plans to put this camera into production, rather it is a celebration of Pentax's 50th anniversary and their long contribution to SLR photography. No plans to make it??!! - why do they tease us like this? I truly dislike the goofy pop-up flash on 'serious' DSLR's. It has a nice nostalgic look to it that appeals to an old fart like me. Last edited by J.Scott; 06-01-2007 at 08:12 AM. Reason: adding image

06-01-2007, 08:47 AM	#8
HawaiianOnline Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hawaii Posts: 613	ASAHI Pentax? I thought the merger was with Hoya? Does that mean that Pentax will be making beer now??? Cool in a very retro way... Last edited by HawaiianOnline; 06-01-2007 at 08:49 AM. Reason: Didn't want to douple post

06-05-2007, 08:00 AM	#15
vinzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Philippines Posts: 1,399	Put off by the design? Well, Sony's mock-up of their higher-end offering for the Alpha system looks much worse. I'm not brand-bashing, as I still own quite a number of Sony gear. Of course, this is just a mock-up and subject to change. But I still maintain that THAT design is a much worse retro homage styling than the Pentax Anniversary cam. Personally, it's just the curved contoured grip that's derailing the Anniv cam's design. EDIT: Image sourced from Engadget.com Last edited by vinzer; 06-05-2007 at 08:01 AM. Reason: credited image source

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06-01-2007, 06:06 AM	#2
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	Originally posted by WildSioux Just a K10D minus the pop-up flash and a different viewfinder. They've answered my prayers! A K10D with a bigger, brighter viewfinder and better support for older lenses (better metering, scroll wheels control exposure compensation, non-crippled KAF2 mount)... Fingers crossed...

06-01-2007, 07:17 AM	#3
GaryML Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 441	Originally posted by carpents They've answered my prayers! A K10D with a bigger, brighter viewfinder and better support for older lenses (better metering, scroll wheels control exposure compensation, non-crippled KAF2 mount)... I don't see anything to suggest a different viewfinder or better support for old lenses. Just restyled top and bottom plates with a matching restyled DA 40mm "Takumar" to match. But I do think it looks cool; I like the classic penta-prism look. (BTW, the viewfinder issue is due to the fact that the focusing screen is 2/3 the size of a film SLR. The K10D viewfinder image is brighter than my LX, but the image is smaller and harder to focus manually. I'd love an enhanced manual focus screen for the K10D such as the ones that Canon offers for their better DSLRs.)

06-01-2007, 07:26 AM	#4
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	Originally posted by GaryML I don't see anything to suggest a different viewfinder or better support for old lenses. Don't burst my bubble, man! Can't a man have a dream?!? Originally posted by GaryML I'd love an enhanced manual focus screen for the K10D such as the ones that Canon offers for their better DSLRs.) AMEN! E-mail Pentax, copy that line, paste it in, send.

06-01-2007, 07:36 AM	#5
joele Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,308	ugly yet somehow very cool looking collectors item

06-01-2007, 08:01 AM	#6
arbutusq Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver BC canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 380	I like it, oddly enough. I wouldn't miss the flash as I never use one and I kinda like the retro stylings/ Wonder if they'll ever put it into production?

06-01-2007, 10:04 AM	#9
Harald Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 259	They dont make them.... ???? Why? An moment I thought to send immediately an order and sell my black K10D..... and then read that they will not make it....

06-01-2007, 02:43 PM	#10
Chocolar Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: OC, California Posts: 147	It's not "square" enough , still look too "modern".

06-01-2007, 03:06 PM	#11
Photo Tramp Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lancaster, PA. Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,041	One can only hope. Even in limited production I can just imagine the price of this beauty. It would be like the golden LX. But you know I would really think about ordering one. (I wonder what the bank of wife would say) I would love to own one.

06-02-2007, 04:39 PM	#12
MikePerham Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Prince George, BC Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 642	Originally posted by J.Scott No plans to make it??!! - why do they tease us like this? I truly dislike the goofy pop-up flash on 'serious' DSLR's. It has a nice nostalgic look to it that appeals to an old fart like me. I could accept dropping the built in flash, but Pentax would have to come up with some form of wireless remote to trigger off camera flash (as Nikon have) without requiring a second camera mounted flash unit. Anyway, I find the design incongruous, I dont mind the angular lines of the old style pentaprism, or the curved lines of the modern K10D. They just don't go together. Mike.

06-05-2007, 04:58 AM	#13
kshapero Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Florida, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 437	I'll take two.

06-05-2007, 07:41 AM	#14
Matjazz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: EU/Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 774	They won't sell it probably because it wouldn't sell and IMHO it looks too mashed-up, like MikePerham said. Oh and built in flash can save a shot and doesn't get in the way when you don't need it. Perhaps I'd be able to trade it if it ment bigger/brighter viewfinder but I don't think that is the case with this camera.