[Samsungian]

02-10-2001~02-10-2010

Has it been 9 years since Pentax showed off that full frame k mount dslr?


Press release:

PENTAX PREVIEWS A NEW PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL AUTOFOCUS SLR CAMERA
DENVER, Colorado (February 10, 2001) . . . PENTAX Corporation will preview a new digital autofocus SLR camera (which has not yet been named) at the PMA (Photo Marketing Association) Show held in Orlando, February 11-14, 2001. The addition of this advanced digital SLR camera complements one of the most extensive photographic lines of any manufacturer in the industry including 35mm, APS, medium format and digital for various levels of photographers.


Created along the same developmental concept lines as the new PENTAX MZ-S professional 35mm autofocus SLR camera, this high-end digital SLR will feature a 35mm-film-sized, six megapixel CCD image sensor as well as a DSP and other digital processing components. This package was jointly developed with Philips Electronics in order to realize high-grade image quality, top-level performance and compact dimensions simultaneously. Offering compatibility with the existing PENTAX KAF2 lens mount, it will also accept PENTAX 645-system and 67-system interchangeable lenses (when used with an adapter). This high-performance digital autofocus SLR camera will be ideal for advanced amateurs and professionals who demand top quality images and SLR maneuverability.

The camera will be compatible with four new accessories introduced for the new MZ-S 35mm SLR camera including: 1.) BG-10 Battery Grip, 2.) CS-105 & CS-130 Cable Switches, 3.) TS-110 Release Timer Switch, and the 4.) AF360FGZ Dedicated Flash Unit. The final product specifications, pricing and marketing dates will be announced at a later time.


Re-read that last statement in the 9 year old press release:




The final product specifications, pricing and marketing dates will be announced at a later time.






Pentax 6mp Digital SLR hands-on: Digital Photography Review


Features and specifications (so far)
Body Pentax design magnesium alloy case
Type SLR (body only)
Imager Philips 6 megapixel CCD
35mm full frame
12-bit progressive scan
12 µm pixel pitch
Image resolution 3072 x 2048
Image types JPEG, TIFF, RAW
Shutter speed Up to 1/6000 sec
Metering TTL six-segment metering
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 mount (645N & 67II lenses can be used)
Focus 6-point AF
Viewfinder TTL optical (true TTL)
LCD 2 inch TFT
Flash Built-in retractable flash unit (TTL)
Storage Dual slots:
one Compact Flash Type II
one PCMCIA Type II
Connectivity IEEE1394 (Firewire)
Sale date Summer 2001
Sale price Expected ~$7,000

[Steve Beswick]

But you see, what was once possible is now impossible!

[LeDave]

There won't be a full frame at PMA anyways, congratulations for those who've been waiting for the 645D. Pentax might not be making FF until 2011 or 2012.... or 2112, 645D and high-end APS-C will do fine for now.

[dugrant153]

There won't be a full frame at PMA anyways, congratulations for those who've been waiting for the 645D. Pentax might not be making FF until 2011 or 2012.... or 2112, 645D and high-end APS-C will do fine for now.

I think Ned in an interview made mention of the 645D prototype but made no mention of full frame.

I have a feeling that it will be APS-C and 645D from hereon.

[dlacouture]

Well, I'd buy this MZ-D today if it was made available... Lack of video would bother me, but I'd keep my k7 just for this...

A KAF2 mount! And TTL! (drool)

SD card is sorely missing, but CF cards are great too...

[bunegg]

And dats tomorrow!

[Samsungian]

$7,000 in 2001 USA Dollar Bills

Man, thats alot of money.

Had Pentax made Full Frame K Mount available in "Summer 2001" they'd be on the 3rd or 4th version by now.

Pentax would have beat Nikon to full frame market, by several years.

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Last edited by Samsungian; 02-09-2010 at 06:16 AM.

[Erik]

Had Pentax made Full Frame K Mount available in "Summer 2001" they'd be on the 3rd or 4th version by now.

Pentax would have beat Nikon to full frame market, by several years.

Instead, Contax did just that, with the same (crappy) sensor, and Contax is not "on the 3rd or 4th version by now"... They failed hard and are now all but forgotten. Cool.

[Steve Beswick]

There won't be a full frame at PMA anyways, congratulations for those who've been waiting for the 645D. Pentax might not be making FF until 2011 or 2012.... or 2112, 645D and high-end APS-C will do fine for now.

2112 you say? So Pentax will only make a FF camera when demanded by the Preists of the Temple of Syrinx?

do I win the Obscure Joke Reference for today?

[sameagle]

2112 you say? So Pentax will only make a FF camera when demanded by the Preists of the Temple of Syrinx?

do I win the Obscure Joke Reference for today?

You got my vote! I love that song.

[fwbigd]

IF YOU REMEMBER THE OTHER CAMERA COMPANY (CONTAX) THAT WENT AHEAD WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF FULL FRAME SENSOR FROM PHILLIPS WENT BELLY UP A SHORT WHILE AFTER IT'S INTRODUCTION. PENTAX WAS WISE TO DISCONTINUE DEVELOPMENT OF A FF DIGITAL VERSION OF THE MZ-S.

FF SENSORS ARE FOR ONLY A SELECT FEW BECAUSE OF COST. THE MASS MARKET IS STILL IN APS SENSOR BASED CAMERAS.

[wallyb]

You got my vote! I love that song.

I can't believe you're saying these things just can't be true! Why, our world could use this beauty, just think what we might do!

[Ben_Edict]

02-10-2001~02-10-2010

Has it been 9 years since Pentax showed off that full frame k mount dslr?


Press release:

PENTAX PREVIEWS A NEW PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL AUTOFOCUS SLR CAMERA
DENVER, Colorado (February 10, 2001) . . . PENTAX Corporation will preview a new digital autofocus SLR camera (which has not yet been named) at the PMA (Photo Marketing Association) Show held in Orlando, February 11-14, 2001. The addition of this advanced digital SLR camera complements one of the most extensive photographic lines of any manufacturer in the industry including 35mm, APS, medium format and digital for various levels of photographers.

I remember that camera vividly, very nice piece.

AND IT WAS PUBLICLY SHOWN MONTHS BEFORE PMA, namely at Photokina 2000 in September 2000, Cologne. So, we have a 10th anniversary for the Pentax FF. PMA is not always the place for firsts...

Ben

[Ben_Edict]

But you see, what was once possible is now impossible!

The problem was: only a prototype was possible and even that did not really work. The Philips sensor was way too expensive and Pentax, at that time, was unable to get the electronics to work reliably.

Ben

[Samsungian]

Do you have a link to Year 2000 Pentax Press release?

February 2001 was earliest official Pentax Full Frame press release I could locate.

Year 2000 links would be great to add to the thread

I remember that camera vividly, very nice piece.

AND IT WAS PUBLICLY SHOWN MONTHS BEFORE PMA, namely at Photokina 2000 in September 2000, Cologne. So, we have a 10th anniversary for the Pentax FF. PMA is not always the place for firsts...

Ben