|
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
03-12-2011, 04:01 PM
|
| |
I understand; I would also imagine if enthusiasts didn't rush to buy FF, those working photographers already invested in Nikon or Cannon would be even less inclined. I'd buy Pentax FF without hesitation if I could afford it; but then I'd buy medium format over 35mm FF if I could afford that. I chose Pentax APS-c over Nikon FF because it fit my budget.
I do like your realistic approach. I've decided to be happy with my K-7 until I have a concrete reason and/or means to strive for more.
|
|
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
03-12-2011, 03:16 PM
|
| |
Thank you (and Jay) for the detailed analysis; I hope you are wrong but I know nothing about Pentax plans myself. Fortunately I'd buy the Voightlander and FA Limited lenses whether APS-c or FF, so I am okay there. Is your primary criticism (it seems like you are a little disappointed with Pentax) aimed toward professional use? I ask since you use Pentax, and I am assuming you must like the line for some reason.
|
|
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
03-12-2011, 12:24 PM
|
| |
I'll forward your list to Hoya :) My list would be a bit shorter (since I don't care about AF or ISO so much); but full frame in a K5-like body with 20+ MP sensor and more Limited-quality lenses would be a dream come true.
Do you think along the lines of the Falk Lumo that Pentax must give us FF to keep from losing serious enthusiasts?
|
|
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
03-12-2011, 10:27 AM
|
| |
Here's the question that lingered in my mind as I read the posts in this thread, if Pentax offers a full frame camera, would dual systems users still prefer Nikon/Canon over Pentax for full frame? I hope for a Pentax full frame, possibly beyond reason, which is why all my lenses (save one) are, or will be, lenses that can be used on a full frame camera.
Falk Lumo argued last year in this article that it seems inevitable that Pentax will step up to full frame (and maybe mirrorless) or risk losing customers. An excerpt:
"Pentax and the year 2011
2011 will be the year where everybody sells SLD cameras, Pentax included. Everybody. Pentax will have a genuine SLD camera. As will Canon and Nikon. But where are buyers coming from? Well, mostly upgraders from the dying point & shoot market (in majority shifting to cell phones) and migraters from equally priced (i.e., entry-level) dSLR. So, to launch an SLD camera is vital to preserve a market share in the $400 - $800 segment. Exactly where the Pentax K-x attracted new buyers to Pentax in the year 2009. But all of this doesn't help to preserve the enthusiast (Pentaxian) market which is the $900 - $1800 segment.
One may argue that the enthusiast market isn't that important for Pentax from a point of view of turnover. But according to my own analysis, K-x, K-7 and 645D each create about the same amount of earnings. Simply because the mass markets are always small in margin. But most importantly, blogging Pentaxians are the most influential group: they are opinion leaders in forums where magazine authors and store managers draw their opinion from and recommend some products or not. Unlike in previous years, this group of opinion leaders has expressed very clearly that they either expect to see Pentax going full frame in the enthusiast segment, or leave the brand. I refer to bloggers like LanceB, once selected "Pentaxian of the year" and who now test drives a D700 before taking final action.
Pentax is already seeing that Pentaxians put themselves onto "hold and wait": The sale of expensive DA lenses has declined while the market for used (full frame) FA and A lenses is still healthy. This isn't only due to a lack of new DA* lenses. It is mostly due to the fact that the enthusiast market drives lens sales and Pentaxians now assume that the "never be full frame" claim of Pentax lost its credibility (due to technical arguments as outlined above). After all, purchasing a lens is much more kind of an investment than purchasing a camera which is known to deprecate fast. The full frame conundrum is already destroying half of Pentax' business.
So, what would be the right actions to be taken by Pentax in 2011? Well, first, join the P&S and part of the SLR team into a new SLD department, delivering the world's first water-proof SLD and making sure a K-mount adapter with AF support exists. Drop the P&S division. Pentax' SLD mount should look as close as possible to Sony's E-mount, allowing for future 35mm SLD cameras. Possibly allowing to sell Pentax lenses for the E-mount too. I assume the E-mount uses an encrypted communication protocol. But at least mechanically, there should be fit.
Second though, form a team from remaining SLR and 645D developers for enthusiast cameras. Their first product shall be a 24-35MP full frame SLR with Exmor HD sensor in a K-5* body. Third, release new full frame lenses, like the DFA 100/Macro relaunched earlier this year.
One may argue that this is infeasible. At least for the second "enthusiast" team, I don't think so. Assuming Sony would share their full frame Exmor sensor with Pentax, all the rest is routine work for Pentax engineers. Moreover, in June 2008, a Pentax manager said in an interview that the development of a full frame camera is in its planning stage. So, if that project wasn't cancelled, it should be ready to deliver by 2011. Even taking into account that K-7 and 645D diverted valuable resources in the first 2 years of the 3 year period. Surprisingly, the "leaked" full frame project coincides with a rush of completed APS-C DA lenses (2008) and a complete halt to new APS-C only lens releases from then on and until now (with the exception of the DA15 lens). Therefore, I guess that Pentax would have enough full frame lenses to accompany the release of the camera: FA31, FA43, FA77, DA*55, DA*60-250, DFA100, DA*200, DA*300. With only 4 additional lenses (DFA28-80 kit zoom, a DFA~18 wideangle prime and two f/2.8 DFA* zooms (24-70 and 70-200)), the lens line up would be fairly complete. Four lenses developped or optimized in 3 years, why not?" |
