What will Pentax do next?

I had a couple Mamiya NC1000 film bodies with several lenses years ago.
They were announced with great enthusiasm and fanfare. Shortly
thereafter, Mamiya abandoned the 35mm SLR market. They did however,
support them for a few years and then Ritz bought the repair business
from them, so I was able to keep shooting for quite some time with
them. Got a lot of good pictures and I loved the cameras, so it didn't
really matter to me whether Mamiya ever built another SLR or not. In
fact, I still have them. Don't know if either of them still works, but
they did what I bought them for and that's all I really cared about.
 >> Stay informed about: What will Pentax do next? 

Spring PMA, I've been told Pentax will launch two new dSLR cameras, and
several lenses. I asked my contact if it was a *ist D replacement but he
couldn't say due to his NDA. Vibration reduction is being tested, but could
answer with more details. If I look at what Sony sensors are around 8.5, 10
and 12 mp do exist. The current 12 is exclusive to Nikon, but that doesn't
mean a second generation wouldn't be available to Pentax and Minolta. The
step from 6.1 to 8 is a small step, so expect a bigger step. I have played
around with the DL when I was speaking to my contact, and it's a pretty good
camera for the price point.

"Nicholas Wittebol" <nicholas.wittebol DeleteThis @rogers.com> wrote in message
news:MMSdneKUj5LTEWPfRVn-3w@rogers.com...
>I find it funny that you acknowledge that you are asking for speculation,
>and then later discard information about a future 8, 10, 12 mp anti-shake
>replacement because it is just speculation...
>
> Sorry that I have nothing to add other than that, just thought it was odd.
>
> Polly Pentax wrote:
>> I know that I'm asking for speculative and subjective opinions, but I
>> would appreciate some input on my dilemma
>>
>> I'm currently happily using an *istD, and have half a dozen reasonable
>> lenses.
>>
>> The *istD still seems (to me) to be far and away the best Pentax dslr,
>> the DS was tolerable - but the DL (with its 'digital filters') is nothing
>> short of a 'Fun-Cam'.
>>
>> But the istD is now discontinued (as is the DS) and in very short
>> supply - Pentax UK don't have a single one left.
>>
>> I have the chance to buy a new *istD body for £450, and there is my
>> dilemma - do I buy an obsolete (although very well made and extremely
>> satisfactory) camera, thereby safeguarding my lens investment, or do I
>> wait and hope that Pentax will bring out another 'real' dslr?
>>
>> I've read all the speculation about an 8mp, 10mp, 12,mp (take your pick)
>> , anti-shake replacement for the *istD - but that's ALL it is,
>> speculation.
>>
>> Part of me desperately wants to believe that Pentax will shortly announce
>> such a model, and part of me thinks that, given their dire economic
>> situation, Pentax might not even be making digital cameras this time next
>> year.
>>
>> If I let this body go I certainly won't finds another new one if I need
>> it. If I buy it and Pentax suddenly announce a new high specification
>> camera I will have bought the second *istD in vain - I know I could sell
>> it - but the price would have to be low if a new all singing-all-dancing
>> model was about to ship.
>>
>> I have to admit to feeling a bit pessimistic about the future of Pentax -
>> their three dslr's have been a dismal progression downwards in terms of
>> features and quality. No dealer I've spoken to rates their chances of
>> survival very highly- but who knows?
>>
>> So, what would you do? - chance a new body announcement?, buy the *istD
>> and know I've got a replacement if/when necessary?, or sell up and go for
>> a surer bet like Canon?
>>
>> Thanks for your input.
>>
>>
 >> Stay informed about: What will Pentax do next? 

Nicholas Wittebol wrote:
> I find it funny that you acknowledge that you are asking for
> speculation, and then later discard information about a future 8, 10, 12
> mp anti-shake replacement because it is just speculation...

What do you expect? He owns an Official Camera of the Internet[tm].

--
E-mail fudged to thwart spammers.
Transpose the c's and a's in my e-mail address to reply.
 >> Stay informed about: What will Pentax do next? 

Release a medium format based digital SLR based on their autofocus 645
camera.
John
 >> Stay informed about: What will Pentax do next? 

"Nicholas Wittebol" <nicholas.wittebol DeleteThis @rogers.com> wrote in message
news:MMSdneKUj5LTEWPfRVn-3w@rogers.com...
>I find it funny that you acknowledge that you are asking for speculation,
>and then later discard information about a future 8, 10, 12 mp anti-shake
>replacement because it is just speculation...



Point taken - but I can't say that it's been much help

I don't expect anyone to know the inner workings of Pentax Corporation, I
was just asking what *others* would do if they faced the same dilemma.
 >> Stay informed about: What will Pentax do next? 

"Polly Pentax" <petax DeleteThis @polly.net> wrote:

>I know that I'm asking for speculative and subjective opinions, but I would
>appreciate some input on my dilemma
>
>I'm currently happily using an *istD, and have half a dozen reasonable
>lenses.
>
>The *istD still seems (to me) to be far and away the best Pentax dslr, the
>DS was tolerable - but the DL (with its 'digital filters') is nothing short
>of a 'Fun-Cam'.
>
>But the istD is now discontinued (as is the DS) and in very short supply -
>Pentax UK don't have a single one left.
>
>I have the chance to buy a new *istD body for £450, and there is my
>dilemma - do I buy an obsolete (although very well made and extremely
>satisfactory) camera, thereby safeguarding my lens investment, or do I wait
>and hope that Pentax will bring out another 'real' dslr?
>
>I've read all the speculation about an 8mp, 10mp, 12,mp (take your pick) ,
>anti-shake replacement for the *istD - but that's ALL it is, speculation.
>
>Part of me desperately wants to believe that Pentax will shortly announce
>such a model, and part of me thinks that, given their dire economic
>situation, Pentax might not even be making digital cameras this time next
>year.
>
>If I let this body go I certainly won't finds another new one if I need it.
>If I buy it and Pentax suddenly announce a new high specification camera I
>will have bought the second *istD in vain - I know I could sell it - but the
>price would have to be low if a new all singing-all-dancing model was about
>to ship.
>
>I have to admit to feeling a bit pessimistic about the future of Pentax -
>their three dslr's have been a dismal progression downwards in terms of
>features and quality. No dealer I've spoken to rates their chances of
>survival very highly- but who knows?
>
>So, what would you do? - chance a new body announcement?, buy the *istD and
>know I've got a replacement if/when necessary?, or sell up and go for a
>surer bet like Canon?


No matter which you buy, there will always be something better around
the corner. If that worries you, just don't buy a DSLR. Ever.

The *ist D for £450 is good value. I paid £21 less for mine, but I
have also seen them advertised at £579 in Jessops. So £450 is good.

If you buy a Canon DSLR, the situation is exactly the same.
 >> Stay informed about: What will Pentax do next? 

About the time the DS was released, some high-up at Pentax
was asked about future plans. While he didn't lay out too
much in great detail (although he did show the lens road map)
he suggested that the next DSLR would be an even cheaper
model (which we've now seen - the DL). Then would come a
digital medium format body, which is already announced.

After that (probably around the PMA 2006 timeframe) would
be a follow-on model for the *ist-D. This will still use
an APS-C sized sensor. Apart from that not much is known.
Obviously it will need to be enough better than the *ist-D
to be tempting as an upgrade. I expect 10-12MP, a faster
and bigger buffer, and a 2.5" LCD. I also expect it to
keep the two control wheels of the D. Some people expect
to see the return of the aperture simulator coupling, but
I'm not one of them. I also expect to see a battery grip
with vertical shutter release - maybe it would even share
the BG-1 that the D uses.

All speculation, but I don't expect to be too wide of the mark.
 >> Stay informed about: What will Pentax do next? 

"Darrell" <spam RemoveThis @this.eh> wrote in message
news:noudnSh_rZaQDWPfRVn-jw@rogers.com...
> Spring PMA, I've been told Pentax will launch two new dSLR cameras, and
> several lenses. I asked my contact if it was a *ist D replacement but he
> couldn't say due to his NDA. Vibration reduction is being tested, but
> could answer with more details. If I look at what Sony sensors are around
> 8.5, 10 and 12 mp do exist. The current 12 is exclusive to Nikon, but that
> doesn't mean a second generation wouldn't be available to Pentax and
> Minolta. The step from 6.1 to 8 is a small step, so expect a bigger step.
> I have played around with the DL when I was speaking to my contact, and
> it's a pretty good camera for the price point.


I hope you're right about the new camera - and I certainly agree that Pentax
would almost certainly go for a larger sensor than 8mp, IF they do bother
with an *istD mk 2

I don't know what price point the DL is at in Canada - but in the UK it sits
very uncomfortably next to the Nikon D50, and the D50 seems a vastly better
camera in every respect.

Pentax have (imho) made a serious error in dumbing down to DL level. It
just doesn't compete with anything that the competition have, not even price
(in the UK)

I like Pentax - but I'd be being dishonest if I didn't admit that there is
no reason under the sun for anyone to buy a new current Pentax dslr unless
they already have some good Pentax lenses - and the people who do have a
decent collection of lenses are serious film buffs, and are not likely to
swap to a glorified 'prosumer' model like the DL

For those who have no investment in Pentax glass, why even think about the
DL? - Nikon and Cannon offer better specced models at similar (or the same)
price.

All of this adds to the remorseless downwards pressure on Pentax
profitability, and they will (again, imho) have to come up with something
pretty spectacular to escape the spiral.

OTOH, I'm notoriously unlucky (probably something to do with being cursed by
a Gypsy because I refused to have my driveway resurfaced) and if I buy the
last *istD body Pentax will undoubtedly announce a new top-line dslr the
very next day.

In fact, thinking about it, the solution for every Pentax owner who is
currently waiting for such an announcement, is to send me small donations to
buy me my new *istD body, whereupon the long awaited news from Pentax will
immediately follow.

If I decide to wait myself, of course, the Gypsy curse will ensure that
Pentax stop making cameras altogether, and no-one will ever have a new
Pentax dslr again.

Shall we say One $/£ each?
 >> Stay informed about: What will Pentax do next? 

"Tony Polson" <tp DeleteThis @nospam.com> wrote in message
news:rt3tf15c940f40dj6l5naq9t814307uf6g@4ax.com...
> "Polly Pentax" <petax DeleteThis @polly.net> wrote:
>
>>I know that I'm asking for speculative and subjective opinions, but I
>>would
>>appreciate some input on my dilemma
>>
>>I'm currently happily using an *istD, and have half a dozen reasonable
>>lenses.
>>
>>The *istD still seems (to me) to be far and away the best Pentax dslr, the
>>DS was tolerable - but the DL (with its 'digital filters') is nothing
>>short
>>of a 'Fun-Cam'.
>>
>>But the istD is now discontinued (as is the DS) and in very short supply -
>>Pentax UK don't have a single one left.
>>
>>I have the chance to buy a new *istD body for £450, and there is my
>>dilemma - do I buy an obsolete (although very well made and extremely
>>satisfactory) camera, thereby safeguarding my lens investment, or do I
>>wait
>>and hope that Pentax will bring out another 'real' dslr?
>>
>>I've read all the speculation about an 8mp, 10mp, 12,mp (take your pick) ,
>>anti-shake replacement for the *istD - but that's ALL it is, speculation.
>>
>>Part of me desperately wants to believe that Pentax will shortly announce
>>such a model, and part of me thinks that, given their dire economic
>>situation, Pentax might not even be making digital cameras this time next
>>year.
>>
>>If I let this body go I certainly won't finds another new one if I need
>>it.
>>If I buy it and Pentax suddenly announce a new high specification camera I
>>will have bought the second *istD in vain - I know I could sell it - but
>>the
>>price would have to be low if a new all singing-all-dancing model was
>>about
>>to ship.
>>
>>I have to admit to feeling a bit pessimistic about the future of Pentax -
>>their three dslr's have been a dismal progression downwards in terms of
>>features and quality. No dealer I've spoken to rates their chances of
>>survival very highly- but who knows?
>>
>>So, what would you do? - chance a new body announcement?, buy the *istD
>>and
>>know I've got a replacement if/when necessary?, or sell up and go for a
>>surer bet like Canon?
>
>
> No matter which you buy, there will always be something better around
> the corner. If that worries you, just don't buy a DSLR. Ever.
>
> The *ist D for £450 is good value. I paid £21 less for mine, but I
> have also seen them advertised at £579 in Jessops. So £450 is good.
>
> If you buy a Canon DSLR, the situation is exactly the same.


Hi, Tony.

I think that the difference with Canon is that you can be almost 100%
certain that they will still be around in a couple of years, and will have
good upgrade models available to purchase.

Whether the same is true for Pentax must be debatable, given their current
position.

The D is available at Park Cameras for £600 - but they only have a few.
No-one else that I know of (apart from this single one at £450) has them in
stock at all, and Pentax UK also have no stocks left. So, it's buy now, or
almost certainly do without in the future - UNLESS Pentax come up with a
replacement.

I also take Kitt's point that, if it's good enough, it doesn't matter
whether any new bodies are forthcoming - except for the fact that I'll be
reluctant to add expensive lenses without a clear upgrade path.

Will Pentax keep tolerating losses on their digital imaging division?,
that's the question. In fact, 'will' the promised Medium Format model,
mentioned by John, actually materialise?

I have to say, it's at times like this that I wish I had a collection of
Cannon or Nikon lenses, instead of Pentax.
 >> Stay informed about: What will Pentax do next? 

"Isaiah Beard" <sacredpoet DeleteThis @sacredpoet.com> wrote in message
news:11ft7h07blh2s3c@corp.supernews.com...
> Nicholas Wittebol wrote:
>> I find it funny that you acknowledge that you are asking for speculation,
>> and then later discard information about a future 8, 10, 12 mp anti-shake
>> replacement because it is just speculation...
>
> What do you expect? He owns an Official Camera of the Internet[tm]. <


That's the trouble with this group - every amateur comedian for miles around
regards it as a stage from which to dazzle the audience with their fondly
imagined wit.

Perhaps I should have known better than to ask for advice here - I'd
probably have better luck in an Ape house, just get a Chimp to point to a
couple of cards, 'Buy', or 'Not Buy'.
 >> Stay informed about: What will Pentax do next? 

"Polly Pentax" <petax RemoveThis @polly.net> wrote in message
news:3m7ln9F15huchU1@individual.net...
>
> "Isaiah Beard" <sacredpoet RemoveThis @sacredpoet.com> wrote in message
> news:11ft7h07blh2s3c@corp.supernews.com...
>> Nicholas Wittebol wrote:
>>> I find it funny that you acknowledge that you are asking for speculation,
>>> and then later discard information about a future 8, 10, 12 mp anti-shake
>>> replacement because it is just speculation...
>>
>> What do you expect? He owns an Official Camera of the Internet[tm]. <
>
>
> That's the trouble with this group - every amateur comedian for miles around
> regards it as a stage from which to dazzle the audience with their fondly
> imagined wit.
>
> Perhaps I should have known better than to ask for advice here - I'd
> probably have better luck in an Ape house, just get a Chimp to point to a
> couple of cards, 'Buy', or 'Not Buy'.
>

Good idea.
 >> Stay informed about: What will Pentax do next? 

Polly Pentax wrote:
> "Tony Polson" <tp RemoveThis @nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:rt3tf15c940f40dj6l5naq9t814307uf6g@4ax.com...
> > "Polly Pentax" <petax RemoveThis @polly.net> wrote:
> >
> >>I know that I'm asking for speculative and subjective opinions, but I
> >>would
> >>appreciate some input on my dilemma
> >>
> >>I'm currently happily using an *istD, and have half a dozen reasonable
> >>lenses.
> >>
> >>The *istD still seems (to me) to be far and away the best Pentax dslr, the
> >>DS was tolerable - but the DL (with its 'digital filters') is nothing
> >>short
> >>of a 'Fun-Cam'.
> >>
> >>But the istD is now discontinued (as is the DS) and in very short supply -
> >>Pentax UK don't have a single one left.
> >>
> >>I have the chance to buy a new *istD body for £450, and there is my
> >>dilemma - do I buy an obsolete (although very well made and extremely
> >>satisfactory) camera, thereby safeguarding my lens investment, or do I
> >>wait
> >>and hope that Pentax will bring out another 'real' dslr?
> >>
> >>I've read all the speculation about an 8mp, 10mp, 12,mp (take your pick) ,
> >>anti-shake replacement for the *istD - but that's ALL it is, speculation.
> >>
> >>Part of me desperately wants to believe that Pentax will shortly announce
> >>such a model, and part of me thinks that, given their dire economic
> >>situation, Pentax might not even be making digital cameras this time next
> >>year.
> >>
> >>If I let this body go I certainly won't finds another new one if I need
> >>it.
> >>If I buy it and Pentax suddenly announce a new high specification camera I
> >>will have bought the second *istD in vain - I know I could sell it - but
> >>the
> >>price would have to be low if a new all singing-all-dancing model was
> >>about
> >>to ship.
> >>
> >>I have to admit to feeling a bit pessimistic about the future of Pentax -
> >>their three dslr's have been a dismal progression downwards in terms of
> >>features and quality. No dealer I've spoken to rates their chances of
> >>survival very highly- but who knows?
> >>
> >>So, what would you do? - chance a new body announcement?, buy the *istD
> >>and
> >>know I've got a replacement if/when necessary?, or sell up and go for a
> >>surer bet like Canon?
> >
> >
> > No matter which you buy, there will always be something better around
> > the corner. If that worries you, just don't buy a DSLR. Ever.
> >
> > The *ist D for £450 is good value. I paid £21 less for mine, but I
> > have also seen them advertised at £579 in Jessops. So £450 is good.
> >
> > If you buy a Canon DSLR, the situation is exactly the same.
>
>
> Hi, Tony.
>
> I think that the difference with Canon is that you can be almost 100%
> certain that they will still be around in a couple of years, and will have
> good upgrade models available to purchase.
>
> Whether the same is true for Pentax must be debatable, given their current
> position.
>
> The D is available at Park Cameras for £600 - but they only have a few.
> No-one else that I know of (apart from this single one at £450) has them in
> stock at all, and Pentax UK also have no stocks left. So, it's buy now, or
> almost certainly do without in the future - UNLESS Pentax come up with a
> replacement.
>
> I also take Kitt's point that, if it's good enough, it doesn't matter
> whether any new bodies are forthcoming - except for the fact that I'll be
> reluctant to add expensive lenses without a clear upgrade path.



That might even be a bright spot. Kind of an immunization from the
"Photo Hobbyist Disease". It would force you to get the most out of a
perfectly good camera and the lenses that go with it before you're
tempted by the latest and greatest? ;o)



>
> Will Pentax keep tolerating losses on their digital imaging division?,
> that's the question. In fact, 'will' the promised Medium Format model,
> mentioned by John, actually materialise?
>
> I have to say, it's at times like this that I wish I had a collection of
> Cannon or Nikon lenses, instead of Pentax.
 >> Stay informed about: What will Pentax do next? 

Polly Pentax wrote:

> So, what would you do? - chance a new body announcement?, buy the
> *istD and know I've got a replacement if/when necessary?, or sell up
> and go for a surer bet like Canon?

I'd just wait for the replacement to the *istD. I think that Pentax
will be replacing this model, otherwise their line of professional
lenses might not have much of a market. It will certainly be
interesting to see what they deliver. Hopefully it will be at least a
10 MP sensor.

--
Witold
 >> Stay informed about: What will Pentax do next?