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Since: Mar 09, 2008
Posts: 1
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(Msg. 16) Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 4:16 pm
Post subject: Re: Whatever happened to Pentax? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: rec>photo>digital>slr-systems, others (more info?)
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External
Since: Mar 09, 2008
Posts: 2
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(Msg. 17) Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 4:32 pm
Post subject: Re: Whatever happened to Pentax? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"Dudley Hanks" <hanks.dudley DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
news:IQGAj.69831$FO1.22055@edtnps82...
>
> "George Kerby" <ghost_topper DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:C3F88C39.47FCD%ghost_topper@hotmail.com...
>>
>>
>>
>> On 3/8/08 2:46 PM, in article nWCAj.74916$w57.63673@edtnps90, "Dudley
>> Hanks"
>> <hanks.dudley DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Back in the '60s, '70s and even into the '80s Pentax was right up there
>>> with
>>> Canon and Nikon. But, today, it seems like the company doesn't even get
>>> honourable mention in the brand wars. What happened?
>>>
>> The first SLR with spot metering as I recall in the late 60's.
>>
>
> Well, sort of. If my memory isn't too fuzzy, I think that they "said"
> they were going to make the first SLR with spot metering -- the Spotmatic.
> Pentax made a pre-production model according to its claims, but when it
> hit production the spot sensoring turned out to be a couple of sensors
> that really only read an average of the light in the viewfinder. I'm not
> sure if they later modified the spotmatic to actually use spot metering,
> or whether one of the other giants got it into production first.
>
> Trying to Remember,
> Dudley
>
>
Pentax introduced the prototype Spotmatic at Photokina in 1960, describing
it as having a TTL spot meter. The camera wasn't actually released till 4
years later, and it featured an averaging meter, but Pentax kept the
"Spotmatic" name. The camera was neither "Spot metering" nor "automatic."
That notwithstanding, I still have my original Spotmatic IIa from 1973, and
it looks in mint condition and performs flawlessly. I've accumulated 22 SMC
Takumar lenses over the past 35 years, along with another 11 camera bodies,
bellows and other accessories. I use them all, and have no plans to "go
digital." I scan my films and am quite happy with that arrangement.
The lenses are superb, and it would cost a fortune to replicate the system
in digital if, in fact, such prime lenses were even available.
Not bad for equipment that has been in service for a third of a century! |
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External
Since: Mar 09, 2008
Posts: 1
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(Msg. 18) Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 4:44 pm
Post subject: Re: Whatever happened to Pentax? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Dudley Hanks wrote:
> Back in the '60s, '70s and even into the '80s Pentax was right up there with
> Canon and Nikon. But, today, it seems like the company doesn't even get
> honourable mention in the brand wars. What happened?
>
> As for myself, the last few times I've gone to buy a camera, I was
> purchasing a compact that both my wife and I would be using. She likes an
> optical view-finder while I use the LCD. This more-or-less ruled out
> Pentax, since I couldn't find a Pentax with an optical finder at any of the
> local camera shops.
>
> I still have an old Pentax P3 film SLR that shoots great shots, and I pull
> it out every now and then. I can't think of any reason why the quality of
> Pentax film cameras should not have carried over into the digital world.
>
> What about the rest of you? Any ideas on why Pentax has sort of faded into
> the background?
>
> Pondering,
> Dudley
>
>
>
What is in a brand name? I prefer to buy on quality, price and a product
that does what I want - rather than follow the 'trendy/in' names.
The K10D does that and is one of the best cameras Pentax has ever made.
--
Clive
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take.....
but by the moments that take our breath away. >> Stay informed about: Whatever happened to Pentax? |
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External
Since: Nov 06, 2007
Posts: 19
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(Msg. 19) Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 5:39 pm
Post subject: Re: Whatever happened to Pentax? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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David J. Littleboy wrote:
> "Doug Jewell" <ask RemoveThis @and.maybe.ill.tell.you> wrote:
>> Dudley Hanks wrote:
>>> Back in the '60s, '70s and even into the '80s Pentax was right up there
>>> with Canon and Nikon. But, today, it seems like the company doesn't even
>>> get honourable mention in the brand wars. What happened?
>> Not sure about in the rest of the world, but their distribution within
>> Australia didn't move with the times, and hence their availability was
>> poorer than other brands.
>>
>> They have also pretty much abandoned the serious pro market, leaving that
>> for Canon and Nikon. They are still a fairly strong player in the advanced
>> amateur category at #3 in DSLR (albeit a long way behind Canon and Nikon).
>> In the compact camera market they are just another one of the masses.
>
> FWIW, Pentax is _the_ camera of choice for medium format film landscape
> photographers in Japan. They split the medium format film market with
> Mamiya, whose cameras are seen more as studio cameras. Interestingly, only
> one of the Pentax and Mamiya medium format film cameras has been
> discontinued. Yet. (My best bet is that most of the Mamiya cameras are, like
> the Hasselblad 500 series, not being mfd, but are still being sold as new
> from stock. But Mamiya is still advertising (6645AFD, 7II, RB67(!!!), and
> RZ67) in the current magazines here.)
Yeah, from what I can understand talking to the a few
working pros around here, Pentax pretty much own the MF
category. Unfortunately that category has started to take a
hit with more and more switching to high end 35mm digital
like the Canon 1DIII and Nikon D3. There was a time not so
long ago, when most of the serious wedding photographers
were shooting Pentax or Mamiya 645 equipment - now it is all
30D or 5D. The price has gone down, but so has the quality IMO.
Have you heard any word on the much rumoured 645 Digital?
If/When that comes out, that should really make people stand
up and take notice of Pentax again as a serious pro brand.
A full-frame 35mm DSLR wouldn't go astray in their range
either, but since it appears most of the film format lenses
have been discontinued (including the 50/1.4, what are they
thinking?), I can't see that happening any time soon 
>
>>> What about the rest of you? Any ideas on why Pentax has sort of faded
>>> into the background?
>> Because Pentax don't have the serious pro 35mm format digitals, that
>> market has been left to Canon and Nikon. As a result, these 2 hold the
>> vast majority of the market share.
>>
>> Actually Nikon have only been a major player again in the last couple of
>> years - they almost became marginalised too - the D40/D40x were the start
>> of their clawback, helped by the D200, and now with the D3/D300 they are
>> well and truly back in the game.
>
> Yep.
>
> David J. Littleboy
> Tokyo, Japan
>
> >> Stay informed about: Whatever happened to Pentax? |
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External
Since: Mar 09, 2008
Posts: 1
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(Msg. 20) Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 5:39 pm
Post subject: Re: Whatever happened to Pentax? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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External
Since: Nov 27, 2006
Posts: 90
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(Msg. 21) Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 5:58 pm
Post subject: Re: Whatever happened to Pentax? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Doug Jewell wrote:
> David J. Littleboy wrote:
>> "Doug Jewell" <ask DeleteThis @and.maybe.ill.tell.you> wrote:
>>> Dudley Hanks wrote:
>>>> Back in the '60s, '70s and even into the '80s Pentax was right up
>>>> there with Canon and Nikon. But, today, it seems like the company
>>>> doesn't even get honourable mention in the brand wars. What happened?
>>> Not sure about in the rest of the world, but their distribution
>>> within Australia didn't move with the times, and hence their
>>> availability was poorer than other brands.
>>>
>>> They have also pretty much abandoned the serious pro market, leaving
>>> that for Canon and Nikon. They are still a fairly strong player in
>>> the advanced amateur category at #3 in DSLR (albeit a long way behind
>>> Canon and Nikon). In the compact camera market they are just another
>>> one of the masses.
>>
>> FWIW, Pentax is _the_ camera of choice for medium format film
>> landscape photographers in Japan. They split the medium format film
>> market with Mamiya, whose cameras are seen more as studio cameras.
>> Interestingly, only one of the Pentax and Mamiya medium format film
>> cameras has been discontinued. Yet. (My best bet is that most of the
>> Mamiya cameras are, like the Hasselblad 500 series, not being mfd, but
>> are still being sold as new from stock. But Mamiya is still
>> advertising (6645AFD, 7II, RB67(!!!), and RZ67) in the current
>> magazines here.)
> Yeah, from what I can understand talking to the a few working pros
> around here, Pentax pretty much own the MF category. Unfortunately that
> category has started to take a hit with more and more switching to high
> end 35mm digital like the Canon 1DIII and Nikon D3. There was a time not
> so long ago, when most of the serious wedding photographers were
> shooting Pentax or Mamiya 645 equipment - now it is all 30D or 5D. The
> price has gone down, but so has the quality IMO.
> Have you heard any word on the much rumoured 645 Digital? If/When that
> comes out, that should really make people stand up and take notice of
> Pentax again as a serious pro brand.
>
It appears to have been almost ready for market when Hoya acquired
Pentax. Since then the project is variously described as canceled or "on
hold".
I don't know if the market is really there for medium format digital,
since all the MF digital I know of on the market are actually crop
sensors, none of them actually 6x4.5, 6x6, or 6x7.
I figure a full-frame DSLR would get images as good as a crop sensor MF
digital.
> A full-frame 35mm DSLR wouldn't go astray in their range either, but
> since it appears most of the film format lenses have been discontinued
> (including the 50/1.4, what are they thinking?), I can't see that
> happening any time soon
>>
Not soon, but not impossible either. Nikon swore for years they were
never going to offer a full frame digital, and look at the D-3.
And I think the 645D development effort may someday see the light of day
as a FF DSLR.
Or not.
>>>> What about the rest of you? Any ideas on why Pentax has sort of
>>>> faded into the background?
>>> Because Pentax don't have the serious pro 35mm format digitals, that
>>> market has been left to Canon and Nikon. As a result, these 2 hold
>>> the vast majority of the market share.
>>>
>>> Actually Nikon have only been a major player again in the last couple
>>> of years - they almost became marginalised too - the D40/D40x were
>>> the start of their clawback, helped by the D200, and now with the
>>> D3/D300 they are well and truly back in the game.
>>
>> Yep.
>>
>> David J. Littleboy
>> Tokyo, Japan
>>
>> >> Stay informed about: Whatever happened to Pentax? |
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External
Since: Feb 16, 2006
Posts: 655
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(Msg. 22) Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 5:58 pm
Post subject: Re: Whatever happened to Pentax? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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In article <47d45d80$0$17371$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>, Pudentame
<no.one.DeleteThis@no.were.invalid> wrote:
> Not soon, but not impossible either. Nikon swore for years they were
> never going to offer a full frame digital, and look at the D-3.
actually, nikon never said that they would never offer full frame.
what they said was that they weren't planning on it until it was cost
effective to do so. >> Stay informed about: Whatever happened to Pentax? |
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External
Since: Nov 27, 2006
Posts: 90
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(Msg. 23) Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:04 pm
Post subject: Re: Whatever happened to Pentax? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Dudley Hanks wrote:
> "Happy Traveler" <happy_traveler RemoveThis @abc.net> wrote in message
> news:3eydnWhlAvzr_07anZ2dnUVZ_rmjnZ2d@comcast.com...
>> I have a Spotmatic SPII -- still in good working order. It's a classic, but
>> in spite of the catchy name, it only measures some sort of center-weighted
>> average. Don't believe that the Spotmatic, or even its early 1980's
>> successors (like the ME Super that I also have) ever did any more than
>> that. On the other hand, film is a lot more tolerant of overexposure than
>> digital, so spot measuring for highlights was not as big a deal as it is
>> now...
>>
>>
>> "Dudley Hanks" <hanks.dudley RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:IQGAj.69831$FO1.22055@edtnps82...
>>> Well, sort of. If my memory isn't too fuzzy, I think that they "said"
>>> they were going to make the first SLR with spot metering -- the
>>> Spotmatic. Pentax made a pre-production model according to its claims,
>>> but when it hit production the spot sensoring turned out to be a couple
>>> of sensors that really only read an average of the light in the
>>> viewfinder. I'm not sure if they later modified the spotmatic to
>>> actually use spot metering, or whether one of the other giants got it
>>> into production first.
>>
>
>
> Yes, that is a classic.
>
> I read something on the net a while back that Pentax wants to revive the
> concept / name with a digital version. Have you heard anything about that?
>
> Take Good Care of Your Classic,
> Dudley
>
>
Well, the K100D and K10D names were specifically meant to recall fond
feelings many a photographer has for the K1000. >> Stay informed about: Whatever happened to Pentax? |
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External
Since: Nov 27, 2006
Posts: 90
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(Msg. 24) Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:07 pm
Post subject: Re: Whatever happened to Pentax? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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Clive Sinclair wrote:
> Dudley Hanks wrote:
>> Back in the '60s, '70s and even into the '80s Pentax was right up
>> there with Canon and Nikon. But, today, it seems like the company
>> doesn't even get honourable mention in the brand wars. What happened?
>>
>> As for myself, the last few times I've gone to buy a camera, I was
>> purchasing a compact that both my wife and I would be using. She
>> likes an optical view-finder while I use the LCD. This more-or-less
>> ruled out Pentax, since I couldn't find a Pentax with an optical
>> finder at any of the local camera shops.
>>
>> I still have an old Pentax P3 film SLR that shoots great shots, and I
>> pull it out every now and then. I can't think of any reason why the
>> quality of Pentax film cameras should not have carried over into the
>> digital world.
>>
>> What about the rest of you? Any ideas on why Pentax has sort of faded
>> into the background?
>>
>> Pondering,
>> Dudley
>>
>>
>>
> What is in a brand name? I prefer to buy on quality, price and a product
> that does what I want - rather than follow the 'trendy/in' names.
>
> The K10D does that and is one of the best cameras Pentax has ever made.
>
I certainly agree with you on that, but everything I've read so far
indicates they're not resting on their laurels The new K20D is a good
improvement on the K10D. >> Stay informed about: Whatever happened to Pentax? |
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External
Since: Sep 14, 2005
Posts: 722
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(Msg. 25) Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:26 pm
Post subject: Re: Whatever happened to Pentax? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"Dudley Hanks" <hanks.dudley DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
news:xsJAj.75018$w57.21273@edtnps90...
>
> "Happy Traveler" <happy_traveler DeleteThis @abc.net> wrote in message
> news:3eydnWhlAvzr_07anZ2dnUVZ_rmjnZ2d@comcast.com...
>>I have a Spotmatic SPII -- still in good working order. It's a classic,
>>but in spite of the catchy name, it only measures some sort of
>>center-weighted average. Don't believe that the Spotmatic, or even its
>>early 1980's successors (like the ME Super that I also have) ever did any
>>more than that. On the other hand, film is a lot more tolerant of
>>overexposure than digital, so spot measuring for highlights was not as big
>>a deal as it is now...
>>
>>
>> "Dudley Hanks" <hanks.dudley DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:IQGAj.69831$FO1.22055@edtnps82...
>>>
>>> Well, sort of. If my memory isn't too fuzzy, I think that they "said"
>>> they were going to make the first SLR with spot metering -- the
>>> Spotmatic. Pentax made a pre-production model according to its claims,
>>> but when it hit production the spot sensoring turned out to be a couple
>>> of sensors that really only read an average of the light in the
>>> viewfinder. I'm not sure if they later modified the spotmatic to
>>> actually use spot metering, or whether one of the other giants got it
>>> into production first.
>>
>>
>
>
> Yes, that is a classic.
>
> I read something on the net a while back that Pentax wants to revive the
> concept / name with a digital version. Have you heard anything about
> that?
>
> Take Good Care of Your Classic,
> Dudley
Indeed, I have a box full that I still use.  >> Stay informed about: Whatever happened to Pentax? |
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External
Since: Jan 22, 2008
Posts: 103
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(Msg. 26) Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:36 pm
Post subject: Re: Whatever happened to Pentax? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"Jeremy" <jeremy.TakeThisOut@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:8iUAj.4259$Y33.3118@trndny07...
>
> Pentax introduced the prototype Spotmatic at Photokina in 1960, describing
> it as having a TTL spot meter. The camera wasn't actually released till 4
> years later, and it featured an averaging meter, but Pentax kept the
> "Spotmatic" name. The camera was neither "Spot metering" nor "automatic."
>
> That notwithstanding, I still have my original Spotmatic IIa from 1973,
> and it looks in mint condition and performs flawlessly. I've accumulated
> 22 SMC Takumar lenses over the past 35 years, along with another 11 camera
> bodies, bellows and other accessories. I use them all, and have no plans
> to "go digital." I scan my films and am quite happy with that
> arrangement.
>
> The lenses are superb, and it would cost a fortune to replicate the system
> in digital if, in fact, such prime lenses were even available.
>
> Not bad for equipment that has been in service for a third of a century!
>
Yes, it's a great camera. In fact, I was reading an article a week or so
back which touted the Spotmatic as one of the best cameras to use when you
visit a developing country.
The author's point was that, if you only have a digital, and if your camera
/ memory cards fail, you might not be able to fix or replace while in that
country. Yet, film tends to be available, and the Spotmatic has a proven
reputation for reliable service in rough conditions -- even 30+ years after
production.
You're a lucky photog...
Dudley >> Stay informed about: Whatever happened to Pentax? |
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External
Since: Nov 30, 2007
Posts: 21
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(Msg. 27) Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 5:22 am
Post subject: Re: Whatever happened to Pentax? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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On Mar 10, 12:39 pm, "David J. Littleboy" <davi... DeleteThis @gol.com> wrote:
> the area of "FF", and so does have a theoretical advantage. It also turns
> out that MF lenses are razor sharp on 5D density digital sensors, so 24MP
> and higher images that are painfully sharp corner to corner are a piece of
> cake for MF digital. Anything 24MP and over in FF is going to be a stretch
> for even the best Nikkor or Canon lenses at anything other than f/8 or f/11.
and at that density and stop-down, one will likely start to hit
diffraction limits anyway... >> Stay informed about: Whatever happened to Pentax? |
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External
Since: Sep 14, 2005
Posts: 722
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(Msg. 28) Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:41 am
Post subject: Re: Whatever happened to Pentax? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"Sander" <gvr.RemoveThis@mail.com> wrote in message
news:b29b0$47d3ba85$1884ced6$5483@news.chello.nl...
> Doug Jewell wrote:
>> nospam wrote:
>>> pentax sdm lenses won't work on earlier
>>> cameras, such as the k100d.
>
>> They work, they won't autofocus. Which is the same situation you will
>> have with Nikon if you mount a non-AFS lens on a D40/D40x.
>
> Not only do they work... they will autofocus too!
> The pentax DA* lenses have a double AF system.
> On cameras that support it they will use SDM and on older cameras they'll
> revert to the old screwdrive AF.
>
> SR.
Damn Pentax is awesome, what a great feature. >> Stay informed about: Whatever happened to Pentax? |
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External
Since: Jan 31, 2008
Posts: 4
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(Msg. 29) Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:50 am
Post subject: Re: Whatever happened to Pentax? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"Doug Jewell" <ask.DeleteThis@and.maybe.ill.tell.you> wrote:
> Have you heard any word on the much rumoured 645 Digital?
> If/When that comes out, that should really make people stand
> up and take notice of Pentax again as a serious pro brand.
I think it's pretty much dead. Pentax is no longer distributing
medium format gear to the United States, and discontinued European
distribution in 2006. Part supplies in the U.S. are extremely
meager; it took me over two weeks to locate a focus screen for my
645n. I ended up selling my manual focus 645 for parts after I
couldn't get it repaired.
While I think there was a marketing window where the 645D could
have succeeded, too many potential customers have already switched
systems.
--
Michael Benveniste -- mhb-offer.DeleteThis@clearether.com
Spam and UCE professionally evaluated for $419. Use this email
address only to submit mail for evaluation. >> Stay informed about: Whatever happened to Pentax? |
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External
Since: Aug 26, 2005
Posts: 1149
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(Msg. 30) Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:39 am
Post subject: Re: Whatever happened to Pentax? [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
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"Pudentame" <no.one.TakeThisOut@no.were.invalid> wrote:
>
> I don't know if the market is really there for medium format digital,
> since all the MF digital I know of on the market are actually crop
> sensors, none of them actually 6x4.5, 6x6, or 6x7.
(Note that the actuall MF frame sizes are 42x56, 56x56, and 56x70mm.)
The current "cropped" MF digital sensors are 36x48, which is exactly twice
the area of "FF", and so does have a theoretical advantage. It also turns
out that MF lenses are razor sharp on 5D density digital sensors, so 24MP
and higher images that are painfully sharp corner to corner are a piece of
cake for MF digital. Anything 24MP and over in FF is going to be a stretch
for even the best Nikkor or Canon lenses at anything other than f/8 or f/11.
David J. Littleboy
Tokyo, Japan >> Stay informed about: Whatever happened to Pentax? |
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