Posted by Todd Caudle on March 10, 2010 at 10:05 AM
This is kinda cool. Large sensor, ability to use current/older P645 lenses, 40mp, and priced at around $10K. I'm sure later versions will have even more features, but this is a reasonable start. Now they just need to make it available worldwide. http://www.dpreview.com/news/1003/10031002pentax645d.asp
Posted by Jack Garrett on March 10, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Soooooo, Todd. Can ya email me your credit card number?
Posted by Todd Caudle on March 10, 2010 at 12:07 PM
Again? Sheesh!
Posted by Jim Casteel on March 10, 2010 at 12:33 PM
That would be amazing if it were only priced at about $5k.
Pentax has been planing this for a long time. I've been following it casually for about three years. I think it will be a great system. But we will have to wait and see.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 10, 2010 at 1:22 PM
Impressive! And "cheap" compared to all the other digital MF options.
- First MF dust removal
- First MF multi-point AF
- First MF weather sealing
- First MF high resolution screen
- First MF camera usable in real outdoor conditions including very cold weather
Initially only available in Japan.
Pentax plans to ship 500/month, which doesn't seem like much. But this would be a significant share of the entire market. I've heard that estimated at 10,000 MFD units per year worldwide. So, I guess they think there are plenty of wedding photographers in Japan that will snap up this camera?
Pentax has been planing this for a long time
A friend gave up and recently sold all his Pentax MF gear after the last two "announcements" turned into vaporware.
I sure hope it's a big hit. Although I could never give up the advantages of a DSLR, it would be nice to see some competition for the top end DSLR pricing.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on March 10, 2010 at 2:51 PM
Wish I'd bought some Pentax 645 gear last week. KEH and the like have got to be smiling about this one.
I saw this the other day and I really, really want it. The damn thing even does HDR in-camera w/ 3 separate exposures. If it ever comes to the U.S. my bank account might be in for a big hurt.
Posted by Roger Rouch on March 10, 2010 at 5:48 PM
Very cool. I used to shoot a P645 (film) almost exclusively. It was sort of a fun camera, but was so happy to get my 1st DLSR so I wouldn't have to haul the 645+lenses around. I have to ask, assuming you're not making really huge prints, is it really all that much more practical than the current line up of high mp DSLRs, the Mark II for example? Guess it will be sort of like a LF in a MF body.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 10, 2010 at 6:46 PM
Pentax Release: "HDR (high dynamic range) function to create one composite image with an extra-wide gradation range from three images with different exposures."
That's an interesting in-camera feature that I hope to see trickle down.
Does any other system do that now?
I'm really looking forward to seeing some examples.
...is it really all that much more practical than the current line up of high mp DSLRs...?
Roger, not "practical" at all for me. I'm spoiled by the range of 35mm lenses from super wide to super telephoto and macro. That just far outweighs the high resolution MF benefits, and I certainly can't see lugging around two heavy, bulky systems, even if cost were not a consideration.
But I'm sure glad to see Pentax is back in the game, and wish them a LOT of success.
Posted by Darren Huski on March 10, 2010 at 7:14 PM
I hope they do well with this and help drive down the cost of medium format digital. This looks to be the most reasonable option going so far.
The P645 models were good film cameras and I hope Pentax (Hoya) has the deep pockets to make a solid go of it.
Does any other system do that (in-camera HDR) now?
The Sony a500 and a550 DSLRs both have that capability.
"These are Sony’s first DSLR cameras that offer an in-camera High Dynamic Range (HDR) feature for capturing highlights and shadows, which processes the image within two seconds. Unlike HDR features in other DSLR cameras, Sony’s unique positional interpolation technology can overcome slight changes in camera position and align individual shots so that a tripod is not required. The feature handles severe backlighting and other high-contrast scenes like looking out a window into bright daylight. The in-camera auto HDR technology combines the highlight and shadow detail of two separate captures into one remarkably natural looking image."
Just a matter of time before others implement it, I believe (hope).
I also agree with you on the practicality of this system in the field for the reasons you noted. Looks like a great studio camera, though!
Posted by Todd Caudle on March 10, 2010 at 9:13 PM
One of the things I always was impressed by with the Pentax 645 system was how sharp and colorful the lenses were. That should translate well to the digicam.
Posted by Chris Rice on March 10, 2010 at 10:01 PM
HDR capabilities? Weather sealing? Extreme Temps? Hmmmm, sure sounds like a landscapers camera to me... which is so freeking ridiculous. I guess we can expect to see Japanese tourists toting these around NPs this summer!
Posted by Jack Brauer on March 10, 2010 at 10:23 PM
Sounds awesome! But too bulky/heavy for me. I'll stitch a couple 5D2 shots for my 40mp!
A few points made:
- Yes, they do plan to eventually release it outside Japan. No date or price estimate.
- CCD sensors do not support live view. They hope a CMOS based MF sensor in the future will allow live view.
- They show a prototype for a new wide angle lens - in addition to the 55mm announced.
- Their primary target market is landscape photographers - hence the weather sealing and integrated body.
Discussion
17 replieshttp://www.dpreview.com/news/1003/10031002pentax645d.asp
- First MF dust removal
- First MF multi-point AF
- First MF weather sealing
- First MF high resolution screen
- First MF camera usable in real outdoor conditions including very cold weather
Initially only available in Japan.
Pentax plans to ship 500/month, which doesn't seem like much. But this would be a significant share of the entire market. I've heard that estimated at 10,000 MFD units per year worldwide. So, I guess they think there are plenty of wedding photographers in Japan that will snap up this camera?
A friend gave up and recently sold all his Pentax MF gear after the last two "announcements" turned into vaporware.
I sure hope it's a big hit. Although I could never give up the advantages of a DSLR, it would be nice to see some competition for the top end DSLR pricing.
That's an interesting in-camera feature that I hope to see trickle down.
Does any other system do that now?
I'm really looking forward to seeing some examples.
Roger, not "practical" at all for me. I'm spoiled by the range of 35mm lenses from super wide to super telephoto and macro. That just far outweighs the high resolution MF benefits, and I certainly can't see lugging around two heavy, bulky systems, even if cost were not a consideration.
But I'm sure glad to see Pentax is back in the game, and wish them a LOT of success.
The P645 models were good film cameras and I hope Pentax (Hoya) has the deep pockets to make a solid go of it.
"These are Sony’s first DSLR cameras that offer an in-camera High Dynamic Range (HDR) feature for capturing highlights and shadows, which processes the image within two seconds. Unlike HDR features in other DSLR cameras, Sony’s unique positional interpolation technology can overcome slight changes in camera position and align individual shots so that a tripod is not required. The feature handles severe backlighting and other high-contrast scenes like looking out a window into bright daylight. The in-camera auto HDR technology combines the highlight and shadow detail of two separate captures into one remarkably natural looking image."
Just a matter of time before others implement it, I believe (hope).
I also agree with you on the practicality of this system in the field for the reasons you noted. Looks like a great studio camera, though!
Camera movements? Bueller?
RichieV
Some interesting background to their design decisions and philosophy:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/pentax645d-1st.shtml
A few points made:
- Yes, they do plan to eventually release it outside Japan. No date or price estimate.
- CCD sensors do not support live view. They hope a CMOS based MF sensor in the future will allow live view.
- They show a prototype for a new wide angle lens - in addition to the 55mm announced.
- Their primary target market is landscape photographers - hence the weather sealing and integrated body.