I don't mind it at all.
Aristophanes
Well-known
Pioneer
Veteran
The 31 is the largest Limited and that camera is at least as big as a 5D. And I was never a fan of the peaked hat look of the 67.
Ah well. There are lots of Pentax fans that have drooling in pursuit of a full frame dslr for a long time so it will undoubtedly sell no matter what it looks like.
Ah well. There are lots of Pentax fans that have drooling in pursuit of a full frame dslr for a long time so it will undoubtedly sell no matter what it looks like.
FA Limited
missing in action
too bad they didn't go radical and go back to the MZ-D prototype. i used to own an MZ-S, what a fun fun camera that was to use. it performed better than the K100D i owned.
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
Agree.
A digital full-frame based on the MZ-S would be so cool. I'm also underwhelmed with the look of the prototype.
The full-frame technology is now in its 3rd and 4th generation, Pentax's first one shouldn't *look* like a first generation camera from a decade ago.
littleearth
Well-known
That is one Fugly camera !
*and my favourite camera is the Pentax 67 !
*and my favourite camera is the Pentax 67 !
dugrant153
Established
Surprised that everyone is getting worked up about the "looks".
My subjects usually don't care that much about how a camera looks and more about the images that come out of it. Or about how the dude behind the camera keeps asking them to move their shoulders this way or that way. If I wanted to put it on my shelf to admire, I'd get a Hello Kitty Leica.
Awesome Pentax lenses + digital full frame sensor = YES.
I currently use Pentax lenses with 35mm film and results have been pretty amazing. Frankly, I'm amazed that Pentax is finally looking to release a full frame and am more interested in the ergonomics. Big VF and a good handle/grip make a big difference to me. This camera seems to fit the bill thus far (speculation aside).
If you want big and ugly, there's always the Fuji Instax 210
My subjects usually don't care that much about how a camera looks and more about the images that come out of it. Or about how the dude behind the camera keeps asking them to move their shoulders this way or that way. If I wanted to put it on my shelf to admire, I'd get a Hello Kitty Leica.
Awesome Pentax lenses + digital full frame sensor = YES.
I currently use Pentax lenses with 35mm film and results have been pretty amazing. Frankly, I'm amazed that Pentax is finally looking to release a full frame and am more interested in the ergonomics. Big VF and a good handle/grip make a big difference to me. This camera seems to fit the bill thus far (speculation aside).
If you want big and ugly, there's always the Fuji Instax 210
Black
Photographer.
Reminds me very much of a 645D/Z. Pentaprism and the deep, recessed grip. A lot of the dials seem to be very similar also - I'm guessing it'll be environmentally sealed and will be operable to at least down to -10ºC. You'd be able to use it without issue wearing gloves. Having owned a 645D, I would imagine it will be a different beast when held - surprisingly robust and comfortable, in spite of its looks.
I quite like it.
I quite like it.
tstermitz
Well-known
Pentax cameras have always come in nice, small packages. I have the K5, which is about the same size as a Leica M (not counting the hump). The grip is very nice, but it is slightly too small for my fingers - and I have a small hand. My ring finger easily slips off the bottom, making me wish for the first time for a vertical grip. Comparing the K5 and this picture of with the 31mm Limited, I'd say the Pentax FF is about the size of the Nikon D7100, which is smaller than the Nikon FF cameras.
I have the MZ-S and I agree that it is strikingly beautiful, and very, very fun.
I also agree that the pentaprism hump with all the angles is kind of ugly, but yeah, maybe that means it will be big and bright.
More importantly, I find the handling and button layout of the Pentax Digitals to be most excellent. Almost all the buttons are under the pointer and right thumb, so it is very easy to do everything with a single-hand, something I can't do with my Nikon.
Then there is the Pentax "green button", which takes you back to the metered Shutter Speed/F-stop/ISO, with the best aperture for the lens you are using. This makes it very practical to shoot manual, even in changing light: Hit green to take you to zero; you can make a situational adjustment, say for backlighting; then hit green to go back home.
The weakness in the K5 was poor focus, especially in darker situations. There were complaints, and I sure found it problematic, but I believe Pentax put a special effort into improving this for the later models.
I'm not super-excited about Pentax FF, since I think the APS size is a much better price-quality-size point. To take advantage of FF image quality, you probably need to build up a collection of of Zeiss or Sigma lenses. Or, if I was really doing landscape, then I'd want the 645D or Nikon 810.
I would love to see Pentax succeed, but the camera sales volume is tanking, and mirror-less ILCs are poised to disrupt the DSLR camera market.
I have the MZ-S and I agree that it is strikingly beautiful, and very, very fun.
I also agree that the pentaprism hump with all the angles is kind of ugly, but yeah, maybe that means it will be big and bright.
More importantly, I find the handling and button layout of the Pentax Digitals to be most excellent. Almost all the buttons are under the pointer and right thumb, so it is very easy to do everything with a single-hand, something I can't do with my Nikon.
Then there is the Pentax "green button", which takes you back to the metered Shutter Speed/F-stop/ISO, with the best aperture for the lens you are using. This makes it very practical to shoot manual, even in changing light: Hit green to take you to zero; you can make a situational adjustment, say for backlighting; then hit green to go back home.
The weakness in the K5 was poor focus, especially in darker situations. There were complaints, and I sure found it problematic, but I believe Pentax put a special effort into improving this for the later models.
I'm not super-excited about Pentax FF, since I think the APS size is a much better price-quality-size point. To take advantage of FF image quality, you probably need to build up a collection of of Zeiss or Sigma lenses. Or, if I was really doing landscape, then I'd want the 645D or Nikon 810.
I would love to see Pentax succeed, but the camera sales volume is tanking, and mirror-less ILCs are poised to disrupt the DSLR camera market.