What is Pentax up to is the real question!

[eleskin]

Well here it is, the Pentax 645D is coming soon at 31MP and under $7,000.
It will have the same lens mount as all of the Pentax 645 offerings of the past (I have a 645N and two lenses, the 45mm 2.8 and the 75mm 2.8). Since I bought my M8, the Pentax I had has been gathering dust, but I still see the need for it in various situations, especially for Wedding work where I need autofocus (I use the Sunpak 622 Super with bounce kit. This flash is not good to use with any M camera in that trying to focus an M while holding this monster is almost impossible especially if there is a fast changing situation and you need flash. The 622 Super served me very well, and rather than but a Nikon or Canon, this may be better, especially since I have the lenses). I could use this system along with the M9 for available light work (Noctilux, etc,,,,) and that special "M" feel and "look".

Could this be an S2 killer or Hassy killer? Maybe not, but in this economy, if Pentax does this, the perception will be it has the best value out there. I have used Pentax lenses, and for the money, nothing beats them in medium format. Hell, a buddy of mine smashed his Zeiss lens on his Hassy and I gave him my Pentax for a day. He thought the Pentax lens (75mm) was sharper than his Zeiss! I only paid $249 for it at Adorama used!!!

 

[eleskin]

Large Aperature Lenses too!!!

Large Aperature Lenses too!!!

I forgot. One of the things I really liked about the 645N is that my 45mm was f2.8 which I found astounding in medium format. I also have a Fuji GSW 690, and at f5.6, lens speed is not an option in 6x9 or even 6x7! Pentax offered speed and value! And handled like a conventional SLR!

In digital, this thing will be killer, even if I will use an M9 along side!

 

[ruby.monkey]

A mode dial? My 645N doesn't need to be told what mode I'm working in - it can work that out from what I've selected. Why can't the 645D be that smart?

*Grumble grumble declining standards youth of today grumble*

(I'll watch this camera with interest nevertheless - the 645N is one of my favourite playthings)

 

[eleskin]

ruby.monkey:

Yes, I remember now that when the 645n was designed, Pentax actually asked pros what they wanted and dial controls won hands down (the original 645 had push buttons!). This is one of the reasons why I love the M8 and the M9. I hate LCD screens buttons and multi functions!

The Japanese just cant seem to break from this "Gee Wizz" techno-crap (Toyota?) which is not always the best design!

Even still, for the price, $7k is not bad for digital medium format, especially if you consider how cheap the Pentax lenses are.

None of this will prevent me from buying the M9 though! The only thing that is delaying me on the M9 is I need to pay my taxes in April. After that, I will be in the clear! Yes!!!!!

 

[eleskin]

Eastman Kodak Sensor!!!!

Eastman Kodak Sensor!!!!

This new Pentax 645D will have its sensor made by EASTMAN KODAK!!!!

I guess they impressed more than just the folks at Solms! CCD too!
So those of us who have the M8/M9 should feel good knowing that Kodak may know a thing or two about good sensors!!!!

 

[eleskin]

Eastman Kodak Sensor!!!!

Eastman Kodak Sensor!!!!

This new Pentax 645D will have its sensor made by EASTMAN KODAK!!!!

I guess they impressed more than just the folks at Solms! CCD too!
So those of us who have the M8/M9 should feel good knowing that Kodak may know a thing or two about good sensors!!!!

 

[fotobiblios]

I'd be pleased to see the 645D - has it been press-released? or do you know it'll be at the upcoming show? - Am I missing a link or a source? - please supply links to specs/pictures.

thanks -- danny

 

[Roger Hicks]

This new Pentax 645D will have its sensor made by EASTMAN KODAK!!!!

I guess they impressed more than just the folks at Solms! CCD too!
So those of us who have the M8/M9 should feel good knowing that Kodak may know a thing or two about good sensors!!!!

No, no, can't be. EVERYONE KNOWS that Kodak is going broke tomorrow.

Especially those who make red and yellow voodoo dolls and stick pins in them.

Cheers,

R.

 

[eleskin]

PDN has a write up about the 645D in its gear section. April 2010 seems to me the time this beast will come out.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Not really a question for RF users, though.

Cheers,

R.

 

[BillBingham2]

eleskin,

Why focus with a 45/2.8 and flash? I bet you have enough DOF to not worry. Give it a try, pick three distances to learn dead on (say 3 feet, 6 feet and 12 feet) and run between them, no focusing.

B2 (;->

 

[aizan]

$7000? that's what i call bringing medium format digital to younger photographers!

 

[jsrockit]

When is the $2000 version coming out? 😉

 

[PentHassyKon]

Here's a link from Pentax forums: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/81538-pentax-645d-user-manual-leak.html

As far as when it'll be $2k - probably when the M9 or S2 hits $2k in the marketplace 😀

 

[rxmd]

Why focus with a 45/2.8 and flash? I bet you have enough DOF to not worry. Give it a try, pick three distances to learn dead on (say 3 feet, 6 feet and 12 feet) and run between them, no focusing.

Well my most used lens in medium format is a 50/f4 and I'm still focusing. 🙂

 

[mervynyan]

I went to Fotocare's Hasselblad H4D event yesterday. I never own a digital MF so I wasn't really blown away. It feels like $20k is such a waste. This 645D seems promising, I used Contax 645 for few years, really like the camera, wondering if Pentax digital back is on the offer.

 

[Jack Conrad]

When is the $2000 version coming out? 😉

When's the $200 version coming out? 🙄

 

[Disaster_Area]

Looks like either a brilliant... or last ditch move... or maybe a bit of both. Pentax has pretty much lost the battle in the P&S and DSLR (Consumer and Pro) world... if you look at Flickr's stats the Canon XSI alone has more average daily users than all Pentax camera's combined... so if they want to stick around the camera world in the long run the only thing left is to corner a niche market... and affordable MF bodies might be that niche for them.