Just read the official announcements at the DPR:-
http://www.dpreview.com/news/related.asp?keyword=nikon
The Nikon D3100 and 4 new Nikkor lenses are announced. The new Nikkors are all Full Frame lenses.
The D3100 is using the "new" Sony 14M CMOS sensor, which should be the same one used in the NEXes (which is not bad in performance and IQ from my own experience with my NEX).
So, whilst a folk has just reminded me that Pentax just hasn't shown their cards whilst others do, may I just ask: Pentax, it's your take NOW! Show us your cards in hands!! Don't let us Pentaxians just see that you only have a Tile 3 but nothing else in the end!!!
Nevertheless, the development of new lenses in Pentaxland has been rather pathetic in recent years. How many new Pentax lenses have been introduced since the DA lens roadmap and introduction of new DA lenses had been ceased since early 2009, I have to ask? One? One Only if those Kit Zooms are not counted?? Are you kidding, Hoya?? And, how many old Pentax lenses have been discontinued during the period? Ten and more? (at least for some countries and places..)
Last News:-
New Wave of Sony Alpha DSLRs Coming! Pentax?
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Alex · 760 weeks ago
Btw, the response to this camera is the K-x, already on the market ;) You see, the K-x already have a good quality sensor - unlike the D3000; so, unlike the D3000 it doesn't need a replacement (right now).
And stop lying, Rice. Although in your "discontinued lenses" list some of them were replaced by newer versions (18-55 and 50-200 DAs by DA-L + DA WR, D FA 100 macro by the D FA WR) others are still in production. Keep your grudge against Pentax under control and start checking your "facts".
anonymous · 760 weeks ago
Do you happen to have contact with employees of Pentax Japan? This would give us hints of the real situation going-on.
It seems that Pentax R&D has been non-existing over the past two years..Unless they have been working on a super-duper secret project... I really doubt it
anonymous (again) · 760 weeks ago
It proves that Hoya-Pentax days have been sad for former Pentax people. Sacking so many Japanese people is not at all a Japanese management methodology. Lack of respect to R&D engineers is totally unacceptable in Japan.
Nevertheless we shall see in a couple of months whether HOYA have some innovative products "announcements".
Of course we all know what "announcements" mean for Pentax: 6-60 months of wait for the product-to-market.
Most certainly those were the days! :-(
David · 760 weeks ago
September is not a bad time to announce - it's when the holiday gadget season begins (which is why Apple announces new iPods at that time). The only problem with it is, if you take magazine review turnover, you may not make the newsstands until November (if you get reviewed at all) unless you give an advance unit to reporters. In addition, since Pentax does not have the money for an all-out ad blitz, and does not have the shelf space to make immediate buzz.
But still, September has its merits, mainly that you can get all photography journalists in one place, and give them copies to play with, getting your model potentially in all publications at once.
Now let's look at what was announced. The 3100 seems like the simple evolution of the entry level shooter - continuous focus in video mode, several P&S features like facial recognition and the like. Nice, yes, but if the Kx successor incorporates continuous focus, a 1080/24fps option, illuminated focus points, and a front control wheel, as well as upgrades to the new Sony sensor, Pentax will have a better camera. Add in an articulating display, built-in GPS, and a mic jack, and then you really have a superior product.
Now for the lenses - Having just plunked down a grand for a used FA* 85/1.4, seeing that G as part of the announcement makes me jealous. Pentax needs to upgrade its legacy 85mm this year! My jealousy is tempered by the fact that when Nikon revised its 50mm with a new G (still making old film versions at 1.7 and 1.4) all reviews pointed to the G lens being soft and slower, albeit much more quiet) than the old lenses they replaced. Plus, they were twice as much as the old lenses, which is why I purchased the old 50mm for our sports photographer at work.
The other lenses, there is not much to say about them really. It really just makes me think that Pentax needs to make sure their non professional-grade lenses are priced for the frugal shopper, and that if they were to transition to full-frame, they need more lenses, like the 85/1.4.
I guess another thing comes to mind - aperture and zoom. I think Pentax can keep their lenses at the same price as the competition, but only if they have an edge. Since their current lineup of cameras has power points, one thing they can do is add silent in -camera motors. But the bigger thing is they need to increase the size of the glass, having a lower f-stop, and waging that war.
Also, they need to develop zooms with the look and feel of their limited primes. While many photographers love these primes, the majority of the population wants a zoom, and they want it small. The ironic thing about the interchangeable lens camera market is that most people will never change their lens, or will live with two lenses if that's what came in their kit. Why on Earth would you want a 28-300 lens, since you have to make the compromise of a low aperture? Because you don't carry multiple lenses (or probably even a camera bag). Those people are getting ILCs because they still have greater zoom capabilities than the superzooms, and have a larger sensor.
I was listening to a recent podcast of Engadget where Josh Toplosky lamented that he wanted his m4/3 camera to have a lens the size of the small prime that could zoom. And as we have seen with the NEX series, while the bodies are small, their lenses are larger in mass than Pentax kits, let alone their limited primes. That is where Pentax can make some headway....
So Rice, wait until Pentax announces something before lamenting. If they anounce 'me too' products that don't exceed anyone, complain...If Photokina comes and goes and they announce anything, complain.......
tipentax · 760 weeks ago
Pentax just released a new MF system and you tell us that's nothing compared to the new Nikon consumer zooms ? Where is the innovation in this Nikon lenses ? Even no VR in the 85mm, and a really high price ... what new lens would you like to see in the pentax line-up ?
David · 760 weeks ago
The 55-300 is a DX lens, and clearly marked as such. The 28-300 is just an update of a DX lens compatible with FX format.
Pentax Sucks · 760 weeks ago
Inbody IS is not the best. In lens is the best. When you need more dial up the ISO and inbody shake reduction is neutralized.
As far as sensor in new slightly improved upon Pentax dslrs, neither Pentax will have the new Sony Sensor. Sony and Nikon usually get a year before Pentax is allowed to buy in.
Pentax needs more color cameras to continue to be INTERESTING.
Pentax Sucks
I don't believe I'll live forever so I'm done waiting for deep pockets Hoya to succeed with their Pentax logo purchase.
Stupid Hoya should stick to making overpriced, crappyglass filtersRun a thread on who likes Hoya filters, you'll see many unsatisfied owners who reject their products now. Pentax is no different. Hoya killed Pentax for me.
David · 760 weeks ago
Seriously dude, you really need to relax and get rid of your negativity. The debate over in-body IS and in-lens was over really when the two different systems were released. In-camera IS can get the maximum out of image stabilization, as Canon and Nikon proved with their 70-200 systems, but in-body is no slouch, and can be used on any lens. For a good in-lens IS, you will pay, which is why those Canon and Nikon lenses are twice the price of their non-IS alternatives. In-lens IS is being built into more frugal models, like kit lenses, but in actuality if you have seen comparisons, they are not as good as the in-body models.
Its a difference in philosophies. Some say the drop in IS lenses means that is a better system, while others say that better sensors will make IS obsolete.
As far as sensors, I would be shocked if Pentax did not get improved sensors. Shocked. Sony and Nikon got a jump start with NEX and 3100, and really Sony wants as many sensors sold because it brings the cost down. They never made Pentax wait a year.
Match · 760 weeks ago
Camera division was part of the package. It likes you buy a newspaper which comes along a tissue, which you usually throw away immediately.
DDD · 760 weeks ago
Blackburn · 759 weeks ago
Full disclosure: Ricehigh is banned from DPR and has been for several years - he operate there under several different 'puppet' account names which get banned frequently. He has also been banned from PentaxForums. Frankly, I think they should ban your IP; your blog is worthless.