Pentax FF is Planned to be Launched in October, Priced at 2,000 Euros

See what Pentaxeros reports:

http://www.tiendapentaxeros.com/fotografia/pentax-full-frame-cuerpo-p-2244.html

Whom I consider is a reliable source as they are close to the official Pentax.

Well, I believe that the last lump of plastic thing is just to keep commercial secrets by the RP whilst letting interested users to know something is really coming soon, the testing prototype or even the beta machine should be more than that, in view of the launching date which is so close.

A Good K-s2 Quick Overview

http://history.hatenablog.com/entry/2015/02/17/231127
(in Japanese)

Different non-standard colour schemes are shown. New features and functions are briefed.

Overjoyed Pentaxians!

http://newcameranews.com/2015/02/16/ricoh-shows-lump-of-plastic-pentaxicans-overjoyed/

Nice humour! But very true!! :-D

[Official] Compatibility of the K-mount FF Converter with DA Lenses! ;-D

http://c758710.r10.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/support/manual/1394730000_DA_Rear_convertor_1.4x_Compatibility_Chart.pdf

Well, if you just don't understand why this is actually the Pentax K-mount 135 FF converter, read my previous experiment of this! :-P

Related:

Compatibility of DA Lenses on Full Frame

DA 16-85 Vs DA 18-135 Comparison Reviews

By PF: http://www.pentaxforums.com/articles/review-news/hd-pentax-da-16-85mm-first-impressions-review.html

By a User: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3799349

The DA18-135 is not bad IMHO.


Related:

My Practical Review on the DA18-135

PF's Interview with Pentax' Officials at CP+ (Mr. Kazunobu Saiki and Colleague)

Transcripts in English and Chinese are as follows, dropped down and translated by a Chinese Xitek Pentaxian:

PentaxForums：

First of all, thank you for publishing the news about the upcoming launch of a full-frame DSLR.

The PentaxForums.com announcement reached over 200,000 Pentax fans on Facebook and was met with very positive feedback.

Do you have any thoughts to share with the fans that eagerly await the full-frame product launch?

首先，感谢你们发布将会上市全幅单反的消息。有超过20万宾得迷们通过Facebook收到了PentaxForums.com发出的这个消息，而且收到了非常积极的回应。你们有没有什么想与这些渴望得到全幅产品的宾得迷们分享的么？

Pentax：

To tell the truth, I was relieved because many Pentax fans don’t say “It’s too late!”. I’m very glad to hear the positive comments from Pentax fans. Thank you for waiting for a long time.

说真的，我感到非常宽慰，因为这么多的宾得迷们没有说”这已经太迟了！“。我非常高兴能够听到宾得迷们这些积极的回应。感谢你们等待了这么久。


PentaxForums:

What kind of users and applications will the new full-frame Pentax DSLR be aimed at? How will it stand out alongside the competition?

宾得全幅单反是针对什么样的用户和应用的？它将如何在竞争中脱颖而出？

Pentax:

The first users are Pentax fans, besides it’s important to get back the Pentax users from competitors. Therefore, it’s not up to making have many strength
of Pentax.(??) Besides, it’s important to have attractive features newly which other competitors don’t have.

首先的用户群是广大宾得迷们。此外，从其它竞争对手中把宾得用户争取回来也是很重要的。因此，宾得会利用其自身的优势（这句没听懂，估计是这个意思）。而且，更早的拥有那些竞争对手没有的具有吸引力的特性也是很重要的。


PentaxForums：

What do you think is the most suitable resolution for DSLRs with full-frame sensors?

Current cameras in the industry have resolution as low as 12Mp and as high as 50Mp as of this month.

你们认为全幅单反最合适的分辨率是多少？当前行业中的全幅单反从最低1200万像素到本月的5000万像素都有。

Pentax：

I think the suitable resolution is changing. According to the sensor technology, and environment to handle the image to date(??)

我认为合适的分辨率是在变化的。根据当前处理图像的Sensor技术和环境。（最后几个词听不清）


PentaxForums：

Can users expect more full-frame compatible lenses to become available together with the launch of the full-frame DSLR?

大家可以期望在全幅机身发布的时候，将会有更多全幅镜头一起发布么？

Pentax：

We are going to develop DFA lenses as soon as possible, you can see the new lenses on the newest lenses roadmap.

我们将尽快开发新的DFA镜头，你们可以在最新的镜头路线图上看到这些新镜头。


PentaxForums：

Do you have plans to re-launch or update any FA-series lenses as with the 645 lineup, or will you be focusing on new designs going forward?

你们有计划重新推出或升级FA系列以及645系列镜头么？还是说你们将致力于向前研发新的镜头？

Pentax:

We are going to design new lenses basically, however, we are also going to redesign some FA lenses which have good resolution performance.

基本上我们将会开发新的镜头，不过，我们也会重新设计一些拥有好的分辨率特性的FA镜头。


PentaxForums：

You state that the full-frame will support DA lenses via an in-body crop function.

How would lenses with 35mm image circle coverage such as the DA* 200mm f/2.8 be handled?

Will you change any existing lens designations/specifications?

你们说全幅将通过机内Crop功能来支持DA镜头。那对于那些可以覆盖35mm图像范围的镜头呢？比如DA* 200mm f/2.8，机身将如何对待这些镜头？

你们有可能改变现有镜头的名称或者规格参数么？

Pentax:

It’s true some DA lenses cover the full frame image circle. However, we make it priority to develop the new lenses basically, rather than to redesign the DA lenses.

确实一些DA镜头可以覆盖全幅图像范围，但是，我们基本上将致力于研发新的镜头，而不是重新设计那些DA镜头。（这个回答和问题不符，估计这里交流有障碍。）


PentaxForums:

Do you plan to reintroduce the aperture coupler in the Pentax full-frame body so that legacy lenses can meter without having to stop down?

你们有计划在全幅机身中重新引入Aperture Coupler么？这样那些老镜头就不必缩小光圈测光了。

Pentax：

I think it’s important, but it’s difficult because of the limited space.

我认为这个很重要，但是因为空间很有限，所以很难实现。


PentaxForums：

How would you describe the response to the Pentax K-S1? Has it seen success among gadget-oriented people?

你们怎么形容Pentax K-S1的反应？看到它在面向电子科技的人群中的成功了么？

Pentax：

Because K-S1, we try to attract non-Pentax users mainly, in that sense, we have very nice interests, but before that, the (??) so far we couldn’t get return as we expected.

因为，对于K-S1，我们主要是想吸引那些非宾得用户的，从这种角度讲，我们确实收到了很多关注，但是除此以外，目前为止，我们没有收到预期的赢利。


PentaxForums:

Do you have plans to improve the speed of the SAFOX auto focus for fast-paced shooting?

你们有计划改进SAFOX的自动对焦速度以适应快速拍摄么？

Pentax：

The AF performance of K-5 II has been improved. We are improving speed one more, and new telephoto zoom lenses, have high speed actuator and new developed algorithm, so you can you then comfortably.

自动对焦性能已经在K-5 II中得到了提高。我们又进一步的提高了速度，新开发的长焦变焦镜头中，我们使用了高速电机，和新开发的算法，因此用起来会很舒服。


PentaxForums:

The Pentax lens lineup still lacks products such as leaf shutter lenses, tilt/shift lenses, and extension tubes. Is this an area you feel important to expand?

宾得镜头产品线中还缺乏像叶片式快门镜头、移轴镜头、微距延伸套筒等。你们认为这些领域是值得扩展的么？

Pentax：

It’s important, especially for 645 series, so, we are considering.

（叶片式快门镜头或移轴镜头）确实很重要，特别是对于645系列，所以，我们在考虑这个问题。


PentaxForums：

Why is wired tethering not possible with the Pentax K-3? Do you plan to offer this feature in the future, i.e. via Image Transmitter 2?

Many users find the speed and range of the FluCard to be insufficient.

为什么没有办法在K-3上联机拍摄？你们有计划提供这个功能么？比如通过Image Transmitter 2？许多用户发现FluCard的速度不足以支持联机拍摄。

Pentax：

Image Transmitter 2 is developed for 645Z, however, some K-3 users requiring us, so, therefore, we are considering with firmware upgrading.

Image Transmitter 2是为645Z开发的，不过一些K-3用户反映了这个需求，因此我们正在考虑通过固件升级的办法来解决。


PentaxForums:

As industry trends change, do you have plans to continue pursuing more consumer imaging gadgets like the Ricoh Theta based on the market response?

由于产业趋势的变化，基于市场的反馈，你们有计划生产更多的如理光Theta的消费型影像产品么？

Pentax：

Of course, it’s important to expand the market(??) with new imaging gadgets.

当然，用新的影像数码产品来扩展市场是很重要的。


PentaxForums:

Would it be possible to leverage the SR mechanism to increase the effective resolution of a Pentax DSLR?

有可能利用宾得SR系统来提高宾得单反的有效分辨率么？

Pentax：

We have tried to increase the effective pixels with shake reduction, but dataset is big, but image quality is not improved. So, we are now trying to improve the resolution performance, without increase the effective pixels.

我们尝试过通过SR防抖技术来提高有效像素数，但是结果是数据很庞大，而图像质量并没有提高。所以我们现在做的是，在不提高像素数的情况下，提高分辨率的性能。


PentaxForums：

Do you have any comments in response to the technical feature suggestions presented by our users?

你们对我们论坛用户提交的那些技术功能上的建议有什么评论么？

Pentax：

It’s really nice to listen to the end users, because they have requests and expectations. We study carefully, and depending on the necessity of the requirement, we might consider to implement onto the firmware upgrading.

能听到最终用户的声音是非常好的，因为他们有需求和期望。我们会很认真的研究，根据所请求功能的必要性，我们可能会在将来的固件升级中实现它们。


PentaxForums：

Why has Ricoh Imaging decided to launch the full-frame DSLR now?

Can you comment on how it will stand out relative to the competition?

为什么理光映像在现在决定要推出全幅单反？您能对它将如何在竞争中脱颖而出发表一些评论么？

Pentax：

Ok, as you know, we have a lot of K-mount series lens, as well as 645 mount, so we had valued our existing customers, and we believe with this time has matured, it’s really nice time to release full-frame for whom waiting for that.

如你所知，我们有大量的K口镜头，和645卡口。我们重视这些现有用户，而且我们认为现在时机已成熟，所以现在是非常好的时机来推出全幅相机给那些等待它的人们。


PentaxForums：

How does the size of the Japanese market for Pentax and Ricoh cameras compare to international markets？

宾得和理光相机在日本市场规模和全球市场规模的比较是一种什么情况？

Pentax：

Frankly, the comparison of Japan market for Pentax Ricoh is larger than the one for the global market.

坦白的讲，宾得理光在日本的市场规模要大于全球市场。


PentaxForums：

Has the Ricoh Imaging international market share for ILC’s increased over the course of the past two years?

Which product category has been the most successful?

过去两年中，宾得理光的可换镜头相机的国际市场份额有所增加么？哪个产品是最成功的产品？

Pentax：

As you know, the market itself has really aggressively decreasing. We are facing that trouble, but we are safer than total market trend.

如你所知，市场本身在骤减，我们在面对这个问题，但是相比整个市场趋势而言，我们更安全一些。


PentaxForums：

Sony has been dominant in sensor manufacturing the last few years.

Are you seeing other manufacturers wanting to partner with Pentax?

Does Pentax see some advantages to partnering with other sensor manufacturers?

索尼近些年几乎独占了Sensor的市场。你们看到别的厂商希望与宾得合作么？宾得是否看到与其他sensor厂商合作的优势么？

Pentax：

Selection of sensor is purely for our engineers to make our product more attractive, so we are not attaching to A name brand or B name brand, so it’s merely to what kind of performance the device provide to us.

sensor的选择纯粹是为了我们工程师可以让我们的产品更有吸引力，因此我们没有固定在A品牌或B品牌身上。仅仅取决于提供于我们的设备是什么性能。


PentaxForums：

Would you like to share any closing remarks with the community?

你们愿意跟论坛说一些话作为结束语么？

Pentax：

Yeah, both of us are really thanks for this interviews. After the launching of the full-frames, everybody is exciting. So, please be happy, until the product come into your hands.

Thanks for waiting for Pentax full-frame camera for a long time. I’m glad to …(??)

Some More Photos of the New DFA Lenses

I have lost clue to the sources of the photos as these are found in the Internet Pentax forums, so cannot make the credits.

One More (and Better) PS Job for the Pentax K FF

Multiple view angles and "side-by-side" against the K-3, really nice! Good job, man! :-)

Credit: Chinese Xitek Pentaxian

Size of the New FF Body

So, it is somehow big, as many Pentax fanboys have complained for years for *all* 135 Full Frame bodies of other brands. So, what would they say now? :-P

Besides, just found this PS job at the Chinese Xitek forum, does the mockup feel more realistic now? ;-D

K-mount FF Body Mockup Unveiled at CP+

http://gigazine.net/news/20150212-pentax-35mm-camera-cpplus2015/
(in Japanese)



The new body would not have RTF, i.e., the built-in flash, as seen.

Pentax Lens Roadmaps Updated (K, 645 and Q)

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/images/K_Mount_Lens.pdf

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/images/645_Mount_Lens.pdf

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/images/Q_Mount_Lens.pdf

IR K-s2 Preview

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/pentax-k-s2/pentax-k-s2A.HTM

AF201FG Flash

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1117720-REG/pentax_af_201fg_flash.html

K-s2 and HD DA 18-50 Specs

http://photorumors.com/2015/02/09/pentax-k-s2-camera-hd-pentax-da-18-50mm-f4-5-6-dc-wr-re-lens-specifications/

Not bad.

Ricoh US Pentax Forum - Topic on Upcoming Full Frame and Discussions

You are encouraged to provide your inputs and comments. Yet mind you that this maybe a marketing mean, though.

http://community.us.ricoh-imaging.com/t5/Full-Frame/Full-Frame-Market-Launch-2015/td-p/1625

I have already provided my comments, so your take now! :-)

Tip: For easier reading and post tracing, you can set "Topic Options" to "Newest to Oldest".

Pentax K-s2

http://digicame-info.com/2015/02/k-s2.html
(in Japanese)



Compared to the K-s1, built-in WiFi and flipped monitor are added.

D FA 150-450mm 1st Quick Review with MTF Diagrams and Comparison against the Competition

http://www.yaotomi.co.jp/blog/used/2015/02/hd-pentax-d-fa-150-450mmf45-56ed-dc-aw.html
(in Japanese)

Seems to be the biggest and heaviest amongst the peer but the MTF diagrams look best, too.

Additional Confirmed Information about the Upcoming Pentax FF

"参考出品製品の概要  ●デジタル一眼レフカメラ（製品写真）
製品名：未定
Kマウント採用、35ミリ判フルサイズの大型イメージセンサーを搭載したデジタル一眼レフカメラ
クロップ機能により、DAレンズの利用が可能
2015年中の発売を目指して開発中"

Important Highlights:
- K-mount DSLR body!
- 35mm Full Frame sensor!
- No Product Name Yet
- Support existing DA lenses in crop(ped) mode
- Still in development and aimed to launch within 2015

UPDATE: Yet an official Ricoh announcement in English can be found as follows:

http://news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info2/2015/20150205_006519.html

Pentax Forums Discloses Image of the Upcoming Pentax 135 FF Prototype

Maybe with the consent of Ricoh, the PF has done this:

http://www.pentaxforums.com/articles/pentax-news/pentax-full-frame-officially-coming-cpplus-2015.html



Do note that the PENTAX logo is a sticker, though. :o :(

So, after waiting for more than ten years, the Pentax 135 K-mount should come this fall, finally.




Related:

My Pentax Lenses are Given Completely New Lives! :-D

This is What the Limited Lenses Should be Put Onto!

DIY: Adapting the Pentax FA*85/1.4 onto the Cantax K-5D Mark III

Compatibility of DA Lenses on Full Frame

HD Pentax D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6

Source: Digicame Info (in Japanese)

So, the symbolic green rings of the digital line of PENTAX lenses are back finally and the two new lenses are undoubtedly equipped with the latest HD coating. Ricoh finally has recognised that they had done something very wrong marketing wise. Everything looks much better now and it does not hurt the feeling of we stubborn old Pentax brand fanboys anymore! ;-p

HD Pentax D FA* 70-200 F2.8 Full Frame Lens is to be Announced Tomorrow!

Source: Digicame Info (in Japanese) Via:

http://camyx.com/rumors/2015/02/hd-pentax-d-fa-70-200mm-f2-8-lens-announcement/

D-FA 645 25mm Lens Discontinued! :-o

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/lens/index645_list_others.html

What a short life lens! Just wonder what Ricoh is planning to do and why discontinued this lens, which is actually the only ultra-wide lens in the 645 digital line!

CP+ Pentaxians' Precaution!

See what NCN recommends.. Really nice! I like it! :-D

National Rumor Service (NRS) Identifies Anomaly Over Pentaxica