New DA Star Lenses are Coming Soon, Finally!

Pentax has just made a news release at their Japanese homepage about the final market launch of their repeatedly delayed and hence long-awaited Star DA zooms, which are told will arrive on August 11 for the DA*16-50 and July 27 for the DA*50-135 (but why not the standard zoom to be come first?):-

http://www.pentax.co.jp/japan/news/2007/200758.html
(In Japanese, use Babelfish to translate if needed)

By looking at the included link in the above news release for the previous product announcement of the lenses, it is interesting to see that the monthly production rate for each of the DA Star zooms will only be 1,000 units per month. Since Pentax have not updated this figure in their latest news release but just include the link for the old press release, we may assume that they keep this figure. However, with such an extremely low production rate, there are some obvious implications, as we can see and predict for the possible outcomes:-

1. The lenses will be in great shortage in supply as the 1,000 units will be shared worldwide, including for the demand for the Japanese home market;

2. It is either that Pentax's initial estimation on the demand of the DA Star lenses is rather pessimistic and conservative, or that their factory production limit has been reached, regardless of the demand in the market and the back orders they received. It is just because for new lens models put into production simply means more production capacity will be required.

However, since Pentax last time told us that their last delay of the Star lenses was caused by the increased "huge demand" of the lenses, I wonder why they don't tell us the increased new production rate this time. Maybe they have forgot to do so (but I prefer that they should follow up on what they told us last time). Or, they just want to keep the 1,000 units per model per month low figure in our mind, or, actually they really still keep this figure as their latest plan and target! Who knows?

Lastly, usually new products will sell more or even much more when they are fresh and new. So, if they really keep this figure at their side, I am really afraid that they will miss the boat again (and again, as in the past - otherwise, I couldn't see there have been so many long-time Pentaxians switched and went away or needed to buy into one more brand, usually brand C or N). Indeed, people won't wait for products that they don't know when these will actually come, even after they are willing to place the back orders or also needed to pay deposits for those orders. As they can always choose other numerous alternative products, which are widely available and far more easy to find, and at comparable prices.

Just as a joke for relaxing, I wish the Hotax merger could have completed earlier as the Hotax had and have a much higher production rate than what Pentax alone can achieve now! ;-)

Fragile K10D SR Switch Levers

Two different K10D users from China recently have reported that the SR switch levers of their new K10D were broken just after a few times of use and within short period after their purchases:-

1. http://article.xitek.com/showarticle.php?id=5401 (includes photos that show the broken parts; Texts are in Simplified Chinese, use BableFish if needed.)

2. http://forum.xitek.com/showthread.php?threadid=455440 (Texts in Simplified Chinese)

Whilst the cases can again be considered as isolated ones or there actually exists a certain batch of defective and affected products from the K10D production line(s) in the Pentax factory, the victim Pentax users are once again disappointed about both the after-sales services and "support" from Pentax and their China sole agent, the Jebsen & Co. Ltd. and the quality of the Pentax products as well. In fact, both users reported that the agent simply denied warranty liability from start and they only agreed to repair or to replace the problematic units for free after prolonged fightings with the users and it seems that the agent has little or even no support from their principal, i.e., Pentax, for many cases as reported. On the other hand, the common problem about that agent (or even Pentax their own) is that they are always reluctant to admit problems (and not even to mention that they would report/feedback and review the found problems internally), so fightings with some of those more insistent victim users would be unavoidable and Pentax would probably never know about the occured problems as such.

Indeed, their unfortunate experiences resemble much of my own various experiences with the sole agency company but unfortunately also with Pentax Japan as well, which is very sad for we Pentax users and customers afterall. In fact, it is also rather sad for Pentax themselves indeed. (For details of my own unfortunate true story, see my previous letter to the ex-CEO of the Pentax Corporation.)

Last but not least, as the Pentax products that are shipped to and marketed in China are with special labels which are intentionally printed with the omissions of most of the markings for the complied standards and the place of origin of the products as well, this makes the consumers in China would really wonder if the quality of the Pentax products they can get in China (and Hong Kong as well) could be inferior in quality than those that sold/bought outside China, just owing to the mentioned strange difference. At least the consumers would have not-so-good or even bad feelings for seeing those omissions which are just tailor made and customised for those Pentax products sold in the China region.

All in all, as we all know, no QC of any factory in this planet is perfect. And for today's vigorous price competition of products as well as the very short product life cycles, this does deteriorate the situation even more. However, the necessary and only remedial for those QC loopholes or even design faults is to admit problems and to rectify those as soon as possible so that inconvenience caused to the end-users can be minimised as far as possible (and as such the customer dis-satifactions and the number of adverse reports by them could be minimised). This should be the correct attitude to deal with those problems and the act will be beneficial to both the customers and the company. Without such a positive and correct attitude and intention to admit and resolve problem, a company will have no chance to succeed. Even the company can save the repair and replacement costs in short term, in long run they have to pay for it.

Tiny Cracks or Chips on K10D Bodies

Here is a recent report about the issue, which is clear and self-explanatory and also with photos attached, which show the chips and the cracks found on the surfaces of various different K10D bodies:-

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=23936138

By following down the thread, more users replied that they could find the same problem in their K10D bodies and some of them have posted more photos of the cracks or chips found in their cameras.

As for the mentioned original posts at several German forums which first revealed the problem, the direct links are as follows:-

http://forum.digitalfotonetz.de/viewtopic.php?t=37800

http://www.dslr-forum.de/showthread.php?t=214766

http://www.phototalk24.de/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1912

It seems that there exists a manufacturing or design problem for a common defect that can be found in quite some K10D bodies. Although the broken chips or cracks are tiny and small in areas, this is still somehow worrisome for having a defect like this, especially considering that the K10D is a water-sealed and weather-proof body as marketed and sold.

Since there have been various posters said that they would approach Pentax for servicing as their cameras are still under warranty, let's wait and see how Pentax will respond and what will they do. But possibly their reaction will again be typical and in the same old way as summarised and commented by this Pentax K10D user in his this post on another topic (which is very well said indeed):-

http://www.photozone.de/active/forum/ShowMessage?ID=108666021463969672146396966A

K10D Dust Proof?

As we all know, the K10D is designed to be dust and weather proof, as the official information always shows us:- http://www.digital.pentax.co.jp/en/35mm/k10d/feature_04.html

Look at the sealing diagram and it is not difficult to discover that all critical but vulnerable parts and positions are sealed, this includes the colour LCD panel at the back.

However, there have been different reports of dust are getting into the inside of the LCD panel, here are two reports that I have seen recently:-

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/8746-k10d-problems.html

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=23819567

The latter has also clear photos of the affected LCD posted by the K10D user, which looks indeed rather terrible.

Whilst the sealing has actually imposed some kind of stiffness and "stickiness" to the knob, switches and buttons (particularly try the AF mode switch), which is in fact highly undesirable, the trade-off seems not to have been rewarded. The dust sealing capability of the K10D is now in question for the reported cases. Again, still just "bad copies from the factory" or "unlucky user" or alike to be argued (with)? :-)

Update (Sept 15):

Below is another recent user report on the same issue, with an even more clear image of a dusty-inside K10D LCD panel shown:-

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=24832941

The common thing as seen in both photos is that dust particles go inside the LCD from the right hand side, and more close to the top. So, where is the loophole and path? In the last DPR thread, someone suggested that the path might be through the SD card slot. Some others suspected that it might be certain place(s) at the LCD cover where the sealing had not been made well and might be even less tight than typical non-dust sealed Pentax DSLRs. However, no matter where the loophole actually is located, its existence is for sure for those affected K10D units and there is a path for letting the dust to go inside.

The "Update" is Useless and Helpless - K100D Super

As you may have known, the K100D Super is announced today.

Just looking at the specifications of the K100D "Super" and compare it against the K100D, there are only two changes for the new "super" model: 1. Dust Removal (DR) by shaking the sensor - no difference from the K10D, of which the "system" is useless; 2. Supersonic Driven Motor (SDM) AF support.

Okay, let's look at the first "new" feature. First of all, this can *actually* be implemented simply by a firmware update, very likely. It is because the Shake Reduction (SR) hardware is already there in the K100D, the firmware can always tell the moveable sensor to shake. So, a simple firmware update to include the new software sub-routine for the new (DR) function is just what is needed and is really quick and simple to make. Secondly, the Pentax DR system and design is indeed something that has never worked, which have already been widely reported by numerous different K10D users and again been verified by different reviewers, here and here (in German).

Next, as for the new SDM AF support, the K100D has a position for the power contacts (for supplying power to the SDM) reserved for that. However, it was just that when the K100D was launched suddenly last year (probably in a hurry), the fundamental development of the SDM infrastructure and its specifications had not yet been completed and thus the K100D had not been included for the additional power contacts in the mount/body. So, this support actually should be provided on the day one but it happened that it was not ready yet. However, even the K100D Super now has this, is it really meaningful even for *now* as there is no SDM lenses available so far. Even later on when the two Star DA zooms can really come, who will really buy a top-of-the-line luxury lens and use it on a cheap entry level body, with the price of the lens doubles the price of the body? Yes, one may argue that it is for the future lens lineup and it is planned for the future. But, the K100D Super by itself is of a very old design deep inside and do also think about for such electronics gadgets, shall we buy *for* the future or simply buy *in* the future? :-) Alternatively, we can always buy now, just for those products which have the desired features right now and those are usually products with mature technologies, too.

In fact, Pentax repeats again the same mistake as they did with the DL2 and DS2 models. These models have never really sold and was just a marketing disaster, undoubtedly. But I do feel for their faced difficulties and situation, that is, with their limited ability and resources, it is very difficult for them to build a brand new body from scratch, especially in short time frame and and in a fast pace of renewal and replacement, considering that huge money and investment are involved and required for those new developments of new DSLRs.

Nevertheless, I think they should at least make a 10MP entry level this time but not *still* a 6MP one, if they still really want to compete. Pentax should remember entry level DSLRs are targeted for novices and beginners. Just when they go into the shops and discover that a "new model" DSLR is just having less pixels than the current maintstream P&Ses, what will they think? What can the sale persons tell and talk about to persuade them to buy? And, finally, what will the novice customers choose? Anyway, how many K100D Super will hit the shelves of the shops is yet a big question..

Afterall, the update is (almost) useless to the customers or any potential buyers and it can neither help Pentax to succeed, market-wise, I bet.

Un-substantiated Rumours on Upmarket Pentax DSLR

Recently, there have been various rumours and speculations about a new upmarket Pentax DSLR that will come or at least be announced very soon. So, I have started to look at some of the sources to these rumours.

The sources are mainly coming from Chinese websites. Here is one of them:-

http://blog.pixnet.net/mydcmag/post/5422351

(Blog page in Traditional Chinese, Use BabelFish to translate if needed)

As we can see all the speculations are starting from a Pentax applied patent of a new LiveView device, which is, to put it simple, is just an overlaid LCD with an EL backlight on the focusing screen, so that the user can view the LiveView image through the optical viewfinder. This page of the patent document mentions this clearly (Component items numbered 25, 26 and 27 refer). Besides this concept, which is the only thing presented, I actually cannot see any of the new feature of the LiveView function of Pentax, of which it is only mentioned about it will use the imager (CCD or not) to pick up the LiveView image.

While people have been imagining more and more about a new higher class Pentax DSLR model above the K10D further and further by looking at this patent document and imagined about the "new powerful features", I can see nothing at all after reading through the whole document. Anyway, if you can *really* see something, please let us know! :-)

Besides those Chinese websites (mainly from the mainland China) talk about new model names of K20D, K150D and K200D etc. which IMHO are most probably pure un-substantiated speculations (which I think I shall not quote them anymore, as they are numerous and quite some people have already quoted these, e.g., at DPR Pentax forum and etc.), the most funny one must be this one, which actually just makes me LOL :-D !

http://article.pchome.net/content-384188-3.html

(Page in Simplified Chinese, again, use BabelFish if needed)

If you read on the article, could you know actually which "super model" of this "upcoming" Pentax DSLR is? . . Ummm, it's just an *ist D! Since I have owned and used the model so much and for so long, I know it for the first glance! If you still want to compare, download this.

The DSLR diagrams used in the new LiveView patent application are just all from the *ist D. So, now the case is very simple, there is no super model of any kind as imagined by quite some people.

Besides, for people who just see a new patent applied and then associate this to a new model, such kind of speculations is again something cannot be substantiated. In fact, I can't see there is any relation between the two. Just for example, Pentax had filed a patent for dust removal system by air-suction principle long ago, have we seen any Pentax product has this? (For more details, read my previous Blog entry: A Shootout between Dust Removal Systems)

To me, I don't need any new and further bells and whistles for the upcoming Pentax DSLR(s), what I truly want to see is that Pentax to catch up in the game with an acceptable and improved metering & exposure system (the one used in the K cameras is inaccurate, unreliable and outdated), an intelligent image processor (which should handle tone curve, brightness and contrast etc. better) and an accurate and responsive AF system (at least not to be affected by tungsten light and not to hunt so much in low light! And, continuous AF tracking ability of the K cameras is pathetic), which they are still far lagging behind and the K cameras are by no means anything good to acceptable comparatively, say, when compared to a true up-market DSLR body like the Canon EOS 5D which is undoubtedly far superior in every aspect I have mentioned. Since I have owned the 5D for more than two weeks now and have already shot hundreds of photos under various different conditions, including adverse ones, I can see the obvious *huge* differences in all these important true performance aspects of a DSLR, very clearly and without any doubt.

Two Official Sample Photos of the Two DA* Zooms Have Been Out

See below (warning: original jpeg photos, large in file size):-

http://www.digital.pentax.co.jp/ja/35mm/k10d/image/ex_07.jpg

http://www.digital.pentax.co.jp/ja/35mm/k10d/image/ex_08.jpg

My observation and opinion is simply that the taste and style of the image rendition of these two images is in-line with the previous published photos by Ned Bunnell and very similar to the Tokina's sister models. So, again, I am disappointed (but indeed it is not out of expected). Particularly, the cool and somehow "incorrect" colours and the non-smooth bokeh are the two utmost things which I don't like.

Previous Related Articles:-

Unfavourable Colour Response of Quite Some Recent Pentax Lenses

Scary Tokina 16-50/2.8 Official Sample Photos

Finally, It is Done.

Hoya and Pentax have just made an "official" "joint statement", finally, to announce and confirm the virtually immediate sold-out of Pentax to Hoya that will take place as soon as possible. In fact, this move has already been widely reported by financial medias and presses recently and is thus well expected by the public.

The somehow odd thing is that whilst the announced statement has been dispatched via 3rd party internet websites, it cannot be seen that any of the official Pentax websites has this "press release" published, including (the company news section of) the Pentax Japanese home site, neither.

Previous Report:- Pentax Re-Considers to Accept Takeover by Hoya

Is the K10D Really Sluggish in Shutter Lag?

This has been a hot discussion and debate topic for months at various Pentax forums, which is solely about the system and/or AF time lags and the actual performance of the K10D in this important (IMHO) aspect. Here is one of the examples. Some people do have suggested that the time lag is actually just a feel caused by the sound(s) of the K10D generated during a shot (example here), but then actually "feel" is not something we can take reference for, at least not objectively, as different people "feel" things (that can be quite) differently and have (can be very) different "feelings".

Okay, to look into this issue, which is actually not really so mysterious and arguable as it should be, the simple solution is to do measurbation. Once enough measurbations have been carried out and adequate results and data are obtained and compared, we can know about the true answer. Well, now it is when measurbators show their true value for existence this time!

In fact, the answers have already been there! So, further arguments are actually meaningless. Since quite some times ago, the Imaging Resource has routinely measured various shutter and system time lag figures in their Digital SLR test reviews, for 3 or 4 different timings under different usage conditions, namely, "Full Autofocus", "Prefocused", "Continous AF" and "Manual Focus", as called by them.

To know and understand the background for why they have been conducting the tests and how accurate are their test results, here is a quote of the introductory remark in the beginning of the timing test data page of their earlier DSLR test reviews:-
"When you press the shutter release on a camera, there's usually a lag time or delay before the shutter actually fires. This time allows the autofocus and autoexposure mechanisms time to do their work and can amount to a fairly long delay in some situations. Since this important number is rarely reported on (and even more rarely reported accurately), I routinely measure it, using a custom-built test setup. (Crystal-controlled, with a resolution of 0.001 second.)"

Okay, now let's read the performance data page of the latest Imaging Resource Pentax K10D review, we can first have a look at the measured figures and also the corresponding explanations which illustrates the true meanings of those, at the right side column in the table.

Nonetheless, do note that the explanations and remarks in the above K10D review page are, however, not entirely clear and exact. To know exactly, one need to look at some earlier test reviews which the Imaging Resource explains in more details for what they are actually doing. I think they just have assumed that their readers have already understood all those and thus have trimmed down the remarks (but then they might have forgot about there are new readers!).

Well, to make the case clearer, I shall explain once more in my own words and quote the words in certain previous Imaging Resource test reports, wherever appropriate, for the four measured timings of the (can be different) system time lags of a DSLR, as follows:-

1. "Full Autofocus":- The camera is put in the Single AF mode but the target is pre-focused beforehand but the shutter release button is released first. And then the timing is measured "from scratch" by re-pressing the shutter release button for measuring the time required till the exposure finally happens. The following is quoted from (the timing results page of) their earlier Canon EOS 30D review, here it is: "This is basically a measure of how quickly the camera can determine focus, with the lens elements already set to the focal distance of the subject."

The true meaning of this timing figure is to look into the responsiveness of the AF system under the Single AF mode, plus, the *remaining* system time lag of the DSLR. Since the Single AF is focus priority, full AF system operations, from measure the focus, move the AF motor (if any required) and then checking the focus again, are carried out before the shutter can be released. The travelling time of the lens is ignored and it's wise to ignore it as it varies with different lenses and different travelling distances for different objects and etc., as it is also mentioned very clearly about this by Imaging Resource in (the timing results page of) their Canon EOS 5D review, "AF time will vary greatly, depending on the lens in use, the brightness and contrast level of the subject, and the amount of travel required of the lens optics to move to the new focus position. The number at left is essentially a best-case figure with the Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens already in-focus on a target.";

2. "Prefocused": - The camera is put into Single AF mode again but the focusing is achieved beforehand with focus held and locked by keeping half-pressed for the shutter release button before the measurement. The true meaning of this measurement is an attempt to ignore about the delay incurred by the AF system and check the *net* system lag time;

3. "Continous AF":- Since in Continuous AF mode, it is not (correct) focus priority, which means that no correct focus will be re-confirmed and re-assured and the shutter release will not be withheld and it can be released at any time. So, whilst the AF are still in operation and continuously, the total system lag time can yet be shorter but it should be longer or just equal to the prefocused one as the AF system is still in operation which might affect the overall system responsiveness;

4. "Manual Focus":- It's self explanatory, the camera is put into MF mode and the system lag time is measured. Still, do note that the focusing system of the camera is not totally inactive as measurement of the in-focus point is being carried out continuously for the provision of focus indication to assist the user to do the MF.

Okay, now that we can go forward to check and compare the measured figures for different DSLRs, for the data results obtained in various Imaging Resource reviews. For the sake of easy reading and quick comparison, I summarise the results in the following table:-

Camera	"Full AF" (Single AF, Prefocused but Released first)	"Prefocused" (Single AF, Prefocused and Held)	"Continuous AF"	"Manual Focus"	Source Page Link for the Timing Results
Pentax K10D	0.254 s	0.107 s	0.183 s	0.181 s	Click
Pentax K100D	0.182 s	0.149 s	0.148 s	0.150 s	Click
Pentax *ist D	0.23 s	0.13 s	-	0.18 s	Click
Canon 30D	0.245 s	0.068 s	0.105 s	0.154 s	Click
Canon 400D	0.20 s	0.105 s	0.12 s	0.13 s	Click
Canon 5D	0.149 s	0.078 s	-	0.133 s	Click
Canon 1Ds MkII	0.18 s (?)	0.070 s	0.057 s (!)	0.052 s (!)	Click
Nikon D80	0.250 s	0.083 s	0.095 s	0.083 s	Click
Nikon D40	0.26 s	0.098 s	0.20 s	0.19 s	Click
Nikon D200	0.21 s	0.057 s (!)	0.057 s (!)	0.057 s (!)	Click
Nikon D2Xs	0.045 s (!!!)	0.045 s (!!)	0.045 s (!!)	0.045 s (!!)	Click
Olympus E-500	0.37 / 0.38 (??)	0.095 s	0.43 (??)	0.32 (??)	Click
Sony A100	0.31 (??)	0.116 s	-	0.301 (??)	Click
Camera	Full AF	Prefocused	Continuous AF	Manual Focus	Source Page URL

Remarks: ! = Wow! ? = What?

So, now that you can compare and judge yourself and I won't comment particularly on anything further. Just for a final remark, for people who are always trying to defend for anything and argue about human reaction time is the slowest thing on Earth, I indeed regard this "point" is indeed rather groundless and actually pointless. It is because in fact the machines are made differently as we can all see from the above. There are obviously great to certain degree of differences under the above four shooting conditions. The true fact is that cameras (of different grade) are engineered and built differently, as all camera makers are well known about this fact. BTW, who will really want to add even more time lag on the top of the somehow already slow human reaction time? Nevertheless, the human reaction time is not really that slow as some would believe, especially if the photographer has stood by to take some photos. If still unconvinced, just use a single-button stop-watch, press to start and try your best to press again to stop, then note the time difference, one can then see the (stood-by) human reaction time can still be quite fast (mine is about 0.12 s).

Pentax Re-Considers to Accept Takeover by Hoya

Pentax is now re-considering to accept the takeover bid offer by Hoya and probably Pentax will still be merged by Hoya. Two Japanese online news sources tell the same thing on yesterday and today, respectively:-

Kyodo News: http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php?storyid=314750

The Daily Yomiuri: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/20070516TDY08004.htm

The good thing is that Pentax seems to be able to fight for maybe better terms for the merger for the time being, for what they have been trying to struggle (to get away) in the past months, including the recent announment/reporting of their annual business results, which looks somehow promising.

Okay, let's look at the complete second last paragraph of the Yomiuri report, which is quoted as below:-

"As a condition of accepting the takeover, Pentax is demanding a guarantee of management independence and the removal from the board of directors of former senior managing director Katsuo Mori and former president Fumio Urano, who had spearheaded the merger talks with Hoya." - Daily Yomiuri Online, May 16, 2007.

Well, the first guarantee is a good promise if true (however which can still be breached by the True Authority in the future anyway, if They like). The second thing being demanded for is really interesting and mysterious, i.e., the request of the removal of Urano and Mori. Why they must get rid of Urano and Mori? Why they can't stay even the merger has come true? There must be some insider stories that we don't know and probably shall never know..

While just the day before, on May 14, another news report discloses that a managing director of Pentax tells that there likely will be a "White Knight" who will save the company in time finally and does the salvation. Now it looks rather ironically that the "White Knight" is actually Hoya! Is that real? Time will tell and we shall know.

Last Related Story: Pentax to Sell Tokyo HQs, Quit MF and P&S Businesses