Two new details emerged on the upcoming Pentax 645D:
- Dual SDHC memory card slot (ability to write concurrently or sequentially to the two different SDHC). We already knew that Pentax 645D will support SDHC cards, so this is a nice addition (via DC Watch).
- The new sensor size will be 1.7 times the size of a regular 35mm sensor (not really a news). The rumor is that Pentax 634D will have this 39MP sensor from Kodak.
The new Pentax 645D is expected to be unveiled at the CP+ Camera and Imaging Show in Japan (March 11th-14th, 2010).
The rumored price of the 645D is US$ 6,500.
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The most important thing are the lenses they will bring out with this, I really do hope that Pentax are prepared for this race, you know like training, warming up etc.
Anyways, the DA lenses (for DSLRs) they have, don’t leave much to be desired compared to Nikon or Canon… I really hope they make this a worthy adversary!
I hope it is not the 39Mps sensor but this newer one
: http://wwwnl.kodak.com:80/global/plugins/acrobat/en/business/ISS/productsummary/FullFrame/KAF-40000ProductSummary.pdf
Apparently the same as in the Hasselblad h4d-40 recently announced
“The rumored price of the 645D is US$ 6,500.” Seems like you need to add $20,000 to that rumor. The Mamiya DM40 goes for $22,000.
$ 6,500 is just not possible with a 39MB sensor 1.7 times the size of a regular 35mm sensor. Unless Kodak has made some kind of breakthrough in manufacturing. If they have they will put Phase One / Leaf out of business and Pentax should also be selling Pentax branded Kodak MF digital backs for multiple mounts.
it is possible but dangerously too close to “too good to be true”
margins on cameras are huge, they need to because there is no real volume in high end SLR/MF market
I would be extremely happy with a 30MP medium format camera. This will increase the dynamic range & is MORE than enough for printing poster sized prints.
I am puzzled as to why they insist on calling this a “645″ when obviously, the sensor size is nowhere CLOSE to being 645!?
So that it can compete with the other “645″ medium format digital cameras that are also not truly 645.
or some day have lens that will work with a 645 sensor when they can afford to put that sensor in.
on a camera like this a double SDHC slot is a real “faux pas”
there should have been a double slot CF+SDHC instead
Harold
why? there not going for pure speed, sure the files will be huge no doubt but i dont see why a couple class 10 sdhc cards or the soon coming sdxc ? cards couldnt handle it..
I think his point is more to the fact that some of us have a lot of money invested in CF cards that we use in other cameras. If you are aiming at the pro market, it has traditionally been CF cards, not SD cards.
I had a lot of money invested in VHS tapes too
I’ll just have to buy new SD cards. No big deal.
Pentax didn’t aim the film versions of the 645 at pros, but some ended up using them. Would it be any different with the 645D?
Maybe I should have said pro and high end consumer? You don’t aim a MF camera now at the same crowd that buys a compact digital or even a D40.
True but using dual sd cards 1, makes the camera potential a bit smaller, and 2, means no more fumbling around through two different kind of cards if you use something like the D300 which has one of each. I think going for two Sd cards is best, two CF cards would also be acceptable but 1 of each kind seems kinda dumb no matter how you look at it. Besides most people also have a few sd cards laying around so no big deal and they dont cost all that much for two or three.
limitations starting to show up slowly
but i would still eat my hate on the SD cards if rest will stay so promising
Bravo to Pentax for offering the Medium Format camera. To those who are in line to get one, I am positively thrilled for you!!!!
BUT
In case Pentax corporate is reading:
Why can’t you put out a nice well-built Full Frame so I can get the Nikon-over-priced monkey off my back. Hubbie has Pentax cameras (K-7 and K-X), and loves them. I love the functionality and the value he is getting for his money spent.
And he can use all those lovely Limited lenses he has acquired.
Please, consider a full frame. Then we could be a full Pentax marriage, not a mixed marriage. I could use his nice lenses, and all would be right in the world.
sigh….I’ve got a few thou saved and am ready to click the ‘order now’ button.
Pentax MF lens are second to none in quality. I use my P67 lenses on high pixel density Nikon and Canon bodies with great results through adaptors. There were many simply could believe MF lens can match 35mm lens resolution, but after I posted this all were silent:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&message=31210901
(wait to see the full-size image to show — it is 100% pixel the P67 90-180mm/f5.6 zoom on the 21MP 5DII sensor. Make your judgement yourself)
I would not hesitate to get a 645D rather than the D3x/D3xs I have dreamed for a year, if the rumored price is true. At least for my landscape work. Just hope there is no AA filter… (most of the MF bodies/backs don’t)