Not the end of backwards compatibility, just lenses designed for use with 6 Mp digital SLR's
Bill ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Jordan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2003 11:29 AM Subject: Re: Introducing the remarkable new Pentax *Ist D > It says in the press release, "The image circle in the DA-series lenses is > designed to perfectly match the size of the CCD (23.5mm x 15.7mm) > incorporated in PENTAX's digital SLRs, optimizing the performance of these > cameras." > > My reading of that means that the image circle will be smaler than the > dimensions of 35mm film, meaning that they can't be used on film bodies. > > Am I missing something here or is this the end of backwards compatibility? > > Peter > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Rob Brigham" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 5:58 PM > Subject: Introducing the remarkable new Pentax *Ist D > > > > Pentax.co.uk is back up. > > > > "Pentax officially launched its highly anticipated *ist D digital SLR at > > Sandown races on the 29th August 2003. A number of the UK's leading > > photographic editors attended the launch and put the *ist D through its > > paces (although time was also taken by many to have a flutter or two on > > the series of Pentax sponsored races that took place on the day!). > > > > The *ist D was received warmly by all those attending, with many > > pointing to a number of key features that truly distinguishes it from > > its competitors. Housed in the world's smallest, lightest SLR body, the > > *ist D comes equipped with an array of advanced functions and > > use-friendly features. These include: a large CCD with an impressive 6.1 > > effective megapixels; a responsive SAFOX VIII autofocus system with > > 11-point AF sensor; a 16-segment multi-pattern metering system; a bright > > viewfinder with a newly developed compact glass pentaprism; and, > > significantly, compatibility with Pentax's existing 35mm-format > > interchangeable lenses and accessories." > > > > So why the hell can I only find a hands on in an obscure digital > > photography mag, but no mention anywhere of this day? > > > > Also press release on new DA lens SERIES!! > > > > "PENTAX Corporation is proud to announce that it is currently in the > > final stage of development of the compact, high-performance smc > > PENTAX-DA series of interchangeable lenses, exclusively designed for use > > with PENTAX digital SLR cameras." > > > > > sounds like quite a few new DA lenses... > > > > "The image circle in the DA-series lenses is designed to perfectly match > > the size of the CCD (23.5mm x 15.7mm) incorporated in PENTAX's digital > > SLRs, optimizing the performance of these cameras. The new design also > > contributes to a drastic reduction in size, weight and production cost, > > compared to 35mm-format counterparts with similar specifications." > > > > > So more than one DSLR using the small sensor is confirmed - sounds > > like they will all use this size for now... > > > > "As the first model of the new DA series, PENTAX plans to market the smc > > PENTAX-DA Zoom 16mm~45mm F4 ED AL (tentative name, equivalent to > > 24.5mm~69mm in the 35mm format; marketing date to be announced), which > > features a three-times zoom ratio with focal lengths covering ultra-wide > > to moderate-telephoto ranges when mounted on the new PENTAX *ist D > > digital SLR camera. It also incorporates an Extra-low Dispersion (ED) > > glass lens element and two aspherical lens elements for true-to-life > > image reproduction and size reduction. > > > > Its simple, functional design, coupled with the elimination of an > > aperture ring, considerably improves the camera's operability." > > > > So the elimination of the aperture lens actually improves operation? > > Sounds like it would be hard to justify why more expensive glass doesn't > > take advantage of this 'improved operability', so higher end glass > > without the aperture ring in the future? Or is this just a marketing > > person talking through their rear end. > > > > I expect much more cursing and swearing at Pentax over the next 6-12 > > months!! > > > >
