I think it is an interesting question. While one site said that Pentax/Ricoh did not want images produced from pre-production firmware, it is obvious from the official samples that they do have v1.00 firmware (although it may not be the version installed on the pre-production cameras). I tend to think that the firmware writing department and the manual writing department are given a bit later deadline than the product announcement department, especially when the holidays are rapidly approaching.
Marketing could be involved as well, because they are already getting plenty of buzz from just the announcements and the few who get to do "hands on" reviews. That will die down a bit, and then they will be able to generate another big wave when they allow images to be reproduceds (and yet another big wave when the pre-order people begin crowing about receiving them and showing off shots). So it is a way of extending the buzz a bit. I'll be curious to see when it is that they actually show up for order (as opposed to pre-order) on the big sites. On Sun, Oct 13, 2013 at 9:07 AM, Bill <anotherdrunken...@gmail.com> wrote: > On 13/10/2013 12:47 AM, J.C. O'Connell wrote: >> >> seems weird to me that pentax is telling all those handling the >> pre-production samples of the cameras not to comment on the >> image quality of the cameras at such a late date. Are they expecting >> some miracle firmware to come in an save the day at the last second? >> Could there be a fly in the ointment here? ? ? >> > It's a very competitive business. I suspect Ricoh figures keeping the > competition in the dark is important. There are "official" images on the > Pentax website. It also wouldn't surprise me if they are still tweaking > things like NR levels and the like. > A number of years ago I was handed pre-production samples of the 16-50/2.8 > and 50-135/2.8 and told to go off and have fun, but I wasn't to publish > images from the lenses until after the release date. > > bill > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and > follow the directions. -- Nothing is sure but death and Pentaxes. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.