Darren, I think you are assuming that the 645D is an older, lower cost, less featured, lower resolution medium format camera which cannot compare to the 645Z or the K-1. Well, maybe. But as you note, the CMOS vs CCD gives the 645D a big advantage for some. Does the added resolution, added live view, and a few other upgrades on the 645Z really diminish the value of the 645D as a solid option for portrait and landscape photographers? If you buy that that is the ecological niche that the 645D occupies, then I see virtually no overlap between markets for the 645D and the K-1. I think the 645D will continue in the product lineup. The price will slide down, but it will attract its own buyers without scavenging from the K-1.
[crystalBall] Give it six months to 30 months and we will have a 645Zii. Added in-body SR, improved AF, built-in GPS and Wi-Fi. Maybe even Astrotracer. All adapted and carried over from the K-1. Then you will see a bit of a shake-up as the 645D gracefully retires, the 645Z becomes the lesser of two MF cameras, and the K-1ii continues to occupy its own FF K-mount niche. [/crystalBall] stan > On Mar 13, 2016, at 6:52 PM, Darren Addy <pixelsmi...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Well, time will tell whether my suspicions are right or not. It would > be rather narrow to think that the only audience for the camera are > people who previously owned Pentax medium format equipment and still > have lenses. I've seen a lot of discussions about how you can get a > body and a nice selection of lenses for only about $900 more. These > are people who are starting at zero for Pentax 645 equipment. > > Also regarding its sensor, some people feel that there is a quality to > the CCD that is lacking in the CMOS, so they consider that a *plus*. > > Again, much is going to depend on the kind of photography that one > does and how the Real Life output of the K-1 looks. I imagine that the > K-1 sensor is not going to tolerate lower quality FF lenses well, so > much will depend upon the optics that are being put on the front of > it. > > On Sun, Mar 13, 2016 at 12:07 PM, P.J. Alling > <webstertwenty...@gmail.com> wrote: >> I don't think that 645D is effected at all by the K-1. No one invested in >> 645 lenses will be dropping the system because of a FF K mount, they'll be >> getting a 645z, and if they do decide that they want 35mm performance and >> think that they can only afford one system the Canon EOS 5Ds is a lot more >> attractive. >> >> The problem with the 645D is it's an aging platform, it's sensor is out >> dated, it's resolution is now on the low side of medium format and probably >> the only reason that it hasn't been marked as discontinued is that Ricoh >> doesn't want to cut the legs out from under any retailers with new old >> stock. >> >> It's major reason for being is that if someone perceives that they need >> medium format look in their output it's the least expensive option for >> achieving it, as it's selling new at a considerable discount over it's >> original price. >> >> On 3/13/2016 8:41 AM, Darren Addy wrote: >>> >>> I expected the camera to be most affected by the K-1 announcement >>> would be the 645d. (I'm interested to see IQ comparisons between the >>> two once the K-1 is shipping). On the surface the K-1 would seem to >>> have a LOT more going for it, features-wise, while the 645d maintains >>> that larger sensor and 4 more MP. >>> >>> Looking at SOLD items only, it appears that in January (before the K-1 >>> announcement) there were 15 645d sold on eBay U.S. (including 1 from >>> international seller). In February, there were only 5 sold (including >>> 1 from international seller). So far, nearly halfway through March, >>> there have been 0 sold. >>> >>> I expect that part of this phenomenon is that 645d sellers are still >>> going to try to get pre-K-1-announcement *prices* for a while, when >>> the reality is that they are probably going to have to be much closer >>> to the K-1 price to get anyone to bite now. >>> >>> There is a used one on Amazon (from a reputable seller) for $2500 >>> right now, and it will be interesting so see how low sellers will have >>> to go to move them. >>> >>> This should exert *some* downward price pressure on the 645z also, >>> although the 645z still maintains a big MP advantage over the K-1. >>> >> >> >> -- >> I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve >> immortality through not dying. >> -- Woody Allen >> >> >> -- >> 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. > > > > -- > “The Earth is Art, The Photographer is only a Witness ” > ― Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Earth from Above > > -- > 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. -- 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.
