Why 80MP for Landscapes

[Wim van Velzen]

I do not think Pentax has the glass for this sensor. Ironically the older lenses might work well but some of the newer ones might not. IIRC the 28-45mm is made to cover the 33x44mm sensor but not a larger sensor. Same thing with Hasselblad HCD lenses (the 24mm, the 28mm and the 35-90mm). They are no go for the monster 100MP Sony/Phase sensor.

This wide angle lens and the DA25mm are the only Pentax lenses for the crop format - all others are full frame.
Given the surprisingly high number of 645Z Pentax are selling, they will IMO come with a full frame version in maybe two years time for say 15K.

[nairb]

I would think it to be much sooner than that. The IQ250 was announced at the end of January 2014 and the Pentax 645Z came in April 2014. I wouldn't be surprised to see Pentax announce a 100mp version around the CP+ show at the end of February.

Actually, it looks like Phase one announced on Jan 24th and according to the wikipedia entry, on Feb 5th Pentax announced they'd show a new medium format model with CMOS sensor and tilt screen at CP+ 2014. So perhaps Pentax will be making a similar announcement in the coming days or weeks about a full frame CMOS camera coming soon.

[gavincato]

Well if pentax announce a FF model, all I can say is take my bank details.

[Wayne Fox]

It's not automatically a problem that a sensor is has so high resolving power that it shows the limits of the optical system. In fact I think that is how it should be. MFD has suffered the alias sickness for too long, where aliasing is considered "good image quality", when it's actually the opposite.

But anyway, the Hasselblad digital system was first designed with the expectation that the high end MFD format would be 49x37mm, but that's now a dead format. It's indeed a credibilitity issue with the pixel hunters, but there's still many sharp lenses in their lineup and quite a few do full-frame well as far as I understand.

I don't think Pentax ever thought about supporting 54x41mm digitally, but maybe they will rethink that now? I think it would be great for their product range to have both a 44x33 and a 54x41 body in their lineup, but it would surely be a few years before there's lenses to match the resolving power of the Phase One XF system...

I think the poster mentioniong the problem was referencing the second issue you bring up, not the resolving power.  Most of the glass won’t handle the larger format sensor.  But they could probably come up with a few newly designed lenses pretty quickly then add some over time..  I believe they’ve done pretty well with the camera so wouldn’t surprise me if they don’t come up with a new body and some new glass for the larger sensor.  Just won’t be as soon as Phase or Hassie.

[BernardLanguillier]

Realistically, Pentax has known about this sensor for at least one year.

The lack of EFC was IMHO the only remaining significant isssue with the 645Z, so the 645X (whatever it's called), should be perfect for people looking for an integrated solution.

It should be very clear at Pentax what they need to do lenswise and odds are that these designs are pretty advanced already. If I were them I would publish a clear roadmap together with the next body announcement.

Cheers,
Bernard

[eronald]

I would think it to be much sooner than that. The IQ250 was announced at the end of January 2014 and the Pentax 645Z came in April 2014. I wouldn't be surprised to see Pentax announce a 100mp version around the CP+ show at the end of February.

Actually, it looks like Phase one announced on Jan 24th and according to the wikipedia entry, on Feb 5th Pentax announced they'd show a new medium format model with CMOS sensor and tilt screen at CP+ 2014. So perhaps Pentax will be making a similar announcement in the coming days or weeks about a full frame CMOS camera coming soon.

I dont expect a 100MP Pentax. Their specialty is cost-effective MF. They will probably get Sony to run them some cheap tweener chip of smaller size.

Edmund

[ErikKaffehr]

Hi,

The cost of the Sony sensor is not publicly known. It is quite possible Pentax could use it and still have a camera below 10k$ or so.

Pentax has removed some lenses from the lens program that had limited image circle, and that would indicate they are preparing for a full frame 645 sensor.

But, difficult to foresee the future is…

Best regards
Erik

I dont expect a 100MP Pentax. Their specialty is cost-effective MF. They will probably get Sony to run them some cheap tweener chip of smaller size.

Edmund