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Pentax releases limited edition 645D DSLR, covers it in swank
Like what you see above? Well, it could be yours... if you're willing to wait four months. Pentax is giving a very limited edition high-five to its medium-format 645D DSLR. The 40 megapixel stunner, recently crowned 2011 "Camera of the Year" at the Camera Grand Prix Japan, is getting a luxe lacquered makeover in this made-to-order kit. If you're the type to collect overpriced (we assume) pieces of photographic paraphernalia, then this custom paulownia-wood box and its contents are probably up your alley. What do you get for all this premium exclusiveness? Well, there's the aforementioned specially-designed body, a leather strap, body mount cap and center-spot-matte focusing screen. Not included is an actual photographer to take the pictures for you (or keep your swag clean) -- now that would be high-end. There's no word yet as to what this stately beauty's gonna cost, but that shouldn't stop you from pre-ordering it on the company's site right now. Money may not buy you happiness, but it can get you a rare toy. Hit the break for the official line from a very happy imaging company.
Pentax releases O-GPS1 add-on for DSLRs, appeals to astronomy nuts
Pentax's Optio WG-1 GPS point-and-shoot satisfied geotaggers out of the box, but owners of its K-5, K-r and 645D DSLRs have had to make do with third-party taggers like the PhotoTrackr or Eye-Fi. The new hotshoe-mounted O-GPS1 module fixes that oversight by recording latitude, longitude, altitude, Coordinated Universal Time and shooting angle. Everyday snappers might find an extra hotshoe attachment cumbersome, but astro-photography enthusiasts could well be enticed by the device's interesting "ASTROTRACER" function. This helps you take clearer photos of celestial bodies by using the in-built sensors to calculate a star's movement and then employing the camera's shake reduction system to compensate. Sounds clever, but be advised: this module is only for Pentax DSLRs -- and only for very specific models at that. You'll get full functionality with the K-5 and K-r cameras, and geotagging (no ASTROTRACER) with the 645D. Oh, and you'll need to make sure your camera's firmware is up-to-date. Peer carefully through that lens and you'll see the O-GPS1 heading for a July landing, priced at $250. [Thanks, Iddo]
Pentax's medium-format 645D previewed, is a lot of camera to love (video)
It's been a long, long time coming for Pentax lovers with big hands, but the medium format 645D is finally nearing completion. Announced way back in March of 2007, the former 30 megapixel concept is now a 40 megapixel monster, relying on a Kodak-sourced 44 x 33mm sensor that's more than twice as large as those found on your average DSLR. To make room, the camera itself is naturally bulky, but the control layout is said to be very similar to the K7, so users should be able to get up to speed quickly -- after performing the requisite number of bicep curls and bench presses to prepare, of course. There's an overview video of this $10,000 studio-bound beast after the break, and plenty more photos at the source link.
Pentax gets official with 40 megapixel 645D medium format camera
We had a hunch that Pentax was readying a 645 Digital, and sure enough, the company has come clean with that very camera today. The May-bound 40 megapixel 645D is a medium format beast, but unlike similar options from Hasselblad, this one won't actually destroy your hopes of sending four generations of offspring to college. Boasting a 44mm x 33mm sensor, a 3-inch rear LCD and a virtually indestructible chassis, this monster promises high res images that only pros can appreciate, and there's a pair of SD / SDHC card slots for those who love to surround themselves with options. You'll also get a newly designed 11-point AF sensor, a fresh dust removal system, 77-segment multi-pattern metering system and a battery good for around 800 images when fully charged. 'Course, with a retail price of ¥850,000 ($9,442), you'll also expect amenities like an HDR mode, dynamic range expansion and an HDMI output, all of which just so happen to be included. Oh, and if you're in the market for some new glass, there's also a 55mm F2.8 lens that'll ship alongside of this here body for the princely sum of ¥100,000 ($1,110).
Pentax teases new DSLR, 645 Digital finally making its debut?
The on-again, off-again saga of Pentax's monstrous 30 megapixel 645 Digital might have a happy ending after all. The Japanese company has put together a little teaser site for a forthcoming shooter, and the silhouette above carries the unmistakable shape of a digital SLR, though conclusions about what particular camera it may be are still hard to reach. We can look at Canon's recent unveiling of the T2i as a sign that the prosumer DSLR segment is ripe for a refresh and prognosticate a new K-series shooter, but that would be nowhere near as exciting as getting a spectacularly chunky and expensive camera to add to our wishlists. To support 645D theorists, we can point you to Pentax's earlier assertion that the shooter is coming in 2010, which goes nicely with the new promises of "a large ultra-high resolution image sensor, a new world." [Thanks, Kenneth]
