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Q: How secure is the weather proofing?
A: It is usually difficult to guarantee the weather sealing performance for
SLRs which inherently require lens changes. However, the level of
performance we aimed at is this. As possible environment that users might
encounter, it was tested and confirmed that the camera would have no problem
under the torrential rain storm or typhoon.
Q; How about the weather proofing of lenses?
A: We cannot claim weather-proof for the current line up of lenses. However,
as we expressed in the case of LX, which was dust sealed, it is difficult
for water to seep into the lens because of its construction, i.e., the
combination of tight cylindrical tubes. While it depends on the severity of
the environment, in most cases, there should be no major concerns. In the
case of the latest DA lenses, as they have no aperture rings, it is one less
negative element for the water seeping possibility.
The lenses which we can formally claim as water-proof are those 3 DA* lenses
that we announced in Photokina this year.
Q: K10D can utilize the built-in SSM lenses, i.e., DA* lenses. Does this
mean faster AF speed?
A: I do not believe Pentax’s AF has been slow even on the current lenses.
Mechanical noise during AF might give impression of slow AF, but it is on
par with competitions using the benchmark test. On top of this, SSM lenses
will provide smoother and quieter operation.
Q: What was the reason for long delay in adopting in-lens AF compared with
competitions? Also, any plan to equip future lenses with SSM?
A: We have been developing the SSM AF for a long time but it did not
materialize as actual products. One of the possible reasons for the delay is
because, as in the case of the development of the SR mechanism, Pentax
traditionally tried to wrap up everything within camera body.
Lenses would be good assets for a long time. And the improvements in the
body design usually reflect in lens performance too. For example, even using
the same lens, SR performance for K10D is superior to that of K100D. We
consider that it is imperative in the system design to advance the body
design. (note to JCO: some hope here J
Further announcement of the SSM, except those 3 that have already been
announced, has not been decided yet. We will consider it case by case. For
example, it would be meaningless to equip pancake lenses with SSM.
Q: Reason for changing from AA batteries to dedicated Li-Ion batteries?
A: That’s because the more stable power supply was needed to process the
enormous amount of imaging data. If you evaluate the AA Alkaline batteries
around the world, there are so many varieties and the camera should function
with any of those. It was not a problem for K100D, but it was difficult to
obtain stable performance from those AA alkalines for K10D. Accordingly, we
have made a very clean decision to eliminate any possible use of AA
alkalines altogether by blocking the use of it even for the battery grip. As
a side effect of using Li-Ion batts, AF motor power was strengthened,
consequently the AF speed gets faster.
Q: Was the shutter release time lag improved?
A: The blackout time during the mirror movement is similar between K100D and
K10D, but the process timing for other systems has been shortened and the
overall release time has been shortened. We have not published any specific
release time figure as we do not want attention to the release time alone.
Moreover, each maker uses their own criteria for the measurement and the
comparison is meaningless.
Q: When using beta model, the mirror shock seemed to be a bit larger.
A: It’s probably the shock during mirror down. It is AFTER the shutter is
released and should not affect on the image quality. However, in terms of
the overall quality feeling of the camera and the burst performance, it
cannot be taken lightly. We realize that certain high end models of
competitions utilize more robust mirror damping. Regrettably, we could not
afford to add it to K10D.
Q: Do you believe the 3fps burst rate be sufficient for this class of
cameras?
A: Frankly, it is the restriction by the device used for the camera.
Physical restrictions such as CCD signal transmission rate and 2 channel
reading resulted in 3fps burst rate. However, if demands for the faster
rate increase, it would be necessary to consider higher end models with
faster rate, but at cost.
Q: Menu setting for white balance has been significantly improved.
A: White balance can be set via live view in the case of digital P&S but it
is not possible for DSLRs. So, we have applied the digital live view
function being used for istDL2 (and its siblings) for the menu setting panel
of K10D. When setting white balance, the optimum white balance can be set
by taking the data from the subject first and then viewing the actual image
to confirm the setting.
RE: DUST REMOVEL (DR) SYSTEM
Q: How does the new dust removal mechanism work?
A: Our SR system makes minute movement of sensor and we utilized it for the
DR system. CCD is lifted first, then dropped both by magnet, whereby dust
would be dropped too. This is an idea that was created during the
development of SR and patents have been obtained. However, that alone was
not enough, and the application to K100D was dropped as its specs had
already been fixed at the time.
On the other hand, at approximately the same time, we have developed a
fish-eye zoom which has “SP Coating”. SP Coating is a unique technology to
deposit special fluoride materials on lens surface, whereby making it
water/oil repellant. For example, even if the glass surface is marked by
oil-based marker, it can be easily wiped off.
By applying this coating on the surface of low pass filter located in front
of the sensor, dust and speck would become difficult to adhere to. There of
course are some dust which will still stick, but the adherence is
significantly reduced. By combining this SP Coating and the old idea of SR
movement, very practical dust removal became possible. Dropped dust would be
gathered on the adhesive tape placed below the SR unit.
This 3 step DR system is one of many features we like to appeal to the
customers. However, we cannot claim that all sorts of dust could be removed
100%. The same applies to competitions as well. Particularly in Japan
where the humidity is higher, dust hold moisture and sometimes it might be
difficult to remove those. These cases have to be also taken care of.
When dust removal system is activated, the vibration due to the sensor
movement is conveyed to the body, causing some to feel somewhat odd. For
this reason, DR system is turned off as default, but we recommend that it be
set for the activation at startup.
Q: Possible effect of DR on the battery life or the durability of it?
A: Battery power is applied to the DR system but it is only for 200ms
duration and would not possibly affect adversely on the battery life. With
regard to the durability, the movements are caused by battery power and
magnetism, and there virtually is no mechanical or friction surface to wear
down. With regard to the impact force on CCD, we have discussed and
determine the shock durability with the CCD maker, then added Pentax’s
guarantee margin and determined the allowable inertia setting. In daily use
by customers, there is nothing to worry about the durability or the
deteriorating performance etc.
Q: What happens on dust gathered on adhesive sheet?
A: There is no possibility that 10,000 dust specks gather in one month. In
normal use, any dust/speck would be very small compared with the area of
sticky tape. We were rather concerned about the possible time deterioration
of the adherence ability of the tape. Regarding this matter, we have
collaborated with a material maker to obtain much stickier sheet compared
with household double-sided tape. Accordingly, it is maintenance free for
the life of the camera. If anybody had any special concern about this, we
are currently evaluating possible replacement of sticky sheet at service
centres.
Re New digital exposure modes
Q: Sensitivity priority mode and shutter speed/aperture priority mode are
unique. What’s the design intention for these modes?
A: Exposure is determined by 3 elements, namely, aperture opening, shutter
speed and sensitivity, however, in the case of film, the sensitivity is
fixed by the film and users cannot freely choose it during shooting.
Even after shifting to digital age, the basic idea of exposure has not
really changed since film era. Idea always was how to set the programme
line by changing aperture and shutter speed, under a fixed sensitivity.
There is a function that will automatically increase the sensitivity when
the exposure approaches the shake limit, depending on the lens used. But
this is still at the level of “supplement”.
In other words, for the past DSLRs, there was no concept of freely
manipulate the sensitivity. We re-evaluated this fixed concept of “first,
there is sensitivity” which has been dragged from the film era, and
installed a mode to adjust the sensitivity, just like setting aperture and
shutter speed. This was the origin of the concept for sensitivity priority
mode and shutter speed/aperture priority mode.
Specifically, in sensitivity priority mode, the sensitivity can be set at
either 1/3 step or 1/2 step by a wheel on the grip, and aperture and shutter
speed change accordingly. In shutter speed & aperture priority mode, when
shutter speed and aperture are set by dials, the optimum sensitivity would
be set automatically.
Q: What sort of uses would be possible by these modes (Sensitivity priority
mode and shutter speed/aperture priority mode)?
A: In film era, there was a granularity rendering, depending on film or
papers used. However, after entering the digital era, perhaps because of the
negative sound of the word “noise”, it has been widely believed and accepted
that the noise is bad and noiseless but flat images tend to be considered
good images.
However, we definitely do not believe so. Just like the granular quality of
films, the digital noise should be incorporated as part of the image
rendition. Increasing the sensitivity does not simply means the increased
signal gain but there must be people who wish to take advantage of digital
noise as one of the texture effects. This can be easier realized by
“sensitivity priority mode”.
Regarding shutter & aperture priority mode, dynamic capture by shutter speed
setting and DOF by aperture setting can be manually adjusted by user.
Occasions require it may not be many but you may encounter such occasions
from time to time. If the exposure set by the camera is satisfactory to
you, then you do not have to set those manually and leave the sensitivity
setting to auto.
No particular use has been suggested on either mode, but we are hoping that
users freely manipulate these modes and create new image creation or style.
From our viewpoint, we are glad that things which were not achievable before
can now be offered.
Q: What is the meaning of “Imaging Revolution” used as a catch phrase for
K10D?
A: We have stated a big catch phrase “Imaging Revolution”, but it simply
means the total image rendition including noise. Digital cameras tend to be
judged largely by various numbers and figures, and we are prepared for the
judgment only by the apparent figures of noise.
We do wish our camera be accepted by everybody, but it may not be No.1 under
various evaluation parameters, because there are those we gained but those
we lost as well. However, we are very confident that the final image
rendition would be superior to others’ We will be very grateful if
traditional film users would appreciate our camera.
Q: Any appeal to those who might be contemplating the purchase of K10D?
A: K10D should be very user friendly for those who love cameras and
photography. While specs and price are important factors, there are
attractions and appeals which cannot be experienced until and unless you
actually handle and use it. Please touch and handle K10D, evaluate and
judge by yourself.
Pozdrowienia
Sylwek
ME Super black, M 28/2.8, M 50/1.4, M 50/4 macro, M 75-150/4
A
Minolta Hi-matic F
Serio - o alkalicznych mozna zapomniec. Ostatnio padly mi w Dl-u akumulatorki, a trzeba bylo w firmie zrobic zdjecia. Kolezanka poleciala do kiosku po alkaliczne paluszki, kupila Duracella. I co? Ano nico, po wlozeniu Dl pokazal, ze sa rozladowane 
Tak wiec miedzy bajki mozna sobie wsadzic ta rzekoma "dostepnosc" baterii. Tak, moze tak byc, ze np. Energizery zadzialaja, ale zycze w takim razie powodzenia w traceniu czasu na szukaniu po sklepach baterii, ktore akurat nam zadzialaja z cyfranka Pentaxa 
Dołączył: 02 Lis 2006
