Photoshop Creative

Once in a while a camera manufacturer produce a classic and I think Pentax just did it with their new K-7. Is the future here today? The new model, called the Pentax K-7 will include several new user-friendly features, including video recording, high dynamic range (HDR), and automatic horizon correction, etc,etc. Check it out here http://www.pentaximaging.com/slr/K-7/

I was just reading about that camera also. I hope the site you linked shows some HDR shots sounds interesting

I don't think it will match Photomatic but it may be able to do a decent job, will see.

I don't think it can be an alternative to Photomatix, rather a way to achieve a rendition of highlights closer to that of film cameras, without the typical risk of clipping. We'll have to wait for test pictures to know.

Time will tell but if the camera perform as advertise, they will be selling like hot cakes for you can have camera, 2 lenses, grip and flash for under $2,000.00 and that wil tempt a lot of people. I like the caamera offer Xsync and Bulb and those come very handy.

I think it's a really excellent camera and I've been following its introduction with interest. The camera with an 18-55mm lens should be around $1500. I have a Pentax K10d and I know what good value they are, and this has just about everything that anybody has so far put into any camera. Pentax fans were hoping for a Full Frame sensor, but this is really 'state of the art' for any "enthusiast/serious amateur" level camera.

The HDR is interesting, combining three shots (like bracketing) but combining them in-camera into one image. Looking forward to seeing how this works.
Also, it has the best specification video mode of any DSLR so far - even with a HDMI connection to play directly on an HDTV.
So many other little features - it appears that Pentax have taken up every photographers' 'wish-list'.

Won't sell in USA/Canada, though....... it's not seen on TV and Pentax really don't go overboard with advertising at all.

Geoff, I read some where that the camera is more expensive in UK than in the US. I will be able to get it down here though. What really catch my eye was the HDR thing because if it do what they say it can do it will be an incredible black and white camera.

"more expensive in the UK than in the US"....

Every camera in the world (and nearly every other piece of technology) is more expensive in the UK (and Europe) than in the US..... very often it seems that they don't actually 'convert' the price, they just change the currency.

I just checked and the Pentax K7's UK price is 1330 UK pounds, with 18-55mm kit lens. That would be $2,203 US as a straight currency conversion, and yet it's actually around US$1400 (around GBP845). I expect it to fall to about $1000 by the end of the year.

If anybody's interested in it I'd recommend buying it "body only" and getting your own lenses to go with it (like a wide-zoom and a tele-zoom)..... the 18-55mm kit lens, though it was improved last year, is still not that good.

Right now, I'm saving up for an Olympus e620 for my daughter, and maybe a Canon G10 for me.... the K7 will have to wait.

If you want to choose your lenses, here is an excellent source:
http://www.photozone.de/pentax

Geoff, the Canon G10 will be the best investment you ever made. That's what i think about my G-9 which I use now 95% of the time. I keep it in my night table (next to my HK Compact)when I go to sleep in case I have a good dream so I can take a picture of it.