There has been a lot of discussion lately on the future of Pentax. And everything is nothing but pure speculation. When the MZ-50 was released, I don't remember that we had a discussion about an aperture-less future. And when the MZ-30 was released, I don't remember that we had a thread going on about Pentax releasing new high-end models without support for older lenses. But we have one now. I don't really see why. Pentax has, in the past, had limited compatibility with the budget bodies. This has not been a big issue.
With the release of the Z/PZ-70, Pentax moved away from Power zoom. The Z/PZ-70 did not have full support (as the Z/PZ-1-p-) for power zoom, and it was also the first entry model from Pentax with a plastic lens mount. When the MZ-line was introduced, the MZ-5 could power the PZ lenses but nothing more.
Power zoom was not a great idea. Power zoom is not used by the majority of those who has power zoom capable lenses and bodies. Why should Pentax continue to support an idea that the customers never wanted in the first place?
In contrast to Canon, who changed cameras and lenses overnight - Pentax seems to believe in a slow process. Instead of changing everything at the same time, as Canon did, Pentax changes a little bit here and a little bit there and has been doing so for many years. Since the process is slow, Pentax gives time for the users to update their equipment. To change a little bit here and a little bit there. Pentax may speed up this movement from a mechanical lens mount to an electrical in the future and the budget FAJ lenses may be a sign to this change. At least in entry level equipment.
Many says "Pentax are following Nikon" and seems to have forgotten that Nikon still supports mechanical aperture rings in their higher end bodies. I see no reason to why Pentax should remove full compatibility in the semi-pro and pro models when Nikon has showned no signs of doing it.
Instead of complaining, we should applaud Pentax to move more upmarket. Previously, Pentax entry level models had a strange mix of good and bad. (like 3-point AF without spot AF in the MZ-10 and MZ/-7, centreweighted not selectable by the user, lack of exposure memory lock). The *ist is the first entry level from Pentax, for a long time, that's near perfect. Full automatic control with manual overrides of almost everything. And it beats the competition hands down when it comes to technical specifications. Has this ever happened in the Pentax history (with an entry level body)?
We now awaits two more filmbased *ists. The replacement model for the MZ-3/5n and and the MZ-S replacement. I'm sure they will be something special and well worth the wait. Instead of relaying on optics and compatibility with old cameras, Pentax seems determined to become "leader of the pack" when it comes to technology, value for money and technical specifications. Instead of buying Pentax because "my 20 year old lens can still be used", Pentax wants us to buy Pentax because "Pentax has the newest and most modern technology, Pentax has the best performance". Pentax needs to attract new customers and by concentrating on technology (like the new 11 point AF with 9 cross sensitive points) Pentax can attract them. New users does not care about compatibility, they want the best technology, the best performance at the lowest price possible. And this is what the *ist delivers.
I feel confident that the more up-market *ist models will retain K-mount compatibility, to make upgrading easier. I do believe that they will feature support for IS and USM lenses, but those IS and USM lenses may not be usable on older bodies (same thing with Nikon and Minolta). Canon has full compatibility within the EOS system, but this is because it's a full electronic system with no support for mechanical transmission. Pentax moves to a full electrical mount, but it's a slow process because they allow time for the users to upgrade. Pentax has not removed compatibiliy with all manual focus lenses, just the K and M lenses. And I believe that if the A serie had become a hit when it was introduced, then this discussion would never happen. But since the A serie flopped, and many K and M users didn't upgraded to A lenses and A bodies when the A serie was introduced 20 years ago, we have this discussion.
Best wishes Roland
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