From the "existing art" section of the controller patent, it seems that the PZ lenses already use a two-way data link.
The new patent application seems to be just an extension of functionality of the existing KAF2 mount; it may not physically be a new mount -- IF TRUE, this would mean that the MZ-S (and others?) could be capable of using the new lenses either straight off or after a software upgrade. ;-) ;-) ;-) -- Kristian On Saturday, Aug 31, 2002, at 13:08 Europe/Dublin, Kristian Walsh wrote: > Hi, > > All the pieces required to digitally control a USM or IF lens are > already in place in the K-AF2 mount. The power contacts for PZ lenses > are present, and there is already a data link between lens and body > (for MTF/focal-length/focus-point info from FA > lenses). It is conceivable that this could already be a two-way > connection, or that we're going to get just another contact on the > existing mount for body-to-lens transfers > > -- > Kristian > > > > On Saturday, Aug 31, 2002, at 09:57 Europe/Dublin, Lawrence Kwan wrote: > >> On Fri, 30 Aug 2002, Alan Chan wrote: >>>> From: Henry Chu <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>>> I think Pentax did try to their best maintain the K-mount but they >>>> have >>>> admitted defeat finally. That's why suddenly they decided to carry >>>> out >>>> so much R&D effort to move forward. >> >> On the contrary, the patent described a lot of details in backwards >> compatibility of KAF mount lenses. So it looks more likely to me >> that it >> is a evolution of the K mount. >> >>>> BTW, there is one more patent application I found relating to the >>>> proposed convertor for the new lens mount to the existing mount: >> >> There is also a description of a "rear converter"; could this be the >> image >> stabilization convertor for existing lenses? >> >>>> No. 20020118963 Camera system having a communication system between >>>> a camera body and a photographing lens >> >> The main function for this patent is the control of image stabilized >> lenses. >> On related notes, there were also recent patents of image stabilized >> binoculars, mirror box design for digital SLR and camera >> controls/interface on the back cover of the camera. >> >> >> -- >> --Lawrence Kwan--SMS Info Service/Ringtone Convertor--PGP:finger/www-- >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.vex.net/~lawrence/ -Key ID:0x6D23F3C4-- >> >
