Pentax has just announced the launch of a limited-edition Pentax 645D camera kit. Called the Pentax 645D Japan, this kit features a beautiful, red lacquer-finished 645D camera body, which is made to order and is delivered in a specially designed paulownia-wood packaging. The exclusive lacquer finish not only gives the camera an elegant, exquisite appearance, but also enhances the camera’s durability, Pentax says.  Orders for this special kit can be placed during a two-month period from 20th July 20 to 20th September through one of Pentax’s preferred suppliers in the UK. American customers will be able to pre-order the kit on the Pentax Web Store. The product will be delivered within “four months or more” from the receipt of the order. For more details, visit on of the websites below.

Website: Pentax UK
Website: Pentax Web Store

Pentax UK Press Release

PENTAX 645D Japan

A Limited Edition Kit of the PENTAX 645D — Awarded “Camera GP Japan 2011 Camera of The Year”

PENTAX Imaging Systems Ltd is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX 645D Japan camera kit. Produced to celebrate the PENTAX 645D being named “Camera GP Japan 2011 Camera of The Year”, this limited-edition kit features a beautiful, red lacquer-finished 645D camera body. Orders for this special kit can be placed during a two-month period from July 20 to September 20, 2011 through one of PENTAX’s 645D preferred suppliers.  Visit www.pentax.co.uk/645D for details.

Product Overview

1) Kit components:
  • PENTAX 645D Japan camera body
  • Leather Strap 645D Japan O-ST123
  • Body Mount Cap 645D Japan
  • Centre-Spot-Matte Focusing Screen DS-80
  • Specially designed paulownia-wood packaging

2) Production: Built to order
3) Order period: Earliest (July 20, 2011) / Latest (September 20, 2011)
  *Actual order period may vary according to the regions.
4) Delivery: Four months or more from receipt of order

First marketed in June 2010, the PENTAX 645D is a high-performance medium-format digital SLR camera combining super-high-resolution digital images — assured by approximately 40 megapixels — with exceptional reliability and superb operability. It was selected “Camera GP Japan 2011 Camera of The Year” for its array of original, outstanding features including a large CCD sensor, and a dependable, dust-proof, weather-resistant body that operates in temperatures as low as –10°C.

Major Features of the PENTAX 645D Japan

1. Using the innovative lacquer techniques developed by Sakamoto Urushi Manufacturing Co., Ltd. of Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, PENTAX has made use of the traditional art of urushi (lacquer) for the exterior of the 645D Japan camera body. This exclusive lacquer finish not only gives the camera an elegant, exquisite appearance, but also enhances the camera’s durability. In order to create a sense of exclusiveness and a rich depth to the coating, the process requires a number of painstaking steps, such as pasting many different types of silver leaves on a black-lacquer base — as if creating a collage of torn paper — and applying an overcoat of paint in a rich Bordeaux-wine tone. This sophisticated, meticulously handcrafted lacquer technique using natural urushi and silver leaves means that each camera body will be slightly different, ensuring the camera will be a one-of-a-kind, unique possession for the photographer.

2. The PENTAX logo on the camera front panel and the mode-dial settings on its upper panel are gold-plated. The rubber portion of the grip has a semi-glossy black finish.

3. Made of a synthetic leather material, the exclusive strap carries a “Camera GP 2011 Camera of The Year” insignia and a PENTAX 645D logo, both in gold.

4. Each camera body is marked with its individual serial number, proof of its limited-edition status.

5. The camera mount cap has been exclusively designed for the kit, and features a glossy black coating.

6. The LCD panel on the camera’s upper panel comes with white backlight illumination, instead of the green-tinted illumination of the standard model.

7. The exclusive Centre-Spot-Matte Focusing Screen DS-80 is mounted on the camera.

8. The specially designed packaging is made of high-grade paulownia wood, with a “Camera GP Japan 2011 Camera of The Year” logo mark laser-engraved on its top cover.

9. The firmware installed in the camera body has been updated to the latest version (Ver.1.11), and is compatible with the optional O-GPS1 GPS unit.

Note: The camera body’s features and specifications are identical with those of the standard model, except for the firmware.

About PENTAX Imaging Systems

PENTAX Imaging Systems is a leading supplier of recreational cameras and photographic equipment world-wide, with a long standing UK brand heritage.  Its product range is extensive and includes state of the art digital SLR, medium format and zoom compact cameras and an extensive range of high performance lenses and accessories.  In addition, it has a superb range of binoculars, suitable for a variety of leisure activities.

PENTAX successfully distributes its products through a number of channels, including independent camera shops, mass merchandisers and national multiple retailers - both on and offline.  PENTAX Imaging Systems Limited is a branch of PENTAX Europe Imaging Systems (SAS), a subsidiary of HOYA CORPORATION of Japan.

Pentax USA Press Release

PENTAX ANNOUNCES LIMITED EDITION 645D

Model Honors 645D Camera Grand Prix Japan 2011 “Camera of the Year” Award

GOLDEN, CO.  (July 13, 2011)…PENTAX Imaging Company has announced it will offer a limited edition 645D camera kit produced to celebrate the PENTAX 645D being named Camera Grand Prix Japan 2011 “Camera of the Year.” This limited edition camera features an elegant, lacquer-finished body. The components of this unique kit that will be available on a very limited basis include:

  • PENTAX 645D Japan camera body
  • Leather Strap 645D Japan O-ST123
  • Body Mount Cap 645D Japan
  • Center-Spot-Matte Focusing Screen DS-80
  • Specially designed paulownia-wood packaging

PENTAX is planning built-to-order production of this model with a minimum four month delivery period from the date each order is placed.

First announced in June 2010, the PENTAX 645D is a high-performance medium-format digital SLR camera combining super-high-resolution digital images with approximately 40 effective megapixels that offers exceptional reliability and superb operability. The camera was selected Camera GP Japan 2011 “Camera of the Year” for its array of original, outstanding features including a large CCD sensor, and a dependable, dust-proof, weather-resistant body that operates in temperatures as low as –10°C.
    Information about the camera, features, awards and product images is available here: www.pentaximaging.com/news
    The new model kit will be available for pre-order on www.pentaxwebstore.com

PENTAX Imaging Company is an innovative leader in the production of a variety of adventure ready digital cameras including weather-resistant digital SLRs and stylish, compact, waterproof cameras, as well as lenses, flash units, binoculars, scopes, and eyepieces.  For more than 90 years, PENTAX has developed durable, reliable products that meet the needs of adventurous consumers and businesses.  With headquarters in Golden, Colorado, PENTAX Imaging Company is a division of PENTAX of America, Inc.

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