This is pure speculation on my part, but it appears to me that the *ist 35mm is a sort of hybrid between 35mm and digital. Approximately the same size, same mount, LCD on the back and other features similar to the *istD. Almost like the Pentax engineers started with somewhat of an idea of producing a digital, based on their film experience, and ended up saying, "Hey, we're about half way through this process and we've designed a small, compact film camera, let's run it by the marketing department and see what happens".
Bill ----- Original Message ----- From: "alex wetmore" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, October 19, 2003 10:49 PM Subject: RE: *ist 35mm > On Sun, 19 Oct 2003, Bucky wrote: > > I played with one yesterday while discussing the D with my friend who works > > at the local Enabler shop. It's cute, I suppose, and handles nicely, but I > > HATED the interface for setting shutter speed and aperture, having been used > > to the Z1p's lovely layout (the Tv and Av wheels, echoed so considerately on > > the *istD). > > Ouch. I just assumed that the *ist had the same UI as the *ist D. > Why do these two cameras have the same name? It seems like they have > nothing in common. > > alex > >