Pentax have just made the new firmware version 1.11 for the K-5, K-r, and 645D available for download on their UK and Japan sites.

The new firmware fixes a problem with the new GPS functionality obtained through the O-GPS1 accessory.

Direct links to the new firmware are provided below:

• K-5
• K-r
• 645D

In order to upgrade your firmware, follow these steps:

1. Unzip the file you downloaded above
2. Copy  the .bin file to a formatted SD card
3. Insert the card into your camera and ensure it is fully charged
4. Turn the camera power on while pressing the Menu button
5. Select "Yes"at the firmware prompt
6. Once the screen displays "Complete", turn of your camera
7. Power your camera back on and resume normal use

0 Comments  

The Pentax 645D medium-format DSLR was recently selected as Camera Grand Prix Japan "Camera of the Year", an honor which it now shares with the K10D, which won the same award in 2007.

In order to commemorate, Pentax has announced a limited-edition version of the 645D with an "elegant, laquer-finished body," gold lettering, and special box.  Below is a complete list of features of the limited body:

• The body features a finely-crafted ruby laquer coat
• The grip has a semi-glossy black finish
• Lettering on the mode dial and logo is gold
• A faux leather camera strap with gold lettering
• An exclusive body cap with a glossy finish is supplied
• The top LCD panel has improved illumination
• A special center-spot-matte focusing screen (DS-80) is installed
• It comes in special wood packaging with a laser-engraved logo
• The latest firmware (v1.11) comes pre-installed 

The camera will be built-to-order, and will soon become available for pre-order on Pentax's web store.  Pentax states that each order will be fulfilled after approximately 4 months.  As such, the total number of units produced will likely be lower than previous limited bodies (with 1,000 copies each).  Each unit will cost approximately $15,000 (50% more than the normal body).

With this announcement, every high-end Pentax DSLR since 2006 has had either a limited silver or a Grand Prix version.  See below for the complete gallery of Pentax limited DSLRs:

(Click to enlarge, then scroll or click to browse)

 Discuss this on the forum

0 Comments  

Pentax UK have recently posted a new firmware version, 1.11, for the K-5 and K-r on their UK site, although it cannot yet be downloaded. The recent announcement of a limited edition 645D also indicates that its latest firmware version is 1.11.

While no official documentation regarding the firmware changes has been released yet, this firmware likely addresses GPS stability.  We expect Pentax Japan to officially launch the firmware within a few days.

Update 7/13/2011: the firmware can now be downloaded.

Discuss this on the forum | Installation Instructions

0 Comments  

Late last year, Pentax finally entered the professional photography market with the launch of the 645D.  This long-anticipated medium-format DSLR was designed with image quality in mind: it boasts a large 40-megapixel sensor and supports Pentax's entire legacy medium-format lens lineup, which has quite a reputation.  Best of all, the 645D is affordably-priced, meaning that it can be a feasible alternative for certain professionals currently using smaller-format cameras.  In 2011, it was named "Best Professional DSLR of 2011" by TIPA.

Soon, we will be bringing you something very special: a hands-on comparison of the Pentax 645D and the Nikon D3x, which is among the top 24x36mm (full-frame) DSLRs currently available.  While the two cameras are certainly different in many respects, there is a handful of applications in which either might work; namely, landscape and studio photography.  Photographers specializing in this type of work might find it worthwhile to spend a little bit more to move to a medium-format system- and we'll show you why!  We'll also give you a tour of the 645D, and see what's hot-- and what could be improved.  Stay tuned to our homepage for the in-depth review, which will be posted in the coming weeks!

In the mean time, if there is any specific test you would like us to conduct using one or both of these cameras, we are open to requests in this thread!

0 Comments  

We've recently added an elegant "Likes" system to our equipment databases (lens reviews, camera reviews, and accessory reviews), allowing users to flag any reviews which they've found helpful.

If you find a review helpful, simply click on the thumbs-up icon beside it and your Like will be registered.  If you click the icon again, the Like will be removed.  You can also view who else liked a review by clicking on the bold link.  

We hope this makes finding it easier for you to find our best reviews!  The more likes a review gets, the higher it will appear in the review listings.

Enjoy!

0 Comments  

The winner of our 40mm lens giveaway has been announced- check this thread for the result! Congratulations to the winner!

Stay tuned to our homepage, as we will be hosting more giveaways in the very near future, and don't forget to check out the World Pentax Day gallery!

0 Comments  

As it's already July, we've posted the new PentaxForums photo contest theme for this month: Symmetry 

You may now also vote for the winners of our July "Black and White" photo contest, which saw 171 fabulous entries!

Every month PentaxForums.com holds an official photo contest.  Submissions are accepted through the end of the month, at which point we post a poll that runs for 3 weeks.  Once the poll closes, the winner is announced.  It's easy to enter, and if you win, your photo will be featured in our Premier Gallery, and you will receive an upgraded forum account!  Good luck!

0 Comments  

In 2008, the Hoya Corporation acquired Pentax, primarily in order to take advantage of ongoing research by Pentax.  Today, Ricoh has revealed plans to acquire the entire Pentax Imaging Systems division (that which produces cameras, lenses, and sport optics) for approximately $124 million. Has Hoya learned what it wanted to learn from Pentax?

0 Comments   Read more..