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Find your perfect LensPentax Q Announced
World's smallest interchangeable lens camera · Posted on 06-22-2011 in Pentax NewsPentax has just announced their long-anticipated mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, the Pentax Q.
As the official website with specifications and photos of the camera is down, we invite you to read about it in the Pentax Q forum thread.
We will provide more detailed homepage coverage of this announcement later today, and we will also update our lens and camera databases with the new body as well as the new "Q-mount" Pentax lenses. Stay tuned!
0 CommentsWhat Pentax gear could be next?
Survey results: the most demanded new lenses · Posted on 06-22-2011 in Pentax Rumors
Forum user RonHendricks1966 has recently polled our forum members in an attempt to find out what sorts of future Pentax products would be most demanded by current DSLR users.
The results show that the current Pentax lineup is lacking in several areas, some of which are only partially covered by third-party manufacturers, such as Sigma. While it's clear that Pentax's recent lens releases were aimed at the intro-level market rather than serious amateurs or professionals, there's no doubt that the release of higher-end lenses would bring more respect to the brand as a whole.Thus, the survey results list several product recommendations for Pentax to consider.
The top two things on the list were:
- An SDM-compatible 1.4x teleconverter
- An improved, faster SDM focusing system similar to the current DC system used in the DA 18-135mm lens
Read more..We have confirmed that the only change in the recent v1.10 firmwares for the K-5 and K-r was to make the cameras compatible with the new O-GPS1 geotagging accessory.
A similar update has just been released for the 645D as well, although it won't support the "Astrotracer" function as it lacks the sensor Shake Reduction mechanism.
The latest Pentax DSLR firmware versions can always be found on our DSLR comparison page.
Pentax K-5 Firmware 1.10
Firmware adds GPS features for O-GPS1 · Posted on 06-20-2011 in Pentax News
Along with the new K-r firmware, Pentax has released firmware v1.10 for the K-5 on their UK site.
To upgrade your firmware, simply copy the .BIN file to the root of your SD card, and power your camera up while hoolding the MENU button. Follow on-screen instructions. The update should take about 3 minutes to complete.
Direct download link
-Alternate download link
We have confirmed that this firmware adds O-GPS1 functionality to the K-5, although no official changelog has been posted.
It appears that Pentax have uploaded the v1.10 firmware for the K-r to their UK website, possibly prematurely.
Click here to download the firmware directly from Pentax
-Alternate download link
While we expect this firmware to have addressed the "front focus" issue with the K-r, no official changelog is currently available. Discuss here.
Pentax has just announced an interesting new "outdoor" accessory: the O-GPS1 geotagging unit, which is a hotshoe-mounter receiver that records your position (latitude, logitude, altitude, heading and time) in the EXIF of your images.
The full specifications may be viewed in our accessory database. This device will become available next month at an estimated price of $249.
Rokinon has released a new fast, manual-focus prime in the Pentax mount: the Rokinon 35mm F1.4. While its launch price of $499 seems a bit high given that the Sigma 30mm F1.4 is available for less and features autofocus, it is nevertheless the first 35mm to offer such a fast aperture in the Pentax mount. Furthermore, it is a full-frame lens.
Check out the Rokinon 35mm F1.4 specs in our lens database!
Silver DA Limiteds Hitting the Shelves
3 silver pancake lenses · Posted on 05-19-2011 in Pentax NewsIt looks like Pentax have finally begun rolling out their new "Limited Silver" pancake lenses here in the US. All three lenses: the DA 21mm, DA 40mm, and DA 70mm will be hitting the shelves at major retailers shortly!
These lenses look amazing, and their paint finish matches that of the FA limiteds, which is good news for current owners. One thing to note, however, is that these three lenses are actually going to be limited in production, unlike other limiteds. For those other lenses, the "Limited" designation simply means that they are of higher quality.
Are these lenses more expensive than their regular counterparts? Yes. They are currently priced at full MSRP ($649, $499, and $699), respectively, meaning that you'll end up paying a couple hundred dollars just to get the special color. It might be worth it, though; check out forum member frank's collection:
(Click to enlarge)
For more details on these lenses, check out our lens database!
