Pentax at Photokina coverage by Falk Lumo!

macTak · 09-20-2010, 03:04 PM

Originally posted by falconeye

Of course, it is strange and the inaccuracy in the press material is stunning. E.g., the English body weights 660g while the German one weights 650g or 670g depending on the page...

But there is a faint possibility that PEF stores 12 Bit color while DNG stores 14 Bit color. It is more likely though they copied the paragraph from the K20D where DNG wasn't compressed at all, not even lossless. Which would mean that the 12 Bit part isn't worth the ink either.

Yes, I'd chalk it up to another error. Pentax would be very unlikely to limit their own format to only 12bit (and there is certainly no indication of being able to switch 12/14 bit in any RAW type) When you go back, bring a scale and weigh that thing

At this point, I would only trust Pentax Japan for accurate information on the camera. But wait, they have not posted a single thing even mentioning the camera yet

pcarfan · 09-20-2010, 03:04 PM

Falk,

Imaging resources mentions this of the sensor

"The new sensor design features on-chip analog-to-digital conversion, which has helped Pentax to reduce noise levels across the board."

Is this something new, and if so, what are it's implications?

Thanks.

Arpe · 09-20-2010, 03:09 PM

A few pressing questions:
Are the seats in the shuttle leather?
Electric motor?

Keep u the good work!

Christopher M.W.T · 09-20-2010, 03:21 PM

Love to know.

1. Does Pentax have plans for new flashes
2. Teleconverters
3. Why not full manual video controls.

Otherwise camera looks good.

Christopher M.W.T · 09-20-2010, 03:21 PM

Originally posted by macTak

Yes, I'd chalk it up to another error. Pentax would be very unlikely to limit their own format to only 12bit (and there is certainly no indication of being able to switch 12/14 bit in any RAW type) When you go back, bring a scale and weigh that thing

At this point, I would only trust Pentax Japan for accurate information on the camera. But wait, they have not posted a single thing even mentioning the camera yet

I don't get Pentax Japan, their management style makes little to no sense.

Arpe · 09-20-2010, 03:21 PM

Ooh yes - TCs?

Christopher M.W.T · 09-20-2010, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by Arpe

Ooh yes - TCs?

Didn't you Kiwi's just get computers and electricity last year ?

hehehe

**ManuH** · 09-20-2010, 03:35 PM

A quick question: is the firmware final? It would be easy to check (menu + power on).

falconeye · 09-20-2010, 03:48 PM

Originally posted by HermanLee

Hi Falk,

On your blog you mentioned that the actual US price is $1399 (and I'm so happy about that)
but then how come here:
PentaxWebstore - Digital SLR Cameras

Pentax post that body only is $1599.95 and $1799.95 w/kit lens?

Can you verify this with Pentax Rep there?
Thanks,

In this case, my blog knows better than the Pentax Rep

Their list price announced in the Photokina press pack (body only) is 1459,-€ (incl. 19% VAT) and according to the normal price policy, translates back to $1399,- in the States. But US hasn't worked on pricing yet. They are still caught by the D7000 shock which Pentax Germany cannot afford to be because the booth opposite to theirs is full of D7000 ...

As posted on my blog, a first German online store lists the K-5 at 1249,-€ and the D7000 at 1199,-€, just 50€ difference. When both cameras ship, I expect their price to become equal.

Originally posted by pcarfan

Imaging resources mentions this of the sensor

"The new sensor design features on-chip analog-to-digital conversion, which has helped Pentax to reduce noise levels across the board."

Is this something new, and if so, what are it's implications?

This isn't new. It is a common feature of all newer Sony Exmor sensors. But for the K-x, Pentax didn't mention it. This technology is believed to be responsible for the excellently low read-out noise.

Originally posted by Arpe

A few pressing questions:
Are the seats in the shuttle leather?
Electric motor?

No and no.

Actually, the shuttle busses where only used by the Intn'l press tour. The early bird press tour in the morning was walking. The walking was twice as fast

brecklundin · 09-20-2010, 04:03 PM

Hey Falk,

thanks so much for all the great detail. it is a mixed blessing for me but if the tethering issue is set in stone and not a chance it will be added with FW then I am forced to switch back to Canon because I only went to the K20D as a stop gap while waiting for the K7 which ended up with no tethering but nice live view, the LV in the K20D is horrid, and now no tethering for the K5 pretty much forces my hand because I need tethering every day for product shots, it makes the image viewable even if the camera is cantilevered over the thing I am shooting so i cannot see any of the settings or screen.

Yeah, I could go with a lowered shooting surface but right now I am not physically able to build such a setup. Plus I am really limited on space so a lowered shooting surface would mean a near complete redesign and build of a new work area. I built my whole shooting area based on being able to tether whatever body I am using. And as I mentioned I use tethering daily...color me seriously bummed by this news.

still thanks for helping me out with the info...it was fun while it lasted I suppose.

Class A · 09-20-2010, 04:11 PM

Originally posted by falconeye

I'll go back on Friday and try to clarify a number of items.

Thanks!
We covered "tethering" but what about "plans for tethering", e.g., Adobe LR tethered shooting integration like Canikon? I think I know the answer, though (only Japan knows...).

Originally posted by falconeye

I didn't try manual focussing with LV.

Thanks for all the info regarding my question. I was mainly wondering how detailed the LV magnification is. I'd love to be able to do accurate focusing for macro shots using LV.

Originally posted by falconeye

The real problem is that I could talk to nobody from Pentax Japan.

That's sad, really.
I know that the Australian importer for Pentax is at Photokina. If he went through the trouble of doing the journey, why didn't some Japanese officials?

stormcloud · 09-20-2010, 04:13 PM

i'm hoping some things like manual video control - dfs and tethered shooting will become availble with firmware - optimistic i know but they want to make the k5 stand out some more and such simple things to do and if they claiming iso 51200 then really noise cant be so much an issue that they dont want us seeing shots without dfs - hell if they really want to fix it to iso 1600 like they dont with bulb

anyway looking forward to hearing abit more about the buffer size - again if they could give us a 5fps setting too so buffer fills abit slower but with the higher speed autofocus so its an improvement over the k7 that would be a nice addition too

cfraz · 09-20-2010, 04:14 PM

Originally posted by falconeye

Actually, the shuttle busses where only used by the Intn'l press tour. The early bird press tour in the morning was walking. The walking was twice as fast

Yes, yes but how was the tracking?

falconeye · 09-20-2010, 04:16 PM

I stumbled across this link:
K-5 - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site

Maybe posted before, I don't know.

But it contains the following sentence:

SDXC memory card compatibility (via firmware update).

So, not everything is carved in stone. So, seems we can put SDXC onto the list.

falconeye · 09-20-2010, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by Class A

Thanks for all the info regarding my question. I was mainly wondering how detailed the LV magnification is. I'd love to be able to do accurate focusing for macro shots using LV.

From the printed material, the magnification levels are the same (10x in manual). But of course, the quality could be better. Have to check.

09-20-2010, 04:16 PM	#74
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871 Original Poster	I stumbled across this link: K-5 - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site Maybe posted before, I don't know. But it contains the following sentence: SDXC memory card compatibility (via firmware update). So, not everything is carved in stone. So, seems we can put SDXC onto the list.

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09-20-2010, 03:04 PM	#61
macTak Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 759	Originally posted by falconeye Of course, it is strange and the inaccuracy in the press material is stunning. E.g., the English body weights 660g while the German one weights 650g or 670g depending on the page... But there is a faint possibility that PEF stores 12 Bit color while DNG stores 14 Bit color. It is more likely though they copied the paragraph from the K20D where DNG wasn't compressed at all, not even lossless. Which would mean that the 12 Bit part isn't worth the ink either. Yes, I'd chalk it up to another error. Pentax would be very unlikely to limit their own format to only 12bit (and there is certainly no indication of being able to switch 12/14 bit in any RAW type) When you go back, bring a scale and weigh that thing At this point, I would only trust Pentax Japan for accurate information on the camera. But wait, they have not posted a single thing even mentioning the camera yet

09-20-2010, 03:04 PM	#62
pcarfan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,978	Falk, Imaging resources mentions this of the sensor "The new sensor design features on-chip analog-to-digital conversion, which has helped Pentax to reduce noise levels across the board." Is this something new, and if so, what are it's implications? Thanks.

09-20-2010, 03:09 PM	#63
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,452	A few pressing questions: Are the seats in the shuttle leather? Electric motor? Keep u the good work!

09-20-2010, 03:21 PM	#64
Christopher M.W.T Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,689	Love to know. 1. Does Pentax have plans for new flashes 2. Teleconverters 3. Why not full manual video controls. Otherwise camera looks good.

09-20-2010, 03:21 PM	#65
Christopher M.W.T Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,689	Originally posted by macTak Yes, I'd chalk it up to another error. Pentax would be very unlikely to limit their own format to only 12bit (and there is certainly no indication of being able to switch 12/14 bit in any RAW type) When you go back, bring a scale and weigh that thing At this point, I would only trust Pentax Japan for accurate information on the camera. But wait, they have not posted a single thing even mentioning the camera yet I don't get Pentax Japan, their management style makes little to no sense.

09-20-2010, 03:21 PM	#66
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,452	Ooh yes - TCs?

09-20-2010, 03:24 PM	#67
Christopher M.W.T Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,689	Originally posted by Arpe Ooh yes - TCs? Didn't you Kiwi's just get computers and electricity last year ? hehehe

09-20-2010, 03:35 PM	#68
ManuH Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,249	A quick question: is the firmware final? It would be easy to check (menu + power on).

09-20-2010, 03:48 PM	#69
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871 Original Poster	Originally posted by HermanLee Hi Falk, On your blog you mentioned that the actual US price is $1399 (and I'm so happy about that) but then how come here: PentaxWebstore - Digital SLR Cameras Pentax post that body only is $1599.95 and $1799.95 w/kit lens? Can you verify this with Pentax Rep there? Thanks, In this case, my blog knows better than the Pentax Rep Their list price announced in the Photokina press pack (body only) is 1459,-€ (incl. 19% VAT) and according to the normal price policy, translates back to $1399,- in the States. But US hasn't worked on pricing yet. They are still caught by the D7000 shock which Pentax Germany cannot afford to be because the booth opposite to theirs is full of D7000 ... As posted on my blog, a first German online store lists the K-5 at 1249,-€ and the D7000 at 1199,-€, just 50€ difference. When both cameras ship, I expect their price to become equal. Originally posted by pcarfan Imaging resources mentions this of the sensor "The new sensor design features on-chip analog-to-digital conversion, which has helped Pentax to reduce noise levels across the board." Is this something new, and if so, what are it's implications? This isn't new. It is a common feature of all newer Sony Exmor sensors. But for the K-x, Pentax didn't mention it. This technology is believed to be responsible for the excellently low read-out noise. Originally posted by Arpe A few pressing questions: Are the seats in the shuttle leather? Electric motor? No and no. Actually, the shuttle busses where only used by the Intn'l press tour. The early bird press tour in the morning was walking. The walking was twice as fast

09-20-2010, 04:03 PM	#70
brecklundin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,674	Hey Falk, thanks so much for all the great detail. it is a mixed blessing for me but if the tethering issue is set in stone and not a chance it will be added with FW then I am forced to switch back to Canon because I only went to the K20D as a stop gap while waiting for the K7 which ended up with no tethering but nice live view, the LV in the K20D is horrid, and now no tethering for the K5 pretty much forces my hand because I need tethering every day for product shots, it makes the image viewable even if the camera is cantilevered over the thing I am shooting so i cannot see any of the settings or screen. Yeah, I could go with a lowered shooting surface but right now I am not physically able to build such a setup. Plus I am really limited on space so a lowered shooting surface would mean a near complete redesign and build of a new work area. I built my whole shooting area based on being able to tether whatever body I am using. And as I mentioned I use tethering daily...color me seriously bummed by this news. still thanks for helping me out with the info...it was fun while it lasted I suppose.

09-20-2010, 04:11 PM	#71
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by falconeye I'll go back on Friday and try to clarify a number of items. Thanks! We covered "tethering" but what about "plans for tethering", e.g., Adobe LR tethered shooting integration like Canikon? I think I know the answer, though (only Japan knows...). Originally posted by falconeye I didn't try manual focussing with LV. Thanks for all the info regarding my question. I was mainly wondering how detailed the LV magnification is. I'd love to be able to do accurate focusing for macro shots using LV. Originally posted by falconeye The real problem is that I could talk to nobody from Pentax Japan. That's sad, really. I know that the Australian importer for Pentax is at Photokina. If he went through the trouble of doing the journey, why didn't some Japanese officials?

09-20-2010, 04:13 PM	#72
stormcloud Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 232	i'm hoping some things like manual video control - dfs and tethered shooting will become availble with firmware - optimistic i know but they want to make the k5 stand out some more and such simple things to do and if they claiming iso 51200 then really noise cant be so much an issue that they dont want us seeing shots without dfs - hell if they really want to fix it to iso 1600 like they dont with bulb anyway looking forward to hearing abit more about the buffer size - again if they could give us a 5fps setting too so buffer fills abit slower but with the higher speed autofocus so its an improvement over the k7 that would be a nice addition too

09-20-2010, 04:14 PM	#73
cfraz Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 521	Originally posted by falconeye Actually, the shuttle busses where only used by the Intn'l press tour. The early bird press tour in the morning was walking. The walking was twice as fast Yes, yes but how was the tracking?

09-20-2010, 04:21 PM	#75
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871 Original Poster	Originally posted by Class A Thanks for all the info regarding my question. I was mainly wondering how detailed the LV magnification is. I'd love to be able to do accurate focusing for macro shots using LV. From the printed material, the magnification levels are the same (10x in manual). But of course, the quality could be better. Have to check.