What's Next

mamethot · 01-14-2015, 10:29 AM

New functionalities for the K-3 in an important firmware update.

**hjoseph7** · 01-14-2015, 10:45 AM

Seems that Richo can't get past the consumer products .

mamethot · 01-14-2015, 12:04 PM

Maybe not in the camera LOB, but the exact opposite in all other areas.

Uluru · 01-14-2015, 03:01 PM

A new crop flagship. K3 may be kept in the lineup, by all means, but an upgrade is due (regular Pentax 16-months cycle). Considering what other manufacturers are doing, it is possible to elevate the K3 tech, with addition of the new improvements, making it an APS-C flagship. Normal K3, with tilting LCD, OVF/EVF overlay is already a huge step forward and a category in itself.

kooks · 01-14-2015, 07:35 PM

Originally posted by Uluru

A new crop flagship. K3 may be kept in the lineup, by all means, but an upgrade is due (regular Pentax 16-months cycle). Considering what other manufacturers are doing, it is possible to elevate the K3 tech, with addition of the new improvements, making it an APS-C flagship. Normal K3, with tilting LCD, OVF/EVF overlay is already a huge step forward and a category in itself.

Could be.. i just wonder if actual K3 users ( that are kind of plenty at this time ) will buy a new K3 with not that much difference ( in performance ) than the original... actually Nikon D7100 users complain about the same with the D7200 because is not offering that much of an upgrade... and another thing is that a new APS-C flag ship could be something around what? $1200.. and a A7ii around $1600.. is not that much of a difference... the impact of a new APS-C flagship wont be that much because the technology havent really change that much... :/ IMHO..

derekkite · 01-14-2015, 08:15 PM

Originally posted by mamethot

New functionalities for the K-3 in an important firmware update.

This. A major firmware upgrade that fixes video for the 645z and k3, extending the life of the body. Reading the Nikon rumors up thread the 7300 is a fix for the sensor and buffer problems that characterize the 7200. K3 doesn't have those problems, and could remain competitive with video meeting it's initial promise, along with updates to the Wi-Fi card interface, some reworking of the flash, autofocus and SR. Exposing all the shooting modes over Wi-Fi, as well as streaming the video as it is recorded, even a partial sample similar to what shows up on the body screen would make it very compelling.

Similar changes fixing the video and other odds and ends on the 645z addressing all the minor issues with that body.

Plus some tweaks that get a little bit more out of the sensors.

Release of the body and lenses, and an announcement of an FF for the fall.

There isn't an aps-c sensor that gives a major boost worthy of a new body release. Another year will change that, and the improvements to the k3 at the current price point will be very compelling. As well the tech will apply to a FF.

Pure speculation except that ahasiman said that firmware updates are coming.

JPT · 01-14-2015, 08:35 PM

Originally posted by kooks

Could be.. i just wonder if actual K3 users ( that are kind of plenty at this time ) will buy a new K3 with not that much difference ( in performance ) than the original... actually Nikon D7100 users complain about the same with the D7200 because is not offering that much of an upgrade... and another thing is that a new APS-C flag ship could be something around what? $1200.. and a A7ii around $1600.. is not that much of a difference... the impact of a new APS-C flagship wont be that much because the technology havent really change that much... :/ IMHO..

I don't see why Ricoh couldn't significantly improve the K-3's capabilities to create a more advanced model. Before the K-3 some people were saying that the K-5 couldn't be improved on, but then the K-3 came out and proved that idea wrong. It seems to be about time that Sony would come our with next generation sensors, so that's one obvious avenue for improvement. Something like Uluru suggests would also get attention.

I think there is still a good market for high end APS-C DSLRs. The K-3 seems to have been a good seller for Ricoh and the 7D mark 2 is a huge success for Canon, even though it costs more than some FF models.

Lastly, if the K-3 was going to stick around for much longer, wouldn't it make sense for Ricoh to make it available with the new 16-85 in a kit? They haven't done that yet.

kooks · 01-14-2015, 09:42 PM

Talking about all this.. does anybody knows why pentax sync speet using flashes just come up to 1/160 ?? is this a hardware or software matter?? ..

**THoog** · 01-14-2015, 09:49 PM

Originally posted by kooks

Talking about all this.. does anybody knows why pentax sync speet using flashes just come up to 1/160 ?? is this a hardware or software matter?? ..

It's hardware (max speed of the second shutter curtain, IIRC), and it's actually 1/180, if you set your EV steps in the custom menu to 1/2 steps.

pinholecam · 01-14-2015, 09:54 PM

If something better is really to come, then I expect the K?? shown at CES to be the budget version of the K3 as was the K30 that of the K5.
I fail to see how relevant it would be if it was just K50 in a new shell. (vs k50 and competition)

That would mean either a new APSC or FF model to step up from the K??
There isn't much room to maneuver for a high end apsc.
The K3 is almost the top of what is possible save for faster flash sync and AF (esp AF-C)

FF will make more sense, but it seems Pentax has been slow to decide (so many BIG decisions to tie down : Mount type and roadmap; Lens roadmap; DSLR/MILC )
At best, we will also see a mock up, but I am prepared that they will most likely show nothing.

BTW, mock ups kind of remind me of those cold war Red Square parades where they pulled fake new tanks/rockets made of plywood to confuse and alarm western observers

(= air ware)
The theorists and 'experts' on the west side would than scramble with all sorts of theories and correlations to support whatever they wanted/believed.

(sounds familiar..... hmm... )

gashcr · 01-14-2015, 10:43 PM

Well... a little bit out of cameras' topics, but they just announced a revamped sport optics line: Birding Optics-PENTAX Optics for Birding This is an important market for them as well, and it is good since these guys haven't made any major upgrade to this line in years. They seem to have new coatings, and that could translate to some further developments in lenses in the near future.

**jeffshaddix** · 01-15-2015, 12:26 AM

I expect no direct FF news, but a ridiculously obvious bait to string us along in thinking it's coming - namely the HD FA ltd makeovers.

They've been so hesitant for so long that I can't expect more - unfortunately I think kicking the can down the road too long will result in the can falling down the sewer drain.

kooks · 01-15-2015, 12:39 AM

Originally posted by pinholecam

That would mean either a new APSC or FF model to step up from the K??
There isn't much room to maneuver for a high end apsc.
The K3 is almost the top of what is possible save for faster flash sync and AF (esp AF-C)

That is what im thinking that there is not much of a margen to improve, perhaps small things like buildin wifi and gps ( but that will mean killing the gps accesory ), flash sync up to 250, faster AF, and a better wifi interface ( but that can be fixed easy with a firmware update ).. and fixing some video features ( i dont really use video but... ) so what else is there?? there is not really a new APS-C sensor to use ( besides the samsung ) that is much better, we already have 2 SD slots, -3EV focusing, good image engine, no AA filter.. so to me, it makes more sense to announce a FF body ( same K3 features with some nice tweaks ), than to announce a APS-C that is not going to add that much to the body lineup.

About the mount and lens roadmap Ricoh already said that they will work with K mount, Q and 645.. so there will be no room for a new FF mount, and why should they do release a new FF mount if they already have one?.. it makes more sense to work on new glass ( specially primes ) after they release the 2 glasses that they showed at Photokina and CES.

My guess is that when they release the FF body they will do it all together with the 70-200 f2.8 and 100 - 400mm that they are showing now, along with that whey will come at CP+ with the 24-70 f2.8. So in the upcoming months they can start working on 2nd generation of FA lenses especially with new coatings, hd and faster motors. Doing it like this Ricoh will cover the roadmap from 24mm up to 400mm with new FF glass at the begining, and then start filling the gaps with Primes and other zooms..

But.. thats just my guess.. it would be nice if is like that.

---------- Post added 01-15-15 at 01:43 AM ----------

We also have to understand that the Pentax company now is not in the same situation that was in the past.. that meaning that in the past Pentax always had in mind the release of a FF body, but never had the company conditions to do it, fist they got sold in 2007, got in a company that didnt really cared about photography, and they finally got into Ricoh that IMO is giving Pentax a new air, doing some new releases, announcing new cameras and lenses, doing some marketing ( small but they do ).. so the company now have finally the stability to release something bigger as the FF, something that in the past they didnt have.

Mistral75 · 01-15-2015, 06:30 AM

Originally posted by kooks

(...)

We also have to understand that the Pentax company now is not in the same situation that was in the past.. that meaning that in the past Pentax always had in mind the release of a FF body, but never had the company conditions to do it, fist they got sold in 2007, got in a company that didnt really cared about photography, and they finally got into Ricoh that IMO is giving Pentax a new air, doing some new releases, announcing new cameras and lenses, doing some marketing ( small but they do ).. so the company now have finally the stability to release something bigger as the FF, something that in the past they didnt have.

There is no such thing as a Pentax company (anymore).

Pentax is a brand used for some products (interchangeable lens cameras and their lenses) designed and manufactured by Ricoh Imaging Company, Limited.

Plus, of course, all the goodwill (history, reputation, customer base and more) incorporated in said brand.

**Pål Jensen** · 01-15-2015, 08:42 AM

Originally posted by Mistral75

There is no such thing as a Pentax company (anymore).

Pentax is a brand used for some products (interchangeable lens cameras and their lenses) designed and manufactured by Ricoh Imaging Company, Limited.

Plus, of course, all the goodwill (history, reputation, customer base and more) incorporated in said brand.

+ the Pentax engineers and the Pentax factories...

01-15-2015, 12:39 AM	#28
kooks Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San José, Costa Rica Photos: Albums Posts: 794	Originally posted by pinholecam That would mean either a new APSC or FF model to step up from the K?? There isn't much room to maneuver for a high end apsc. The K3 is almost the top of what is possible save for faster flash sync and AF (esp AF-C) That is what im thinking that there is not much of a margen to improve, perhaps small things like buildin wifi and gps ( but that will mean killing the gps accesory ), flash sync up to 250, faster AF, and a better wifi interface ( but that can be fixed easy with a firmware update ).. and fixing some video features ( i dont really use video but... ) so what else is there?? there is not really a new APS-C sensor to use ( besides the samsung ) that is much better, we already have 2 SD slots, -3EV focusing, good image engine, no AA filter.. so to me, it makes more sense to announce a FF body ( same K3 features with some nice tweaks ), than to announce a APS-C that is not going to add that much to the body lineup. About the mount and lens roadmap Ricoh already said that they will work with K mount, Q and 645.. so there will be no room for a new FF mount, and why should they do release a new FF mount if they already have one?.. it makes more sense to work on new glass ( specially primes ) after they release the 2 glasses that they showed at Photokina and CES. My guess is that when they release the FF body they will do it all together with the 70-200 f2.8 and 100 - 400mm that they are showing now, along with that whey will come at CP+ with the 24-70 f2.8. So in the upcoming months they can start working on 2nd generation of FA lenses especially with new coatings, hd and faster motors. Doing it like this Ricoh will cover the roadmap from 24mm up to 400mm with new FF glass at the begining, and then start filling the gaps with Primes and other zooms.. But.. thats just my guess.. it would be nice if is like that. ---------- Post added 01-15-15 at 01:43 AM ---------- We also have to understand that the Pentax company now is not in the same situation that was in the past.. that meaning that in the past Pentax always had in mind the release of a FF body, but never had the company conditions to do it, fist they got sold in 2007, got in a company that didnt really cared about photography, and they finally got into Ricoh that IMO is giving Pentax a new air, doing some new releases, announcing new cameras and lenses, doing some marketing ( small but they do ).. so the company now have finally the stability to release something bigger as the FF, something that in the past they didnt have. Last edited by kooks; 01-15-2015 at 11:26 AM.

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01-14-2015, 10:29 AM	#16
mamethot Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Greater Montreal Area Posts: 736	New functionalities for the K-3 in an important firmware update.

01-14-2015, 10:45 AM	#17
hjoseph7 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,047	Seems that Richo can't get past the consumer products .

01-14-2015, 12:04 PM	#18
mamethot Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Greater Montreal Area Posts: 736	Maybe not in the camera LOB, but the exact opposite in all other areas.

01-14-2015, 03:01 PM	#19
Uluru Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Back to my Walkabout Creek Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,535	A new crop flagship. K3 may be kept in the lineup, by all means, but an upgrade is due (regular Pentax 16-months cycle). Considering what other manufacturers are doing, it is possible to elevate the K3 tech, with addition of the new improvements, making it an APS-C flagship. Normal K3, with tilting LCD, OVF/EVF overlay is already a huge step forward and a category in itself.

01-14-2015, 07:35 PM	#20
kooks Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San José, Costa Rica Photos: Albums Posts: 794	Originally posted by Uluru A new crop flagship. K3 may be kept in the lineup, by all means, but an upgrade is due (regular Pentax 16-months cycle). Considering what other manufacturers are doing, it is possible to elevate the K3 tech, with addition of the new improvements, making it an APS-C flagship. Normal K3, with tilting LCD, OVF/EVF overlay is already a huge step forward and a category in itself. Could be.. i just wonder if actual K3 users ( that are kind of plenty at this time ) will buy a new K3 with not that much difference ( in performance ) than the original... actually Nikon D7100 users complain about the same with the D7200 because is not offering that much of an upgrade... and another thing is that a new APS-C flag ship could be something around what? $1200.. and a A7ii around $1600.. is not that much of a difference... the impact of a new APS-C flagship wont be that much because the technology havent really change that much... :/ IMHO..

01-14-2015, 08:15 PM	#21
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	Originally posted by mamethot New functionalities for the K-3 in an important firmware update. This. A major firmware upgrade that fixes video for the 645z and k3, extending the life of the body. Reading the Nikon rumors up thread the 7300 is a fix for the sensor and buffer problems that characterize the 7200. K3 doesn't have those problems, and could remain competitive with video meeting it's initial promise, along with updates to the Wi-Fi card interface, some reworking of the flash, autofocus and SR. Exposing all the shooting modes over Wi-Fi, as well as streaming the video as it is recorded, even a partial sample similar to what shows up on the body screen would make it very compelling. Similar changes fixing the video and other odds and ends on the 645z addressing all the minor issues with that body. Plus some tweaks that get a little bit more out of the sensors. Release of the body and lenses, and an announcement of an FF for the fall. There isn't an aps-c sensor that gives a major boost worthy of a new body release. Another year will change that, and the improvements to the k3 at the current price point will be very compelling. As well the tech will apply to a FF. Pure speculation except that ahasiman said that firmware updates are coming.

01-14-2015, 08:35 PM	#22
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	Originally posted by kooks Could be.. i just wonder if actual K3 users ( that are kind of plenty at this time ) will buy a new K3 with not that much difference ( in performance ) than the original... actually Nikon D7100 users complain about the same with the D7200 because is not offering that much of an upgrade... and another thing is that a new APS-C flag ship could be something around what? $1200.. and a A7ii around $1600.. is not that much of a difference... the impact of a new APS-C flagship wont be that much because the technology havent really change that much... :/ IMHO.. I don't see why Ricoh couldn't significantly improve the K-3's capabilities to create a more advanced model. Before the K-3 some people were saying that the K-5 couldn't be improved on, but then the K-3 came out and proved that idea wrong. It seems to be about time that Sony would come our with next generation sensors, so that's one obvious avenue for improvement. Something like Uluru suggests would also get attention. I think there is still a good market for high end APS-C DSLRs. The K-3 seems to have been a good seller for Ricoh and the 7D mark 2 is a huge success for Canon, even though it costs more than some FF models. Lastly, if the K-3 was going to stick around for much longer, wouldn't it make sense for Ricoh to make it available with the new 16-85 in a kit? They haven't done that yet.

01-14-2015, 09:42 PM	#23
kooks Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San José, Costa Rica Photos: Albums Posts: 794	Talking about all this.. does anybody knows why pentax sync speet using flashes just come up to 1/160 ?? is this a hardware or software matter?? ..

01-14-2015, 09:49 PM	#24
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Originally posted by kooks Talking about all this.. does anybody knows why pentax sync speet using flashes just come up to 1/160 ?? is this a hardware or software matter?? .. It's hardware (max speed of the second shutter curtain, IIRC), and it's actually 1/180, if you set your EV steps in the custom menu to 1/2 steps.

01-14-2015, 09:54 PM	#25
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,709	If something better is really to come, then I expect the K?? shown at CES to be the budget version of the K3 as was the K30 that of the K5. I fail to see how relevant it would be if it was just K50 in a new shell. (vs k50 and competition) That would mean either a new APSC or FF model to step up from the K?? There isn't much room to maneuver for a high end apsc. The K3 is almost the top of what is possible save for faster flash sync and AF (esp AF-C) FF will make more sense, but it seems Pentax has been slow to decide (so many BIG decisions to tie down : Mount type and roadmap; Lens roadmap; DSLR/MILC ) At best, we will also see a mock up, but I am prepared that they will most likely show nothing. BTW, mock ups kind of remind me of those cold war Red Square parades where they pulled fake new tanks/rockets made of plywood to confuse and alarm western observers (= air ware) The theorists and 'experts' on the west side would than scramble with all sorts of theories and correlations to support whatever they wanted/believed. (sounds familiar..... hmm... )

01-14-2015, 10:43 PM	#26
gashcr Junior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Cartago Posts: 25	Well... a little bit out of cameras' topics, but they just announced a revamped sport optics line: Birding Optics-PENTAX Optics for Birding This is an important market for them as well, and it is good since these guys haven't made any major upgrade to this line in years. They seem to have new coatings, and that could translate to some further developments in lenses in the near future.

01-15-2015, 12:26 AM	#27
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	I expect no direct FF news, but a ridiculously obvious bait to string us along in thinking it's coming - namely the HD FA ltd makeovers. They've been so hesitant for so long that I can't expect more - unfortunately I think kicking the can down the road too long will result in the can falling down the sewer drain.

01-15-2015, 06:30 AM	#29
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Originally posted by kooks (...) We also have to understand that the Pentax company now is not in the same situation that was in the past.. that meaning that in the past Pentax always had in mind the release of a FF body, but never had the company conditions to do it, fist they got sold in 2007, got in a company that didnt really cared about photography, and they finally got into Ricoh that IMO is giving Pentax a new air, doing some new releases, announcing new cameras and lenses, doing some marketing ( small but they do ).. so the company now have finally the stability to release something bigger as the FF, something that in the past they didnt have. There is no such thing as a Pentax company (anymore). Pentax is a brand used for some products (interchangeable lens cameras and their lenses) designed and manufactured by Ricoh Imaging Company, Limited. Plus, of course, all the goodwill (history, reputation, customer base and more) incorporated in said brand.

01-15-2015, 08:42 AM	#30
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by Mistral75 There is no such thing as a Pentax company (anymore). Pentax is a brand used for some products (interchangeable lens cameras and their lenses) designed and manufactured by Ricoh Imaging Company, Limited. Plus, of course, all the goodwill (history, reputation, customer base and more) incorporated in said brand. + the Pentax engineers and the Pentax factories...