[reh321]

Personally I'm a little bit disappointed that the features of the new mid range camera KS-2 (articulated screen and nfc/wifi) haven't made it into the top of the range refresh. I'm sure Pentax didn't want to devote a whole lot of engineering time to the K3-II while working on the FF.
What we have here seems to be the body that Pentax has been using to prototype new features going into the FF. The pentaprism hump on this camera matches what we've seen on the FF mockup.
It seems like a lost opportunity but if you're a K5 owner, this is a nice jump. As a K3 owner, I'm not sure I'd notice a whole lot with the same 8.3 fps and super resolution only available for landscape/tripod work. I'm losing a flash that I rarely/never use for a GPS receiver that I'll probably never use either.

Apparently I am unusual around here. I see two markets for APS-C cameras - "enthusiast" (like me) and "pro", and I see certain features as being more appropriate for one than for the other. The main distinguishing feature is the amount of money available. For example, I have never spent more than $700 on a camera (that was 20 years ago, so because of inflation, I should be willing to spend more than that now). Thus, although I might be very interested, you won't see me buying $2300 lenses (in fact, my rule of thumb is that I seldom buy a lens that costs more than my camera). The relevance here is that I also see certain features as fitting each market. In particular, I have always viewed the built-in flash and flippy screen as fitting into the "E" market, so I wasn't surprised to see both excluded from this camera. I also expect a "P" camera to be black, so you can recognize a pro when you see one (which is why I think an other-colored camera can cause people to ignore me when I'm trying to take discreet pictures). I was surprised to see WiFi lacking - as I indicated on an earlier comment, I'm guessing that their engineering team had their hands full, and there is only so much room inside a camera body. Yes, modern electronics seem to be small, but they add up over time, and they have to be arranged to they (including antennae) don't interfere with each other. I am certain there was also someone whose job was to watch heat build-up and someone else who was watching power usage.

Once feature that no one ever mentions, but would be a bit of a game changer, would be to integrate a flash radio trigger in the body. Put in Pentax specific PTTL remote flash triggering via a built in radio and sell a hotshoe stand with a built in receiver for the existing flashes. Or maybe emulate/support the most popular transmitters like Pocketwizard, Cactus and Elinchrom inside the camera and offer a camera bundle with some matching receivers. The functionality in the body could be enabled by buying a code unique to your camera's serial no. and out of the box, you could trigger studio flashes. My Elinchrom studio lights have built in receivers and it's so handy. When you have to set up a white screen, lights, a tripod etc, every step that you eliminate makes the camera desirable for mobile photographers. The people who spend their days going out to schools taking group photos or baby shots for a living.

I'm sorry - I tried to mention RF every time someone else mentioned flash. If I understand correctly, Canon has their own RF protocol, and their newest cameras can all be a master for that, apart from the built-in flash; that is why I was surprised at the Pentax users who depend on the tiny point-source flash to trigger optically-aware flashes. Yes, Pentax should either develop their own system or (because of their size) license one from someone else, and then stuff that inside the camera shell also.

[derekkite]

Apparently I am unusual around here. I see two markets for APS-C cameras - "enthusiast" (like me) and "pro", and I see certain features as being more appropriate for one than for the other. The main distinguishing feature is the amount of money available. For example, I have never spent more than $700 on a camera (that was 20 years ago, so because of inflation, I should be willing to spend more than that now). Thus, although I might be very interested, you won't see me buying $2300 lenses (in fact, my rule of thumb is that I seldom buy a lens that costs more than my camera). The relevance here is that I also see certain features as fitting each market. In particular, I have always viewed the built-in flash and flippy screen as fitting into the "E" market, so I wasn't surprised to see both excluded from this camera. I also expect a "P" camera to be black, so you can recognize a pro when you see one (which is why I think an other-colored camera can cause people to ignore me when I'm trying to take discreet pictures). I was surprised to see WiFi lacking - as I indicated on an earlier comment, I'm guessing that their engineering team had their hands full, and there is only so much room inside a camera body. Yes, modern electronics seem to be small, but they add up over time, and they have to be arranged to they (including antennae) don't interfere with each other. I am certain there was also someone whose job was to watch heat build-up and someone else who was watching power usage.

I'm sorry - I tried to mention RF every time someone else mentioned flash. If I understand correctly, Canon has their own RF protocol, and their newest cameras can all be a master for that, apart from the built-in flash; that is why I was surprised at the Pentax users who depend on the tiny point-source flash to trigger optically-aware flashes. Yes, Pentax should either develop their own system or (because of their size) license one from someone else, and then stuff that inside the camera shell also.

Indeed. The lack of flash makes no difference for me; I either have a unit installed or remotely with some wireless connection.

I think we will see more differentiation like this.

[monochrome]

There's a K-S2 for that.

[panicker]

K3II developed with or without Olympus?

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Last edited by Parallax; 04-23-2015 at 07:45 AM.

[reh321]

Apparently I am unusual around here. I see two markets for APS-C cameras - "enthusiast" (like me) and "pro", and I see certain features as being more appropriate for one than for the other... The relevance here is that I also see certain features as fitting each market. In particular, I have always viewed the built-in flash and flippy screen as fitting into the "E" market, so I wasn't surprised to see both excluded from this camera. I also expect a "P" camera to be black, so you can recognize a pro when you see one (which is why I think an other-colored camera can cause people to ignore me when I'm trying to take discreet pictures)

Indeed. The lack of flash makes no difference for me; I either have a unit installed or remotely with some wireless connection.
I think we will see more differentiation like this.

There's a K-S2 for that.

Yes, that is part of what I was trying to say.

[JimC1101]

Well, at least Pentax solved the problem of the flash sync speed of only being 1/180. It is now 0.

[Sandy Hancock]

Well, at least Pentax solved the problem of increasing the flash sync speed of only being 1/180. It is now 0.

Nonsense. Flash sync is still 1/180 whether it is is built in or external.

Sorry Jim, but this is getting really old. You have made your point. Again. And again. And again.

Move on.

[JimC1101]

Yes, that is part of what I was trying to say.

Yes, if Pentax does have a FW upgrade for pixel shifting for the K-S2, it will be interesting to see which camera sells the most. In some ways, the flagship may be more the S2 than the 3II but there are other improvements on the 3II. but not by much.

[enoeske]

Well, at least Pentax solved the problem of the flash sync speed of only being 1/180. It is now 0.

[monochrome]

ThisIsFun™

[Blue]

Well, at least Pentax solved the problem of the flash sync speed of only being 1/180. It is now 0.

How do you figure? That would only be true if you use the little on board flash.

[JimC1101]

Nonsense. Flash sync is still 1/180 whether it is is built in or external.

Sorry Jim, but this is getting really old. You have made your point. Again. And again. And again.

Move on.

I fail to see why it is such a problem for some people that I post here. I am not being harsh, I am not repeating the same post over and over, I mealy state my opinions, just as everybody does and is entitled to, as others post and I reply. I am not telling people to disregard GPS as a good thing, and I don't know why it is hard for some people to find my posts so difficult.


BTW, HSS is available in P-TT HSS external flash and it is, in fact, higher than 1/180,but I am sure you know that.

[Blue]

We will see and your are correct, the price is fine but a new user would have to understand that if he needs to get a flash, or flu card, that will increase the price by a few hundred $'s so the price is a little misleading. I am sure they will bundle at least a flash somehow..


Adam added a poll so it will be interesting to see the results. Not scientific of course but we went through this same discussion a few weeks back as to how important a FF on board is to the user.


Of course, I think this subject will always polarize one or the other and that is fine. We all have different needs for our camera. GPS is great but I would never use it, maybe someday and it is nice to have it in case I want to use it. I wonder how many people would actually use it, but I would never tell anyone to take it away. Maybe another poll. :P

If I had to pick between the GPS unit and onboard flash, I would go with the GPS. If the expensive module is installed, it not only interferes with the onboard, it also takes up the hotshoe.

[JimC1101]

How do you figure? That would only be true if you use the little on board flash.

Yes, others had asked before as to when Pentax will increase the on board sync speed above 1/180. Others had said that Nikon has 1/250 and why cant Pentax.

[Shanti]

I hear ABBA is making a comeback ?
(Sorry ... couldn't resist!)

but their in Sweden,this is Finland..land of Monster Rock(Eurovison many yrs ago--great song!!)