Pentax K-3 II Officially Announced

Matthew Saville · 04-22-2015, 06:13 PM

Originally posted by farhagh

So, Pentax designers think the GPS is more useful than a built-in flash? To me it's stupirange!

I think that is probably what a lot of serious photographers would prefer, actually. The pop-up flash is handy in a pinch for casual (and one or two pro) shooters, but the GPS unit being built-in is a huge deal for any adventure / astro photographer...

calsan · 04-22-2015, 06:26 PM

... and that's why they released the AF-201 'mini' flash unit. Problem solved.

farhagh · 04-22-2015, 06:27 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Matthew Saville

I think that is probably what a lot of serious photographers would prefer, actually. The pop-up flash is handy in a pinch for casual (and one or two pro) shooters, but the GPS unit being built-in is a huge deal for any adventure / astro photographer...

I'm sure there are lots who prefer this, but I find the fill-in and external flash control more useful to give up on. It's only me, and I'm not such a serious or good photographer who really needs to upgrade his K-5. This just gave me another reason not to

jaad75 · 04-22-2015, 06:40 PM

Originally posted by calsan

... and that's why they released the AF-201 'mini' flash unit. Problem solved.

Not quite, unless it can control external flashes...

VisualDarkness · 04-22-2015, 06:59 PM

I'm happy with that tradeoff! Hopefully it will work a bit more consistent and quick than the current module.

IchabodCrane · 04-22-2015, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by calsan

... and that's why they released the AF-201 'mini' flash unit. Problem solved.

No, problem shifted. There was no real GPS problem in the first place as all one had to do was buy the accessory.

astron · 04-22-2015, 07:11 PM

Other than for C-AF, this makes the Canon 7D Mark II look like a cruel joke. Why would anyone buy one of those? $1700 for what? Yet again, Ricoh provides great bang for the buck.

Matthew Saville · 04-22-2015, 07:16 PM

Originally posted by farhagh

I'm sure there are lots who prefer this, but I find the fill-in and external flash control more useful to give up on. It's only me, and I'm not such a serious or good photographer who really needs to upgrade his K-5. This just gave me another reason not to

...Or a very good reason to wait ~6 months and buy a used K-3 for what, $500? :-D

**Rondec** · 04-22-2015, 07:24 PM

Originally posted by farhagh

I'm sure there are lots who prefer this, but I find the fill-in and external flash control more useful to give up on. It's only me, and I'm not such a serious or good photographer who really needs to upgrade his K-5. This just gave me another reason not to

Now, you have a choice. The image quality will be a little better on the K3 II, there will be the GPS unit, sensor shift foveon color thingy, a little better image quality, and better tracking auto focus -- or, for four hundred dollars cheaper you can have current K3 with a pop flash and decent (but not cutting edge) APS-C image quality.

I can honestly say that I haven't used the pop flash in the last three years (well, I have, but the photos were too lousy to keep) and so losing it doesn't matter. On the other hand, I use bounced flash with an external unit a lot and find that it gives very nice results.

CRPhoto · 04-22-2015, 07:34 PM

Originally posted by farhagh

So, Pentax designers think the GPS is more useful than a built-in flash? To me it's stupirange!

I do aerial photography, and the integration of the GPS is seriously a great feature for me! Geotagging all the pics is a must do for me. I only had one O-GPS1 for my 2 K-3 bodies.

**Mikesul** · 04-22-2015, 07:35 PM

Originally posted by IchabodCrane

No, problem shifted. There was no real GPS problem in the first place as all one had to do was buy the accessory.

Except that you lose flash of any kind when the GPS is attached. That is sometimes a small issue in the field when you need to light a dark area and also want GPS. There are simple work arounds but the new system will allow flash (in the hotshoe) and GPS simultaneously. I like that.

Winder · 04-22-2015, 07:41 PM - **1 Like**

Don't think I've ever used the flash on the K-3.

I think GPS is of pretty limited use. How long does it take to acquire satellites? I had a Garmin that would take 5 minutes to acquire satellites. I assume this technology is much faster? Not sure I need GPS. Its been years since I was so drunk I couldn't remember where I took the picture, but I see how it would have been handy at the time.

Pixel shifting is interesting and I like the technology, but it only works with static subjects. It will be good in a studio, but anywhere with wind or moving water will soft. Still wish for an actual sensor that doesn't need the RGB filter. I wish Foveon would hurry up and prefect the technology and sell it to Ricoh.

Obviously you won't be using pixel shifting and the new C-AF improvements at the same time. Hopefully the AF improvements can be implemented in the K-3 with a firmware update.

Stavri · 04-22-2015, 07:45 PM - **1 Like**

Sample shots with the K3ii......

K3ii Features (six pages)

D-FA 70-200mm f2.8 @ 83mm/f4.0 1/50s ISO 200
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_03.JPG

-D-FA 150-450 @ 410mm f5.6, 1/200s ISO 400
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_07.JPG

DA 35mm f2.8 @ f2.8 1/640s
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_06.JPG

D-FA 100mm f2.8 Macro, @ f11, 1/4s
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_02.JPG

Shanti · 04-22-2015, 08:12 PM

Originally posted by Stavri

Sample shots with the K3ii......

K3ii Features (six pages)

D-FA 70-200mm f2.8 @ 83mm/f4.0 1/50s ISO 200
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_03.JPG

-D-FA 150-450 @ 410mm f5.6, 1/200s ISO 400
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_07.JPG

DA 35mm f2.8 @ f2.8 1/640s
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_06.JPG

D-FA 100mm f2.8 Macro, @ f11, 1/4s
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_02.JPG

the proverbial 'cat' pic!!! Take my $$ now Ricoh..send the 150-450 + K3II to this address....my CC is 123456789...

---------- Post added 04-23-15 at 05:25 AM ----------

to be fair this ain't too shabby either... K3 + DA*300
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/k-3/ex/img/ex-pic05.jpg

GeneV · 04-22-2015, 08:58 PM

I hear lots of folks pooh-pooh the popup flash, but it seems like whenever I need it for a little fill, it produces something special. I use it as a controller for most of the flash photos I take outside of a studio setting. The lack of a controller for off-camera P-TTL was one of the reasons the K01 has gotten less use than it could have.

I could end up getting one of these bodies for the extra resolution effect, but never would I opt to trade the flash for a GPS.

04-22-2015, 07:45 PM - 1 Like	#43
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Sample shots with the K3ii...... K3ii Features (six pages) D-FA 70-200mm f2.8 @ 83mm/f4.0 1/50s ISO 200 http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_03.JPG -D-FA 150-450 @ 410mm f5.6, 1/200s ISO 400 http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_07.JPG DA 35mm f2.8 @ f2.8 1/640s http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_06.JPG D-FA 100mm f2.8 Macro, @ f11, 1/4s http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_02.JPG Last edited by Stavri; 04-22-2015 at 08:03 PM.

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04-22-2015, 06:13 PM	#31
Matthew Saville Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Southern California Posts: 250	Originally posted by farhagh So, Pentax designers think the GPS is more useful than a built-in flash? To me it's stupirange! I think that is probably what a lot of serious photographers would prefer, actually. The pop-up flash is handy in a pinch for casual (and one or two pro) shooters, but the GPS unit being built-in is a huge deal for any adventure / astro photographer...

04-22-2015, 06:26 PM	#32
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,548	... and that's why they released the AF-201 'mini' flash unit. Problem solved.

04-22-2015, 06:27 PM - 1 Like	#33
farhagh Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ohio Photos: Albums Posts: 339	Originally posted by Matthew Saville I think that is probably what a lot of serious photographers would prefer, actually. The pop-up flash is handy in a pinch for casual (and one or two pro) shooters, but the GPS unit being built-in is a huge deal for any adventure / astro photographer... I'm sure there are lots who prefer this, but I find the fill-in and external flash control more useful to give up on. It's only me, and I'm not such a serious or good photographer who really needs to upgrade his K-5. This just gave me another reason not to

04-22-2015, 06:40 PM	#34
jaad75 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cracow Posts: 457	Originally posted by calsan ... and that's why they released the AF-201 'mini' flash unit. Problem solved. Not quite, unless it can control external flashes...

04-22-2015, 06:59 PM	#35
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	I'm happy with that tradeoff! Hopefully it will work a bit more consistent and quick than the current module.

04-22-2015, 07:09 PM	#36
IchabodCrane Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,728	Originally posted by calsan ... and that's why they released the AF-201 'mini' flash unit. Problem solved. No, problem shifted. There was no real GPS problem in the first place as all one had to do was buy the accessory.

04-22-2015, 07:11 PM	#37
astron Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 105	Other than for C-AF, this makes the Canon 7D Mark II look like a cruel joke. Why would anyone buy one of those? $1700 for what? Yet again, Ricoh provides great bang for the buck.

04-22-2015, 07:16 PM	#38
Matthew Saville Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Southern California Posts: 250	Originally posted by farhagh I'm sure there are lots who prefer this, but I find the fill-in and external flash control more useful to give up on. It's only me, and I'm not such a serious or good photographer who really needs to upgrade his K-5. This just gave me another reason not to ...Or a very good reason to wait ~6 months and buy a used K-3 for what, $500? :-D

04-22-2015, 07:24 PM	#39
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by farhagh I'm sure there are lots who prefer this, but I find the fill-in and external flash control more useful to give up on. It's only me, and I'm not such a serious or good photographer who really needs to upgrade his K-5. This just gave me another reason not to Now, you have a choice. The image quality will be a little better on the K3 II, there will be the GPS unit, sensor shift foveon color thingy, a little better image quality, and better tracking auto focus -- or, for four hundred dollars cheaper you can have current K3 with a pop flash and decent (but not cutting edge) APS-C image quality. I can honestly say that I haven't used the pop flash in the last three years (well, I have, but the photos were too lousy to keep) and so losing it doesn't matter. On the other hand, I use bounced flash with an external unit a lot and find that it gives very nice results.

04-22-2015, 07:34 PM	#40
CRPhoto Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 260	Originally posted by farhagh So, Pentax designers think the GPS is more useful than a built-in flash? To me it's stupirange! I do aerial photography, and the integration of the GPS is seriously a great feature for me! Geotagging all the pics is a must do for me. I only had one O-GPS1 for my 2 K-3 bodies.

04-22-2015, 07:35 PM	#41
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Originally posted by IchabodCrane No, problem shifted. There was no real GPS problem in the first place as all one had to do was buy the accessory. Except that you lose flash of any kind when the GPS is attached. That is sometimes a small issue in the field when you need to light a dark area and also want GPS. There are simple work arounds but the new system will allow flash (in the hotshoe) and GPS simultaneously. I like that.

04-22-2015, 07:41 PM - 1 Like	#42
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Don't think I've ever used the flash on the K-3. I think GPS is of pretty limited use. How long does it take to acquire satellites? I had a Garmin that would take 5 minutes to acquire satellites. I assume this technology is much faster? Not sure I need GPS. Its been years since I was so drunk I couldn't remember where I took the picture, but I see how it would have been handy at the time. Pixel shifting is interesting and I like the technology, but it only works with static subjects. It will be good in a studio, but anywhere with wind or moving water will soft. Still wish for an actual sensor that doesn't need the RGB filter. I wish Foveon would hurry up and prefect the technology and sell it to Ricoh. Obviously you won't be using pixel shifting and the new C-AF improvements at the same time. Hopefully the AF improvements can be implemented in the K-3 with a firmware update.

04-22-2015, 08:12 PM	#44
Shanti Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Western Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 927	Originally posted by Stavri Sample shots with the K3ii...... K3ii Features (six pages) D-FA 70-200mm f2.8 @ 83mm/f4.0 1/50s ISO 200 http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_03.JPG -D-FA 150-450 @ 410mm f5.6, 1/200s ISO 400 http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_07.JPG DA 35mm f2.8 @ f2.8 1/640s http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_06.JPG D-FA 100mm f2.8 Macro, @ f11, 1/4s http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/k-3-2/ex/img/bod_mainImg_02.JPG the proverbial 'cat' pic!!! Take my $$ now Ricoh..send the 150-450 + K3II to this address....my CC is 123456789... ---------- Post added 04-23-15 at 05:25 AM ---------- to be fair this ain't too shabby either... K3 + DA*300 http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/k-3/ex/img/ex-pic05.jpg

04-22-2015, 08:58 PM	#45
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	I hear lots of folks pooh-pooh the popup flash, but it seems like whenever I need it for a little fill, it produces something special. I use it as a controller for most of the flash photos I take outside of a studio setting. The lack of a controller for off-camera P-TTL was one of the reasons the K01 has gotten less use than it could have. I could end up getting one of these bodies for the extra resolution effect, but never would I opt to trade the flash for a GPS.