Pentax KP J Limited edition released

JPT · 06-12-2019, 09:27 PM - **3 Likes**

I know it’s been mentioned elsewhere, but I think it deserves a thread of its own.

The customized versions of the KP shown at CP+ have been formally released.

The main changes are:
- New paint job (body color nd button markings)
- mount made of new carbon material
- wooden grip
- strange plastic cover over the prism (removable)
- bigger eye cup
- metal hot shoe cover
- presets from a well-known landscape photographer include as a default for one of the user modes

It’s actually a higher degree of customization than the usual limited models.

The Pentax page for it is here, explaining the concept.
PENTAX KP J limited / ??????????? / ?? | RICOH IMAGING

Another detailed report with a lot of images is here. You see how it looks without the prism cover.
???????? PENTAX KP J limited ???????????? - ??????????by????????

It’s not clear whether this will be available internationally.

MetalUndivided · 06-12-2019, 10:13 PM

It appears that the cover on the pentaprism box may not allow one to mount certain lenses (55-300 PLM and 150-450 come to mind).

virusn3t · 06-12-2019, 10:53 PM

I hardly can speak in english (spanish is my mother language) japanese is out of my reach.... for those who can understand, those parts can be purchased to "mod" the Pentax KP (for a KP already owned it), or only purchase the kit "camera+mods" trough their store?

biz-engineer · 06-12-2019, 11:02 PM

Originally posted by virusn3t

only purchase the kit "camera+mods" trough their store?

Complete camera kit I suppose, the grip is customer but also the KP model name and case paint are custom.
Only in Japanese, it must be really limited then.

Gray · 06-12-2019, 11:09 PM - **4 Likes**

Nice, but I'm waiting for the K-3II replacement.

Adam · 06-12-2019, 11:14 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by virusn3t

I hardly can speak in english (spanish is my mother language) japanese is out of my reach.... for those who can understand, those parts can be purchased to "mod" the Pentax KP (for a KP already owned it), or only purchase the kit "camera+mods" trough their store?

It's a complete kit. We've summarized everything there is to know about this release here:

Pentax KP J Limited Announced - Pentax Announcements | PentaxForums.com

Zivelot · 06-13-2019, 12:31 AM - **1 Like**

I see why someone likes this camera for its new grip, but bloody hell: what is that prism plastic cover for? Complete bollocks.

Kunzite · 06-13-2019, 12:35 AM

Originally posted by Zivelot

I see why someone likes this camera for its new grip, but bloody hell: what is that prism plastic cover for?

Design? To make it look more like the K-30?

**RobA_Oz** · 06-13-2019, 01:11 AM

Originally posted by Zivelot

I see why someone likes this camera for its new grip, but bloody hell: what is that prism plastic cover for? Complete bollocks.

It does have a precedent in Raymond Loewy's "streamlined" trains, as far as styling goes. The fact that the trains turned out to be noticeably heavier than their more functionally-styled origins didn't seem to get in the way of their general appreciation.

I don't mind the pentagonal styling, but I wish there was more substance to it.

sqrrl · 06-13-2019, 02:51 AM

Originally posted by Zivelot

I see why someone likes this camera for its new grip, but bloody hell: what is that prism plastic cover for? Complete bollocks.

I'm sorta the opposite, I can see how they could have managed to get a greater divergence between the flash and the optical axis (longer flash arm sticking up further), which could be useful (not saying that's what they've done, but they 'could' have).

As for the grip, that is exactly what I was hoping they wouldn't do - It looks nice and all, but I personally find the large grip awkward due to the way it tapers sharply in towards the top - for me personally it places all of the grip at the bottom of my hand and not the top where my fingers are stronger (most other cameras which have a flare in the grip, have it at the top against the middle finger, not under the little and ring fingers like this).

From the perspective of owning one of these, having used it a lot since it came out, and really liking it, I genuinely don't understand what this adds to the original design.

rawr · 06-13-2019, 04:42 AM - **1 Like**

Looks fun.

But I hope this K-P body modding effort cost the company very little cash, and didn't distract the talented Pentax/Ricoh engineers from more substantial work.

**Larrymc** · 06-13-2019, 05:09 AM

This customization reminds me of the Asian penchant for modifications to sporty automobiles and sports motorcycles dubbed "Boy Racer" mostly cosmetics with a touch of engine and suspension modifications. It should sell well in Japan. I want the real race car!

It looks as if the pop up flash will be functional rather than having to remove the cover as was shown earlier. Over all it would be distinctive in a crowd.

Ooops........ I read where the flash cover is not functional it has to be removed. Something else to lose?

Dipsoid · 06-13-2019, 06:02 AM

It looks ugly as sin, but if Ricoh makes a few extra bucks from collectors on this, than that's fine by me. At least it's not as ugly as a certain Lenny Kravitz special edition camera.

reh321 · 06-13-2019, 06:15 AM

As I commented in a separate thread, Japan has a reputation of being a land of collectors, of people who purchase a "Silver K-1" to put it in a display of other special cameras. I really doubt if anyone who spends the extra Yen for one of these would be out in the woods photographing Japanese squirrels or anything else that would risk losing one of the pricey parts, nor would s/he ever have any other occasion for mounting anything other than a "Limited" lens on it.

**pres589** · 06-13-2019, 06:41 AM - **2 Likes**

Seems like a pretty easy way for Ricoh to have done *something* with Pentax this year. I hope that's not what they had in mind for the 100 Years of Asahi or whatever they were calling it.

My fear is that this is it for 2019. I'm usually not pessimistic like this about Pentax but I could really see this being all we see new for the year.

06-12-2019, 09:27 PM - 3 Likes	#1
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	Pentax KP J Limited edition released I know it’s been mentioned elsewhere, but I think it deserves a thread of its own. The customized versions of the KP shown at CP+ have been formally released. The main changes are: - New paint job (body color nd button markings) - mount made of new carbon material - wooden grip - strange plastic cover over the prism (removable) - bigger eye cup - metal hot shoe cover - presets from a well-known landscape photographer include as a default for one of the user modes It’s actually a higher degree of customization than the usual limited models. The Pentax page for it is here, explaining the concept. PENTAX KP J limited / ??????????? / ?? \| RICOH IMAGING Another detailed report with a lot of images is here. You see how it looks without the prism cover. ???????? PENTAX KP J limited ???????????? - ??????????by???????? It’s not clear whether this will be available internationally.

06-12-2019, 11:14 PM - 1 Like	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by virusn3t I hardly can speak in english (spanish is my mother language) japanese is out of my reach.... for those who can understand, those parts can be purchased to "mod" the Pentax KP (for a KP already owned it), or only purchase the kit "camera+mods" trough their store? It's a complete kit. We've summarized everything there is to know about this release here: Pentax KP J Limited Announced - Pentax Announcements \| PentaxForums.com Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-13-2019, 02:51 AM	#10
sqrrl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Otago, New Zealand Posts: 422	Originally posted by Zivelot I see why someone likes this camera for its new grip, but bloody hell: what is that prism plastic cover for? Complete bollocks. I'm sorta the opposite, I can see how they could have managed to get a greater divergence between the flash and the optical axis (longer flash arm sticking up further), which could be useful (not saying that's what they've done, but they 'could' have). As for the grip, that is exactly what I was hoping they wouldn't do - It looks nice and all, but I personally find the large grip awkward due to the way it tapers sharply in towards the top - for me personally it places all of the grip at the bottom of my hand and not the top where my fingers are stronger (most other cameras which have a flare in the grip, have it at the top against the middle finger, not under the little and ring fingers like this). From the perspective of owning one of these, having used it a lot since it came out, and really liking it, I genuinely don't understand what this adds to the original design. Last edited by sqrrl; 06-13-2019 at 02:52 AM. Reason: spelling

06-13-2019, 05:09 AM	#12
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,252	Pentax "Boy Racer" This customization reminds me of the Asian penchant for modifications to sporty automobiles and sports motorcycles dubbed "Boy Racer" mostly cosmetics with a touch of engine and suspension modifications. It should sell well in Japan. I want the real race car! It looks as if the pop up flash will be functional rather than having to remove the cover as was shown earlier. Over all it would be distinctive in a crowd. Ooops........ I read where the flash cover is not functional it has to be removed. Something else to lose? Last edited by Larrymc; 06-13-2019 at 05:25 AM. Reason: correction

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06-12-2019, 10:13 PM	#2
MetalUndivided Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Irkutsk, Russia Posts: 134	It appears that the cover on the pentaprism box may not allow one to mount certain lenses (55-300 PLM and 150-450 come to mind).

06-12-2019, 10:53 PM	#3
virusn3t Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 676	I hardly can speak in english (spanish is my mother language) japanese is out of my reach.... for those who can understand, those parts can be purchased to "mod" the Pentax KP (for a KP already owned it), or only purchase the kit "camera+mods" trough their store?

06-12-2019, 11:02 PM	#4
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,232	Originally posted by virusn3t only purchase the kit "camera+mods" trough their store? Complete camera kit I suppose, the grip is customer but also the KP model name and case paint are custom. Only in Japanese, it must be really limited then.

06-12-2019, 11:09 PM - 4 Likes	#5
Gray Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Town Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	Nice, but I'm waiting for the K-3II replacement.

06-13-2019, 12:31 AM - 1 Like	#7
Zivelot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Great Plain, Hungary Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 204	I see why someone likes this camera for its new grip, but bloody hell: what is that prism plastic cover for? Complete bollocks.

06-13-2019, 12:35 AM	#8
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by Zivelot I see why someone likes this camera for its new grip, but bloody hell: what is that prism plastic cover for? Design? To make it look more like the K-30?

06-13-2019, 01:11 AM	#9
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	Originally posted by Zivelot I see why someone likes this camera for its new grip, but bloody hell: what is that prism plastic cover for? Complete bollocks. It does have a precedent in Raymond Loewy's "streamlined" trains, as far as styling goes. The fact that the trains turned out to be noticeably heavier than their more functionally-styled origins didn't seem to get in the way of their general appreciation. I don't mind the pentagonal styling, but I wish there was more substance to it.

06-13-2019, 04:42 AM - 1 Like	#11
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Looks fun. But I hope this K-P body modding effort cost the company very little cash, and didn't distract the talented Pentax/Ricoh engineers from more substantial work.

06-13-2019, 06:02 AM	#13
Dipsoid Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 241	It looks ugly as sin, but if Ricoh makes a few extra bucks from collectors on this, than that's fine by me. At least it's not as ugly as a certain Lenny Kravitz special edition camera.

06-13-2019, 06:15 AM	#14
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	As I commented in a separate thread, Japan has a reputation of being a land of collectors, of people who purchase a "Silver K-1" to put it in a display of other special cameras. I really doubt if anyone who spends the extra Yen for one of these would be out in the woods photographing Japanese squirrels or anything else that would risk losing one of the pricey parts, nor would s/he ever have any other occasion for mounting anything other than a "Limited" lens on it.

06-13-2019, 06:41 AM - 2 Likes	#15
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Seems like a pretty easy way for Ricoh to have done something with Pentax this year. I hope that's not what they had in mind for the 100 Years of Asahi or whatever they were calling it. My fear is that this is it for 2019. I'm usually not pessimistic like this about Pentax but I could really see this being all we see new for the year.