[G.E.Zekai]

Although we already have 2 digital cameras that only shoots B&W from Leica, their price is very steep for consumer market. And even if any brand will try something similar it will probably be Fuji,rather than Pentax.

But lets say Pentax is releasing K-S2M or K-3M. Same features as the original models only sporting a new sensor lacking a colour array, like Leica Monochrome, with a similar launch price of Pentax models i have mentioned.

or

Q-M1 which is same as Q-S1 but with a new monochrome sensor and a viewfinder. With market price of £300- £400.


Would you buy such a niche camera from any brand if price is reasonable?

[crewl1]

No. I can create b/w in post.

[JinDesu]

A monochrome sensor GR, sure. A DSLR? Not for me.

[Adam]

Not in a DSLR, but I'd certainly bit if it were in an affordable compact (sub $1000).

Adam
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[G.E.Zekai]

For some reason 99% of my Pentax Q work is B&W + I only use B&W film yet on D-SLRs my work is 90% in colour. So Lets think of this as a photographer's wet dream like GR or X100 not in dslr form ?

A monochrome sensor GR, sure. A DSLR? Not for me.

Now that would be interesting.

[stevebrot]

But lets say Pentax is releasing K-S2M or K-3M. Same features as the original models only sporting a new sensor lacking a colour array, like Leica Monochrome, with a similar launch price of Pentax models i have mentioned.

I very well might, though I suspect that a B&W conversion from a pixel-shifted image would be both easier to work with and produce equivalent results.


Steve

[RobA_Oz]

In film days, I mostly shot B&W and processed my own. Transparencies were for more serious moments, and colour film a distant third, mostly because of cost. These days, I rarely think of converting my work to monochrome, so a dedicated monochrome body would be the only way I could force myself to think that way, as I used to. It would also probably be a second-level activity, so the price would have to be right, but removing the Bayer layer and associated dithering algorithm would result in higher IQ, as I'm sure those fortunate enough to own a Leica M Monochrom would know well.

By the way, your thread header isn't quite the same as your poll question. I'd probably prefer a monochrome DSLR to a fixed-lens compact.

[G.E.Zekai]

By the way, your thread header isn't quite the same as your poll question. I'd probably prefer a monochrome DSLR to a fixed-lens compact.

Kind of changed opinion while writing the post. I would definitely buy a mirrorless/compact B&W camera that costs less than £600. But for a DSLR it would need a very good price point and convincing as i use Q daily and K for work only.

[mattb123]

I'd rather do it in camera as a filter, in post, or just shoot B&W film (which I just recently did with my "new" 645).

[Na Horuk]

Pentax lately only gets sensors from Sony, so if they don't first make a BW cam, then Pentax won't have one either.
And no, I would not buy it. Unless it came at a ridiculously low price. But it won't.

[CarlosU]

If it has an Infrared (IR) mode, with the IR filter removed from the sensor, I do for sure.
I really like IR landscapes an there is no way to do them in PP.

[Tony Belding]

I like the idea of a Q-M1. That would be awesome!

[Lowell Goudge]

I would prefer that they allow each sensor presently in the beyer pattern to register as a pixel giving 4 times the resolution. I know it can't do it because the response would not be uniform, but in principle, you could likely interpolate to achieve better resolution with no difference in hardware

[ronniemac]

I've recently taken delivery of the K-3 II and was looking at my venerable K-5, thinking to myself, if I could have the the Bayer pattern array removed from the sensor, then I would have a fine monochrome camera. Heck, I could just set it to monochrome - a lot less fuss even if less effective. At least that way I get to use digital filters rather than depend on coloured glass . I used to enjoy the working with the discipline of a b/w film in the old MX, you've given me the impetus to take my rambling thought a little more seriously. It will be just like the old days, one camera with Ektachrome 100 asa, the other with Ilford HPR 400 asa.

Pah! Nostalgia ain't what it used to be.

---------- Post added 06-02-15 at 04:57 PM ----------

Although we already have 2 digital cameras that only shoots B&W from Leica, their price is very steep for consumer market. And even if any brand will try something similar it will probably be Fuji,rather than Pentax.

But lets say Pentax is releasing K-S2M or K-3M. Same features as the original models only sporting a new sensor lacking a colour array, like Leica Monochrome, with a similar launch price of Pentax models i have mentioned.

or

Q-M1 which is same as Q-S1 but with a new monochrome sensor and a viewfinder. With market price of £300- £400.


Would you buy such a niche camera from any brand if price is reasonable?

We can but dream, but maybe some day Pentax will release a mirrorless with a viewfinder - they did it before with the Optio 750z which in its day was a very cool camera. It's just that the last three offerings, K-01, M-X, and less so the Q range have just not penetrated the market like they might have, if fitted with a viewfinder. Quite fancy a monochrome EVF in the Q.

Actually that last comment is a bit of an understatement, it would be absolutely fandabatastic if Pentax released a Monochrome Q (original body) with a MONOCHROME E.V.F. - make the most of the 12mp sensor! Go for it P.

[JimmyDranox]

A monochrome DSLR would be much appreciated by astrophotographer world wide. And will be a big blow against Canon, which dominate this market (setting aside the dedicated CCD cameras). If it would be a K-3II M, with astrotracer, without IR filter, would sell in a real big number, maybe over 1 million, with very little advertising, is the price is not to high.