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Forum: Pentax Mirrorless Cameras
06-29-2020, 12:59 PM
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Sure, nothing is guaranteed. But given the title of this thread is "just speculation on mirrorless and Pentax", I think this is an OK place for hypothetical thinking ;)
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
05-08-2016, 02:36 PM
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I've seen the DA 70mm used on film by several people. It's basically a 35mm coverage lens.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
08-30-2018, 05:03 AM
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The GXR is a good indication that Ricoh has been very prepared to innovate and take risks. I really loved Ricoh's early digital camera designs like the RDC 2 - out there but at least pushing boundaries.
However, the market has changed a lot and is no longer growing in the way that it was, especially with the competition from phones driving consumer expectations of the level of technology a standalone camera should have.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
08-25-2018, 03:17 AM
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Ricoh as a whole is a much larger company than Nikon. I know it's much more complicated than simply saying "Ricoh could invest more if it wanted to" but there's an element of choice in Ricoh not developing a new mount. Also, just because they could doesn't mean they should.
I certainly agree that anything they did would have to be different but different in a good way, with tangible benefits for customers.
If you could get a mirrorless down to the size of an MX then it could maintain the K-mount but still be as small as a lot of modern mount mirrorless. But that's a huge technical challenge that may be impossible to actually meet.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
08-20-2018, 02:56 AM
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Your words "especially considering the source" and "I don't think we can expect much better from those guys" are the main problems here. A lot of new buyers go on the size and internet presence of a review source and so will trust DPReview to be balanced and evenhanded - which is totally naive (when dealing with any reviewer). For people who know DPReview's general disposition towards Pentax you can read between the lines, use the image comparison tools, or otherwise get what you need from the review. Everyone else has to wade through not just the occasional direct comment, but the constant sense you get that for DPReview for a Pentax product to be good and worth buying it has to be literally messianic. It doesn't have to be better than Canon, Nikon or Sony, it has to redefine photography. OK, maybe that's a bit strong, but you get my point.
DPReview is as much a technology site as it is a photography site. It tends to fixate not on the photographs but on the pixels.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
06-08-2018, 03:58 AM
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Sure, the sensor impacts the size of the lens but it doesn't mean that all the potential size benefit of a mirrorless camera is negated in all circumstances. The Pentax 43mm, if natively mountable on a mirrorless camera, would result in a more compact kit than when mounted on a K-1. For some lens-body combinations the body is the bigger partner, and shrinking it does make a difference. Mirrorless undoubtably has the potential to be smaller over a conventional DSLR. However, sure, some lens types can't be miniaturised effectively - tele lenses spring to mind. But even in these cases most mirrorless cameras will be lighter and have less volume than an equivalent DSLR. Ergonomics and balance is another issue of course! :p
I also think that depth is a big part of perceived size. The shorter registration distance allows for a mirrorless camera to be thinner, and I think this matters to perceptions of size, even if overall volume is similar.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-23-2018, 04:29 AM
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I don't think this is weird at all. It's about cost, time (and therefore cost again) and target market. A 24-105 f/4 lens would be bigger, heavier and more expensive compared with the existing lens (it's not a case of 'why not f/4' etc, there are significant knockons). I imagine it was quicker and easier for Pentax to create a great 28 to 105 than a great 24 to 105.
The 28 to 105 launched alongside the premium zoom, so I imagine there may have been marketing concerns and an attempt to 'up sell' to the f/2.8.
Of course I think a 24 to 105 makes a lot of sense now and if Pentax had the resources the K-1 MkII would have been a good time to introduce one - alongside a 70-200 f/4 lens (or similar).
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
05-04-2017, 03:31 AM
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If I think about why I like certain old lens designs - such as the K 135 f/2.5 and the K30 f/2.8 - it's as much to do with their handling and small size as it is their optics.
The other thing is that many older Pentax lens designs have issues that one tends to forget about. Purple fringing is a big one (perhaps controllable with HD coatings) but the big bugbear I have is large minimum focus distances (MFD).
However, to shorten a MFD would require a fundamental redesign of the lens. The K-135 has a MFD of 1.5 meters for example. It tempts you with its beautiful rendering but then restricts you using it in many close-ups by virtue of its MFD. Frustrating.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-27-2016, 05:09 AM
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I suspect Sigma took the view that it was legally safer to address the problem when they became aware of it, rather than pretend it didn't exist. From a certain viewpoint I think that they should be commended for their openness.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
05-12-2016, 02:46 AM
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The worry that I have is that - what is admittedly a relatively minor issue - could easily get blown out of proportion. For example, buyer goes into a shop.
Buyer: Oh, I am interested in the new K-1. What lenses are available for it?
Shop: Well, Pentax have three new lenses released, a handful of older lenses that are still in production and then a large number of lenses that are no longer made.
Buyer: OK, so not many of these 'designed for digital lenses' I hear so much about?
Shop: No, but you can mount Pentax's DA lenses on it.
Buyer: Hmmm, I see. So what about other makers, like Sigma?
Shop: Well Sigma has just issued an advisory saying that some of its newer lenses may damage the camera.
Buyer: OK, well thanks anyway. Think I'll shop around.
The point being that unsympathetic people can blow this out of proportion and anyone with existing Sigma lenses who don't frequent forums but may see the note from Sigma - either like above, or by reading it on Sigma's site - and may well be spooked.
There are also potential implications for other more exotic lens designs such as tilt and shift lenses.
The main issue is that you don't want a narrative developing which is: "there is a design flaw on the K-1". Which we know there isn't really, just an oversight regarding a number of lenses made by other manufacturers.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
05-11-2016, 09:36 AM
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The problem is that Pentax does not exactly have the luxury of a large, modern, 35mm lens line up.
Given that Pentax users have often had to rely on third parties for certain lens types - notably fast 70-200s from Sigma and Tamron and larger telephotos in general - I think it is shortsighted of Pentax not to check for these kinds of issues.
No one is saying that they MUST do it, but the absolutely last thing Pentax wants is for the "Pentax has no lenses" argument to be given credence by the largest third party lens maker saying "some of our lenses should not be mounted on the K1".
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-31-2016, 03:29 AM
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The Bigma's strengths lie in its flexible range and in its very nice bokeh. I am speaking only about the EX DG version - I have not used the newest version.
However, it suffers from chromatic aberration and is not super amazing wide open - especially between 400 and 500mm. It's AF is also pretty poor in general. It gets the job done, but it's not one for fast moving subjects. Nevertheless, if you stop it down past f/6.3 it can and does produce excellent results.
I would be surprised if it surpassed the D-FA in any area but then it is a lot cheaper and does give you the extra range. I imagine it will fall into the 'good enough for most' category.
In reference to Sigma's other zooms which go up to 400 or 500mm, my understanding is that the Bigma has also been noticeably better than any of the others.
But the thing to remember with all extreme telephotos is that before the lens the biggest influence on image quality is technique, technique, technique. Very stable tripods or masses of light are essential when shooting at 500mm on a lens that's likely to be f/5.6+.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
08-26-2014, 01:12 AM
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If I've learnt anything from following Pentax speculation / rumour threads over the years its this:
1. Pentax doesn't do radical surprises
2. Pentax doesn't exceed reasonable expectations
Generally you can take a Pentax rumour dial it down a couple of notches until you hit the 'satisfactory' level and you'll be in the right ballpark.
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
03-20-2014, 06:09 AM
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I shot my first roll of 35mm film ever last Sunday! Went to Kew Gardens in SW London as the weather was amazing. The digital shots can be seen here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/12-post-your-photos/255076-nature-spring-has-sprung.html
But I thought I'd put most of the film shots here. Taken with an MX and 43mm ltd. I was worried about the exposure on some of them as I wasn't sure how good the MX's light meter is. Turns out it's good enough. I am sure the lab did a bit of exposure fiddling though. Generally the scans are OK quality. But I do like the look of Ektar 100. Apart from converting the black and white one I haven't changed the lab scans.
---------- Post added 03-20-14 at 01:13 PM ----------
Also this one:
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
03-18-2014, 03:51 PM
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We've had a couple of weekends of unseasonably warm weather in London. I say warm - 15 to 20 degrees C which to be fair is almost hot for mid march. I decided to take advantage of it by going to Kew Gardens (along with most everyone else that lives in SW London it seemed!).
It was only about my third outing with the K-3 and I was generally very impressed with the way it handled. The two lenses I had were the DA* 60-250mm and the DA 35mm Macro Ltd. One thing I did notice which was really weird is that the DA* required between 0.7 and 1.0 stops of exposure compensation. I'm not sure if it was the strong light that was somehow fooling the exposure system - or maybe my personal preference for very slightly brighter photos (compared to the cameras preference). The DA didn't exhibit this so much. Has anyone else noticed this?
But my oh my is the DA* sharp. It's a phenomenal lens and its resolving power is, I think, actually better than the DA and rivals my 43mm Ltd. Speaking of which I ran a role of EKtar 100 through my Pentax MX with the 43mm alongside these photos. I am getting it developed in the next couple of days. It's the first time I've ever shot 35mm film so I am quite nervous to see what those look like!
Hope you enjoy the photos
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-24-2013, 09:58 AM
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(this post could be moved to another section but they are about the K-3 and my experience of using it in challenging conditions)
Rather unbelievably when I was visiting my parents this afternoon a sparrow hawk took down a wood pigeon on the verandah!
They live relatively close to Bushy Park in South West London so seeing the odd bird of prey - normally kestrels - isn't beyond the realms of possibility but a sparrow hawk is really rare. I've seen one fly past but that's it many years.
It was a privilege to watch it feed - but we had to be careful to round up the cats and keep them out of the kitchen! The following photographs were taken through the cat flap!
It was challenging because I was crouched on the floor using live view with the lens poking through the cat flap. In the thrill of the moment I had left the camera on -0.7 ev but in a sense this actually gave me a better shutter speed. However the weather was poor and it was starting to rain so shutter speeds were still only about 1/250 at f/5.0 ISO 1000+ and sometime the shutter speed was lower. As a result pretty much all of these have had +0.83 ev and +44 shadows applied in PS Lightroom. However, I think it's a testament to the K-3 that actually even at ISO 1000+ shadow detail is remarkably clean for a 24mp sensor. Detail in these shots is very good but in others the shutter speeds were too low and the images were blurred - I curse not having blazing sunshine. I could have upped to the ISO to over 1600 but in a way that's a trade off of increasing the % of sharp pictures at the expense of them all being noisier.
I was very lucky to have my DA* 60-250mm with me. Primarily for the silent focus, also the K-3 shutter didn't disturb the bird even at 8.3fps - but my cards locked up the camera too much (I need to get an Extreme Pro SD card).
These are downsized obviously so they only give you an idea of performance in these challenging conditions. This is the context:
And here's the rest of the series:
This one is an action shot that would have been perfect were the feather in focus! ->
and a B&W conversion:
Hope you enjoyed them! And comments and questions welcome!
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
11-14-2013, 10:06 AM
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OK this will be a very quick run down of my first two hours shooting with the K-3.
Body and design
Very similar to the K-7 as expected. Solid, hefty and well built. The AF selection system is very good and when I am shooting with my DA* 60-250mm then I will really get to use it properly. Today I had my Kiron 105mm Macro, 43 Ltd and 35mm Ltd - one not even AF and the other two not AF demons. That said being able to alter AF modes and selection points without moving your eye from the viewfinder is great.
Performance
30mb/sec cards hold this camera back. The RAWs (DNG) can be over 35mb! It was not as quick in operation as I was expect if I took more than a single shot in quick succession and I think this must be why. Otherwise menu speed etc is as good as you want.
One word of warning don't leave it on continuous drive unless you want it on continuous drive - it's like a hair trigger! Its almost hard to take a single shot. 8.3 fps is insane coming from a K-7
Now the exposure system was weird. It behaves quite differently to the K-7 so I will have to get used to that. It underexposes a fair bit I've noted in the quick PP that I did (See later) that shadow recovery is WAY better.
AF speed is great - the 43 is fast believe it or not. Alarmingly though my 35mm won't focus to infinity on it though...! I have a horrible feeling it might need servicing though - the lens that is - as it's not behaving itself on my K-01...
Images
The 43mm Ltd shines on the K-3. It has the resolution to feed the 24mp sensor and then some. This is a crop of the above:
As you can see it's sharp. Also the colour rendering is nice I've found.
However, I think the Kiron 105 has met its match with the K-3. It's still capable of nice pictures but the sharpness is good but not awesome - you're still getting more than 16 but not quite 24 if that makes sense. This is ISO 1600 - but resized for web so not great for an analysis. But overall noise performance is a touch behind the K-01 but TBH with the extra detail it's not an issue as long as you are using a great lens.
This image gives you an idea of the shadow recovery and sharpness. Taken with the 43 ltd with +55 shadows and darks on the tone curve and +38 shadows on the exposure:
And here are a few more images:
Overall I am really pleased with the camera and the extra resolution will be great for some image analysis work I do at a London museum.
I know I was using the 43mm Ltd - probably the best lens in that focal length ever made by Pentax and must be one of the best by anyone, however the image quality is just very very very nice. I think you can push this files quite hard and still get beautiful results. My next challenge is the put the DA* 60-250 on it!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
04-21-2010, 01:50 AM
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That is a beautiful photograph.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
10-11-2013, 07:43 AM
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I would find this amazingly useful for macro work - especially ground level stuff on things like small flowers etc, or animals on the ground etc. However, I have three main concerns:
1) Liveview lag - how many fps will this manage
2) Input lag - what will the delay be in camera control from the smartphone - and will it support literally all functionality? or just basic Av etc modes
3) What's the hit on battery life to both the camera and the phone - this could be pretty significant
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-26-2013, 12:08 AM
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A healthy dose of scepticism? ;)
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-16-2013, 12:12 AM
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And a relatively straightforward adaptor would enable the use of 645 lenses assuming a mirrorless 645 had the same mount width.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-16-2013, 04:51 AM
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How's this: with the size and weight a 17-135 f/2.8 maybe it will have it's own strap lugs? There. Back on track.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
07-10-2013, 02:54 AM
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All true.
However, the problem is that we've not seen evidence of the above in terms of product releases or announcements. The K5II/S, K50/500, and Q7 are all refreshes of existing models. Welcome nonetheless, of course, and this doesn't mean the above is not true at all but it does reduce it's significance somewhat. What company is going to say it's uncommitted to the brands it owns?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-17-2011, 03:11 PM
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Here some of mine:
Bigma - not to be under-estimated in bokeh:
Kiron 105mm Macro:
Kiron 105mm Macro + 1.4x Tamron TC:
DA* 16-50mm:
Sigma 180mm:
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-13-2013, 11:31 AM
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It would seem odd to actually replace the K-5II and K-5IIs given that they released so recently.
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