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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 01-28-2024, 12:39 PM  
K1iii talked about as being under development......maybe
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 368
Views: 24,999
Me thinks you are safe w APS-C line up for a while, if not for a long while. If they were going to kill it, K3iii mono seems so counter intuitive. If anything they are demonstrating their affinity for APS-C more so than FF, at the moment.

For me the possible price point(s) of a new FF body at this point, now having bout K3 mono almost a year ago, competes with lenses. For $2500-3000, you can almost buy mint Dfa 50 and 85.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 01-26-2024, 02:42 PM  
K1iii talked about as being under development......maybe
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 368
Views: 24,999
When K-1 came out, it was a camera that was so hugely anticipated that there were some of us who would have paid even more, as the lure of attaching LTDs to FF sensor was just too much to resist. Fast forward 7 years and for me the novelty has kinda worn out, and buying the next FF body has definitely become less of an emotional or of impulsive decision. I am again curious how others are feeling about that. I would say though that if Pentax did not throw K3iii mono at us, I would have felt more convinced to shell out some dough for the next FF.
Forum: Pentax K-3 III Monochrome 01-23-2024, 09:50 AM  
I need to speak to the manager.
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 19
Views: 979
I am at roughly month 10 of using this camera and I have to say I agree with you. It is a goofy camera in that the outputs are really not bad at all, if anything it is quite good. Yet, it is really not a b/w camera in a traditional sense - but I think that is .... ok. The reason I think is ok is that you can shoot as many frames as you want and tinker with it with each shot, so as long as what you are shooting at remains where they are and what they are. Toning part - I came to accept that LR can do most things I intend to, and when it is printed, by and large I am pretty satisfied with gradation of tone.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 01-23-2024, 09:36 AM  
K1iii talked about as being under development......maybe
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 368
Views: 24,999
I would be interested to know what percentage of the forum members would consider buying K1iii at, say, $2,500 - 3,500 range. The chance of that for me is zero. I look at my prints from my original K1, 645D, and even K10D, and wonder how much better a new camera can possibly be, or for that matter, needs to be. For me, image quality is at a point of diminishing return. I then shake my head when I look at pictures taken with an iPhone. It is a very tricky time for the camera industry but it has been for a while though.
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 12-31-2023, 09:42 AM  
Hello from California
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 14
Views: 479
I would say it is true that you cannot beat physics. So, having one less layer on the sensor you capture more light at a given aperture and shutter speed and ISO, compared to color sensor. But, excluding extreme conditions (ie trying to shoot a flying bat in pitch dark), ISO can be adjusted, and in the end, at least for me it’s a wash.

If you are looking at photos on a monitor - the quality of photos can depend on the capability of the monitor. I recently bought an Apple Studio Display, and I do notice subtle differences compared to my EIZO monitor, which is in itself has been a fabulous one in terms of accuracy of projecting colors.

I print, because I just don’t consider the process finished until the end product is printed. The quality of the photo can most certainly change between budget priced printer vs. professional level printers. I have used Epson for 15 years and they are fantastic. I had an opportunity to get a Canon and I have been very satisfied with it.

Then you bring up a good point about post processing. In general, the files becomes more crappy, the more you touch it. I do say that K3 mono files can take a beating on Lightroom. Yet - this also matters who does the post processing. This is in itself an art form that takes years to learn.

In Leica forum, this exact topic (mono sensor vs color) has been hotly and endlessly debated. While most people acknowledge physics, some swears by mono sensors while others are completely content with color sensors and convert later.

I bought K3iii mono because relatively speaking, it’s stupendously cheap. It’s half the price of my Summicron 28/2.8 (2.8!). I think it is a very good camera for sure. I do not own a Leica mono body and I have no plan to do so. Love my M10.

You mentioned another interesting point about IR. If you enjoy that type of photography- a great option is Leica M8. It’s a CCD sensor and it’s a, APS-H, so not quite full frame. This particular sensor + IR filter putt out very interesting effects. I used to own it, and often kick myself to have sold it.

In the end I try really hard (often not successfully) not to pay attention to advertising. I’’m more inclined to buy Pentax and Leica bodies, only because I am vested in their lenses.
Forum: Pentax K-3 III Monochrome 12-29-2023, 10:19 PM  
I may have found a film stock that is really close to the K3 Mono
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 7
Views: 615
The luggage ….
Forum: Welcomes and Introductions 12-29-2023, 10:11 PM  
Hello from California
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 14
Views: 479
I have k3iii mono, K-1 original, and Leica M10. I convert my file in Lightroom, then print. To be honest, it’s hard to tell the difference between K3iii m vs converted K-1 files. I gain a stop or two with K3iii mono, which is really nice.

What is pricey with Leica is the lens you will need. I actually think that type 246 are pretty reasonably priced for Leica loving folks. But each lens will set you back easily 4-6K. It’s a significant financial commitment. For the price of entry to the land of Leica, you can buy so much with Pentax.

I use a Canon printer but never shot with Canon equipment. I think they make great stuff, so do all other competitors.

In the end I don’t think it matters much which brand you go with.
Forum: Pentax K-3 III Monochrome 12-23-2023, 10:48 AM  
What's your companion body?
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 13
Views: 648
I roll only with one body, with one prime, maybe two depending on the plan for the day, unless we call iPhone a back up. It is a hell of a back up.
Forum: Pentax K-3 III Monochrome 12-23-2023, 10:42 AM  
PetaPixel's review of the K3 Monochrome.
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 14
Views: 866
Yup. I totally agree.

I was kinda dumbfounded that the review was fair and positive, especially coming from them.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 12-10-2023, 01:51 PM  
We might be close to a new GR camera
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 112
Views: 19,681
I know they won't do it, but I was quite fond of GXR. I still shoot with it often. One of the "modules" I have is 33/2.5 Macro, which is very sharp, with beautiful bokeh, and almost Zeiss like distortion . . . . My point is that Ricoh has asked this question in the past about if more craftier lenses can be incorporated to a GR like body. Well, I for one loved it but it really didn't do very well. They may have realized that in the end this is a snap shooter's tool and not really meant to do it all. The dude in the interview kept repeating that point over and over . . . . .
Forum: General Photography 11-25-2023, 01:20 PM  
Mystery package on way
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 77
Views: 3,273
Well, mine just arrived. I’m very touched and appreciative of their nice gesture.
Forum: General Photography 11-24-2023, 11:03 AM  
A package from Ricoh
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 5
Views: 733
Ahhh thank you.

I’m tripping out but will see.

I did buy my K3iii mono directly from their site.

Sorry for the duplicate post.
Forum: General Photography 11-24-2023, 10:23 AM  
A package from Ricoh
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 5
Views: 733
I am not entirely sure where to post this. But apparently according to my SHOP app, I’m getting a package from Ricoh weighing 1 lb arriving on 11/28. I didn’t order anything from them and not sure what this is about.

Anyone getting a package from them like that???

Weird.
Forum: Pentax K-3 III Monochrome 11-08-2023, 05:02 PM  
Is the Monochrome worth it?
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 77
Views: 5,320
I agree with you except that to me it is A LOT easier with digital camera both from the standpoint of time constraints and cost of dodging and burning in the dark room for hours on end. If one shoots with a back screen active (which I tend not to do), you can keep shooting until you see it fit. You can bracket shoot and play later too. How about slapping on filters and take multiple pics? Then you get home, play with files as much as you want. If one messes up, you can start over. You can create multiple versions of a picture with different touch ups too for side by side comparison like radiologists do. Other than the initial lay out on computer and monitor and printer etc, you can perpetually do this for essentially free, as opposed to locking yourself up in the dark room for hours to get it right. There is to me less pressure with digital shooting. Come to think of it - you are saving a lot of time and effort and money. I guess that makes it worthwhile. But that is a discussion more about digital vs. film though . . . Sorry for the digression.

For me in the end, it all catches up with me when I print them. It is just as much work to get it to print the way you see it on your monitor, and that takes time, papers, ink etc, not to mention some knowledge and experience.
Forum: Pentax K-3 III Monochrome 11-07-2023, 02:32 PM  
Is the Monochrome worth it?
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 77
Views: 5,320
I certainly see your point very clearly but your statement rings more true for me if we are talking about b/w film shooting. It is absolutely more difficult to have tonality control with films partly if not mainly due to the lack of immediate feedbacks. It takes a lot of experiences and skills to have that intuitive feel of tonality with films. I do agree that you can be mindful of that when shooting digital, but to me it is moot because you can play with your files later. Technically speaking, if shooting digital, you can come very close to having almost the identical outputs both from color sensor and b/c only sensor - it is just that it's an extra step, if not two. The aspect of K3Mono that I like is that the files seem to tolerate the post processing well without compromising other aspects. In the end, based on prints, I see fundamental differences in digital outputs as opposed to films. Just a different animal if you will.

---------- Post added 11-08-23 at 06:41 AM ----------



I just checked them out and I agree with you that the details are outstanding! But that being said - you can get there shooting M10(non mono version) with Summicron at ease. Yes - in theory you can have sharper images from K3M compared to those of K3iii, and I guess that is the premium that one would be paying for. I do think that in general, b/w rendition may lend itself to having sharper images given all other parameters being equal. Not sure why by to my failing visual acuity, b/w is easier for me to focus on sharpness for some reasons.

By the way I am not that disappointed at all that I didn't like the JPEG out of the box. After all, you just cannot please everyone, and everyone for that reason alone should expect to have to tweek some for sure. It would be a bit unfair if a true capability of a camera is judged on straight out of the JPEG outputs alone (or heavily).
Forum: Pentax K-3 III Monochrome 11-06-2023, 01:35 PM  
Is the Monochrome worth it?
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 77
Views: 5,320
I wasn't a big fan of JPEG straight out of the box with this camera, which wasn't much of a problem for me because mostly I shoot in RAW and play with it afterwards. But I agree that this may well be a matter of taste and preference. I do think that - K3iii files turned into B/W are for me almost impossible to tell apart from K3M files (given same settings shooting at the same object etc). Btw that is nothing new. In Leica forums, people have debated this for years and years and the predominant opinions are that files are very difficult to tell apart, even for so called experts. There may well be some placebo like effects with every new camera too. The excitement of a newly purchased gears can greatly bias sentiments at both ends. That being said, I think that the files are by and large very clean and easy to work with, and images are pretty sharp, and I can confidently say that I am fond of the pictures I get out of this thing. But, in the end I find myself reaching for my M10 more so than K3M these days. This is just a matter of preference between rangefinder view and viewfinder etc, not so much the outputs.

In my view, if you like to shoot in b/w, one is paying a bit extra for not having to covert to b/w, saving a step (I guess...) or two. By any means this feels nothing like shooting in film though.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 10-15-2023, 09:15 AM  
Give me all your 645D tips!
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 10
Views: 999
I still have and use mine often. Just can’t get enough of the CCD sensor. Congrats. I think D is a masterpiece.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 10-09-2023, 02:56 PM  
New patent of nano-level antireflection structure composite optical element
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 13
Views: 2,078
I am no engineer, but looking at it, I am wondering if this is about the coating per se. I think it is more about the nano anti reflective surface alteration of the lens element and how they manufacture such elements (with a die cast, I guess). The top graph is with the traditional or should I say the most recent coatings the rate of deflection, which start to worsen at around a wavelength of 550 - 800 nm.

The second graph, which I think shows what this new element with nano anti reflection alterations, can even do a better job than the coated elements.

Is it a game changer? Don't know. Not sure what elements can gain by not having coatings. More light?

Or maybe I am completely wrong. Dunno.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 10-09-2023, 02:47 PM  
Pentax film camera project: interview with Ricoh Imaging Europe
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 200
Views: 21,685
I haven't looked thoroughly but I seriously doubt if anyone has done any comparisons in a peer-reviewed manner for these three. Some of that I think would be very difficult to consistently demonstrate on monitors due to subtleties and difference in calibrations and lighting condition of the viewing area etc. People out there have come up with some very clever method of filtering co-variables so I am not saying that it cannot be done. I also think that this may presents more issues with b/w. I have a Tak fish eyes with three interchangeable filters in red L39(UV)/ 056(red) / Y48(Yellow), and it's pretty cool to see the differences, but I only have a slight intuitive feel for what each of these filter does.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 10-04-2023, 09:47 PM  
Pentax film camera project: interview with Ricoh Imaging Europe
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 200
Views: 21,685
Yeah I got one of those. It comes with this cool Pentax optical finder, which to my horror I cannot locate at the moment.

It’s a bit finicky but a fine sharp lens at that. The reason I bought it was that it was a smoking deal, and I wanted something that was bit shorter than 50. The only two lenses I use w my M10 is this and a Summicron 28/2,8.
Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands 10-03-2023, 10:11 PM  
Nikon zed f
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 142
Views: 5,602
I had a chance today to play with it for a good while. I thought it was a very cool little thing. Smaller than it looks on ads. I keep thinking that Pentax would do something like that but maybe they are still scarred from MX, which I kinda liked but never bought.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 10-01-2023, 07:17 AM  
Pentax film camera mock-up showcased
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 197
Views: 16,729
Sorry - I was kidding 😂
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 09-30-2023, 10:07 PM  
Pentax film camera mock-up showcased
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 197
Views: 16,729
Can’t you just get a little closer to the subject
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 09-30-2023, 04:58 PM  
Pentax film camera mock-up showcased
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 197
Views: 16,729
I think it would be nice if there is already a sensor embedded in the back cover of the camera, so that the "back" does not have to be exchanged. It would be grand if it can go from digital to film with a flip of a switch. I would totally be fine without a LCD back screen. But, thematically speaking for the project, it probably doesn't fit. I am surprised that given limited resources, they put money on this without fearing for possible lost opportunity cost. Obviously targeted for Japanese market, where there are still plenty of film shooters. I have several friends who have never owned a digital camera.
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 09-30-2023, 09:36 AM  
Pentax film camera mock-up showcased
Posted By Fontan
Replies: 197
Views: 16,729
I wonder if they would follow with digital backs. I would pay to be a beta tester on that.
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