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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-05-2024, 08:27 PM
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Cameras declined due to phones. And Covid marked the beginning of a new era. All camera manufacturers are forced to adapt to changing market conditions. Pentax had a hard time to compete when the market was booming, so now without a magic wand we shouldn't expect to outperform the market. There will always be people in denial. While I'm a concerned if Pentax disappears, I'm much more concerned about the camera industry and photography trend, such as people liking overdone photos from phones and AI on social media, and declining interest for photography as human way of expression by the general public. Not sure if I get this feeling because I'm getting old, I don't see things heading in the right direction (depressed or real world observation?).
I see a few initiatives (film photography), but it's not enough, and I think the whole camera industry will continue to decline if camera manufacturers keep their marketing focus on selling hardware instead of inspiring people to take pictures. As I understand, the message from main brands is "We want your money" , while I see some initiatives from Pentax (monochrome and film stuff), Fuji (workshops, film simulations, medium format stuff) and maybe Leica and Sony (photography awards) toward photography itself. Camera manufacturers should join their efforts to develop the photography market for new generations, instead of trying to sell more hardware stuff to people fully equipped.
That said, yesterday when in subway, I spotted a young lady with a camera hang off her neck and the top dials looked familiar to me, so I kept looking at the camera until I could recognize the model : a Pentax K200D ! I thought "Wow, the first Pentax DSLR I used, still in put to good use by some young students", and yes, I remembered the pictures and colors I took with that camera were fantastic.
---------- Post added 06-04-24 at 05:50 ----------
The total absence of communication with Pentaxians will make it harder and harder to succeed with the new camera as time passes. The last bit of communication that briefly mentioned something about DSLR, without any commitment on anything, was from 13 months ago (CP+2023 Akahane interview by Etchel).
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-07-2024, 02:09 AM
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I certainly agree when you say, ". . . note that low-fi is not the same as low quality. . . "
It follows from this that in some cases a "low-fi" photograph with low sharpness and high grain can subjectively be considered better quality than a "hi-fi" photograph with high sharpness and low grain. In which case, it is indeed a fallacy to assume that photographs with "objectively better quality" are always better.
Your point seems to be that there is a hard upper limit to the objective technical standards that can be achieved with half frame, and that's certainly a valid point. Clearly you, like many others, would have preferred a full frame camera with more technical headroom in terms of the objectively measurable stuff, rather than a half frame that imposes technical limitations that you don't want. But the market that Pentax is aiming for with the half frame camera is younger photographers who are actively seeking out "lo-fi" technologies because they consider them more "authentic". They are also a market that's likely to prefer a camera that works out cheaper per frame in terms of film and developing.
You're not the intended market and you won't be buying one, and that's fine. I'm not the intended market either, although it's quite likely that I will buy one. My own point is that it's wrong for the older photographers who make up most of the membership if this forum to try to tell all those bright-eyed youngsters that their choices and preferences are objectively wrong.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
03-04-2024, 06:13 PM
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Pentax has sold ruggedized compact cameras for 30 years.
Their recent ones have been a big stack of meh for about 10 years, though. I’m glad they’re looking at a refresh.
I’d like to see real shake reduction, at least 20Mp, 4K video, reasonable results at ISO6400, and raw (or at least a jpeg engine that isn’t garbage).
I’m glad they asked :)
-Eric
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-14-2024, 03:02 AM
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As a maker of hand-forged Modern Damascus knives, I firmly believe the kids of today can reinvent the lost wheel and make it at least as good, if not better.
Film cameras are SO much more than a pizza.
On the other hand, is anyone keen for a pizza? This is one of a few mezzalunas I have made specifically for the purpose.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
02-06-2024, 06:09 AM
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Correct, it doesn't exist for Pentax.
Your best bet is either to find a version 1, or to get the X2T. Functionally it's the same, with the added benefit of having a hotshoe on the trigger, but with a smaller screen and fewer buttons. The XPro has a button layout mostly similar to a Godox speedlight, the X2T doesn't.
Another option (more expensive but more versatile) is to get any Godox speedlight and use it as a trigger.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-02-2024, 05:28 PM
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I’m not saying that Japanese businesses are much different from other countries. For the most part they have similar concerns. However, I can say that there are some differences in mentality.
- Japanese investors are typically more long term minded and less activist. So they are less aggressive in demanding the divestiture of less profitable business units. There is always a limit, though.
- Japanese decision making can be driven by sentimental factors. Ricoh is an optical company, so it would be quite a psychological barrier to leave that business completely. As a matter of fact, I heard that a major factor in acquiring Pentax was the influence of Shiro Kondo, a former executive who supported the idea and then used to visit the Pentax developers regularly because of his interest.
- Ricoh doesn’t have many public facing businesses. Having Pentax as a somewhat famous name will help them to attract job candidates. This might seem an odd motivation, but with the lack of young people in the workforce, it’s really difficult to attract graduate job seekers, especially if they are skilled engineers.
So in summary, there are reasons beyond just profit and loss that might influence Ricoh to see Pentax as a valuable part of the business.
Anyway, the reports show they’ve been in profit for the last year, so the finance guys should be happier too.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-01-2024, 06:38 AM
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I think that sometimes I'll get lost in the conversation and my tone towards the brand comes off as too negative. In truth most of my photography needs are being met by the current Pentax lineup. But part of the rabbit hole we sometimes go down is the reflexive defense of clear weaknesses, or the almost nonsensical suggestions like "I don't know why anyone needs a new 135mm lens, there's a perfectly fine Super Takumar 135mm on eBay for $30". I should probably ignore things like that rather than make my case for why I would like something Pentax doesn't have available.
But I have to take issue with the idea that discussions critical of the brand contribute to its downfall. If any company doesn't want any negative thoughts about it online they're out of luck. Heck, there are entire books that collect online disappointments with National Parks, how people got to the Grand Canyon and didn't see what the fuss was all about. The idea that everyone is going to be relentlessly positive (or at least meeting some subjective minimum positivity threshold?) about a designer and manufacturer of cameras and lenses is more than a little unrealistic. If my request that Pentax match their lens lineup to their relatively new APS-C flagship's capabilities has pushed them to the brink, I'm sorry, but I really don't think that's the case. We shouldn't be so afraid of frank discussions, and I think it's only fair people looking for a camera system see not only the positives but also the negatives and the risks. If I'm researching Sony cameras I'd hope nobody is hiding or downplaying that EVFs give some people headaches and nausea, and that some of their cameras may not be as robust as other manufacturers'. Just as people looking at Pentax should know they're well made, have big, bright OVFs, handle beautifully, but lag in some other areas.
Also, you've suggested that it would be more productive to send our wants and needs directly to Ricoh because they don't read this forum. If that's the case, what's the harm in a little back-and-forth about whether or not our requirements are being met? Are you really afraid that this is the place where a prospective customer will find out that the 50-135mm f/2.8 is out of production with no plans to replace it, or that the K-1 III still has no release date or even official development status update, and that will steer people to Sony or Fuji? I'm guessing that most people can find that information elsewhere. And frankly it would be a little disingenuous for Pentax' top English language site to not mention things like that.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
02-11-2023, 03:37 AM
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I fully understand it's not going to happen but I do think Pentax desperately need two ff models. They don''t have to be price differentiated but rather designed for different use cases.
1. Pentax ★ camera: Designed to match the ★ line of lenses, a model focused on performance, ruggedness and control at the cost of size and complexity. (K-1 III)
2. Pentax Limited camera: Designed for travel, urban and vintage + limited lenses, a model focused on experience, handling and simplicity
In my view the 2:nd option shouldn't be full on retro but I think Pentax would make great models with the above goals.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-28-2023, 05:57 AM
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Many are overestimating technical impact of the specification and underestimating the mindset/workflow aspect. There is a gulf between technical shooters and those that find intangibles more important. It's surprising to find the technical emphasis amongst Pentaxians because the gear is basically way behind the mainstream on those terms. Monochrome users tend to say that going out with a BW only camera ensures that you commit to BW and hence perfom better or at least creates a more enjoyable experience.
The junk food mindset suggests you should get *more* when you pay more. But there can be advantages in limitations and peculiarities. Subtle qualities and limitations can be advantageous even when technically worse.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-08-2023, 06:52 PM
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With all the talk of film photography recently, it made me go out and investigate what is available in my local area. I live in a suburban part of Tokyo, but a couple of stops along the line from me is an area with a lot of shops, and it has a bit of a youthful image. That's where I tend to go shopping, although I don't think I can call myself youthful anymore.
What people were using
I noticed two cameras. One was a Sony mirrorless, carried by a middle-aged man. Another was a Canon film camera, around the neck of a 20ish young woman.
Availability of used film cameras
I went to a few used camera stores. The prices for film cameras are not that high. A functioning Spotmatic was there for 6,000 yen and a functioning black MX was on sale for 15,000. Of course, there were tons of fully functional digital cameras available, but it seemed to me that about half of the film cameras were being sold in the "junk" category, meaning that they are mainly being sold off for parts. You can also find refurbished units of some of the more iconic cameras on sale in fashion stores. The prices are inflated.
Availability of new film cameras
The electronics stores did not seem to have any film cameras on sale except for Instax. They may have had some Leica's available if I asked. However, there are a number of other variety stores in Japan that sell all kinds of hobby items (if anyone knows, I'm talking about stores like Loft or Tokyu Hands). These shops have some plastic film cameras by Ilford and Kodak available. Those Kodak ones only have fixed f8 lenses. You can also get the single use cameras.
Availability of 35mm film
I found that this is no longer available in supermarkets, drugstores or convenience stores. The large branch of Yodobashi camera has a big case for film, but it was surprisingly empty. Other photo developing shops had limited stock of a few varieties of film. The average price seems to have risen to about 2,000 yen for a roll of 36, but Fomo and the cheapest type of Fujifilm is about 1,300. Finally, I found a small developing shop, which a photo enthusiast started a couple of years ago. We talked about film availability and he said that the problem is supply at the moment. Apparently, the war in Ukraine has been a major factor in disrupting the supply. He only gets deliveries of most films in batches of one or two at a time.
Availability of CR123 batteries
I think I'm better off ordering online. They are a bit expensive in shops.
Developing
Developing and printing is not too difficult in Japan, because a lot of developing shops exist. I even have one in my local supermarket. However, now I found that little shop, I think I'm going to support him with any film developing. He only charges 1,100 yen for developing and provision of digital scans.
My conclusion
So my conclusion from this little expedition was that film photography is still quite feasible for me. I realize Tokyo is probably rather privileged in this respect and not typical of other countries. However, Pentax is certainly observing the situation in this city, so it is probably important in their decision-making.
My other finding was unexpected - that actually going somewhere to get film and have it developed made me interact with someone about photography. With digital, you just do it all yourself, and then decide whether to share or not. With film, the output is often physical, so you might hand over prints to others to see. It made me think that there might be some inherently more social aspect to the process of film photography that connects people in the real world more than digital.
What I think Pentax should make
Another topic is that I think I know what I would want from camera #3 - the automatic SLR. Necessarily it will be an all-new model but I think the MZ-3 would be a great basis. I think the camera they make has to reduce some of the pain points of using old cameras to be attractive over used models. At the same time it has to remain a simple "antidote" to the over automation of digital cameras. So the MZ-3 would be a good starting point - you can use it in auto, but it switches easily to full manual for those who want a simple experience. What they should change is:
- Make it of better materials, inside and out - the Mz-3 feels cheap and has weak points. Pentax builds things much stronger now
- Change the battery type to the most common type of rechargeable
- Put whatever AF system fits - the 11-point one in the KF would be fine
- Make it work with in-lens AF motors and KAF4 aperture control (because this is important for synergy with the rest of the K-mount system)
- The camera should be designed with a 30-year lifetime in mind - It's over engineering, but that seems to match with the philosophy that TKO explained in the video
Sorry - long post. If you made it this far, thanks!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
07-09-2022, 08:36 AM
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This is one of the most ridiculous analogies I've read in a while.
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Forum: General Photography
03-18-2022, 09:40 PM
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In the weeks after the invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv, the capital, became a city transformed. Much of its population evacuated. New defense units gathered and took up arms. Field kitchens, aid stations, bomb shelters and evacuation convoys sprouted into functional shapes. The city endured intermittent bombardment.
This altered streetscape became the uneasy milieu of Alexander Chekmenev, a Ukrainian documentary and portrait photographer who since the 1990s has visually chronicled his country’s post-Soviet life.
Chekmenev, who is 52, took care of his family early on, ensuring that his teenage daughter reached safety in Slovakia. He himself remained, venturing out on assignment for The New York Times Magazine to find those who stayed put. Carrying a medium-format Pentax camera, he met some people and approached others as they walked the streets, labored in their new roles or huddled in shelters. View his portraits of the citizens of Kyiv
In Photos: Citizens of Kyiv - The New York Times |
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
01-28-2022, 12:48 PM
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I fully understand that one can have personal requirements and standards. I do suggest you reconsider this though. See Guido Guidi, one of the most highly regarded photographers today.
This is what it looks like on the wall...
No that's not some massive cathedral space. The prints are tiny. Se above what gear he uses...
Another one is Gerry Johansson
Shoots medium format film.
That's one of his shows^
The books have 9x9 cm photos.
Big prints are great for some types of work. Small prints are often better! Now the above aren't your run of the mill photographers but they are perhaps the most ambitious and most highly regarded by the most knowledgeable.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
12-19-2021, 09:28 AM
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I wasn't sure when I got my 150-450 how much it's zoom range is useful... but I do find I use it at both extremes as a 150/4.5 and a 450/5.6 - the former being a useful landscape lens:
Having the two in one has a bit of convenience and makes it an interesting walk around, though the long end is why I bought it. Even though the 150 end is useful, I'd be just as happy with a long prime, but there just isn't an option that met my requirements for one except for the long end of the 150-450. And the zoom is a bit annoying, with creep and extending so far making it seem more delicate when at 450mm - leading me to retract it when walking and having to extend out to 450 when I see a subject...
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
12-20-2020, 02:34 PM
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Sounds like a darn good way to break a few bones while waiting for the brain to adjust!:eek:
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
11-24-2020, 12:34 PM
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Oh I know you were not ridiculing and I wasn't upset at all :) PU leather is cheap and nasty and i wouldnt want one either :) the Fuji one was about £10. I was thinking you could make really beautiful ones to order and charge what they are worth :) there is quite a bit of money in Pentaxland :)
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
07-17-2020, 04:21 AM
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I think it would reflect better on us as Pentaxians if we didn't constantly say that anyone with a different perspective isn't serious about photography.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
06-10-2020, 12:00 PM
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I don't mean to offend, but I think this says more about you than Pentax Forums. I think that millions of posts about Pentax cameras is a huge positive, it not a neutral zero. Focusing on and reacting to a relatively small handful of posts that you disagree with is doing what you lament - diverting the discussion from all the great stuff we do with Pentax cameras to petty slap-fights.
If you want to turn Pentax Forums into a cheerleading hype-fest for Pentax, go for it. But I don't think that's why were here. It's not why I'm here. I'm not a Pentax marketer, I'm a consumer.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
06-09-2020, 03:27 AM
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Because there's a portrait shot at f13 with the lens in the bumf material for the DFA 85, thus the point being is you use the aperture for the style of portrait and the intent and they themselves were not just sticking to f1.4 shots. If you do wide open, get it right, if you do a stopped down shot, get it right, and imo both fail in terms of correct distance/DoF for the style they went for. If a studio f1.4 shot was felt needed for promotional material for the lens and having it as SOOC as possible, then they should have taken more shots and selected one that at least has one of the eyes completely in focus. Or used one at f2.8 or whatever (seeing as they chose to show a f13 one, despite it too being technically weak).
I also just see this thread as a discussion about the DFA 85, not limited to just technical capability. We've talked about price point, the company as a whole, lots of things to keep the thread interesting and varied. Here I am poking the fire by criticising what I feel are poor portrait shots selected for what is essentially a portrait lens. There is one good portrait shot (that i ticked green) that doesn't look studio but natural light, the rest are pretty awful imo. People are saying its supposed to be like that etc, but its also marketing/advertising material as well, or that's how it will be perceived. If we had more shots like the good portrait shot I'd have no complaints to make.
My point is that this is material is available on the interweb for all to view and admire and get excited over the lens, we want good images, it's advertising, it's promotional content. The portrait ones are very subpar and images like this would not see the light of day in advertising/marketing bumf from Olympus, Fuji, Nikon, Canon, Leica, Sony etc. The portrait shots bring the tone of the promotion of the lens down. I would have either done a reshoot or just left them out. Just my 2 cents (with specifics).
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Forum: General Photography
06-06-2020, 05:32 AM
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For the past 3+ years I've been working on a special project about rescued chickens and their caregivers. The fine art book publisher Kehrer is going to be releasing Nest: Rescued Chickens at Home soon, and I'm running a Kickstarter to fund a portion of the publication costs. All of the portraits were made with my Pentax K-1, and mostly with the 24-70 (sometimes with a teleconverter).
Nest: Rescued Chickens at Home by Janet Holmes ? Kickstarter
Of course, pledges to support the campaign are most welcome, but I'm sharing the link here because I think people might enjoy the campaign video (full of images) and the story behind the project.
If you know someone who you think would be interested in looking at the project, please feel free to share the campaign link. (If you know anyone involved with animal rescue groups who would benefit from my instructional eBook on Better Animal Portraits, this CAD $25 reward is something that you can donate to them or to their shelter.)
Thanks!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
05-01-2020, 06:28 PM
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To me, the crowd that takes great offense as soon as any criticism is made of The Brand and start calling the personal integrity of a poster into question by asking him to purchase more gear (or just plain insulting their intelligence), well, that crowd makes PF - this place - a much less fun place to hang out in. The aggressivity, the defensiveness, it's just all pretty tiresome. Maybe some trolls actually enjoy triggering that. Maybe those who indulge in that behavior enjoy the sadistic aspect of it. I dunno. But from where I'm sitting, it all makes this forum seem much less friendly and less fun, and I'm not convinced that those flocking to defend the "honor" of their camera system in that way are actually doing it or this place much good.
Still hoping for some details on the K-New some time soon, BTW...
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
04-09-2020, 10:37 AM
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Sorry, no. AFAIK she did not have a website. I saw her at two or maybe three shows that year. Have not seen her since which is a shame she had a true gift of showing only what was truly important in an image. Its been a few years but if I remember she had only maybe 20 images for sale (I take prints of about 100 to a show) but each and every one was thought provoking. I work a show all day trying to get people to look at my work, all she did was sit in her chair and smile and she had people literally stopping dead to look and point.
Here is a link to another photographer I admire though: Lijah Hanley Photography
I have been at shows with him as well and he also has a gift. I think he does more national shows now as I have not seen him in a couple years.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
11-20-2019, 10:58 AM
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Looks like he's using Nikon's Snapbridge, I think. Not all Nikon's support it, since not all have Bluetooth. "Supported Digital Cameras as of August 2019: Z 7, Z 6, D850, D500, D7500, D5600, D3500, D3400, COOLPIX P1000, A1000, A900, A300, B700, B500, B600, W300, W150, W100, KeyMission 80". Older Nikon's can use the 'Wireless Mobile Utility' app, which uses WiFi, not Bluetooth.
Ricoh's Image Sync does the job for Pentax.
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