Two years have been passed
since the last Photokina and the launch of the original K-5. But it seems that Pentax has never been able to get through some numbers, as if there are some kinds of devil's curses applied! >:-(
1. The
"flagship" DSLR model is not able to get through the model number of "5", there is no K-3 nor K-1 (an
imagination of these can be found here), not even to mention!
2. After 10 years of development of the SAFOX since
the original SAFOX VIII, the number of AF points still stay at 11! Really sad! And WHY? Is it really so difficult to add a few more AF points? Do note that the ten-year old SAFOX VIII can focus down to -1EV low light already. So, the -3EV actually doesn't mean any big improvement! Pentax should improve their AF system in other major areas that they are lagging farther and farther behind!
3. They have not yet passed through 16 Mega for the pixel count. And the
same old Sony sensor (with different revisions) is re-used and re-used again across the board, since the K-5, and then to K-01, to K-30 and now the K-5II/s.
4. Their sensor size could never pass through 24 x 16mm, i.e., APS-C, for all the K-mount cameras, which is the saddest thing in the Pentaxland, as the K-mount *was* meant to be 36 x 24mm!
5. The
Image Processor used in their flagship will never pass through the second generation, i.e., PRIME II!
6. 180! 1/180s is the fastest X-sync speed Pentax could ever achieve for their DSLRs! In fact, the so-called Pentax flagship models are even slower than the bottom of the line Canon Rebels including their cheapest EOS 1100D which has a faster speed of 1/200s for the X-sync! Do also note that this speed does not only mean the fastest synchronisation speed for flash, but it also indicates the speed for the shutter to complete its whole movement. It is always desirable to have a higher speed of this as possible, so as to minimise the rolling shutter effect for fast moving objects, even if a higher Tv is chosen. For more technical information, read these old PZ articles
here and
here.
Other silly things about the K-5II/IIs and for other new products that have been announced as well:-
1. There is no detailed information about the AF sensor layout of the SAFOX X. Just in case if the central sensor is changed from a f/5.6 to f/2.8 sensor only but not double crossed, it will be tricky. That says when the lens is opened at near f/2.8, the AF will be more accurate,
but now the AF accuracy at smaller apertures and stopped down is affected and is not that accurate, thus the final resolution is decreased even though the DoF has hidden the evil. In fact, the focusing error is still there, but just not as obvious owing to the greater DoF. For more technical information and references, read
my previous technical article with some explanations here.
Bottom line: Unless there is a double crosses for the central AF point, one cross for f/2.8 and the other for f/5.6. This kind of implementation will yet be lame! If it is true, it will be worse than the AF system used in the entry level EOS 650D by Canon.
2. About the "air-gapless" LCD screen/monitor: Pentax is really wise enough to remove the outer transparent window at the rear of the body and then show the LCD bare and then called it "air gapless"! They are really brilliant! Now, the K-5II screen is just like a computer desktop mon! That must be great! Well, who steals the protective windows at the new bodies? Do you really want to be one of the mice whom have their cheese stolen by someone?! :-o
3. What is the meaning of removing the AA filter of such a low resolution camera at 16MP only? It has no point of any at all. Many moire patterns will appear in images for high spatial frequency objects and the overall resolution is drastically decreased. When Pentax is not observing the
basic Nyquist rule for digital sampling, Nyquist is pissed off, even he is in the Heaven! >:-|
Come on, unless you think that your existing DA lenses are resolving lower than that dated 16M low resolution sensor (by the current standard), problems will arise!
4. The re-badged Tamron 18-270 "Pentax" version obviously looks rather like a Tamron than a Pentax DA. Pentax is not even bother to change its aesthetic look. In practical terms, it is not weather sealed neither and is to be sold at a considerably higher price than the original DA18-135WR, which is plain stupid and ridiculous! Since almost everything is the same, why not just buy the original Tamron and save some money at all?
5. To completely replace the name of SMC by HD is
committing suicide for Pentax! SMC is one of the TOP reasons for *WHY PENTAX* in the hearts of many Pentaxians for decades! Those Ricoh guys seem to have no strong mind about Pentax' history and what they should keep and maintain after all! IMO, naming it as HD SMC would be a much better marketing approach, just like what Pentax did for their
"Ghostless SMC" nomenclature!
6. The new Qs are now more colourful, but they are made of plastic now. Metal alloy is aborted and I am sure the Q10 will feel cheaper in hands. Yet still putting a 1/2.3" sensor into it means that Pentax is making the same mistake of the original Q, which has not been selling well since it was launched owing to this major shortcoming and non-sense, which put many people off even they were attracted by the look and user-friendliness of the Q.
Frankly, today is really a dark day for Pentax and her users. Some fanboys must then start to jump on my head then, but what they do will not change all the facts as mentioned above! And I am sure that many existing Pentax users will support my views, on the other hand! :-)
I thought that Ricoh would do Pentax a favour and make better things and should have at least some breakthroughs to show us in this Photokina! But all my hopes (I believe for many other Pentaxians as well) have been in vain! The good thing is that I can continue to use my K-5 and original Pentax lenses, which I quite like for my own collection. Now I am decided, as it is quite easy to do so, I shall spend my future money into the Canon system for more glass and will not need to think again for what to buy any new Pentax gear! Pentax/Ricoh is really helping me to save my money, which could be used to buy other better things! My BIG Thanks, PR! >:-[
