K-r Hidden Function of Photo Challenger

According to a latest Japanese IT news report, it is revealed that the Pentax K-r actually had a hidden function of "Photo Challenger" mode which could be activated via an advanced (at its time ;-)) IR data communication mode with another compatible camera,.

(Credit: Japanese Cameota blog)

After linking up with the other camera, two photos can be selected for comparison and the computer will give marks to the photos in three aspects. The loser will have his photo displayed in a cracked glass window at the end.

A demo YouTube video could be found below:

K-r Service Manual

Someone at the PF forum uploaded the manual in two parts and it is available for download here and here.

For your reference and use just in case. And, it can be appreciated that how sophisticated a DSLR could be, for all those adjustments that required or provided.

Replacing the Defective Rechargeable Battery for Pentax DSLR's Date/Time/Settings Memory

The below captions are self-explanatory and can be followed step-by-step:

Credits: https://polonai.se/scrapbook/pentax-k-r-date-time-forget-fix/index.html

Via post in the Cinese Xitek Pentax forum, with additional illustrating photos.

New Firmwares for Pentax Cameras

http://news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info2/support/

To support the new 1.4X Tele Converter.. But as I said before, this method of updating firmwares to support every new lens is actually plain stupid. They should consider to do it in the Canon's way, i.e., to update the software utility that can be used to load the new lens' data into different bodies, of various models.

K-5II/s New "Urgent" Firmware V1.06

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k-5_2_s.html

It seems that there was a major bug in the last firmware, so an urgent update is needed. The bug is not told, though. I have also seen quite some users of other Pentax models reported about strange phenomenon since the last recent updates for their bodies. So, it would be wise not to do the update if you have other newer model(s) but not yet, until the actual problem is told clearer, my humble advice!

20 Millions of Pentax Cameras in 2013

See the posts here, here and here by Pentax PH.

So, for what is told, the 20 million-th Pentax camera has just been manufactured at Cebu's Pentax factory in Philippines this year, which has happened only after 32 years when their 10 million-th camera was made back to 1981. It is interesting to note that the first Pentax camera, the Ashaiflex I was first created and marketed back to 1952. So, Pentax was able to make and sell their first 10 millions of Pentax cameras in 29 years last time, and then for another 10 millions of cameras in another 32 years. But since cameras have become widely popular and they have been just domestic products in recent decades, the above figures have just proven and witnessed clearly about the decline of this once Giant in the camera industry and history.

For what I have just counted, I have bought 16 models of Pentax cameras these decades, for both film (5 models) and digital (11 models), SLR or not, since I first bought my Pentax SFX in 1988.

Nonetheless, as for that mentioning about the gold/brown coloured Q10 against the LX Gold Limited Edition, I think that yet once again hurts the weak sentiments of we long-time Pentaxians! :-( It is because the LX was just the last real professional grade camera body and system of Pentax whilst the Q10 is just a toy. Compare a Q10 with the LX is really rather inappropriate after all, IMHO! Btw, I have my gold/brown coloured K-r myself, which I think is still way better than a toyish Q10, isn't it?

New Firmwares for Pentax DSLRs Released Today

@ Ricoh.jp (In Japanese Only.)

Support to the "new" HD Limited lenses and the "new" model 360 and 540 II flash units are added. Released firmwares are for K-r, K-5, K-5II/s, 645D, K-01, K-30 and K-50. There is no new firmware to the K-500, though.

New Firmwares for K-5II/s, K-30, K-01, K-5 and K-r

The new firmware is available for download in the following page:-

http://www.pentax.jp/english/support/download_digital.html

And the changes for the new firmware are as follows:-

• Optimized contrast AF when using [HD PENTAX-DA 560mmF5.6ED AW]　lens.
• Improved stability for general performance. 

Update (2-1) : I have roughly tested the LV AF of my K-5 after updated to the latest firmware and it seems that the AF is faster now and the way the camera is searching for focus is different, i.e., the algorithms have been revised. This is especially obvious for telephoto lenses, for what I have verified with my Pentax 300mm AF prime.

20 Top Selling Mirrorless and DSLR Cameras in Japan in 2012

http://bcnranking.jp/news/1212/121228_24511.html
(in Japanese)

As for the mirrorless, the top 20 models equal to 91.1% share of the total market in 2012. The Pentax Q is ranked at No. 8 while the K-01 is just at No. 20. The total Pentax brand share is 7.1%.

As for the reflex, the top 20 models equal to 95.4% share of the total market in 2012. The K-30 is the best selling Pentax model, followed by the K-5, which are ranked at No. 13 and No. 14 respectively. The last big 20 Pentax DSLR model is the K-r, which is ranked at No. 19. The total Pentax brand share is only 4.5%.

It is somehow surprised that the Pentax Q has been the best selling Pentax interchangeable lens camera model in the Japanese market. And after all, Pentax is still alive and let's see what will happen in 2013! :-)

p.s. Btw, I am sure that I am contributing to the survival of Pentax as amongst those five top-selling models, I have yet purchased and own three of them! ;->

A Japanese Pentax User Site with Much Samples

http://pentax-memo.brassworks.jp/
(in Japanese)

This Pentax user/fan has many of the latest Pentax bodies and more importantly many excellent K-mount lenses including the original Pentax ones and those Carl Zeiss ZK lenses built by Cosina. Have a look on those samples that are grouped by lens or camera model and you will not be disappointed. Full samples are available for some.

In addition, he also writes a review for each of his gear for its pros and cons and an overall mark of his is given. Go find out yourself for which lens received a full mark of 120 according to his marking system.


Related:- 

A Japanese Pentax Gear Photo Page

Zeiss Stopped Production of (Z)K-mount Lenses

All Voigtlander K-A Mount Lenses are Discontinued

Method to Force DFS Off for Pentax DSLRs

A working method with full instructions can be found here:-

http://pentaxda.deviantart.com/journal/Turning-DFS-Off-224124268

For the files that are mentioned and needed, they can be downloaded here directly, if you just don't know how to compile them yourself:-

http://darky.is-a-geek.net/debug_mode/disable_dfs.zip

This may be useful for those who need to do astro-photography in a continuous way without any interruption for longer time exposure per shot.

As for the latest Pentax DSLR models after K-r (i.e., K-r, K-5, K-30, K-5II and IIs) that cannot open the Debug mode by the above method, you can try to use the PK Tether software and then load the SYSPARAM.TXT file at the SD Card Root to see if it works or not! And please let us know about your result if you really try!

Btw, today, I've just come across these photos taken by a Japanese with his EOS 60D and 10-17mm wide angle lens combo. They are quite nice, look:-

http://www.geocities.jp/tpkkagato/
(in Japanese)

N.B. Pentax DSLRs using the Samsung sensors (i.e., K20D and K-7) do not have any option to turn off the DFS (Dark Frame Subtraction) whereas other Pentax DSLRs using the Sony sensors can have the option to turn off DFS for exposure that is not longer than 30 seconds, otherwise DFS is forced to be turned on again.


Related:- 

K-5 and K-r Debug Mode Unleashed, Finally!

Successfully Open the Debug Mode of My K-r! :-)

WiFize "Any" Camera of Yours!

Well, here is the PQI Air Card in SD format, it should be compatible with all the latest Pentax DSLRs and the Q inclusive, as officially tested and listed.

With this card and the App (in both iOS and Android versions), instantaneous WiFi transfer of image files to mobile device is easy and effortless.

A YouTube demonstration can also be found here:-


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtyUwLLJpLI


Related:-

Canon 6D is Now Official - One More "Cheap" FF Suddenly Arrives!

Is K-01 the End of the "Line"? (Pentax Interview @Photokina)

Toshiba FlashAir Wireless LAN SD Card Hands-on Video

645D and Eye-Fi Card (YouTube Demo)

Pentax K-z/K-s/K-300 - What Should It Be?

Click to Enlarge.

The K-z has a maximum of 120 millions of colour combinations whilst the K-s has 480. But then the K-s has 20 body colours while the K-z has only 12. The K-z, if it is true, is obviously re-using the K-r body, as what can be seen.

On the other hand, some people from Europe told me that this camera would be called K-300 instead of K-z, which is no good for German, AFAIK.

Unless this is a hoax, everything should be true but yet (previously) undecided, IMHO.

K-30 Test Videos (Spot AF Speed and Continuous Shooting)

Seems to be snappy and decisive enough.



It is just a K-r, I am almost sure! Be prepared for the super vibration accompanied with the super loud sound! :-o

K 30 Continuous Shutter Sound at DPR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0y-0XxnixA

At about from 1:34 to 1:36, we can hear the shutter sound when the camera is fired continuously.

For the ease of direct hearing, I capture the sound track using the AudioThief and then crop that part and then save and upload the sound file here:-

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4624062/K30_Shutter_Sound.mp3

So, this sound is familiar and actually it is K-r's alike, but it seems that it is lighter but maybe it is all about the recording sound level or maybe the weather sealing does really help to reduce the sound somehow.

Pentax K-r Mirrorless Edition! ;-D

So, the dream of many Pentaxians have come true, for a K-mount mirrorless with a finder! ;-D

Pentax K 30 is Coming

Via: Photo Rumors

The K 30 information was first leaked via French forum Pentax One and also Amazon UK has shown the price and three colours of it at about the same time as discovered by some Pentaxians. Update: The K 30 items have already been removed at Amazon UK but I captured the screen before and here it is:-



It is clearly stated that the product is to be released on June 25.

After all, that's what we have about the K 30:-

- The same K-5/K-01 16.2MP Sony CMOS sensor up to ISO 25600;

- Full HD video recording (possibly with the same specs of K-01's);

- 3" LCD monitor;

- 4 frames per second continuous shooting rate (which is slower than both K-r and K-x);

- Dual e-Dial and full weather sealing (like the K-5);

- 100% viewfinder coverage;

- 11-point AF (as usual);

- Suggested maximum selling price of 799 Euros with 18-55 WR (699 Pounds at the above Amazon link with DAL 18-55)(and maybe also at US$800 at the States);

- Use both proprietary Li-ion rechargeable battery and AAs.


Well, as an existing K-5 user, the K 30 has no attraction to me anyway. But yet it's good to hear see some new Pentax products in the meantime, finally. And, I hope more to come!

Chinese K-r (K-x?) TV Ad

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/WxieGqK9350/?resourceId=0_06_11_02

I like this Ad, maybe mainly because of the girl? ;-D Btw, the K-r replacement will be announced very soon and so K-r is just a history of the past. And wait, aren't all the cameras appeared in the video just the K-x, but not the K-r, against what is mentioned at the end? :-o So, I just wonder if this Ad is really official or not after all.

K-01 AF Speed Tests with 16 Different K-mount Lenses

(URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFBnraiK0A0)

Via http://forum.pentaxfans.net/thread-124538-1-1.html
(in Traditional Chinese)

The user tested 17 lenses, first a K135 lens for the MF focus peaking beforehand, and then the other 16 AF lenses in K-mount (13 Pentaxes, 3 Sigmas) for speed and check the performance and reliability. At the very beginning of the test video, a side-by-side physical comparison to the K-r was also done.

I translate his summary of the results as follows:-

FA28mmF2.8.....Very Fast
DA21mmF3.2.....Very Fast
DA40mmF2.8.....Very Fast

DA35mmF2.8 Macro.....Fast, Long Running Span
DA70mmF2.4.....Fast
FA28mmF2.8 Soft.....Fast, but Easy to Fail (to Focus)
DA*55mmF1.4.....Fast, Long Running Span
DA*200mmF2.8.....Fast, Long Running Span
SIGMA15-30mmF3.5-4.5.....Fast

FA*300mmF2.8.....Average Speed, Long Running Span
DA100mmF2.8WR Macro.....Average Speed, Long Running Span (I think it is already rather Slow!)

SIGMA180mmF3.5 Macro.....Slow, Long Running Span
SIGMA10-20mmF3.5.....Slow

FA28-105mmF3.2-4.5.....Below 50mm: Fast, Becoming Slower and Slower when approaching 105
DA17-70mmF4.....50mm: Fast, at 70mm: Slow

DA*300mmF4.....Very Slow, and Incompatible/Unstable with the Body, Often Fail to Focus and the K-01 Body Hanged Up(!)

Actually, someone and Steve Huff had reported about the K-01 hang-up cases before. Now it seems that it is NOT an isolated issue. And, it should be noted that the problem is repeatable, as verified and confirmed by two different K-01 users by now. Hopefully this is a bug that can be corrected via firmware and Pentax should provide this firmware update soonest.


Related:-

Bug Report: Repeatable K-01 Crash

Inside the K-01

http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/interview/20120326_519765.html
(An interview in Japanese)

It seems that there are still quite some spare spaces inside the body and further minimization should be possible. Besides, the inside of the K-r is also compared. Finally, it can be seen that the Static RAM chip used is from Hynix, a South Korea semiconductor company, but not from Samsung, which is also a major memory manufacturer.

Update (4-21): Here is yet another K-01 disassembly by someone. It seems that the K-01 is just easy enough to disassemble:-


(Click to Enlarge and Pop in New Tab/Window)


View Also:-

Disassemble a K-5