No Title ;-)

 

Ned Bunnell's Take on the K-3 III Mono

See his latest posted samples at Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ned_bunnell/sets/72177720307495920/

via his DPR post here.

Whilst the photos are nice, they do lack a bit contrast and sharpness. I would expect (much) better IQ for a dedicated B&W machine, honestly speaking. 

Btw, it seems that Ned does not update his blog anymore.

Ned Bunnell Demonstrates How Good the Old Pentax Glass Could Be (Re: A* 85 F1.4)

Ned Bunnell, ex-CEO of the Pentax Imaging USA (which was named), published some of his recent pictures taken with his A* 85 F1.4 on a K-1 II,. See this Flickr set of his:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/85492092@N03/sets/72157714981262381

I like both the colour rendition and the micro-contrast of the lens reproduced, which could look better than what is produced by the latest D FA*85 F1.4, from the various samples that I have seen so far. I think Ned is also a good photographer, too, as I could feel the mood of his photos in a good way.

Speaking of Ned, he is actually a nice and good guy. I dropped him a few emails for my suggestions and comments when he was the CEO and I was the (in)famous "Pentax basher" decade ago. Whilst many Pentax fanboys did hate me much and had to beat me to death whenever I spoke, Ned did always respond to my every email in a polite and respectful way. I think it is not easy for him, as the top management of Pentax, to not ignore an "enemy" like me and I believe that he is an humble and open-minded guy after all.

One More Practical Test of the D FA*85, with Full Samples

http://pentaxfans.net/thread-164498-1-1.html

(in Traditional Chinese, Google translated English page here)

Indeed, this set of photos taken just by an ordinary Pentax user does look better than the set created by the Pentax official Japanese professional photographer IMHO. Despite that some pictures taken at high ISO still look soft when viewed at pixel level, which is just the primitive problem of the K-1II and is actually unavoidable.

Note that original full sized samples are available for viewing and download via the user's Flickr album here.

Pentax Aperture Block Problem Class Action Lawsuit

https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/electronics/pentax-camera-class-action-alleges-aperture-defect/

"A camera owner has filed a class action lawsuit against Ricoh USA Inc. over claims that the company’s line of Pentax camera products are defective in a way that causes them to produce useless, almost completely dark photographs."

Measurbated: Psychological Hypothesis with Firmware Upgrade Proven :-D

Since some Pentax users suggested that new K-1 and K-1 II firmwares have improved AF, I have carried out a formal test and measurbation to find out the truth, as a renowned measurbator of camera gear, in particular, Pentax gear. :-P

My test procedures and methodology as follows:

1. A K-1 and DA50 F1.8 combo was selected and used for the test, i.e. same gear setup as claimed by one of the OPs for improved performance. ;-)

2. AF was carried out in a fairly lit room in about 300 lux, two objects were placed at about 1m and 3.5m respectively and AF was made on the two objects to and fro alternatively. This was repeated for more than ten times and the AF sound was recorded:

    (Click to Enlarge)

3. Measurbated the AF starting and completion times, right before the AF motor started to move and before the AF confirmation beep was sounded:

4. Input the times into an Excel table and calculate the AF time required (in second) for ten times of AF operations and take the average time and get the results. Here we go:



Left table contains the results with FW version 1.52 and the right one are those with FW version 1.51. Indeed, I cannot see any real and significant difference between the two. So, it's what psychological effect of people strikes again, case closed! :-D

Pentax History Official Website

http://www.pentax.com/en/pentaxhistory/

Rumour: Pentax K-mount FF Comes this Autumn, no Built-in Flash but GPS

http://thisistanaka.blog66.fc2.com/entry/945/
(in Japanese)

Btw, the author of the above post is a famous Japanese photographer who is close to the official Ricoh Pentax internal source.

DRP Interviewed Ricoh Pentax

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/6552079527/cp-2015-ricoh-imaging-interview-full-frame-dslr-may-have-something-extra-built-in

Overjoyed Pentaxians!

http://newcameranews.com/2015/02/16/ricoh-shows-lump-of-plastic-pentaxicans-overjoyed/

Nice humour! But very true!! :-D

PF's Interview with Pentax' Officials at CP+ (Mr. Kazunobu Saiki and Colleague)

Transcripts in English and Chinese are as follows, dropped down and translated by a Chinese Xitek Pentaxian:

PentaxForums：

First of all, thank you for publishing the news about the upcoming launch of a full-frame DSLR.

The PentaxForums.com announcement reached over 200,000 Pentax fans on Facebook and was met with very positive feedback.

Do you have any thoughts to share with the fans that eagerly await the full-frame product launch?

首先，感谢你们发布将会上市全幅单反的消息。有超过20万宾得迷们通过Facebook收到了PentaxForums.com发出的这个消息，而且收到了非常积极的回应。你们有没有什么想与这些渴望得到全幅产品的宾得迷们分享的么？

Pentax：

To tell the truth, I was relieved because many Pentax fans don’t say “It’s too late!”. I’m very glad to hear the positive comments from Pentax fans. Thank you for waiting for a long time.

说真的，我感到非常宽慰，因为这么多的宾得迷们没有说”这已经太迟了！“。我非常高兴能够听到宾得迷们这些积极的回应。感谢你们等待了这么久。


PentaxForums:

What kind of users and applications will the new full-frame Pentax DSLR be aimed at? How will it stand out alongside the competition?

宾得全幅单反是针对什么样的用户和应用的？它将如何在竞争中脱颖而出？

Pentax:

The first users are Pentax fans, besides it’s important to get back the Pentax users from competitors. Therefore, it’s not up to making have many strength
of Pentax.(??) Besides, it’s important to have attractive features newly which other competitors don’t have.

首先的用户群是广大宾得迷们。此外，从其它竞争对手中把宾得用户争取回来也是很重要的。因此，宾得会利用其自身的优势（这句没听懂，估计是这个意思）。而且，更早的拥有那些竞争对手没有的具有吸引力的特性也是很重要的。


PentaxForums：

What do you think is the most suitable resolution for DSLRs with full-frame sensors?

Current cameras in the industry have resolution as low as 12Mp and as high as 50Mp as of this month.

你们认为全幅单反最合适的分辨率是多少？当前行业中的全幅单反从最低1200万像素到本月的5000万像素都有。

Pentax：

I think the suitable resolution is changing. According to the sensor technology, and environment to handle the image to date(??)

我认为合适的分辨率是在变化的。根据当前处理图像的Sensor技术和环境。（最后几个词听不清）


PentaxForums：

Can users expect more full-frame compatible lenses to become available together with the launch of the full-frame DSLR?

大家可以期望在全幅机身发布的时候，将会有更多全幅镜头一起发布么？

Pentax：

We are going to develop DFA lenses as soon as possible, you can see the new lenses on the newest lenses roadmap.

我们将尽快开发新的DFA镜头，你们可以在最新的镜头路线图上看到这些新镜头。


PentaxForums：

Do you have plans to re-launch or update any FA-series lenses as with the 645 lineup, or will you be focusing on new designs going forward?

你们有计划重新推出或升级FA系列以及645系列镜头么？还是说你们将致力于向前研发新的镜头？

Pentax:

We are going to design new lenses basically, however, we are also going to redesign some FA lenses which have good resolution performance.

基本上我们将会开发新的镜头，不过，我们也会重新设计一些拥有好的分辨率特性的FA镜头。


PentaxForums：

You state that the full-frame will support DA lenses via an in-body crop function.

How would lenses with 35mm image circle coverage such as the DA* 200mm f/2.8 be handled?

Will you change any existing lens designations/specifications?

你们说全幅将通过机内Crop功能来支持DA镜头。那对于那些可以覆盖35mm图像范围的镜头呢？比如DA* 200mm f/2.8，机身将如何对待这些镜头？

你们有可能改变现有镜头的名称或者规格参数么？

Pentax:

It’s true some DA lenses cover the full frame image circle. However, we make it priority to develop the new lenses basically, rather than to redesign the DA lenses.

确实一些DA镜头可以覆盖全幅图像范围，但是，我们基本上将致力于研发新的镜头，而不是重新设计那些DA镜头。（这个回答和问题不符，估计这里交流有障碍。）


PentaxForums:

Do you plan to reintroduce the aperture coupler in the Pentax full-frame body so that legacy lenses can meter without having to stop down?

你们有计划在全幅机身中重新引入Aperture Coupler么？这样那些老镜头就不必缩小光圈测光了。

Pentax：

I think it’s important, but it’s difficult because of the limited space.

我认为这个很重要，但是因为空间很有限，所以很难实现。


PentaxForums：

How would you describe the response to the Pentax K-S1? Has it seen success among gadget-oriented people?

你们怎么形容Pentax K-S1的反应？看到它在面向电子科技的人群中的成功了么？

Pentax：

Because K-S1, we try to attract non-Pentax users mainly, in that sense, we have very nice interests, but before that, the (??) so far we couldn’t get return as we expected.

因为，对于K-S1，我们主要是想吸引那些非宾得用户的，从这种角度讲，我们确实收到了很多关注，但是除此以外，目前为止，我们没有收到预期的赢利。


PentaxForums:

Do you have plans to improve the speed of the SAFOX auto focus for fast-paced shooting?

你们有计划改进SAFOX的自动对焦速度以适应快速拍摄么？

Pentax：

The AF performance of K-5 II has been improved. We are improving speed one more, and new telephoto zoom lenses, have high speed actuator and new developed algorithm, so you can you then comfortably.

自动对焦性能已经在K-5 II中得到了提高。我们又进一步的提高了速度，新开发的长焦变焦镜头中，我们使用了高速电机，和新开发的算法，因此用起来会很舒服。


PentaxForums:

The Pentax lens lineup still lacks products such as leaf shutter lenses, tilt/shift lenses, and extension tubes. Is this an area you feel important to expand?

宾得镜头产品线中还缺乏像叶片式快门镜头、移轴镜头、微距延伸套筒等。你们认为这些领域是值得扩展的么？

Pentax：

It’s important, especially for 645 series, so, we are considering.

（叶片式快门镜头或移轴镜头）确实很重要，特别是对于645系列，所以，我们在考虑这个问题。


PentaxForums：

Why is wired tethering not possible with the Pentax K-3? Do you plan to offer this feature in the future, i.e. via Image Transmitter 2?

Many users find the speed and range of the FluCard to be insufficient.

为什么没有办法在K-3上联机拍摄？你们有计划提供这个功能么？比如通过Image Transmitter 2？许多用户发现FluCard的速度不足以支持联机拍摄。

Pentax：

Image Transmitter 2 is developed for 645Z, however, some K-3 users requiring us, so, therefore, we are considering with firmware upgrading.

Image Transmitter 2是为645Z开发的，不过一些K-3用户反映了这个需求，因此我们正在考虑通过固件升级的办法来解决。


PentaxForums:

As industry trends change, do you have plans to continue pursuing more consumer imaging gadgets like the Ricoh Theta based on the market response?

由于产业趋势的变化，基于市场的反馈，你们有计划生产更多的如理光Theta的消费型影像产品么？

Pentax：

Of course, it’s important to expand the market(??) with new imaging gadgets.

当然，用新的影像数码产品来扩展市场是很重要的。


PentaxForums:

Would it be possible to leverage the SR mechanism to increase the effective resolution of a Pentax DSLR?

有可能利用宾得SR系统来提高宾得单反的有效分辨率么？

Pentax：

We have tried to increase the effective pixels with shake reduction, but dataset is big, but image quality is not improved. So, we are now trying to improve the resolution performance, without increase the effective pixels.

我们尝试过通过SR防抖技术来提高有效像素数，但是结果是数据很庞大，而图像质量并没有提高。所以我们现在做的是，在不提高像素数的情况下，提高分辨率的性能。


PentaxForums：

Do you have any comments in response to the technical feature suggestions presented by our users?

你们对我们论坛用户提交的那些技术功能上的建议有什么评论么？

Pentax：

It’s really nice to listen to the end users, because they have requests and expectations. We study carefully, and depending on the necessity of the requirement, we might consider to implement onto the firmware upgrading.

能听到最终用户的声音是非常好的，因为他们有需求和期望。我们会很认真的研究，根据所请求功能的必要性，我们可能会在将来的固件升级中实现它们。


PentaxForums：

Why has Ricoh Imaging decided to launch the full-frame DSLR now?

Can you comment on how it will stand out relative to the competition?

为什么理光映像在现在决定要推出全幅单反？您能对它将如何在竞争中脱颖而出发表一些评论么？

Pentax：

Ok, as you know, we have a lot of K-mount series lens, as well as 645 mount, so we had valued our existing customers, and we believe with this time has matured, it’s really nice time to release full-frame for whom waiting for that.

如你所知，我们有大量的K口镜头，和645卡口。我们重视这些现有用户，而且我们认为现在时机已成熟，所以现在是非常好的时机来推出全幅相机给那些等待它的人们。


PentaxForums：

How does the size of the Japanese market for Pentax and Ricoh cameras compare to international markets？

宾得和理光相机在日本市场规模和全球市场规模的比较是一种什么情况？

Pentax：

Frankly, the comparison of Japan market for Pentax Ricoh is larger than the one for the global market.

坦白的讲，宾得理光在日本的市场规模要大于全球市场。


PentaxForums：

Has the Ricoh Imaging international market share for ILC’s increased over the course of the past two years?

Which product category has been the most successful?

过去两年中，宾得理光的可换镜头相机的国际市场份额有所增加么？哪个产品是最成功的产品？

Pentax：

As you know, the market itself has really aggressively decreasing. We are facing that trouble, but we are safer than total market trend.

如你所知，市场本身在骤减，我们在面对这个问题，但是相比整个市场趋势而言，我们更安全一些。


PentaxForums：

Sony has been dominant in sensor manufacturing the last few years.

Are you seeing other manufacturers wanting to partner with Pentax?

Does Pentax see some advantages to partnering with other sensor manufacturers?

索尼近些年几乎独占了Sensor的市场。你们看到别的厂商希望与宾得合作么？宾得是否看到与其他sensor厂商合作的优势么？

Pentax：

Selection of sensor is purely for our engineers to make our product more attractive, so we are not attaching to A name brand or B name brand, so it’s merely to what kind of performance the device provide to us.

sensor的选择纯粹是为了我们工程师可以让我们的产品更有吸引力，因此我们没有固定在A品牌或B品牌身上。仅仅取决于提供于我们的设备是什么性能。


PentaxForums：

Would you like to share any closing remarks with the community?

你们愿意跟论坛说一些话作为结束语么？

Pentax：

Yeah, both of us are really thanks for this interviews. After the launching of the full-frames, everybody is exciting. So, please be happy, until the product come into your hands.

Thanks for waiting for Pentax full-frame camera for a long time. I’m glad to …(??)

One More (and Better) PS Job for the Pentax K FF

Multiple view angles and "side-by-side" against the K-3, really nice! Good job, man! :-)

Credit: Chinese Xitek Pentaxian

Sexy Pentax Korean Girls (YouTube Video)

Long ago, I reported that Pentax marketing did actually exist in Korea.

After more than a year, someone posted the video clips recorded for that event, here it is. Enjoy! ;-D



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WirmYbkTXRk

IR's Interview with Ricoh Japanse Official of Product Planning

http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/03/14/ricoh-qa-ricoh-tech-into-pentax-cameras-whither-pentax-full-frame

Old sales talks as usual and there is nothing new. Of course there is no exciting news of any at all. Things have become boring and even more boring, as time goes by! >:(

Pentax FF? Ricoh: "We Cannot Talk about It" !?

http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/cp-2014-interview-with-pentax-japan.html

Question 18: Does Ricoh Imaging plan to tackle the full-frame / professional DSLR market, and do you see cameras with full-frame sensors as something that would fit into your product lineup? Are you still developing this type of product?

Research and development into full-frame is still ongoing. We cannot talk about it yet.

Pentax Won Best Cameras of the Year 2013 for Some Recent Elections

1. http://www.dpreview.com/news/2014/01/02/best-gear-of-2013-the-results-are-in/11

Pentax internet fanboys are in action again! But the poor K-50 and K-500 received nearly no votes at all! :-o But everytime when the fanboys played hard to win a poll but then those Pentax models still won't sell well, what is the real meaning??

2. http://www.neocamera.com/article/best_cameras

It is elected that the K-50 and K-5IIs are the best DSLRs in the entry level and advanced categories.

One More Official Interview: No 135 FF in Near Future, Not Before 645D is Replaced! :-o

In a very recent interview with the same Ricoh senior official in my last blog article by a local Hong Kong photo magazine (current issue, owing to the copyright, I do not upload any image copy of the interview page here), Mr. Murano told the following:

1. The K-3 is a very strong APS-C DSLR as a result of extensive and special R&D;

2. APS-C is the mainstream of DSLR cameras;

3. The market share of 135 FF is only from 10 to 20%, versus the 80 to 90% of the APS-C market;

4. For that 10 to 20% small market segment, there are already a number of choices in the market. While they are able to make such a similar 135 FF body, it will not be of anything special. As such, they opted not to make one! :-[

5. The new 645D replacement project is now undergoing. It must happen before any RP 135 FF comes! (But isn't it that he has just said a RP 135 FF is not viable marketing wise?!)

6. They will not get rid of the name "Pentax", as "Ricoh" is a far larger company with far more businesses than Pentax and that they have no interest to make Ricoh becoming a sole camera brand! >:-o

Almost Official: 645D Replacement Model is Coming!

In a recent interview by the Japanese Impress photo magazine (Issue No. 1 of 2014) with the Chief Sales and Marketing Manager of the Japanese Ricoh Imaging, it is hinted that the 3.5 years old 645D will possibly be replaced in 2014 in due course:

http://www.impressjapan.jp/pdf/271401/1113110212free.pdf
(in Japanese, Warning: Very Large File in 30MB!)

It is asked by the editor that if something more concrete would be disclosed as early as CP+, the Ricoh official refused to respond and didn't tell anything (but just laughed). Btw, it is guessed by the magazine editorial that the 645D replacement should have a change in sensor format and they even predict that it could use a Full Size 645 sensor! Oh really?! :-o

Excellent Pentax Film Glass Revived Finally!

The link sources of the above gear images with various photo samples are listed below. In particular, the potential of the three excellent FA Limited lenses are fully released and they are now revived for makng photos as what they were original designed and why they were born! Both A7 and A7R are used for making those photos, of which the long-awaited hungry and eager old Pentaxians have rushed to buy, at all costs and at the first time!! >:-o

FA31 Ltd on A7:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyalex/sets/72157637701189436/with/11013313154/

The three FA Limited on A7:
http://forum.xitek.com/thread-564571-1-1-1.html

http://www.dchome.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1233635

FA20 and FA31 Ltd on A7R:
http://www.dchome.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1233936

FA18-35 on A7:
http://www.pentaxfans.net/thread-141628-1-1.html

Indeed, the most valuable thing for the A7/R for adapting those old K-mount film glass is that it is just so easy and direct. There is no modification of any to the lens is required! And with Sony's original MF focus peaking function, MF operation is actually quick, easy and accurate!

Update (11-30): Wow, even the old cheapo SMC-M 50mm F1.7 glass can produce images with IQ like that! See:

http://www.dchome.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1235516

This is really the FF Magic! AoV is absolutely correct and no resolution is lost (owing to cropping)! All old lenses are performing as what they were designed, even for a lens that was produced half a century ago!!


Related - My K-mount Lens FF Adapts:

This is What the Limited Lenses Should be Put Onto!

DIY: Adapting the Pentax FA*85/1.4 onto the Cantax K-5D Mark III

Sample Photos of Full Frame Fisheye and 43 Limited on 5D

Some Sample Photos with FAJ 18-35 on 5D (Full Frame)

Compatibility List of Some Pentax Full Frame Lenses on Canon 5D Body

Japanese Photoble Ricoh K-3 User Samples

The big pool of samples is here, but I am really not impressed with the IQ of those real-life user samples. In particular, the colour rendition is completely terrible, I have to say, after inspected 10 pages and more! >:-(

http://pentax.photoble.net/?page=1&camera=PENTAX+K-3