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.

More "Harubeni" Samples

https://pentaxofficial.com/18197/

(in Japanese)

"Harubeni" Samples

See:  https://twitter.com/ricohimaging_jp/status/1633634970702061568?s=20

for the newly released firmwares of K-1/II, K-3 III and KF.

Btw, "Harubeni" means the red colours of Spring.

KF Full Review at DC Watch

https://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/review/newproduct/1482066.html

In Japanese, Google translated page here.

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:

More Information about the Priced Gradual ND Digital Filter (for K-1 and K-1 II)

Now it is put on sales at the Japanese Ricoh online store (Google English translation of the page Here).

It is learnt that Serial Number of the camera shall be provided for the purchase of the license key for unlocking the function. The key is not portable across different bodies and one key is solely for one unique camera body. Besides, it should be noted that product keys for the K-1 and K-1 II are different. The price of the product key (without tax) is in Japanese Yens 10k.

Upon purchase of the key, Ricoh will send the buyer a QR code which the camera will read the code to unlock the function. It says it takes from several days to one week for Ricoh to generate and send back the code to the buyer. It seems that everything is being processed manually. The worst thing is that if the consumer has entered the wrong serial number of his/her camera, Ricoh will not be responsible for it and the correct code will not be resent?! :-|

As for the operation of the function, read the Chinese article here. The working principle is also briefed in the article.

In short, the camera takes two consecutive photos according to the maximum Exposure Value  (EV) difference. The camera will then process the photos and clone them into one with the selected gradual ND pattern. And, the pattern of dark/bright sections could be set by the user. It is recommended that the user should put the camera on tripod when using this function.

The EV range could be from 0.3EV to 5EV. Some example results are as below:

(1EV Grad ND applied with less exposure at the top)

(With and without Grad ND Filter, a 3EV difference applied)

After all, how about using the camera's built-in HDR function to solve the problem, which is free of charge? ;-)

Seasonal Firmware Updates for K-1 bodies and K-3 III

https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k1.html

https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k-1-2.html

https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k-3-3.html

And, according to Pentax Rumors, further updates with new custom images by theme will be delivered quarterly.

But what I really can't understand why any Pentax user needs to have particularly lenses in order to use those new Custom Images. It doesn't make sense at all unless Pentax wanted to promote their stocked lenses with such an inferior means.

Interesting Comparison of Different Pentax Custom Images

At the Malificent Images..

The new Custom Image "Satobi" is compared side-by-side against "Flat" or "Vibrant" which is also known as "Miyabi" as mentioned in the above blog post.  The camera body used is a K-3 III.

It seems that Satobi is a colour tone that one would not use normally, but only for creating an aged and nostalgic mood and feel.

Digital Camera Utility 5.9.3 Update

Download for Windows: https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/dc_utility5_win.html

For Mac: https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/dc_utility5_mac.html

New features / improvements and debugs are made. In particular, glad that Pentax / Ricoh are still supporting the *ist D cameras, for what they mention in one of their fixed bugs. That's really nice! :-D

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.

Pentax Online Event on November 27 (at Japan)

The event will be held tomorrow at Tokyo (in Japanese):

https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/event/2021/pentax_meeting_online2021/

(in Japanese)

Here is the tentative programme and rundown for the event:

- Development stories of the D-FA 21mm F2.4 Limited including interview with the developers who will talk more about the design and application of the lens.

- The evolution of K-3 Mark III will continue. New features are to come, via new firmware and other - But what does "other" means? What's the mean to do it?

- About future PENTAX products. The person in charge of product planning will reveal something.

- Q&As - Questions are to be submitted to Pentax in advance via form.

Let's see what will be told by then.

K-3 III Firmware V1.20

Latest new version of the firmware is available for download at the following official web page:

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k-3-3.html

New version of the Image Transmitter 2 is supported, which could be downloaded here.

And, the bug for being unable to focus adjust when using the HD-DA tele-converter 1.4X is rectified.

Image Corner Blur Issue with K-3 III (Head-to-head Comparison with KP)

Have had my K-3 III for over one month now and tested it with my various DA/FA/DFA lenses (mostly primes) but there is a strange issue discovered.

It is all about the unexplainable corner (or simple off-centre) softness in the images taken with the K-3 III. To illustrate the problem, here we go with the sample set below, with a pair of images taken using my K-3 III and KP with the same lens (which is a HD-DA 40mm Limited), at almost the same time and with the same exposure parameters.

Let's see the 100% centre crops of the pair of images, which are perfect in focus. I captured also the EXIF data on screen for our easy reference (Click pictures to Enlarge):

Then, here are the left side of the images in 100% crops:

And then, here are the right side of the images in 100% crops:

This problem really drives me nuts. I really didn't expect the new flagship camera would produce much lower resolution at off-centre in images than its predecessor model of 2017. It's really much frustrating after all.

It seems that the new sensor of the K-3 III has some kinds of incompatibility with the existing Pentax lens lineup optically, which is a hardware issue but not a software one, I believe. Note that I had already turned off all the lens correction functions as well as the AA filter simulator to rule out the possibility of the issue is being caused by software or other factors.

New Firmwares for K-1/II, K-3/II, KP and K-70

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

To support better focusing operation for the three FA Limited lenses, include both the old and new versions. But it is unknown that if focusing speed and/or focusing accuracy is/are improved. I shall try it out anyway.

K-3 III Has Eye AF, Firmware is Finalised

Two Chinese Pentax users posted at the Xitek Pentax Forum that they received an early production K-3 III which is confirmed to have the Eye AF function and the firmware has already been updated to V1.0 production version since 1st of March. One tester even posted the below viewfinder snapshot to illustrate the Eye AF does work, even with a flat displayed picture like this: 

It seems that the design is ready for the new body but yet Ricoh have faced difficulties for mass production so that they could not sell the new product, since they have not yet announced the revised launch date of the K-3 III.

Besides, two screen captures of the K-3III's Info screen and its AF options are also posted:

Trick: Installing Pentax Digital Camera Utility Without the Software CD

Step 1: Find an USB drive;

Step 2: Download the Digital Camera Utility "software updater" from the below official link:

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/dc_utility5_win.html

Step 3: Copy and save the file to the root of the USB drive;

Step 4: Rename the Label of the USB drive to S-SW140;

Step 5: Click and open the Zip file, choose the 32-bit or 64-bit folder and execute the Setup;

Step 6: Install the program as if it is just a normal Setup ad complete the installation in a moment.

I hope this trick helps and could be useful to any Pentax user just in case.

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

New Firmwares of K-1/K-1 II Improve AF Performance Significantly?

Two experienced Pentax users at a Chinese Pentax forum reported (here, here and here) that the new firmwares have improved the AF performance and accuracy of their K-1 and K-1 II cameras a lot for their many different Pentax lenses and the difference has been obvious and significant.

Should this again be a hypothesis made owing to psychological effect? I would later on test myself to see if there is really any improvement as claimed. I believe that "measurbation" does help and will tell. Stay tuned. ;-)

Debug Mode Access Method for K-1 II

1. Create on SD card file "00078400.597" with "[OPEN_DEBUG_MENU]" and LF char.

2. Create on SD card file "DEVELOP.MOD" exact 10 bytes long with binary content:
For Development Menu 1-6: 07 01 2C 1F 10 03 1E 16 05 2D
For Development Menu 1-7: 07 1A 02 0A 19 18 1B 1C 05 11
Use hexeditor to enter these bytes.

3. Turn off camera, plugin this SD card. Leave card door open. Hold "menu" button and turn camera on.

Via bootcoder @ DPR Forum

The binary file by bootcoder is also made available by him here.

K-1 II has Worse IQ than K-1 and is Not Recommended by DPR

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentax-k-1-ii-review/11

I am not surprised with the conclusion for what I have inspected and found with different Mark II samples these days.