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.

Why Pentax Has Failed at Mirrorless?

See what PetaPixel says about the failure of Pentax in the mirrorless market, despite the efforts paid in the past two decades.

By the way, for what PP has listed out for the 37 interchangeable lens digital cameras wich Pentax has ever produced, I have bought more than one-third of all the models as follows:

From 2003 to 2021: My Pentax APS-C bodies acquired: *ist D/DS/DL2, K-100D, K-m, K-x, K-r, K-5, KP and K-3III, total 10 out of the 29 models produced.

From 2011 to 2014: I bought the original Q and the Q7, hence 2 out of 4.

From 2016 to 2021: I got the K-1, but I don't think Pentax has really produced 2 full-frame bodies as the K-1 II actually is just a mild variant of the original K-1.

From 2010 to 2014: I purchased the 645D, 1 out of 2 for the medium format bodies.

So, I acquired a total of 14 Pentax models out of the 37 that they have produced.

Besides what PP has mentioned about the causes the failure, which I generally agree with, I think from the user's perspective and practical point of view, the K-01 and the Q series failed in two major ways, which are the lack of EVF and fast Wi-Fi support. I consider that these are basic essential features nowadays, especially for mirrorless cameras and for easy social media sharing on-the-go. All in all, the external LCD monitor is really rather difficult to view under bright light environment outdoor. Without an EVF, it is indifferent to shoot blindly and composition and shooting have become rather difficult with such handicapped mirrorless cameras.

K-3 III and GR T-shirts (by UNIQLO)

by UNIQLO..

Ricoh Imaging Business Strategy Update (March 15)

Ricoh Imaging Japan gave a briefing about their latest business strategy on cameras and products on March 15. The following presentation screenshot refers:

All in all, the interchangeable lens business will be "re-launched" whilst the 360 business will fade out. Ricoh will focus more in industrial / professional optical and related products and components in more areas such as those in the automation and innovative technology areas.

Nonetheless, it would be interesting to see how they could "re-launch" the Pentax lineups, actually I would say *revive* instead, IMHO.

DA*300 has Become the Lens of a Mini-satellite

See this official press release:

https://news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info/2022/20220311_031667.html

This Pentax lens was chosen because of its full metal barrel construction as well as its high resolution but yet compact size. By the way, the lens contributes to almost half of the size of the Japanese mini-satellite named "Kitsune", which was launched to the space via an US rocket in February this year.

Ricoh to Abandon Sales Distribution and to Stop Mass Production for Pentax

See what PetaPixel reports. And, their quoted official Ricoh source is here (in Japanese, Google English translation here).

After all, it seems that Pentax the brand is diminishing.. :-(

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.

The K-3 III Variants

 

Accordingly to this "confidential" diagram, there are six variants of the K-3 III to come. The first one is a deep-black coloured body, the second one is with a modified shutter release button for a different touch, the third one is a monochrome model, the fourth one is a MF model (maybe with a MF focusing screen?), the fifth one is a gun-metal coloured body, and the last one is an astro-model with a modified sensor filter for astro-photography.

Btw, it was also told by Ricoh officially in their recent local marketing event that there will be no new Pentax full frame body in the near future and the K-1 II will still be the current model for the time being.