Polish Optyczne Fully Tested the K-s1

http://www.optyczne.pl/289.1-Test_aparatu-Pentax_K-S1_Wst%C4%99p.html
(in Polish)

Seems not bad IQ, but does it really have market? What's special actually? Flashy LEDs?? :-o

The Camera Store's Best and Worst Cameras of the Year

645Z and K-s1 are mentioned..

Some Recent Pentax Reviews - Q-s1 and HD 16-85

1. A Q-s1 Unboxing and Review (Traditional Chinese):-

http://pentaxfans.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=149104

Sample photos and ISO crops test are posted, which are self-explanatory.

2. HD 16-85 Test Review (Japanese):

http://news.mapcamera.com/KASYAPA.php?itemid=26117&catid=281

The colour rendition seems different, not that Pentax tasted anymore. No sure about it's the problem of the K-3 or the new lens, or both?!

3. Yet Another HD 16-85 Test (Japanese):

http://www.yaotomi.co.jp/blog/walk/2014/11/-isuien-garden-2014-hd-pentax-da-16-85mm-f35-56ed-dc-wr.html

New Ricoh Patent - Adjustable Translucent Mirror

http://egami.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2014-11-27
(in Japanese)

Light transmission rate is adjustable from 50 to 100%, i.e., reflective rate is from 50 to 0%.

8th Anniversary of This Blog

Pentax the brand is declining, the Pentax cyberspace as well as the user-base are both shrinking than ever before. In fact, Ricoh does not treasure Pentax the brand in any sense nor they do put something real onto the market. There is not any exciting news nor any new products or real gear tests that worth reporting. The future of Pentax is so dark, frankly. Could this Blog reach ten years and beyond when Pentax the brand still exists or there is yet something Pentax related worth mentioning? I don't know really.. But I am not optimistic afterall! >:(

Yet Another Sensor Benchmark Other Than DxOMark - SensScore

http://www.senscore.org/

Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax digital camera bodies are tested, further categorised by Full Frame or APS-C. Unfortunately, the FF Pentax is dimmed out, since there is yet no FF Pentax DSLR body of any up till now.

The published scores do look to be more sensible than those of the DxO results as resolution is now measured and at every ISO. However, the detailed formulas are not disclosed, unlike what DxoLabs have done, unfortunately.

Chinese ZOL Marks DA*50-135/2.8 Lens Discontinued

The largest online electronics gear site, ZOL, has marked the DA*50-135 lens is already discontinued:



A quick check to the DA*16-50/2.8 lens yet shows that it is still in production, on the other hand. So, what does this mean? :-O

IQ Shootout: 645Z Vs D810 Vs 5D3

http://info.xitek.com/product/201411/12-164898.html
(in Simplified Chinese)

Side by side 100% crops on different Field-of-View can be found here, here and here. The lenses used for the tests and respective settings are also remarked.

K-3 is an "Old Model" with Limited Stock at Amazon?

Source: http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-K-3-SLR-Camera-MODEL/dp/B00FKLQ0LW

K-3 discontinued already and replacement is coming??

Frustrated Pentaxians

Go read yourself for those frustrating stories..

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3743352

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54699218

Ricoh Markets the DA16-85mm Lens

http://us.ricoh-imaging.com/camera-lenses/HD_PENTAX_DA_16-85mm_f3.5-5.6_ED_DC_WR

Whilst I think this lens is nice for APS-C, it comes just too late and the trend has already been over, frankly. And still, I don't like the red ring. It looks just so odd and ugly, no special character of one's own. Red ring means Canon, it's just too symbolic to be overridden! :-(

K-s1 DxOMark is Out

http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Pentax/K-S1

Worst than the 16M Pentax bodies? But it has more pixel counts. So, if this benchmark is just not practical enough, you can see some real-world tests and samples, for instance, below:

http://www.yaotomi.co.jp/blog/walk/2014/09/pentax-k-s1-review-first.html

http://www.yaotomi.co.jp/blog/walk/2014/09/-pentax-k-s1-review-second.html

http://www.yaotomi.co.jp/blog/walk/2014/10/-2014-pentax-k-s1-review-third.html

(in Japanese)

Or, if the colour depth is yet not enough, Pentaxians can yet get more colours of the body, look at these! ;-D

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/campaign/20141023/

K-3 Debug Mode and Menu

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/273233-pentax-k-3-debug-menu-fyi.html

The K-3 Debug Mode

This is how you enter:

Create 2 files in the root of SD card (Make sure your computer shows the file endings, i.e .txt, .PEF, . JPG etc)

00077760.502
DEVELOP.MOD

Open and add the text [OPEN_DEBUG_MENU] to the first file.

Insert the SD card in slot 1 and turn on the camera without closing the card door.

Enable Debug Mode and press OK. You can now remove the files.

In the Menus, before the C1-menu, you now will find a hidden menu.

Someone entered the Debug Mode has found the way to change the language of the camera menu which was originally locked, here. That must be great! :-D




Update: A more detailed step-by-step instruction with screen captures can be found here (originally in Traditional Chinese, Google Translated to English).

Ricoh Announces WG-30W and WG-30 Rugged Compacts

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/9007370912/ricoh-announces-wg-30w-and-wg-30-rugged-compacts

The "W" version has the built-in WiFi, the first "in-house" (non-OEM) Ricoh camera that have it, still good because very late is better than none! :-) NFC is still lacking, though, unfortunately. Moreover, do also note that the WG-30s do not have any GPS receiver built-in, which is really not good for an adventure camera which it is meant to be.

What Are These Lenses?

What are these big and bulky lenses? :-O Still, I hate the UGLY Ricoh red rings! >:-|

Tentative: HD PENTAX-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6ED DC WR

http://news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info2/2014/20140916_005812.html

Ricoh Watches

WG Watches: http://news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info/2014/20140911_005805.html

Other Ricoh Watches: http://store.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/c/c3916/



Ricoh now becomes Seiko? :-o

New Ricoh WG-M1

http://www.us.ricoh-imaging.com/digital-camera/WG-M1_orange

The monitor is way too small IMHO, it is of the same size of my ancient Optio 330, i.e., in 1.5"?! :-o

It *seems* to have built-in WiFi connectivitiy, though, as the specifications does not mention this but just in the product highlights. That is, the first camera of Ricoh Pentax that have this useful and handy function, and a Fuck-card should not be required anymore! :-D

Official K-s1 Promotional Video

Official K-s1 Full Samples (3648 x 5472 Original JPEGs)

http://www.ricoh-imaging.fr/media/e1c686efa043d7d91344a93659c9e8b1/

http://www.ricoh-imaging.fr/media/a2bf009fb00aedeba9b0efa366960a9b/

Warning: Very LARGE Files! 

More Samples @: http://www.ricoh-imaging.fr/fr/reflex-numeriques/photos/samples/PENTAX-K-S-1.html

(Click the link near the bottom per picture page to download full size image.)

Re-birth of the Film KS-1, aka Ricoh XR-6! :D

Source: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ricoh/ricoh_xr-6/ricoh_xr-6.htm

K-s1 Demo Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx-b3yanwOc

More K-s1 Images (with DA40XS and DA40LE) and Size Comparison with K-01 and K-3

Click to Enlarge.

K-s1 High Resolution Product Images

Click to Enlarge. Now, you can have a closer look with a magnifying glass! :-D

New K-3 Firmware V1.11

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k3_s.html

Changes to V1.11

• Corrected – When shooting image after using the Built-in flash, Exif data of shutter speed is not updated on Version 1.10.
• Added automatic reset function when detecting rarely occur abnormal motion of the sequence.
  (When automatic reset function is operated, latest setting will be reset)
*Contents of [Version 1.10] and earlier version will be also updated.

Frankly, I really don't completely understand what is updated and what's new. Fix an EXIF tag bug and an auto-reboot function when something goes wrong? :-o

12 Colour Versions of the Pentax K-s1

Via: Digital Versus and Les Numeriques

My special thanks to Blog readers sazon3 and Mistral75 for the links and alerts.

Now, I like the outlook of the camera more, at least not hating it, call me emotional if you like! ;-D And also, at least now there is not a Ricoh logo on the body which is really disgusting as it is seen on the back of the K-3, I have to say! >:-(

As for the size of this new K-s, I think it is comparable to the previous smallest Pentax DSLR body ever, the Pentax *ist DL2, which I also have. But it will not be heavier, I believe. Modern camera bodies should become lighter and lighter, when quality and weight are both sucked out by the manufacturers at the same time! ;-P


Read Also:

Colour Rendition Shootout: 6M CCD Vs 16M CMOS - *ist DL2 Vs K-5

Pentax Forums Disclosed K-s1 Specs and Two More Body Pictures (More Colours)

http://www.pentaxforums.com/articles/pentax-news-rumors/pentax-ks-1-specifications-leaked.html

• 20MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
• ISO range: 100-51,200
• LCD: 3", 921k dots
• Shake reduction
• 1080/30p video with stereo mic
• D-Li109 battery (shared with K-r, K-30, K-50, and K-500)
• Dimensions: 120 x 92.5 x 69.5mm

New Pentax K-s1

Source: Japanese Digicame Info


Utter ugly, silly and toyish look! It's indeed a stupid design for this appearance!! OMG!!! >:( 

Update: This new body will be small, comparable to the Canon EOS100D, but not considerably smaller. Look:



Source: Japanese Twitter

New Q Lens Patents (F2.8 Tele Zoom Macro and F1.8 Tele Prime)

http://lovepentax.blogspot.com/2014/05/06-telephoto-zoom-macro.html



http://lovepentax.blogspot.com/2014/05/pentax-09-telephoto-prime-lens.html



All Q lenses are designed for 1/1.7" sensors for their image circle, of course, which seems to be the maximum size of a sensor that can be put into any Q body.

Speaking of lens patents, RP has yet got another new lens patent of an ultra-wide lens used with 43 sensors, but what 43 camera and system they have? So, this is mysterious:

http://egami.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2014-08-10



N.B. All the original links above are in Japanese.

K-50 Big Price Cut at Adorama

See what Photocritic refers:

http://photocritic.org/deals-on-the-pentax-k-50-with-adorama/

A free 200FG flash and a 16GB SD card will be complimented. Note that the code you enter during checkout could be either "PENTAXJUNE" or "SUMMERSALE".

Btw, it seems that something new is coming, or the K-mount line is to be discontinued! ;-P

New Phase Detection Method and Patent by Using the SR System

http://dc.nphoto.net/news/2014-07/28/aee3821ee9506bf2.shtml
(in Chinese)

The New Q is Named the Q-S1

http://digicame-info.com/2014/07/qq-s1.html
(in Japanese)

Probably, this is just a Q7 with an original Q shell in a different painted dress, i.e., a 1/1.7" sensor inside. As an original Q user, I am sure that I will not buy one. The colour game of Pentax and Ricoh is just a history for me and I am sure I shall not buy a new Pentax camera anymore for the sake of its colour and appearance, unless Ricoh yet produces something real in the future, which they have not done that for long! >:(

RP Closes Canada Sevice Centre and Outsources Service

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3706129

New HD PENTAX-D FA645 28-45mm F4.5 ED AW SR

http://digicame-info.com/2014/07/pentax-64528-45mm-f45-1.html
(in Japanese)

A New Q is Coming

http://digicame-info.com/2014/07/pentax-q2.html
(in Japanese)

Will be called a Q2 or Q-S1.

Sigma Art 18-35/1.8 K-mount Version Field Tested with Full Samples

http://www.yaotomi.co.jp/blog/used/2014/06/sigma-18-35mm-f18-dc-hsm--art--review.html
(in Japanese)

Ricoh Pentax has Got a New Colour!

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/1093365305/ricoh-announces-pentax-k-3-prestige-edition

"Note: The camera body’s features and specifications are identical with those of the standard model, except for the firmware"

Well done, Ricoh! Bravo, great job!! Please keep it up and give us more colours of the K-3!!! >:-(

K-3 New Firmware 1.10 Diffraction Reduction Before Vs After Test

http://www.nphoto.net/news/2014-07/17/1eacb1337aaccb89.shtml
(in Simplified Chinese)

The test picture crops are with f-stops marked. Left side ones are with new firmware, with diffraction reduction enabled. Right side ones are with the last firmware of version 1.03.

It seems that at very large apertures, image sharpness is affected somehow. But reversely, at mid to small apertures, sharpness does have been improved. Anyway, I blog, you measurbate and then decide! ;-)

Nonetheless, if you are a K-3 user and would like to update and try, the official firmware download link is as follows:

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k3_s.html

New Pentax XG-1, 52X Zoom, 1/2.3" BSI Sensor

http://photorumors.com/2014/07/14/pentax-xg-1-camera-to-replace-the-previous-x5-model/

645Z Sand+Water Test

New K-3 and 645Z Firmwares Coming

See: http://digicame-info.com/2014/06/k-3-12.html

The above page is in Japanese, Google translation into English can be found here.

In short, new firmwares will offer new software function on "diffraction elimination", like which already implemented by the Fuji for their latest X-series bodies, In addition, the effect of the so-called "occasional" K-3 mirror-flapping issue is minimised, for what is told.

A HD 1.4X Unboxing and Test with Cropped/Comparison Samples

http://www.pentaxfans.net/thread-146196-1-1.html

By a Taiwan Pentax user and the above post is in Traditional Chinese.

Most of the test pictures posted are self-explanatory, though. Just browse through the page and inspect yourself and find out all the differences, if you can see any!

Btw, I am impressed with the IQ of this converter, at least on a cropped sensor. This TC is rather expensive, anyway. If it is confirmed to be FF compatible, I would not hesitate to invest. But as all the other Pentax stuff nowadays, not to even mention about their rareness and the lack of new models (there are only a few each year), the problem to buy is only about the lack of faith, frankly. It is all because we cannot see the future nor the direction of the brand, which has been rather unclear for years now! >:-(

645Z Japanese Price

http://kakaku.com/item/K0000644276/
(in Japanese)

777110 Japanese Yens, which means it sells at less than $7500 in US Dollars.

New 645Z Full Sample Images (Not Official)

http://www.pdnonline.com/gear/Pentax-645Z-Medium-F-11034.shtml

Click below links to download. Warning: Very LARGE Files!

1. http://www.pdnonline.com/static/content_images/Pentax_645Z_Food_Test.jpg

2. http://www.pdnonline.com/static/content_images/Pentax_Model_test_1.jpg

3. http://www.pdnonline.com/static/content_images/Pentax_645Z_model_test_2.jpg

Not Official: Pentax K-3 Mirror Flop "Fix" from Ricoh

http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/k-3-mirror-flop-fix-from-ricoh.html

"Thank you for contacting RICOH.
We have been informed that there is now a shop adjustment that can be made to help resolve/reduce the reported K-3 "mirror-flop" issue. I recommend you return your camera directly to RICOH Imaging Company at the address listed below for examination."

Only Pentax is Not Supported but All Other Major Camera Systems

http://www.nissindigital.com/i40_spec.html

"For Canon, Nikon, Sony DSLR System, 4/3 & Fujifilm mirrorless System"

Ony Pentax is not supported and Nissin had no interest to make a Pentax variant for their products! The reason behind must be sound..

Congrats, Pentax! It is noted that Leica is also not supported and hence Pentax has succeeded to become a Leica! That must be great and a really good news for Pentaxians! :-o

Sigma 18-35 F1.8 Art in Pentax K-Mount to be On Sale on June 20

http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/new/new_topic.php?id=664
(Announcement in Japanese.)

It seems that Sigma, as a 3rd party lens maker (and that Pentax as the least popular DSLR brand), still produces and markets far more exciting new lenses in K-mount than the original maker Pentax herself. The Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art is a really good example, which is even a high-end 135 FF lens but not selling very dear. In fact, Pentax still has no FF DSLR body of any actually. So, this Sigma lens is still a waste when it is mounted on any Pentax APS-C body! :-(

Besides, the HSM motor of Sigma does have far better reputation than the original SDM of Pentax, too! The Saten Super-easy Die Motor is a contemporary shame of Pentax and it pollutes the Star name for the top-of-the-line Pentax lenses which represented excellent quality and reliability for years for decades in the past! >:(

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

Pentax "Negative" Reports Today

Stuck K-3 Vertical Grip: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3679291

HD 20-40 IQ Not Good, 4 copies found the same, i.e., still bad: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3677497

HD 20-40 actually not supporting FF: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3680694

Yet another Pentaxian switched: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3679693

Okay, after all these "negative" news, here is a better one: The originally much overpriced DA560 now has its price cut quite significantly: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3680108

Yes, all these news are read from the front page of the DPR Pentax forum, which I have not visited for long actually.

Secret New Lens Lineup in K-mount?

The K-mount lens roadmap has silently been updated the day before:

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/images/K_Mount_Lens.pdf

It can be seen a new 70-200mm (roughly) Star lens in an unknown line newly appears. It is not a DA* lens because if it is a DA* its name should have been shown as the names of the other new DA lenses that are already shown there.

However, this might be another vapour or paper-ware that we need to wait for another year as it is the thing that we would see in 2014 or later. And, it does not even have the very basic information of the lens including its exact focal range and aperture. And, is it yet an APS-C lens or in 135 Full Frame? Shall we know? But When?

645Z is to be On Sale on June 27 at Japan

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/645z/

DA70 Limited, FA77 Limited, and A*85 are of the Same Gene

First, have a look on these optical construction:

DA70/2.4:


FA77/1.8:


A*85/1.4:


So, the optical design of FA77 and A*85 are very close enough, with the same 7 elements in 6 group configuration. It is quite obvious that the FA77 is a miniature of the A*85, only with some minor modifications. And then the DA70 is yet another simplified version of the FA77, with one close-to-rear element omitted. So, everything are of the same Pentax gene actually. Indeed, when I first used my DA70 on my Pentax DSLR, I did feel the extraordinary film taste of it for its very good 3d feel and colour rendering, unlike other DA lenses that I may not that like.


Reference Links:

http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/primes/short-tele/index.html

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/2959-fa-85mm-f-1-4-vs-limited-77mm-f-1-8-a.html#post23940

Pentax DA 1.4X TC Review by PF

http://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/pentax-da-14x-aw-af-rear-converter/introduction.html

As usual, those test images by PF guys are somewhat crappy as photos. However, these are good enough for the readers to judge on the image quality and all the differences, if any, when compared with other products. Do bear in mind to judge on the test samples yourself but not rely totally on the words made with their comments nor even with the ridiculous high marks given by them, which should be the better way to go for getting more meaningful conclusions of yours. :-D

645Z Official English Promotional Video

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

Hope this won't bore you! ;-D

SDM Still Sucks!

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53455111

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53621691

Seven years lapsed since the first SDM lens was born. However, the complaints from SDM users never ended and the brand name suffers. Well, is it really so difficult to cure such a design problem? Oh really?? >:-(

K-3 IR Review

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/pentax-k3/pentax-k3A.HTM

Same as what DPR said, colour inaccuracy is below average and is yet a problem.

Performance wise, the K-3 is slow in shutter lag, which is close to 1/10 second fastest, and is actually worse than that of the original K-7/K-5.

Using Dual Card Slots of K-3 Means Half Writing Speed (i.e., 2X Slower)

See this quick test:

http://www.pentaxfans.net/thread-144953-1-1.html
(in Traditional Chinese, Google English translation here.)

The two SD cards used by that K-3 owner is a high-speed Sandisk Extreme SDHC UHS-I 32GB, both are of the same model and identical.

Bad Colour Response of the K-3 (and my Possible Solution)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentax-k-3/12#Colour

DPR couldn't find an acceptable better setting even though they had tried their best to fiddle around with many in-camera colour settting parameters but in vain.

However, there might be a workaround I previously found out and proposed. I don't know if it could work for the K-3 or as it is notorious that the K-3 had even worse colour response than the K-5. But if you are a K-3 user, you can try anyway and tell me your results when my settings are applied:

My Best Optimal Custom Image (Colour) Setting Combination for the Later Pentax Digital Bodies

As for that crappy JPEG engine and sharpening issue, I think there is not much to do and deal with unless RAW is shot.

645Z Announced

http://www.camera-pentax.jp/645z/en/sp/

http://www.camera-pentax.jp/645z/en/sp/passion.html

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/645z/spec/

645Z Specifications

• 52.99MP CMOS without AA filter (51.4Mp effectively, 8265 x 6192 pixel)
• ISO 100 - 204,800
• SAFOX11 AF system, 27 point (25 cross type), LW -3 - +18
• 3.2" LCD screen: 3:2 ratio, 1,037,000 dots
• LiveView, contrast AF, focus peaking
• TTL metering with 86k RGB sensor
• 3fps in JPEG L up to approx. 300 frames
• Full HD video (1920x1080), 4K in intervall mode
• USB3.0
• Official announcement on April 14th
• US price: $8,496.95

Via: Photo Rumors

645Z Appearance

Via: Digicame Info (in Japanese)

A pair of stereo built-in microphones can be seen. So, it must have the video recording function.