Ricoh Imaging @ the Japanese Twitter

https://mobile.twitter.com/RicohImagingSQ
(in Japanese)

May worth a look for the latest Pentax news and teasers.

The New Sony APS-C Sensor

IMX571：https://www.sony-semicon.co.jp/products/common/pdf/IMX571BQR_Flyer.pdf

26.11MP BSI CMOS @ 6.84 fps for still pictures, 12-bit 4K movie, rumoured to be used in the new next generation K-3.

DC Watch Took Photos of the New K Exhibit

https://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1208703.html (In Japanese)

Body looks a bit chunky.  And,  the top LCD seems to be not yet ready.

New K-mount APS-C DSLR Flagship is to be Announced

http://news.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/rim_info/2019/20190920_027962.html

(English Google Translation Here)



Exhibit is to be put on show starting Sept 21, i.e. tomorrow. Nice. :-) But the real product is to be marketed in 2020 - not ideal but still better than none!

Highlight on (possible) new features:

- new proximity sensor under finder, hinting at least automatic switching of the rear LCD or even an optical/electronic hybrid finder?

- new joystick for AF navigation, hinting a new and improved AF system with more AF points?

- an updated and better APS-C sensor?

- re-designed new GUI

Well, I have thought that Pentax has been dead these months but today it's good to see there is yet something new and meaningful, although it is actually rather late already.

K-1 Mark III Beta Samples Leaked?

Someone emailed me the link of this post in a Chinese Pentax forum, the samples look legitimate (it seems to be). Is the Mark III going to launch in 2019?

Limited Lens Production Video (Official)

https://youtu.be/NzuGZlFqz8A

KP Factory Custom Colour

https://www.dpreview.com/articles/0215547449/cp-2019-a-look-at-the-pentax-85mm-f1-4-and-kp-custom

KP Pentax 100th Anniversary Special Edition and DFA*85mm F1.4

..to be marketed soon (and will be on displayed at the CP+). (Source: Japanese DC Watch)

Update: The official announcement can be found here.

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.

Ricoh Booth at CP+ 2019

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/news/cpplus2019/

1st Review of the HD FA 35mm F2

https://www.yaotomi.co.jp/blog/used/2019/01/hd-pentax-fa-35mm-f2-hd-k-1.html

Side by side test against the old smc FA 35mm was done.

Lens Roadmap Updated

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

Japanese DSLR Sale Results in 2018

Number of Pentax DSLR bodies sold in the Japanese home market in 2018 was in a 3.1% share. Compared to the previous years' results (4.2% in 2017, 4.8% in 2016, 6.7% in 2015 for Pentax), this down trend should continue. :-(

PDN Ranked DR of 20 Cameras, K-1 II Ranked #9

https://www.pdnonline.com/gear/cameras/medium-format/the-best-still-cameras-for-dynamic-range-ranked/

“New” HD FA Prime

www.nokishita-camera.com/2019/01/hd-pentax-da11-18mmf28ed-dc-awhd-pentax.html

IR Tested the K-1 Mark II in the Field (Side-by-side ISO Test against the K-1, too)

https://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/pentax-k1-ii/pentax-k1-iiA.HTM#shooting2

A Practical Shootout on Pentax Fifties (including the DFA*50/1.4)

By the Japanese DC Watch

Google translated English page here.

1st Dead AF Report of the DFA*50/1.4

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4354286#forum-post-62128519

Colour Reproduction Lab Test: K-1 II Ranked #6

https://www.pdnonline.com/gear/cameras/the-best-cameras-for-color-reproduction-ranked/