K-5 is Discontinued and K-01 Price is Dropped

Here is what is shown at the Japanese Yaotomi camera shop's K-5 page, it is described that the K-5 is discontinued and there is only limited stock of it.

However, it is checked that this is not told at the official Pentax Japan page.

On the other hand, the K-01 price has been dropped below 40,000 Japanese Yens (which is rougly equal to US$500).

So, what are all these about? Simple! That is K-5 has been phased out and the K-30 is replacing it, at least in the mean time. And, the K-01 has become the even lower end body than the already not so high end K-30. Btw, how is the PQ of the K-30 compared to the old K-5, here is yet the latest measurbation by the Yaotomi, also:-

http://www.yaotomi.co.jp/blog/walk/2012/06/pentax-k-30-pentax-k30-1.html

True Pentaxian - a Way to Prevent Us from Switching and Jumping Ship Forever! ;-)

Via DC Home (in Chinese)

K-30 Promotions (and a New K-3 Rumour)

1. Sarah Harding, an UK young singer, did PR for Pentax on the K-30:-

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2164448/Sarah-Harding-flies-flag-Britain-sexy-new-photo-campaign.html

2. In Japan, Pentax employed a young male popstar to do the job instead. Watch these YouTube videos:-

30-second long version

15-second short version

Via DSLR Maniac (Japanese)

3. Besides, there is a wild new K-3 APS-C flagship rumour at the DPR Pentax forum and it is told that the source of information is from the B&H sales staff. I hope that the poster is not mistaken or misinformed but I do hope for a Pentax FF instead anyway!

K-30 User Manual and Official Samples Uploaded

http://c758710.r10.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/support/manual/1340052607_Manual_K-30_EN.pdf

http://www.pentax.jp/japan/products/k-30/ex/index.html

It seems that the Pentax photographers like to take backlit photos btw!

Various K-30 First Tests

1. First of all, the Chinese Engadget the PhotoBlographer have reviewed the K30 hands on:-

http://chinese.engadget.com/photos/pentax-k-30-dslr-hands-on-0/5110205/
(in Chinese)

http://www.thephoblographer.com/2012/06/21/sample-images-from-the-pentax-k-30/
(with resized samples)

2. Next, here is the IR who always gave you the ISO measurbations:-

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/pentax-k30/pentax-k30A7.HTM

If you don't want to see ISO samples, here are the real world ones in Full Size!

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/pentax-k30/pentax-k30GALLERY.HTM

3. Next Next, the PhoBlographer has also done a pour test under the tap and at the sink:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evveUX2vpc0

Well, I think the K-30 is not the only camera that can be abused like that in a short period of time, someone else actually had done something similar on the K-5 previously (but yet almost no body noticed):-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mggL0Sf2jQ8

Btw, if any user really wanted to have a waterproof camera, why not just get an Optio WG or to use an underwater housing? :-o

Enjoy after all!~

Yet Another New Pentax Lens Patent (for APS-C Mirrorless)

A new 16-55mm F3.5-5.6:-



Source: http://egami.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2012-06-22 (in Japanese)

Note that the back focus of this lens is in 4.181mm this time. It seems that a new line of Pentax APS-C lenses is coming, which is possibly for the K-0x series of mirrorless. It is because for that short back focus distance, it is impossible to use these lenses for a traditional DSLR(eflex) that has a mirror.

By the way, as we see Pentax has not yet filed any new lens patent for any 135 Full Frame lens, Is our Pentax FF dream once again to be in vain? :-(


Related:-

One More Super Short Back Focus New Pentax Lens Patent (Super Slow Too!)

What If When a Pentax FF Body Really Comes (My Own Case Study)

New Pentax FF Rumour

K-5D Mark III: DA 18-55 II Converted to a 24-80 FULL FRAME Lens!

As we all knew, the DA18-55 lens (whatever version) does not cover 135 full frame image circle (and actually so do all other DA zoom lenses). Here is what we see when the lens is attached on a FF DSLR at 18mm:-


(See original post here)

Those DA zoom lenses, in 11 nos, are actually NOT compatible with 135 FF. Well, is there any technical solution and work around? Note that these days after I have posted about the new Pentax FF rumour, I've seen around in the Pentax land Pentaxians have been discussing crazily about it and one thing that is commonly raised is about the lack of Pentax FF lenses in the current lens lineup!

Now, let me announce my latest invention, the Riceh. K-5D Mk III, with built-in 1.4X magnifying glass on image circle! ;-D


(Click to Enlarge)

Then just mounted a DA18-55II onto it!


(Click to Enlarge)

Project succeeded! Now, a DFA 24-80mm F4.9-7.8 Full Frame lens is easily obtained! ;-D Look at the large samples of mine below to see is the IQ is good enough (lens was stopped down).

At the Wide Side:-

(Click to Enlarge)

At the Tele Side:-

(Click to Enlarge)

After all, I believe Pentax will market the DA 1.4 SDM Tele-Convertor very soon, so as to make all the old DA zoom lenses usable as if they were designed on the cropped sensor, and actually now can be a little bit wider, too. For example, in the above case, the original APS-C film equivalent 28mm field has become nearly a 24mm after the conversion.

People will then say now the lenses are too slow then. No problem, we all have recently learnt that Pentax is going to go down this route no matter how! :-o


Related:-

DA 18-55 on Full Frame

Compatibility of DA Lenses on Full Frame

The "Canon" 40mm FF Pancake is Here! :-D

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

K-30 Test Videos (Spot AF Speed and Continuous Shooting)

Seems to be snappy and decisive enough.



It is just a K-r, I am almost sure! Be prepared for the super vibration accompanied with the super loud sound! :-o

First Original Canon EF 40mm STM Samples (Wide Opened, on Full Frame and Full Sized)

These are the first large-sized original samples of the lens that can be seen on and download from the web, via DC Fever (in Chinese). Click the following to download the full samples:-



The above pictures were taken with a 5D Mark II, i.e., on a Full Frame body. We can see the bokeh quality and the resolution of the lens for where it is in focus. Seems not bad to me for the first impression. I might buy this lens shortly when it is available.

What If When a Pentax FF Body Really Comes (My Own Case Study)

Actually, I have been planning to get ready for a Pentax FF system for years and every time I bought a new Pentax lens I had that in mind. Well, below is the case for my current lens setup:-

1. Currently, I have 10 original Pentax primes, amongst which only the DA21 is not FF compatible, so the complete FF range is ranged from 28 to 300mm. The old "film" primes of mine include A, FA, FA Limited and FA* lenses. In addition, my existing three DA primes (namely, 35, 40 and 70) are all FF compatible (see my own samples here and here). In short, there are 9 lenses (out of 10) that can be used on FF!

2. For zooms, I still have 7 Pentax AF zooms amongst which only two DA standard zooms are not FF compatible. Other lenses are F, FA and FAJ ones and the made-up zoom range is from 17mm (fisheye) or 18mm (rectilinear) to 200mm. So, no problem again and I do have 5 FF zooms (out of 7)! :-D

3. I also have two FF tele-convertors by Kenko which is in full KAF2 compliance, i.e., with power zoom (SDM/DC) contacts.

So, all in all, I already have 14 original Pentax lenses plus two fully compatible AF tele-convertors (and also two other Sigma lenses that I rarely used, i.e., 18 lenses in total) to begin with when just overnight a Pentax FF DSLR body appears! Note that most of my lenses are AF lenses and full functions and compatibility is ensured and the focal range has been well covered. That must be really great! :-)) As for new Pentax FF lenses that are to be launched, I am sure that I will not hesitate to invest further if I can see the future of Pentax later on (but not now)!

P.S. If this time the rumour turns out to be not true and still there will be NO Pentax FF by early 2013, I think I might sell most of my Pentax gear and concentrate to build further my Canon system and make it glows. The wait should be over, for more than ten years, shouldn't it and shouldn't I?

P.S.2. I have another 13 lenses for other systems. possibly soon to be 14, when the Canon new pancake arrives!

P.S.3. How about your case? Welcome to share in reply! :-)


Related:-

Compatibility of DA Lenses on Full Frame

Two Major Meanings of Full Frame - Choice of Shallower DoF and Most Optical Quality from (FF) Lenses

Old Question: Will there be a Pentax Full Frame DSLR?