Here is a poll on the above topic:-
http://www.dcfever.com/polling/index.php?id=45
(Page is in traditional Chinese, use Babelfish to translate if needed)
The selected five models from the five DSLR brands are closest in the street prices and actually are targeted for the same market segment. They are actually very representative for what an average beginner would consider and could get for such a cheaply priced DSLR and kit set.
The number of votes made within the month is actually not small, in a total of 3,242 votes for the period, and thus the final results obtained are quite representative and self-speaking for what the mass market would think and opt.
Yet again, Pentax came last in the poll with their K200D, even the small frame sensor format Olympus E-420 won slightly (but both the shares are low). People do like the D60 and the A350 most, whereas the EOS 1000D still got a considerably large share, even though it came third.
So, there must be some "good" reasons for people didn't and don't choose the Olympus and Pentax, in both there should be some real bad things that are obvious. For the Olympus case, the main disadvantage is simply just all about the 4/3 system, namely, problems caused by the small sensor format such as poorer higher ISO performance, less dynamic range, just too much DoF, smaller and dim viewfinder, very limited choice of lens and poor availability plus the high risk involved in the investment on such a lens system. For Pentax case, it may not be as obvious, as all the competitors' offers are all APS-C DSLRs also. So, what makes the differences? In fact, they are also quite obvious, namely:-
1. Pentax just do not have a big name as Canon, Nikon and Sony do in the eyes of most average customers, especially for those who are new to DSLR photography;
2. Pentax K200D is obviously much bigger and bulkier than all other offers in the same price range, which in fact is just a major con which hurts much the sales of the K200D. This is just a very poor marketing decision made by Pentax afterall of which they just put a stone to throw on their own feet - when the first impression to the potential customers is bad and in fact it is just highly undesirable to have such a bulky and heavy entry level DSLR for most people for their practical daily use. The case is even made worst when AA batteries are inserted into the K200D which just make an operatable camera to be even much heavier;
3. Pentax do not have a pro grade DSLR model in their lineup, nor, they have neither a Full Frame body nor lens system which Canon, Nikon and Sony all have - when there is no true flagship and a bright future ahead, people just don't choose such a system, even those most of those people would never buy such a flagship - simple marketing reasoning again;
4. The specifications of the K200D is the weakest: Ridiculously small frame buffer for continuous shooting, and a slower shooting rate as well, ancient type metering system (and indeed the actual performance is inferior also, not just on paper), no Live View and so on. But then, some Pentax fanboys would start to argue (forever) that the K200D is weather sealed. Yes, it is. BUT, so what? .. as long as there is not a kit lens that is weather sealed! So, what's the point of making an entry level body weather sealed (which just made the camera body to be larger and increased the manufacturing cost)? Did Pentax be just so silly to expect and hope that those beginners would buy a DA* lens which is doubled the price of a K200D body alone as a "startup" kit?? In short, it is just of no marketing sense at all, or just even no common sense!
5. In fact, the K200D has virtually no innovation of any kind at all! This holds true somehow for the EOS 1000D as well. But then the 1000D is yet already miles ahead of the K200D in terms of those more updated features and technology used, such as Live View with Live Histogram and Live AF, etc. The D60 has an innovative sensor cleaning system that can be useful (which Pentax also had a similar patent but have never been able to implement it in any model yet, anyway).
Well, some Pentax fanboys will surely yet again to bash me for being "too negative" or whatsoever. But when sadly the situation is just like that and when Pentax is lagging behind in the competition all the time and the majority of consumers don't choose Pentax, what can I do? (Even though I am always trying to make some good suggestions for them) And also, when Pentax don't think how to upkeep themselves in the game and improve and don't listen much as well..
Just remember that: "The market tells the difference(s)"(!), which is just something that universally holds true..
• News about Products and Latest Company Direction
• Summaries of Reported Problems and Potential Issues
• Technical Articles on Photographic Gear and Technologies
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Pentax Forbade Use of CR-V3 Batteries in the K200D
Lately, I found that there have been some K200D users reported on the Internet that CR-V3 batteries could not be used in the K200D. So, I started a new thread at the PentaxForums to confirm about the case and seek more additional information:-
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/32368-can-k200d-use-ordinary-cr-v3-lithiums.html
Thanks to the PentaxForums user chanthon, who is a K200D owner, who kindly posted a series of photos which showing the physical layout (restriction) of the K200D battery compartment as well as what will happen when CR-V3 batteries are inserted (brand and type regardless), see directly this and this posts of his for the useful photos.
So, now that Pentax have totally forbidden the use of CR-V3 batteries in the K200D, both disposable Lithium and rechargeable Li-ion types as well (and of course), the battery choices of the K200D are now limited only to the Energizer AA Lithiums (at around 1.7V when new and 1.4V when old) and Ni-MH type (with typical nominal voltage of 1.25V when fully charged and will drop to below 1V eventually or under sudden larger current drain).
Still, since the K200D was marketed a few months ago, there have been various users reported problems with their Ni-MH batteries for the battery problems they found and the short battery life issues, as usual (but of course)! In fact, those new users would not expect it could be so problematic just with the batteries. I would not list those user reports here furthermore as those could be easily found in the Internet and I have been so tired to list those and hate to do so as well - the issue has been there for nearly five years now, since the first Pentax DSLR market, the *ist D - a 2003 model.
With the super stubbornness of Pentax in keeping a "AA battery" DSLR whilst at the same time they do not find an effective solution to a real problem but just make the case worse and worse, their products could never succeed but in contrast, this would just only give new buyers poor impressions about Pentax for those who are really bugged.
I just wish to ask again (and again) that: What actually is the point to keep using old battery technology which is outdated and problematic, uncontrollable for Pentax for what the type (and hence characteristic) of the batteries the users use. Even though now the K200D users are forced to use Ni-MH batteries as the only usable rechargeable type in their cameras, the battery issue indeed persists. I can't see there is any real advantage (not even one) for the Ni-MH batteries in a DSLR but all are just disadvantages: heavy and bulky, sensitive to cold weather, not enough voltage and power, less total energy deliverable, variable discharge characteristics and quick self-discharge (Eneloop or alike would be better but they are *still* Ni-MHs and are just not as good as Lithium-ions). Whilst other camera manufacturers have abandoned the use of AA batteries for so many years and no one else ever used this so-outdated battery technology and solution in any DSLR ever made except Pentax ones, why Pentax needed to insist, on such a unwise and indeed stupid choice? Now that even CR-V3 cannot be used in the K200D, it just makes the situation worst than ever (non there is no sign of any for their power supply circuit in their DSLRs has been improved to give stabler power supply! - which is rather difficult indeed owing to the limitations of the old technology, as I've stated above).
If they just opted to use a Li-ion battery solution in the K200D, I am sure the camera could be made smaller, with a more stable and reliable battery performance, and a higher overall camera performance as well. Afterall, they stupid choice and unexplainable stubbornness just failed their product which could be more competitive if they could just do it to remove at least one of their long-lasting and infamous issues of their DSLRs.
Read Also: When 1100mAh Li-ion RCR-V3s Outperform 2500mAh+ NiMH AAs
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/32368-can-k200d-use-ordinary-cr-v3-lithiums.html
Thanks to the PentaxForums user chanthon, who is a K200D owner, who kindly posted a series of photos which showing the physical layout (restriction) of the K200D battery compartment as well as what will happen when CR-V3 batteries are inserted (brand and type regardless), see directly this and this posts of his for the useful photos.
So, now that Pentax have totally forbidden the use of CR-V3 batteries in the K200D, both disposable Lithium and rechargeable Li-ion types as well (and of course), the battery choices of the K200D are now limited only to the Energizer AA Lithiums (at around 1.7V when new and 1.4V when old) and Ni-MH type (with typical nominal voltage of 1.25V when fully charged and will drop to below 1V eventually or under sudden larger current drain).
Still, since the K200D was marketed a few months ago, there have been various users reported problems with their Ni-MH batteries for the battery problems they found and the short battery life issues, as usual (but of course)! In fact, those new users would not expect it could be so problematic just with the batteries. I would not list those user reports here furthermore as those could be easily found in the Internet and I have been so tired to list those and hate to do so as well - the issue has been there for nearly five years now, since the first Pentax DSLR market, the *ist D - a 2003 model.
With the super stubbornness of Pentax in keeping a "AA battery" DSLR whilst at the same time they do not find an effective solution to a real problem but just make the case worse and worse, their products could never succeed but in contrast, this would just only give new buyers poor impressions about Pentax for those who are really bugged.
I just wish to ask again (and again) that: What actually is the point to keep using old battery technology which is outdated and problematic, uncontrollable for Pentax for what the type (and hence characteristic) of the batteries the users use. Even though now the K200D users are forced to use Ni-MH batteries as the only usable rechargeable type in their cameras, the battery issue indeed persists. I can't see there is any real advantage (not even one) for the Ni-MH batteries in a DSLR but all are just disadvantages: heavy and bulky, sensitive to cold weather, not enough voltage and power, less total energy deliverable, variable discharge characteristics and quick self-discharge (Eneloop or alike would be better but they are *still* Ni-MHs and are just not as good as Lithium-ions). Whilst other camera manufacturers have abandoned the use of AA batteries for so many years and no one else ever used this so-outdated battery technology and solution in any DSLR ever made except Pentax ones, why Pentax needed to insist, on such a unwise and indeed stupid choice? Now that even CR-V3 cannot be used in the K200D, it just makes the situation worst than ever (non there is no sign of any for their power supply circuit in their DSLRs has been improved to give stabler power supply! - which is rather difficult indeed owing to the limitations of the old technology, as I've stated above).
If they just opted to use a Li-ion battery solution in the K200D, I am sure the camera could be made smaller, with a more stable and reliable battery performance, and a higher overall camera performance as well. Afterall, they stupid choice and unexplainable stubbornness just failed their product which could be more competitive if they could just do it to remove at least one of their long-lasting and infamous issues of their DSLRs.
Read Also: When 1100mAh Li-ion RCR-V3s Outperform 2500mAh+ NiMH AAs
Netscape Has Died under the "Big Wheel" of History
AOL made an announcement on the official end of the Netscape browsers, on the 1st of March this year.
Whilst this is a somehow sobbing news to me as I have been a long-time supporter of the Netscape Browser (and their "Composer" as well) since the birth of their first browser Netscape 1.0 in 1994, which was indeed a big innovation or could be considered as a somewhat ground-breaking invention when the "http" was born.
In the past, Internet users accessed to the Internet solely with Unix platforms and machines and thus so did the software applications used. At that time, every users needed to learn and know some basic Unix commands to carry the tasks they wanted and remembered the commands for common protocols or application programs such as those for emails, ftp, reading newsgroups/Gopher directories, IRC (subsequently killed by the ICQ and now the Netmeeting or Yahoo messenger etc.) and so on.
However, by facing the injustice competition by the Microsoft over the years and some other reasons (which I'll state below), Netscape has been bitten more and more for their market share for web browsers. The loss of market is not solely owing to the threats imposed by the MS, but also the repeated mistakes taken by Netscape themselves. As I downloaded each of their new releases for the Netscape browsers and tried/used them, I knew very well about their browsers that the latter versions had been full of bugs and they were less and less reliable and were unstable. Sometimes, even the setup procedures were troublesome and the setup programs were written in an unthoughtful way (maybe the beta testings were not done so completely). In fact, I have been felt that Netscape had never been able to think how to make an easier-to-use piece of software so as o upkeep with the IE but yet had all the powerful and most updated features without sacrifying stability and compatibility - that was what Mozilla and Firefox have been able to do and succeeded finally, but just in recent years.
If Netscape could do some kind of revolution, which is clear-cut and effective but not too late, they would not have an end story like that now. Fortunately, it passes all the good stuff to Firefox before it dies and the Firefox does inherit most of the good stuff whereas most of the instability and unexplainable bugs and annoyances have been removed and the user interface is greatly simplified and it is straight forward and easy to use for most users whereas powerful and new innovative features are continue to be introduced. In fact, the Firefox looks prettier and smarter than the later versions of Netscape also. So, I think the Firefox team must have put a lot of efforts on their new browsers.
So, this story yet again shows us a good lesson: If one reacts and reforms too late, one will be killed under the "Big Wheel" of History, where the incapable candidates would only be thrown to the downstream and disappeared. Revolution and Innovation should not be late, and of course could not be TOO late. And, long lasting issues which users hate should be got rid of soonest.
I see this story applies very well to the case of Pentax. I hope Hoya could do a good reform to Pentax very soon but not *too late*, hopefully like what AOL have succeeded for the Mozilla foundation, but yet not killing Pentax like what they have done for the Netscape.
Whilst this is a somehow sobbing news to me as I have been a long-time supporter of the Netscape Browser (and their "Composer" as well) since the birth of their first browser Netscape 1.0 in 1994, which was indeed a big innovation or could be considered as a somewhat ground-breaking invention when the "http" was born.
In the past, Internet users accessed to the Internet solely with Unix platforms and machines and thus so did the software applications used. At that time, every users needed to learn and know some basic Unix commands to carry the tasks they wanted and remembered the commands for common protocols or application programs such as those for emails, ftp, reading newsgroups/Gopher directories, IRC (subsequently killed by the ICQ and now the Netmeeting or Yahoo messenger etc.) and so on.
However, by facing the injustice competition by the Microsoft over the years and some other reasons (which I'll state below), Netscape has been bitten more and more for their market share for web browsers. The loss of market is not solely owing to the threats imposed by the MS, but also the repeated mistakes taken by Netscape themselves. As I downloaded each of their new releases for the Netscape browsers and tried/used them, I knew very well about their browsers that the latter versions had been full of bugs and they were less and less reliable and were unstable. Sometimes, even the setup procedures were troublesome and the setup programs were written in an unthoughtful way (maybe the beta testings were not done so completely). In fact, I have been felt that Netscape had never been able to think how to make an easier-to-use piece of software so as o upkeep with the IE but yet had all the powerful and most updated features without sacrifying stability and compatibility - that was what Mozilla and Firefox have been able to do and succeeded finally, but just in recent years.
If Netscape could do some kind of revolution, which is clear-cut and effective but not too late, they would not have an end story like that now. Fortunately, it passes all the good stuff to Firefox before it dies and the Firefox does inherit most of the good stuff whereas most of the instability and unexplainable bugs and annoyances have been removed and the user interface is greatly simplified and it is straight forward and easy to use for most users whereas powerful and new innovative features are continue to be introduced. In fact, the Firefox looks prettier and smarter than the later versions of Netscape also. So, I think the Firefox team must have put a lot of efforts on their new browsers.
So, this story yet again shows us a good lesson: If one reacts and reforms too late, one will be killed under the "Big Wheel" of History, where the incapable candidates would only be thrown to the downstream and disappeared. Revolution and Innovation should not be late, and of course could not be TOO late. And, long lasting issues which users hate should be got rid of soonest.
I see this story applies very well to the case of Pentax. I hope Hoya could do a good reform to Pentax very soon but not *too late*, hopefully like what AOL have succeeded for the Mozilla foundation, but yet not killing Pentax like what they have done for the Netscape.
When the Old is Unmatched by the New..
Here is an interesting blog article about the two different versions of the FA 43 Limited lens of earlier and later productions:-
http://stevenlins.blogspot.com/2008/06/type-of-pentax-fa-4319-limited.html
(Article in Traditional Chinese, use Babelfish to translate if needed)
Well, physically, the new version looks cheap for the bundled bag. I don't like the deep green matte inside the lens cap neither. The black printed "PENTAX" logo on the lens cap of the old version looks more natural to me too. The purple blue or green SMC coating on the front lens element don't bother me much as what actually counts should be the image quality. So, how the image quality differs for the two versions? Are there any differences? Fortunately, the author did some quick tests to verify this in his Part II article for comparing the lens(es):-
http://stevenlins.blogspot.com/2008/07/pentax-fa-4319-limited.html
(Article in Traditional Chinese, use Babelfish to translate if needed)
In the above, the author carried out some comparison shots head-to-head for the two lenses in pairs, at the same time and for the same scenes. He also compared to a Contax T* Tessar 45/2.8 lens for one of the shootouts.
I think the posted pictures are indeed self-explanatory. Anyway, you can read the observations and comments by the author if interested. But I do have the same impressions and observations as he does mostly for what he writes. The new version of the 43 Limited is somehow mediocre and it produces darker pictures too (the author suspected the light loss is more). And, the colour reproduction is not so favourable as the old one. The lightness rendition is not as detailed but more bolded and the image rendition is not as crystal clear (of course the Contax T* is just better, when it is compared to the old version).
All in all, for what the test pictures show, the new FA Limited produces some kinds of unfavourable colour responses which I don't like (or just hate) as I pointed out earlier, in my this old blog article. In fact, I do find that the effect of unfavourable colour response and "darkness" of the new version of the 43 Limited is already minimal. In fact, many (but not all, e.g., the 18-55 kit lens is one of the few exceptions) newer Pentax digital lenses are suffering mostly for those unfavourable colours of the newly designed and made Pentax lenses.
The author did guess that the reason for the inferior image production could be caused by new lead-free designs of newer Pentax lenses as required by the EU lately. However, whilst this might be (one of) the reason(s), I don't think that it would be a good excuse. It is just because I cannot see any new generation of Canon lenses which I newly acquired, e.g., my 24-105L and 50/1.8II etc., suffered from the same problem. Maybe it's the DIGIC processing remove the strange colours but I think which is quite unlikely as it is not easy. But, even though it is, as long as one cannot see the evils, who cares? All in all, it's all about the final results that count - one should have either the best glass or the best digital technology or both so as to produce better or the best results.
When the old lenses are unmatched by the new ones, what I can only think about is: Those *were* the days! :-((
http://stevenlins.blogspot.com/2008/06/type-of-pentax-fa-4319-limited.html
(Article in Traditional Chinese, use Babelfish to translate if needed)
Well, physically, the new version looks cheap for the bundled bag. I don't like the deep green matte inside the lens cap neither. The black printed "PENTAX" logo on the lens cap of the old version looks more natural to me too. The purple blue or green SMC coating on the front lens element don't bother me much as what actually counts should be the image quality. So, how the image quality differs for the two versions? Are there any differences? Fortunately, the author did some quick tests to verify this in his Part II article for comparing the lens(es):-
http://stevenlins.blogspot.com/2008/07/pentax-fa-4319-limited.html
(Article in Traditional Chinese, use Babelfish to translate if needed)
In the above, the author carried out some comparison shots head-to-head for the two lenses in pairs, at the same time and for the same scenes. He also compared to a Contax T* Tessar 45/2.8 lens for one of the shootouts.
I think the posted pictures are indeed self-explanatory. Anyway, you can read the observations and comments by the author if interested. But I do have the same impressions and observations as he does mostly for what he writes. The new version of the 43 Limited is somehow mediocre and it produces darker pictures too (the author suspected the light loss is more). And, the colour reproduction is not so favourable as the old one. The lightness rendition is not as detailed but more bolded and the image rendition is not as crystal clear (of course the Contax T* is just better, when it is compared to the old version).
All in all, for what the test pictures show, the new FA Limited produces some kinds of unfavourable colour responses which I don't like (or just hate) as I pointed out earlier, in my this old blog article. In fact, I do find that the effect of unfavourable colour response and "darkness" of the new version of the 43 Limited is already minimal. In fact, many (but not all, e.g., the 18-55 kit lens is one of the few exceptions) newer Pentax digital lenses are suffering mostly for those unfavourable colours of the newly designed and made Pentax lenses.
The author did guess that the reason for the inferior image production could be caused by new lead-free designs of newer Pentax lenses as required by the EU lately. However, whilst this might be (one of) the reason(s), I don't think that it would be a good excuse. It is just because I cannot see any new generation of Canon lenses which I newly acquired, e.g., my 24-105L and 50/1.8II etc., suffered from the same problem. Maybe it's the DIGIC processing remove the strange colours but I think which is quite unlikely as it is not easy. But, even though it is, as long as one cannot see the evils, who cares? All in all, it's all about the final results that count - one should have either the best glass or the best digital technology or both so as to produce better or the best results.
When the old lenses are unmatched by the new ones, what I can only think about is: Those *were* the days! :-((
Monday, July 07, 2008
Pentax Still Came Last in 2007 DSLR Global Market Share
Here is a bit of an old news indeed, an Imaging Resource article, which was published earlier in April, talks about the global DSLR shipment worldwide in 2007 and the brand shares, according to the IDC figures:-
http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1207604859.html
The key paragraph is extracted and quoted as follows:-
"dSLR growth reached 41 percent as shipments climbed to 7.5 million units. Canon was again number 1 with share of 43 percent, yet lost another 4 points on top of the 5 points the firm lost in 2005. Nikon was second with share of 40 percent, gaining 7 points from 2005. Sony again placed third, with a share of 6 percent, unchanged from 2005. Olympus, despite having a broader product lineup, failed to make it out of 4th place with a share of 6 percent, just behind Sony.", which simply just tells:
- Canon had 43% of the global market share in 2007;
- Nikon had 40%;
- Sony had 6%;
- Olympus had 6% (also, but just behind Sony, it is said)
Pentax is not mentioned in the report. But a quick subtraction reveals that the remaining market percentage left by all other DSLR vendors is just 5%. I bet Pentax wouldn't have acquired all the 5%, would they?
Since Pentax had yet already (virtually) come last in both 2006 and 2005 DSLR global share, according to what the sources of the published market reports told, Pentax has actually been ranked no. 5, or virtually the last for consecutive three years now (now in 2007 maybe even lower than the truly minority brands like Fujifilm, Panasonic and Leica, whom do not have a system of their own, as Pentax is not even mentioned this time, unlike in the previous two years). Really too bad and very sad.. :-((
So, afterall, the end results once again tell it all: The K10D and the K100D/Super were not selling well in 2007 globally. And now, from what I can observe and learn from different indicators and sources, the K20D and K200D are not even as "interested" as when the K100D and K10D were (just forget about the K100D Super in the second half of 2007, which was just a DSLR which rarely sold, as I predicted in the very beginning). If this situation and trend continues, I feel rather pessimistic if Pentax can survive and go on with her "business" in the coming days, not even to mention nobody except Pentax or Hoya knows what Hoya has been thinking and will decide to do in the next fiscal years, when the big boss Hoya looks back and is to be doing the company's (annual?) business review.
After all the bad news, what I really want to point out is without some kinds of minimal market insights, marketing creativity (e.g., this for what I suggested) and adequate R&D plus manufacturing/QC improvement initiatives and efforts (so as to resolve various problems as widely reported and upkeep their technologies and products with the competitors), there is no hope, really, I can surely tell.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1207604859.html
The key paragraph is extracted and quoted as follows:-
"dSLR growth reached 41 percent as shipments climbed to 7.5 million units. Canon was again number 1 with share of 43 percent, yet lost another 4 points on top of the 5 points the firm lost in 2005. Nikon was second with share of 40 percent, gaining 7 points from 2005. Sony again placed third, with a share of 6 percent, unchanged from 2005. Olympus, despite having a broader product lineup, failed to make it out of 4th place with a share of 6 percent, just behind Sony.", which simply just tells:
- Canon had 43% of the global market share in 2007;
- Nikon had 40%;
- Sony had 6%;
- Olympus had 6% (also, but just behind Sony, it is said)
Pentax is not mentioned in the report. But a quick subtraction reveals that the remaining market percentage left by all other DSLR vendors is just 5%. I bet Pentax wouldn't have acquired all the 5%, would they?
Since Pentax had yet already (virtually) come last in both 2006 and 2005 DSLR global share, according to what the sources of the published market reports told, Pentax has actually been ranked no. 5, or virtually the last for consecutive three years now (now in 2007 maybe even lower than the truly minority brands like Fujifilm, Panasonic and Leica, whom do not have a system of their own, as Pentax is not even mentioned this time, unlike in the previous two years). Really too bad and very sad.. :-((
So, afterall, the end results once again tell it all: The K10D and the K100D/Super were not selling well in 2007 globally. And now, from what I can observe and learn from different indicators and sources, the K20D and K200D are not even as "interested" as when the K100D and K10D were (just forget about the K100D Super in the second half of 2007, which was just a DSLR which rarely sold, as I predicted in the very beginning). If this situation and trend continues, I feel rather pessimistic if Pentax can survive and go on with her "business" in the coming days, not even to mention nobody except Pentax or Hoya knows what Hoya has been thinking and will decide to do in the next fiscal years, when the big boss Hoya looks back and is to be doing the company's (annual?) business review.
After all the bad news, what I really want to point out is without some kinds of minimal market insights, marketing creativity (e.g., this for what I suggested) and adequate R&D plus manufacturing/QC improvement initiatives and efforts (so as to resolve various problems as widely reported and upkeep their technologies and products with the competitors), there is no hope, really, I can surely tell.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
RiceHigh's Pentax Blog - First 100,000 Visits
Today, my WebCounter has counted the first 100,000 distinct visiting sessions for my Blog, which I think is quite a milestone for my site and possibly for all who are interested in and care about Pentax products.
Since launched in November 26, 2006, time goes by just like "flying", I would say. My Blog has been on the Internet for 19 months now. During the period, I have written 103 articles according to my themes and there have been quite a number of reads to my pages over the months. According to the StatCounter statistics, it records more people visit my Blog and people do stay longer and longer per visit and there are more pages read per visiting session as well.
Nonetheless, whilst I am glad to gain popularity (or maybe more hatreds, anyway), I shall continue to summarise and write about all those user reports/feedbacks, reviews and related news and report all that I know or observe. Still, the happiest and greatest time for me when I wrote were when I could see *real improvements* for new Pentax DSLR models (like this and this, for example). Sometimes, "nitpicking" (as accused by many Pentax fanboys who are blinded by stupid brand loyalty, frankly said) did make even myself felt upset somehow, but, I shall continue to report and do my works as objective as possible and as accurate as it can be. Of course, my works are not perfect, constructive comments are always welcomed and I will be glad to make corrections and updates to my blog entries as it should be if you tell me something valid.
Last but not least, I wish to thank once more for all those people who sent me their kind emails for supporting and encouragement and also for those who sent to ask me my advice and opinions. I take this opportunity to thank you ALL for your kind support and trust! Despite I am actually very busy in my life, I have actually replied all the emails and I did not even miss to reply one of those indeed numerous ones that I received for questions related to Pentax and cameras.
Of course, I do not encourage any hate emails which I think are all silly and meaningless. What I can only tell those guys here also is that: Don't waste your time to drop me an hate email, I would just ignore you from time to time and delete your email(s) at once without further reading, nor I would ever even think to reply. In fact, I know well for what those hate mails would say, of which the contents contained and wordings used were usually more or less the same.
Read Also:-
RiceHigh's Pentax Blog - One Year
Why This Blog?
Since launched in November 26, 2006, time goes by just like "flying", I would say. My Blog has been on the Internet for 19 months now. During the period, I have written 103 articles according to my themes and there have been quite a number of reads to my pages over the months. According to the StatCounter statistics, it records more people visit my Blog and people do stay longer and longer per visit and there are more pages read per visiting session as well.
Nonetheless, whilst I am glad to gain popularity (or maybe more hatreds, anyway), I shall continue to summarise and write about all those user reports/feedbacks, reviews and related news and report all that I know or observe. Still, the happiest and greatest time for me when I wrote were when I could see *real improvements* for new Pentax DSLR models (like this and this, for example). Sometimes, "nitpicking" (as accused by many Pentax fanboys who are blinded by stupid brand loyalty, frankly said) did make even myself felt upset somehow, but, I shall continue to report and do my works as objective as possible and as accurate as it can be. Of course, my works are not perfect, constructive comments are always welcomed and I will be glad to make corrections and updates to my blog entries as it should be if you tell me something valid.
Last but not least, I wish to thank once more for all those people who sent me their kind emails for supporting and encouragement and also for those who sent to ask me my advice and opinions. I take this opportunity to thank you ALL for your kind support and trust! Despite I am actually very busy in my life, I have actually replied all the emails and I did not even miss to reply one of those indeed numerous ones that I received for questions related to Pentax and cameras.
Of course, I do not encourage any hate emails which I think are all silly and meaningless. What I can only tell those guys here also is that: Don't waste your time to drop me an hate email, I would just ignore you from time to time and delete your email(s) at once without further reading, nor I would ever even think to reply. In fact, I know well for what those hate mails would say, of which the contents contained and wordings used were usually more or less the same.
Read Also:-
RiceHigh's Pentax Blog - One Year
Why This Blog?
Thursday, June 26, 2008
K20D Exposure Inaccuracy and Inconsistency
As we all know, the DPR review of the K20D has been out.
Whilst as usual, typical DPR review does not measurbate AF speed, AF accuracy, system time lag and exposure accuracy which IMO are the most important performance aspects for a DSLR, the sample photo gallery of the review does give us some hints, on the exposure accuracy of the Pentax DSLR system, with their current "flagship":-
http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/pentaxk20d_samples/
By doing some simple and basic statistical anlaysis, we can actually get much more useful information than what DPR have already told us:-
1. There are 12 samples out of the total 36 did not require exposure compensation. So, the hit rate is only 1/3, or 33.3%;
2. For the rest of the 24 samples (2/3 of he total samples) that required manual exposure compensation, 16, i.e., 16/36 or 44.4%, had +ve exposure compensation applied (so as to avoid underexposure);
3. Whereas for the other 8, i.e., 8/36 or 22.2%, -ve exposure compensation was made (so as to avoid overexposure);
4. The mean (average) value for the +ve compensation is +0.59EV with a standard deviation of +/- 0.21EV. The mostly applied (mode) compensation value is +0.7EV ;
5. The mean value for the -ve compensation is -0.55EV with a standard deviation of +/-0.17EV. The mostly applied compensation value is -0.7EV;
Well, as I always emphasize, we need to compare other results from the same (gang of) measurbator(s) for those measurbation reports published at the measurbation sites, so as to make things meaningful and for fair comparison as well so that we could interpret the results sensibly. By using the same methodology above, here we can get a summary of the results for the K20D, 450D (Canon), D300 (Nikon), A350 (Sony) and E-420 (Olympus), which are all the latest current DSLRs as most recently reviewed by the DPR. I tabulate them as follows:-
Remark for Above: Green colour means the Best; Red colour means the Worst.
So, here comes the further analysis and observations for the above:-
1. The most unreliable DSLR in the exposure accuracy department is the Pentax K20D;
2. The King of Underexposure belongs to the Pentax! The K20D underexposes pictures in an unbelievable large percentage of 44.4%, which is very far more than the underexposure failure rate of all other DSLRs under test, which are all able to keep a very low percentage of underexposure;
3. The amount of underexposure for the Pentax is in a great amount of 0.7EV, also, in addition to the huge number of underexposed shots recorded (as they could be if not compensated);
4. The King of Overexposure belongs to the 450D, which has also an unbelieveable high rate of 52.8% (!?) of overexposure recorded (as they could be if not compensated). Whilst many Pentax fanboys always talked about the overexposure issue of the entry level Canon DSLRs just in order to defend the infamous underexposure problem of the Pentax DSLRs, I actually found that kind of defences is silly and pointless. Does a tends-to-overexpose-most 450D would turn a tends-to-underexpose-most K20D into a correctly exposing DSLR with their unsubstantiated argument? This stupidity just recalls my memory of my primary school classmates who told my teachers about the wrong acts of other classmates when they were caught of doing something wrong! ;-)
5. Surprisingly, the most reliable exposure system and DSLR outthere is the Olympus E-420. Despite the larger number of sample photos posted in the gallery. It nearly didn't underexpose any photos nor the amount of underexposure is significant (0.3EV only and for one sample only, out of 40). It did not overexpose more also, most of the time only a -0.3EV compensation is required (for those 7 overposed shots (as it could have been), there are 6 out of 40 applied -0.3EV only). I am really impressed. Well Done, Olympus!
6. In fact, the exposure system of Sony and Nikon are also very good to good. It is just that the Olympus is so excellent that they cannot be the best in this Shootout.
Ironically, the above shootout comparison breaks the myth of "Pentax DSLRs preserve highlights best" (Really?) as particular Pentaxians have been insisting on and strongly believe like the Gospel! The K20D is obviously not preserving highlight well neither, which just comes in second after the Canon 450D, for the risk of burning highlights. But do bear in mind that the K20D has also a super great tendency of underexposure (which no others will), which simply implies it is just a very inferior exposure system with very poor consistency afterall!
I know that some people would think or just to argue that the sample size is just "too small" (as always, when the test results are not so favourable to *them*. But how many samples are those guys need? There are 4 x 36 + 40 sample photos plus at least five officially provided bodies with various different lenses tested already). Or, those brand-blinded fan boys are consistently accusing that the reviewer(s) of DPR are being biased or even they don't know how to use the Pentax DSLRs (really funny! In fact the DPR crew are the real camera experts! They are just professional gear heads with far more technial knowledge about cameras than any Average Joe - they earn a living by testing cameras afterall!).
Anyway, I know that those people would still not be convinced but would start to bash Phil Askey and his employees. SO, I would point you to an expert Pentax user who is so official (and maybe too official! ;-)) and authoritative for you to believe. Inspect all the EXIF data of the sample photos in the following links:-
http://nedbunnell.blogspot.com/2008/06/17-70-test.html
http://nedbunnell.blogspot.com/2008/06/35mm-macro-photos-at-9000-ft.html
See, think and judge yourself. I won't explain and talk furthermore (as I have no more to say)!
In fact, the wonky metering and exposure system of Pentax DSLRs has been one of the biggest annoyances to many Pentaxians (as who have encountered the problem and reported or complained about it for years). The users have been simply wasting too much time in fiddling around with the exposure compensation values, just hoping to get the best exposure but in the end either photo opportunities were missed or just not-so-ideal exposures were resulted.
If Pentax still do not improve their system which is just with such a low hit rate and has great underexposure tendency but yet actually does not preserve highlights well neither, I really doubt how they could compete (or simply just to survive).
I think technically there must be something wrong inside their metering/exposure system in their DSLRs (and/or digital lenses) which only Pentax themselves would know (for why their this metering/exposure system is inferior). But anyway I still hope that they can improve and will improve, in the near future, and in the coming next models (although I have been rather disappointed and desperate for long already).
Read Also:- Underexposure Tendency of K10D and K100D
Whilst as usual, typical DPR review does not measurbate AF speed, AF accuracy, system time lag and exposure accuracy which IMO are the most important performance aspects for a DSLR, the sample photo gallery of the review does give us some hints, on the exposure accuracy of the Pentax DSLR system, with their current "flagship":-
http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/pentaxk20d_samples/
By doing some simple and basic statistical anlaysis, we can actually get much more useful information than what DPR have already told us:-
1. There are 12 samples out of the total 36 did not require exposure compensation. So, the hit rate is only 1/3, or 33.3%;
2. For the rest of the 24 samples (2/3 of he total samples) that required manual exposure compensation, 16, i.e., 16/36 or 44.4%, had +ve exposure compensation applied (so as to avoid underexposure);
3. Whereas for the other 8, i.e., 8/36 or 22.2%, -ve exposure compensation was made (so as to avoid overexposure);
4. The mean (average) value for the +ve compensation is +0.59EV with a standard deviation of +/- 0.21EV. The mostly applied (mode) compensation value is +0.7EV ;
5. The mean value for the -ve compensation is -0.55EV with a standard deviation of +/-0.17EV. The mostly applied compensation value is -0.7EV;
Well, as I always emphasize, we need to compare other results from the same (gang of) measurbator(s) for those measurbation reports published at the measurbation sites, so as to make things meaningful and for fair comparison as well so that we could interpret the results sensibly. By using the same methodology above, here we can get a summary of the results for the K20D, 450D (Canon), D300 (Nikon), A350 (Sony) and E-420 (Olympus), which are all the latest current DSLRs as most recently reviewed by the DPR. I tabulate them as follows:-
| Camera (DPR Sample Gallery Link): | Pentax K20D | Canon 450D | Nikon D300 | Sony A350 | Olympus E-420 |
| Number of Samples | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 40 |
| Correct Exposure Rate | 33.3% | 44.4% | 75% | 80.6% | 80% |
| Underexposure Rate | 44.4% | 2.8% | 5.6% | 2.8% | 2.5% |
| Underexposure Compensation Amount (Mode) | +0.7EV | +0.7EV (one sample only) | +0.3EV and +0.7EV (two only) | +0.3EV (one only) | +0.3EV (one only) |
| Underexposure Compensation Amount (Mean) | +0.59EV | +0.7EV (one only) | +0.5EV | +0.3EV (one only) | +0.3EV (one only) |
| Underexposure Compensation (Standard Deviation to Mean) | +/-0.21EV | 0EV (of course) | +/-0.2EV | 0EV (of course) | 0EV (of course) |
| Overexposure Rate | 22.2% | 52.8% | 19.4% | 16.7% | 17.5% |
| Overexposure Compensation Amount (Mode) | -0.7EV | -0.7EV | -0.7EV | -0.7EV | -0.3EV |
| Overexposure Compensation Amount (Mean) | -0.55EV | -0.6EV | -0.59EV | -0.73EV | -0.36EV |
| Overexposure Compensation (Standard Deviation to Mean) | +/-0.17EV | +/-0.27EV | +/-0.18EV | +/-0.24EV | +/-0.14EV |
Remark for Above: Green colour means the Best; Red colour means the Worst.
So, here comes the further analysis and observations for the above:-
1. The most unreliable DSLR in the exposure accuracy department is the Pentax K20D;
2. The King of Underexposure belongs to the Pentax! The K20D underexposes pictures in an unbelievable large percentage of 44.4%, which is very far more than the underexposure failure rate of all other DSLRs under test, which are all able to keep a very low percentage of underexposure;
3. The amount of underexposure for the Pentax is in a great amount of 0.7EV, also, in addition to the huge number of underexposed shots recorded (as they could be if not compensated);
4. The King of Overexposure belongs to the 450D, which has also an unbelieveable high rate of 52.8% (!?) of overexposure recorded (as they could be if not compensated). Whilst many Pentax fanboys always talked about the overexposure issue of the entry level Canon DSLRs just in order to defend the infamous underexposure problem of the Pentax DSLRs, I actually found that kind of defences is silly and pointless. Does a tends-to-overexpose-most 450D would turn a tends-to-underexpose-most K20D into a correctly exposing DSLR with their unsubstantiated argument? This stupidity just recalls my memory of my primary school classmates who told my teachers about the wrong acts of other classmates when they were caught of doing something wrong! ;-)
5. Surprisingly, the most reliable exposure system and DSLR outthere is the Olympus E-420. Despite the larger number of sample photos posted in the gallery. It nearly didn't underexpose any photos nor the amount of underexposure is significant (0.3EV only and for one sample only, out of 40). It did not overexpose more also, most of the time only a -0.3EV compensation is required (for those 7 overposed shots (as it could have been), there are 6 out of 40 applied -0.3EV only). I am really impressed. Well Done, Olympus!
6. In fact, the exposure system of Sony and Nikon are also very good to good. It is just that the Olympus is so excellent that they cannot be the best in this Shootout.
Ironically, the above shootout comparison breaks the myth of "Pentax DSLRs preserve highlights best" (Really?) as particular Pentaxians have been insisting on and strongly believe like the Gospel! The K20D is obviously not preserving highlight well neither, which just comes in second after the Canon 450D, for the risk of burning highlights. But do bear in mind that the K20D has also a super great tendency of underexposure (which no others will), which simply implies it is just a very inferior exposure system with very poor consistency afterall!
I know that some people would think or just to argue that the sample size is just "too small" (as always, when the test results are not so favourable to *them*. But how many samples are those guys need? There are 4 x 36 + 40 sample photos plus at least five officially provided bodies with various different lenses tested already). Or, those brand-blinded fan boys are consistently accusing that the reviewer(s) of DPR are being biased or even they don't know how to use the Pentax DSLRs (really funny! In fact the DPR crew are the real camera experts! They are just professional gear heads with far more technial knowledge about cameras than any Average Joe - they earn a living by testing cameras afterall!).
Anyway, I know that those people would still not be convinced but would start to bash Phil Askey and his employees. SO, I would point you to an expert Pentax user who is so official (and maybe too official! ;-)) and authoritative for you to believe. Inspect all the EXIF data of the sample photos in the following links:-
http://nedbunnell.blogspot.com/2008/06/17-70-test.html
http://nedbunnell.blogspot.com/2008/06/35mm-macro-photos-at-9000-ft.html
See, think and judge yourself. I won't explain and talk furthermore (as I have no more to say)!
In fact, the wonky metering and exposure system of Pentax DSLRs has been one of the biggest annoyances to many Pentaxians (as who have encountered the problem and reported or complained about it for years). The users have been simply wasting too much time in fiddling around with the exposure compensation values, just hoping to get the best exposure but in the end either photo opportunities were missed or just not-so-ideal exposures were resulted.
If Pentax still do not improve their system which is just with such a low hit rate and has great underexposure tendency but yet actually does not preserve highlights well neither, I really doubt how they could compete (or simply just to survive).
I think technically there must be something wrong inside their metering/exposure system in their DSLRs (and/or digital lenses) which only Pentax themselves would know (for why their this metering/exposure system is inferior). But anyway I still hope that they can improve and will improve, in the near future, and in the coming next models (although I have been rather disappointed and desperate for long already).
Read Also:- Underexposure Tendency of K10D and K100D
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Dynamic Range and (Background) Noise Tests of the K20D
Have just come across a test review of the K20D today and found it to be quite refreshing and non-typical (I like it!):-
http://daystarvisions.com/Docs/Rvws/K20D/pg1.html
I think the most interesting part of the review is the test for the K20D's DR (by the author) and the test for the background noise (quoted results by others) of the K20D. To make the published results meaningful, the results are compared with other current DSLRs like the K200D, (Canon) 40D and (Nikon) D60 and D300 and the K20D's precedor, the K10D, as well. As such, a better interpretation could be achieved and I do believe the comparisons are fair.
I like the DR test was carried out in a way that it is very simple but effective to obtain meaningful results. I also like the review is written in a way that it is concise but yet very useful for the information contained and shared. I particularly like that the author writes technical stuff in a way that are easily understoodable for laymen and does not make it look too difficult (for the readers to read and understand).
So, here is the DR test results as well as the background noise analysis and comparisons, which similar testings and information is by far could not be found on the net and I do highly recommend to read this page (even you don't read the rest of the review!):-
http://daystarvisions.com/Docs/Rvws/K20D/pg3.html
As I have said, since the author has explained things so good and clear, I won't explain further for the above. Go read yourself, I am sure you can understand fully (or at least mostly) and do get something! (in particular for those refreshing data/info which are not that conventional!)
Nonetheless and all in all, I've learnt from the review that the longly and highly praised "underexpose to preserve highlights" myth as emphasized and insisted by particular Pentax fans has been proven to be invalid for the K20D. Or at least it is not really practical for getting good to acceptable results even such an approach is taken, manually and intentionally, in more contrasty situations. Also, with the comparatively much less DR and actually very limited DR of the K20D, it is a real concern for its impact on image quality for the pictures produced with the K20D. Furthermore, a narrow DR will lead to exposure problems more often too, as either highlights or shadows will be scarified in more cases. And, as recommended by the author, he would rather opt to blow out highlights to keep shadow details with the K20D owing to the limitations mentioned above - see his review and article for his full reasoning (which I am fully agreed with).
http://daystarvisions.com/Docs/Rvws/K20D/pg1.html
I think the most interesting part of the review is the test for the K20D's DR (by the author) and the test for the background noise (quoted results by others) of the K20D. To make the published results meaningful, the results are compared with other current DSLRs like the K200D, (Canon) 40D and (Nikon) D60 and D300 and the K20D's precedor, the K10D, as well. As such, a better interpretation could be achieved and I do believe the comparisons are fair.
I like the DR test was carried out in a way that it is very simple but effective to obtain meaningful results. I also like the review is written in a way that it is concise but yet very useful for the information contained and shared. I particularly like that the author writes technical stuff in a way that are easily understoodable for laymen and does not make it look too difficult (for the readers to read and understand).
So, here is the DR test results as well as the background noise analysis and comparisons, which similar testings and information is by far could not be found on the net and I do highly recommend to read this page (even you don't read the rest of the review!):-
http://daystarvisions.com/Docs/Rvws/K20D/pg3.html
As I have said, since the author has explained things so good and clear, I won't explain further for the above. Go read yourself, I am sure you can understand fully (or at least mostly) and do get something! (in particular for those refreshing data/info which are not that conventional!)
Nonetheless and all in all, I've learnt from the review that the longly and highly praised "underexpose to preserve highlights" myth as emphasized and insisted by particular Pentax fans has been proven to be invalid for the K20D. Or at least it is not really practical for getting good to acceptable results even such an approach is taken, manually and intentionally, in more contrasty situations. Also, with the comparatively much less DR and actually very limited DR of the K20D, it is a real concern for its impact on image quality for the pictures produced with the K20D. Furthermore, a narrow DR will lead to exposure problems more often too, as either highlights or shadows will be scarified in more cases. And, as recommended by the author, he would rather opt to blow out highlights to keep shadow details with the K20D owing to the limitations mentioned above - see his review and article for his full reasoning (which I am fully agreed with).
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Nikon D700 Full Frame Is Probably Coming. So, What Pentax Will Do?
See this post at the FM forum about some believed-to-be leaked images of a printed brochure of the upcoming Nikon D700 posted at a Chinese forum:-
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/657828
It is shown that the D700 is actually quite ready to market and it is in Nikon's "FX" format, i.e., 135 Full Frame. If it is really true, the D700 is just a downsized advanced amateur version of the Nikon D3 and finally there is a real competitor to the Canon 5D in the lower priced full frame DSLR market, only almost after 3 years, very possibly.
It maybe very hard to believe when a "big boy" company like Nikon, who had told the world just about two years ago that they had full commitment and strong faith in an APS-C DSLR system but that they "suddenly" steered their wheels so quickly to go full frame with their top-of-the-line pro model and now with their most upper class advanced amateur model again.
Yet, now it just leaves alone Pentax, as the last old film SLR system maker, for now *just* having an APS-C DSLR system, of which this will just be intended to be marked as an entry level playground now or very soon by the big boys Canon and Nikon as well as the aggressive DSLR player Sony also.
Afterall, I think Pentax should really think very very seriously for how they should do to catch up in the game by launching a Full Frame DSLR of their own with a collection of usable FF lenses not too late. Otherwise, they will be circled (or they just circle themselves) in a market segment to compete with those low end and cheap P&S DSLR models of those C, N and S are offering in the near future. Eventually, they will possibly die in the game as they are now in the P&S DC market.
Moreover, considering that Pentax have almost discontined all their (mostly excellent) full frame FA autofocus lenses (unlike Canon and Nikon, both of them keep making and marketing their full frame lenses over recent years), the situation is actually rather adverse for Pentax. It is just not too optimistic for Pentax to be able to re-build a FF lens system in a short time so as to support a new FF DSLR body (even if there will be one), in order for them to compete and survive. (Ditto for the situation of Olympus, whom I bet eventually should be the first one to be (kicked) out of the game owing to a too small sized DSLR sensor format - which physically just can't compete in the high end battle field, but just to be marketed as a compact P&S DSLR system, owing to all those technical shortcomings and limitations that are well known.)
Read also my earlier article:-
The Current Pentax DSLR System As A System
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/657828
It is shown that the D700 is actually quite ready to market and it is in Nikon's "FX" format, i.e., 135 Full Frame. If it is really true, the D700 is just a downsized advanced amateur version of the Nikon D3 and finally there is a real competitor to the Canon 5D in the lower priced full frame DSLR market, only almost after 3 years, very possibly.
It maybe very hard to believe when a "big boy" company like Nikon, who had told the world just about two years ago that they had full commitment and strong faith in an APS-C DSLR system but that they "suddenly" steered their wheels so quickly to go full frame with their top-of-the-line pro model and now with their most upper class advanced amateur model again.
Yet, now it just leaves alone Pentax, as the last old film SLR system maker, for now *just* having an APS-C DSLR system, of which this will just be intended to be marked as an entry level playground now or very soon by the big boys Canon and Nikon as well as the aggressive DSLR player Sony also.
Afterall, I think Pentax should really think very very seriously for how they should do to catch up in the game by launching a Full Frame DSLR of their own with a collection of usable FF lenses not too late. Otherwise, they will be circled (or they just circle themselves) in a market segment to compete with those low end and cheap P&S DSLR models of those C, N and S are offering in the near future. Eventually, they will possibly die in the game as they are now in the P&S DC market.
Moreover, considering that Pentax have almost discontined all their (mostly excellent) full frame FA autofocus lenses (unlike Canon and Nikon, both of them keep making and marketing their full frame lenses over recent years), the situation is actually rather adverse for Pentax. It is just not too optimistic for Pentax to be able to re-build a FF lens system in a short time so as to support a new FF DSLR body (even if there will be one), in order for them to compete and survive. (Ditto for the situation of Olympus, whom I bet eventually should be the first one to be (kicked) out of the game owing to a too small sized DSLR sensor format - which physically just can't compete in the high end battle field, but just to be marketed as a compact P&S DSLR system, owing to all those technical shortcomings and limitations that are well known.)
Read also my earlier article:-
The Current Pentax DSLR System As A System
K20D Firmware 1.01 Incompatibility
As we all know, Pentax has released the firmware version 1.01 for the K20D in order to "minimize the noise when taking picture with 2 seconds self-timer mode", which actually has been well known as the hot pixels issue of the K20D recently.
Whilst the effectiveness of this firmware update is still needed to be verified by most end-users, it has already been reported by various different K20D users at different Pentax forums that the 1.01 PEF file is not compatible with various RAW convertors, namely, Aperture, iPhoto, Phase One, Bible and etc. Here is an example thread for those reports:-
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/30136-k20d-1-01-firmware-update-broke-iphoto-08-pef-support.html
There has been a totally speculated (but not convincing) explanation for the incompatibility by some people that the incompatibility is simply caused by the different firmware version as stamped in the RAW files. But I think it should not be the case, as most RAW convertors used to identify camera *models*, but NOT also the firmware version. Isn't it just too silly for the RAW convertor to fail to work just because of the camera user has upgraded to a newer version of the firmware, if just in case these software are written to work like this? (but there has no report of similar case ever heard before actually.)
So, the better and more logical explanation is that something have been changed in the PEF content and file format/structure in the firmware 1.01.
Last but not least, it should be noted that it is not told that if the hot pixels issue has been addressed for the 3 second timer mode when using a remote controller nor there is any new re-setting function to initialise the hot pixels table back to the factory setting, in which hot pixels are accumulated more and more by the camera automatically and also by the user manually in a custom function, as found out and reported by a professional reviewer previously (so that the whole frame could be finally ruled out if all the pixels are becoming "hot" enough eventually).
Well, if this incompatibility issue has yet verified further and found out to be true, I am afraid that a firmware version 1.02 has to be coming out soon (but of course it should come out as soon as possible, hopefully).
Update (June 28):
PentaxForums new member Sondek found out and has reported that all the incompatibilities is just caused by a string changed in the Make of the PEF RAW file, see his post below:-
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/30926-downgrading-firmware-k20d.html#post279015
And, I am totally agreed with his comment that it looks somehow rather stupid to cause those troubles to the end-users with the reason of just want to be politically correct and removing the name of "Pentax Corporation" (by taking this chance of firmware update) which looks really utter silly to me as in this case a serious bug was created. What bug else is worse than incompatibility with existing various different commercial software programs?
Whilst the effectiveness of this firmware update is still needed to be verified by most end-users, it has already been reported by various different K20D users at different Pentax forums that the 1.01 PEF file is not compatible with various RAW convertors, namely, Aperture, iPhoto, Phase One, Bible and etc. Here is an example thread for those reports:-
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/30136-k20d-1-01-firmware-update-broke-iphoto-08-pef-support.html
There has been a totally speculated (but not convincing) explanation for the incompatibility by some people that the incompatibility is simply caused by the different firmware version as stamped in the RAW files. But I think it should not be the case, as most RAW convertors used to identify camera *models*, but NOT also the firmware version. Isn't it just too silly for the RAW convertor to fail to work just because of the camera user has upgraded to a newer version of the firmware, if just in case these software are written to work like this? (but there has no report of similar case ever heard before actually.)
So, the better and more logical explanation is that something have been changed in the PEF content and file format/structure in the firmware 1.01.
Last but not least, it should be noted that it is not told that if the hot pixels issue has been addressed for the 3 second timer mode when using a remote controller nor there is any new re-setting function to initialise the hot pixels table back to the factory setting, in which hot pixels are accumulated more and more by the camera automatically and also by the user manually in a custom function, as found out and reported by a professional reviewer previously (so that the whole frame could be finally ruled out if all the pixels are becoming "hot" enough eventually).
Well, if this incompatibility issue has yet verified further and found out to be true, I am afraid that a firmware version 1.02 has to be coming out soon (but of course it should come out as soon as possible, hopefully).
Update (June 28):
PentaxForums new member Sondek found out and has reported that all the incompatibilities is just caused by a string changed in the Make of the PEF RAW file, see his post below:-
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/30926-downgrading-firmware-k20d.html#post279015
And, I am totally agreed with his comment that it looks somehow rather stupid to cause those troubles to the end-users with the reason of just want to be politically correct and removing the name of "Pentax Corporation" (by taking this chance of firmware update) which looks really utter silly to me as in this case a serious bug was created. What bug else is worse than incompatibility with existing various different commercial software programs?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)