PENTAX MIRRORLESS OR DSLR
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- čas přidán 9. 05. 2022
- It’s been 20 years now that I look through a pentaprism viewfinder and in recent years digital photography has advanced so much that many people have now shifted to mirrorless systems. There is doubt now whether Pentax should go down that path too. After a recent on field project with friends, of whom all use mirrorless systems, I do see the change differently and today I am going to talk about that further. Is Pentax ready for Mirrorless?
#pentax #digitalcameras #mirrorlessvsdlsrcameras
Some years ago, I put my beloved Pentax K5 aside and bought several mirrorless Olympus and Canon cameras. But now I have come back to Pentax with a K3 mark III and I am so happy to see a real life image through its great OVF and be able to precisely focus manually exactly on what I want to be sharp !
I'm sticking with my K-5II for the forceable future. I might get a K-3II to get some of the advanced features it has but that's down the road.
I started with Pentax back in the 70’s with a Pentax ME Super. I have always liked seeing the pure image through a prism and I still believe it is the best.
I have shot with many different systems since the 70’s and I am now shooting a Fujifilm XT3.
I will be 67 this year and I am disabled and no longer able to carry heavy gear and lens .
The XT3 is about the same size and weight as my old Pentax ME Super.
I use my old Pentax lens manual focus SMC lens on it and get great pictures.
If Pentax had a lighter camera with the Prism I would switch back to Pentax but the Pentax gear is much heavier to carry.
I do believe Pentax is a wonderful product.
I enjoy your videos and thanks for posting.
I think that mirrorless took away some of the joy of photography. Going back to DSLR
Thank you Matth, I fully agree with everything you said. I love the viewfinder and the shooting pleasure I get from my Pentax K3III.
And especially the k3iii. I can’t wait to ge that pentaprism on the new k1!
As Matt says, with a DSLR you don't need it switched on to frame a scene which is very useful when going around and checking for possible images, a quick look through the OVF and move on, or set up. With a mirrorless (and I have an Olympus for portability) it not only needs to be switched on but in auto or semi-auto mode because the viewfinder needs the correct exposure for a visible image. More often than not I prefer manual mode, and that green button is a godsend sometimes, so in mirrorless I have to switch modes once I find a scene to shoot.
Great video and totally agree with you. Love my K-1. However I did love my K-01 it was a lot better then what a lot of reviews said about it. Still very happy with the results from my K-1 and my old K-3 still gives amazing results.
Good on you, Matt. Fantastic day out there! I've been using Pentax for a considerable time, now. Don't have any real problems with EVFs - had a day out with a Sony roadshow when I was considering an A9. But, you did get me when you mentioned wispy clouds. I'd love to see how they render in the latest EVFs.
I do think Pentax needs to get into mirrorless to ensure their future, though - alongside DSLRs of course.
Oh yeah, can we have a gander at what you were able to capture?
Cheers
AB
Nice Matt, I liked your explanation of having a better feel and intimate connection with the image your trying to capture. I’am not getting any younger and struggle a little with culling my camera equipment before I set off to capture my landscape images but agree that the EVF are just not precise enough yet !
Long may the pentaprism continue!
Great video Matt! Keep up the good work!
Cheers bud. Just waiting for the abuse from you know who?
i cant claim i understand much at all about photography, i just have fun shooting with k70 and hoping to get my hands on k1 some day. Anyhow, just personally i prefer to see the world as it is - the direct real light of what camera is seeing...and not some electronic version of it. The world is so full of all sorts of filters and reality altering, that im frankly getting allergic reaction to them all and dont see the value of it. Probably plenty people are so used to using phonecameras etc that are all about filtering and algorithms that they wouldnt care as they wouldnt even know they were missing something in the first place. Personally i really hope pentax continues to stay pentax and i have deep enough pockets to fund them bit ;)
Great intro Matt!
Yes, I agree with you about the view finder; when I first switch to mirrorless I suffered a lot for the loss of the joyful and tridimensional vision that I had thru the lens. Now, I don't know if I will never come back, it's just matter of compromises.
See you soon!
It’s all about the feeling and I am sure after time one gets used to EVF. For now I am happy where I am
I total agree with You. As an "old Pentax User", started in the early 80th, it was and and still is to see what I get thru an optical viewfinder.
I couldn’t agree more Matt. Although I have looked through the EVF of the Hassleblad x1d II and that at least is getting there in terms of believability. For now at least, I’m with you 👍.
Yes, I am sure that I time there will be even better improvements. The difference between the z7i and z7ii show that. But once your used to a pentaprism and for you photography is more than just getting the shot, it’ll be years before an EVF will hit these standards
Me too. I use my Pentax K-S1.❤
Superb video , superb........ makes total sense.
Cheers
I adopt my mirrorless Pentax k01 (with out electrnic viewfinder) I fix to back screen camera optical hood so I got perfect electronic viewfimder with clear view.
Great to see you back again with another top informative video Matt, I am more than happy to use my pentax gear for my wildlife photography and I haven't even come close to ever think about changing to a different system. Hope it's not to long to your next video !
Your very welcome. And try to to do too many. Every time I put a video out the hate mail comes rushing in!!!
@@MattBishopPhotography That usually from those who are jealous!
@@raymondpenalver7095 nah, whats there to be jealous about. You are always going to get people who don’t like you or what you say. When you put yourself out there it’s something you just have to accept
@@MattBishopPhotography well at the end of the day you do my favourite videos and I rate you as a great guy 🙂
@@raymondpenalver7095 thanks mate. Means a lot to here that
I agree! Love my Pentax gear (k3 + K1)
Cheers mate and thanks for watching
Yes! Love my Pentax K-3 mk III. To your point I don't like EVF because in the back of my mind I can feel it sucking battery...whenever I look thru. I don't want to have that worry so I prefer OVF and the K-3 mk III has a great one.
Totally agree. Thanks for the input. I am glad Pentax are sticking to OVF.
Great!!!!
It makes a lot of sense. There is also the possible health issue to our eyes with an electronic device so close to our eyes. There is one pro photographer on u tube who has changed back to DSLR with eye problems.
Interesting. Never thought about that
I completely agree with you. The video sums it up very well. I thought I was alone in this opinion.
Your not alone. There are many that feel the same way
I shoot landscapes and wildlife, especially birds in flight and totally agree with you on the viewfinder issue, an optical viewfinder is far more engaging. I also have some mirrorless camera bodies from the Canon M series and for video work, mirrorless is better than video from a DSLR which is hardly surprising because video cameras is where mirrorless came from technically. I do not have any of the latest "whizz bang" mirroeless cameras from Canon, Sony, Nikon etc where a lot of effort has gone into improving the electronic viewfinder, my most recent being a Canon M6 MkII where it can do very good burst mode but even so, it is not as engaging as an optical viewfinder. As a stills photographer, which I mainly am, I will continue using my DSLRs for some years ahead, for video I will use mirrorless on the basis of horses for courses. :)
Oh for sure, video and still
Are 2 different things.
The whole EVF vs OVF is strictly subjective. I am a Pentax photographer who also owns a mirrorless Nikon. Even shooting a mirrorless camera you can still visualize a scene with the camera off because you can still see with your eyes. I think both cameras have their place depending on what you are
Trying to achieve. But saying a DSLR is better than N MILC does not make a lot of sense. I think a better comparison would be the final images. The camera is just the tool. If you cannot visualize your image without the camera then the viewfinder will not help you. All the viewfinder allows you to do in a technical sense is frame the image. That can be done with a piece of cardboard with a rectangle cut out of the center. Nice video.
Yes it is very subjective. Your right! As I said, this is my experience and point of view.
Great vid Matt! I stare at enough screens during the day. When I'm out shooting, I just want to be one with my environment. No EVF can do that. Plus, I love my K-3 Mark III. Crystal clear to look through the OVF and if I really need a mirrorless experience, just turn off rear screen auto compensation and you can preview your exposure in real time.
Yeh, it’s all
About being with the environment. Right on bro!
Yes, good one, My mate has turned up with his Pentax gear, We hope to share gear , and get some photography time , at the moment we are having some very rainy days, which is out of season, Hope it clears soon , My K1 ,mark 2 , needs some work, Thanks for vid Cheers Bevan 🤠❤️🇦🇺
It's rare that I can recommend Pentax to anyone these days, but for your strict case type usage Matt I would absolutely recommend Pentax. K-1 is a beast of a landscape camera where all of it's strengths shine and none of it's weaknesses hinder the real world usage experience. Just like you say, the OVF becomes a STRENGTH now, not just something more subjective but actual logical reasoning behind as to why it is preferable. The only downside to the K-1 is weight and size.
What photographers need to understand and respect is how different the photography experience can be from one user to the next. Some people can get very tunnel visioned with their own personal experience. I believe around 85% of camera users today are shopping based around hybrid capabilities (video and stills) and thus mirrorless is cleaning up all the way in this regard and represents why MILC has become the dominant tech for cameras moving forward. We all talk about MILC vs DSLR from a stills perspective but no one really talks about MILC vs DSLR from a video perspective, and it's this side of the camera that MILC's completely clean up and become a must.
Of course I understand the OVF allure, I wish more hybrid style cameras like the Fuji Xpro range with its hybrid OVF/EVF would hit the scene. Even Pentax put in a patent for a OVF/EVF viewfinder. I feel as though the best is yet to come from the industry where opinions surrounding such things don't have to be polarized so much. You'll be able to have cameras that can do either/or.
For what you do Matt I think you could just keep using K-1's for the rest of your life. I feel very similarly and although I now possess an XT4 for my event/wedding work I still hold onto my K-1 and 645D for landscape work.
The k1 is the right hands is an extremely capable camera, whether I would recommend it or the k3iii is based on your needs and style of photography. Sure if your a landscape photographer, they are the best systems out there in my experience. Obviously if size and AF speed is a necessity to you. Or, sports, weddings etc, then there are also other options. However, if the experience of shooting and the final result (in terms of optical quality and RAW DATA) then Pentax hands down wins the race
Nice one buddy! Loved the intro to. I totally get it mate and tbh I love the Pentax way of life
Tom, Matt is the master of intros and voiceover! No way!
Cheers mate. Hahahahha. Love the intro hey? Hahahhaha
@@MattBishopPhotography I'll hire you for my intros!
@@LuigiNespeca hahahahaha. At least I am good at something. Howe e normally people get put off by my cheezie intros
Hopefully Pentax will hold the line with only DSLR's .. Why because ever other company is mirrorless ... Leaving Pentax the top of the heap with DSLR systems...
I’ve owned all sorts of cameras. I’ve used EVFs more than OVFs, but I just bought myself a Pentax KP. Waiting for it to come in the post and looking forward to experimenting with a DSLR again and readjusting to an OVF. I learnt photography on a Ricoh KR-10 (a poor man’s Pentax K1000) and recall how I pictured my final image when looking through the OVF (even seeing things in b&w when taking my photos). I think I’m looking for that same connection again. I’ll probably be chimping a lot though now EVFs have become the norm for me.
Like you I love my Pentax gear, I notice that most landscape photographers use their mirrorless systems by using the rear screen I wonder if that would have been any better or how using the rear screen compares with using the Pentax on live view which is what I do quite a lot for landscapes
I always compose with the OVF. I use liveview a lot but purely for tweaking horizon correction, exposure etc
I've been using Pentax since 1966 and currently have the 645Z and K-1. On occasion for reasons not important here I have to rent the Fuji which I can use my 645Z lenses on with an adapter because I'm waiting for a 100 or 150mp Pentax in 645. That's the question you should be asking. When are we going to see a 100/645 body?
2:05 from where do you have a Fuji Fullframe?
Matt
it's like I hear you need eye recognition in wildlife photography I have no problem photographing the eye with my Pentax K3-11 in my wildlife photography. I do not find Pentax cameras lacking being DSLR insted of mirrorless camera I believe mirrorless is the latest hipe to sell cameras . I still believe the person behind the camera is more important whether it has a mirror or not it the camera body.
I switched from mirrorless into DSLR and to say it frankly I do not feel all that much difference but then I shot mostly technical stuff and it is hard to feel attachment to an airplane or train :) The main reason for me to use DSLR is that EVF is yet another screen that I would need to look at. And after spending 10 hrs a day looking at computer screen at my job, and then all the phones, tablets etc around me I rather not peak at yet another one when I'm enjoying my hobby.
I think what we mean is simply the feeling of looking at something through a lens, feels more natural than looking at something through a screen. A fancy way of saying it is attaching the "feeling" to that. Like feeling more "connected" when toggling a switch vs pushing on a touchscreen. Analog vs digital.
I also stare at a computer monitor for work.. So I really appreciate looking through glass for my hobby, same as you.
I would agreed. So you should buy what you like now. I still use
Nikons from the 70’s because I still prefer simple things that get the job done
Very well said
Im really bummed out that there isnt barely any market for Pentax here i sweden. Would really love to try on out.
I am sorry to here that. There are ambassadors that do workshops throughout Europe where I am sure you can get a hands on try. If there aren’t any shops available in Sweden I suggest you ask around on Facebook forums etc, like “pentaxians” or “Pentax full frame” of there are any photographers using the gear in your region. I know for sure there are photographers around the Copenhagen region, which actually isn’t that far from you
I started with film photography and my very first main camera was a rangefinder camera. When I tried a somewhat more professional SLR, I just couldn't. I forced myself using it, it wasn't worth it the mirror took too much from me and it only caused more issues to my eyes.
When mirrorless came,for me it was the natural step to finally move away from film (simply because I preferred shooting film over a DSLR).I started shooting with the Epson camera and when EVF exclusive mirrorless came I didn't mind.
DSLR are mostly an experience thing if anything, for many it is a comfort zone that people can't cross because of many reasons but technology I feel is not one of them.
EVFs right now are the closest thing to a waist level viewfinder to me.
Good points. For me it’s not about a comfort zone. If anything mirrorless systems are easier to use. For me it’s more personal. More about a “feeling”.
@@MattBishopPhotography It's that feeling which I name comfort zone. Which I get, I felt the same about my first camera but it made no sense of keeping and it holded me back.
Then again, you have one of the most robust DSLRs that is many things it has that personally I would find difficult moving away from. If it was Nikon especially I would say just pull the trigger and you won't regret it, 5d cameras are great when it comes to price and reliability but for anyone that wants to grow further it's the same as Nikon. Pentax though... I don't think there is a Pentax equivalent in mirrorless cameras, maybe Fuji's medium format? even then I can't say for sure.
Leica is also an option at the end of the day, if you had worked in the past with it you probably will have no issue transitioning into their systems (if money ain't an issue that is).
The technology though I feel like it is there for anyone that is ready to transition.
Same here, and I agree. First used an SLR in 2001, Contax Aria. Since then have owned sold and used dozens of others, including my first EVF which is the Hasselblad X1D. I don't like EVF, give me the SLR or rangefinder. Cheers.
👍
I have some new Sonys with EVF's and I still love my Pentax for critical work. I do not care to debate about it, because i do have to have to, because i spent my money and got exactly what I need with my K1mk2. People need to understand everything does not have to be rethought. I think of some tech like using a robot to go to the bathroom. Some things are better done with a personal touch. Let's examine the debate though..weight..well since i am not feeble and have already carried weight in my life, I think I should handle it without crying. I do take the Sonys when it's just a trip, not more like composition or possible paid work, and they take up less space, yet this past weekend, i carried all three. I brought my Pentax changer, never used it, with that camera i can leave it on, and the power does not just die. I cannot use Sonys in pouring rain, cold, and it just keep s going lie Pentax does.the ONLY real reason I will buy mirrorless is streaming or video. Let Pentax do some 4k@60-120, Ethernet, 10 FPS,eye AF, and even better batteries,and the rest of these companies with shut down..
Love my Pentax gear (k3 + K1)
Very good setup mate. What lenses are you using?
@@MattBishopPhotography da* series(200/300/16-50/85mm plus loving the dfa 150-450mm which is awesome for wildlife. Also for architectural pics I’m getting great shots with sigma 10-20 f3.5. Yes I’m a committed Pentax guy!
@@richardbraham2486 nice line of lenses!!!!
@@MattBishopPhotography I’m very fortunate that my dad left me his Pentax gear when he passed away.
An extremely low light you'll get a black evf where you have still something that you can see through an optical viewfinder
I'm a naturalist first and a photographer second. Other than trying to track fast moving birds and possibly weight saving for some mirrorless cameras I don't see the advantage of mirrorless.
Someone needs to collect some data on eyestrain and damage with these evf. I'm wondering if it's messing up my sight
A Fuji full frame? :) Sorry for nitpicking...
I hope we'll continue to have a choice (DSLR and mirrorless) for many years to come. I feel the same about the "jpeg" look of the EVFs, but I'm not optimistic about manufacturers fixing that...
Yes, a Fuji 50
@@MattBishopPhotography But those are medium format (assuming we're talking about digital cameras). Hard to believe, if we compare the size with a 645Z :)
@@alexsarbu3978 my experience with the gfx looking through the viewfinder, even the Nikon z7ii, the viewfinder are far from reality. I am sure this will improve over time..,, until it does… me and my k1/k3 are going nowhere
@@MattBishopPhotography I agree with you. And I'm keeping my own K-1ii - hoping to eventually replace it with a "K-1iii" with the new pentaprism viewfinder.
I don't remember if you've seen the K-3iii... an APS-C DSLR with a viewfinder IMO every bit as good as the K-1's.
@@alexsarbu3978 yes my dream is a new k1 with that pentaprism and AF performance
I can't afford a new Mirrorless system, I have a K3 which I think is one of the better landscape camera because I am primarily an apsc Nikon DSLR shooter, when shooting waterfalls I will use the rear screen. My first changeable lens system was a Panasonic G10 though, good photos from that camera by the way.
And what apsc lenses do you use with the k3?
@@MattBishopPhotography I don't have much , only had the previous 55-300mm and just got a Sigma 18-50mm today, did buy and old 70-300mm macro zoom which is a Sigma as well. Pentax lenses aren't cheap or readily available.
One thing is for sure - No FF camera in this world, can complete against K-1 in dynamic range, even today in 2022.
It’s does have a great DR that’s for sure
@@MattBishopPhotography watch this guy, he does some extreme DR tests czcams.com/video/cZM4ncJnetE/video.html
If Pentax do go mirrorless then they should do what Canon & Nikon didn't do which is keep their K mount, they could then make smaller bodies and instead of making adapters they could have an elongated K mount (to keep the distance from the sensor to the lens the same as their current DSLR's) with the ability to slide filters between the rear of the lens & the sensor. The benefit of doing this is that all their existing lenses will work straight away.
I am actually hoping for a hybrid system. It won’t save on size but it will give people the option. Either way DLSR for me at the moment still makes sense while I have full view of reality
@@MattBishopPhotography With current mirrorless systems the preview function can be turned off so you have an electronic view very similar to an OVF.
@@acmdv from four different systems not one of the EVF’s I looked through satisfied me enough when compared to the Pentax OVF
Pentax says that they’re going to continue with pentaprism cameras (they were the original inventors of the system).
Exactly! The may even eventually go mirrorless too, as an off side project maybe. Who knows.
Zeiss Ikon Contax S from Dresden (Germany) was the world's first roof pentaprism on a single-lens reflex camera.
@@bjorn6347 1957 first pentaprism in a camera I recall. But I am no historian that’s for sure
@@MattBishopPhotography the Zeiss Ikon Contax S is from 1949. See here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentaprism
EVFs will never surpass or get better than an optical view finder, the same way a video game driving sim will never be better than driving a real manual car. If you want to see reality through your VF, it isn't going to get any better lol. You don't put an electronic screen in-between you and reality just to emulate reality. It doesn't make sense. EVFs have their strengths, but their strength will never be image clarity... pixels will never beat pure light, screens will never be less fatiguing than prisms, screen refresh rates will never feel better than your eye just looking at the real thing etc.
Portrait photography, I get going with an EVF. Your not supposed to be gawking and "connecting" with your model, only verbally and with your body language. There, you want to get your model to jive with you, and then get in there and capture a very technical image, with tons of technology working with you and the camera (lights, effects, background etc.)
Landscape is different though. You connect to your subject on a visual level. You're allowed to gawk through that VF, you should be gawking through the VF. It should feel the same as looking at it only with your eyes, but you get to look at it with the same clarity and realism while setting up your shot.
I read on the internet that professionals don't like mirrorless. However, the ad turned the whole market away.