New Pentax K1 Mark III ?
Vložit
- čas přidán 11. 06. 2024
- In April 2016 Pentax released the ground breaking and award winning full frame digital SLR that made the Pentax name stand out amongst other camera brands.
Still today this robust and reliable camera (now in the mark II version since 2018) shines as one of the best camera bodies on the market, especially for the outdoors photographer who appreciates it's many features that makes it the perfect all round camera body.
However, 8 years have passed by and we are still waiting for Pentax to produce a new full frame body in the Mark III that will set the market for DSLR cameras apart from the rest.
We have watched Pentax produce a new APSC, monochrome, and even a new film camera to come out.....but what about a beloved new full frame!
In the video I will go over why I think we are still waiting on the new camera and what type of specifications we can expect.
#pentax #digitalcamera #pentaxk1III
Here is what I'm wishing for in a K-1 III:
- BSI sensor.
- no on-sensor PDAF (avoiding loss of or compromised sensor sensels for imaging because they need to focus).
- no mandatory denoising (accelerator unit), make it a user choice.
- automated micro AF adjustments (user just to provide AF target).
- improved AF (including option to automatically confirm focus via CDAF after PDAF acquisition, perhaps after stopping down to avoid focus shift).
- automated AF compensation for the "focus and recompose" technique (cf. Hasselblad) [not a must, but would be super cool].
- PixelShift with Flash (trigger flash during PixelShift).
- faster WiFi transfer.
- faster USB port (USB3).
- keep D-LI90 battery.
- use identical button layout on camera and battery grip.
Sounds like a great layout to Me
A wish list straight out of the dark ages. Especially touching is the automated micro AF adjustments part.
That`s one thing no one is ever going to miss. Thanks to progress.
"Accelerator" is just another layer of DNR because obsolete main processor does not have enough power to do the DNR in real time. K1 uses 2012 era hardware. That also is the reason why it only has 4 frames per second.
If you use for example Sony 60 Mpix sensor from A7RIV/A7RV it will also need new processor and much more fast memory. It will be able to do usable on sensor LV-AF too, although cumbersome without EVF. But that resulting camera will be $5000 level. Who would buy it? 1/100 of already tiny Pentax active customer base? Probably even that is optimistic. And what Pentax lenses are capable of resolving that? Maybe DFA*50/1.4 and DFA*85/1.4 stopped down to F4.
Not going to happen.
I am lucky enough to have the KP and Kiii mrk iii. You are spot on with your synopsis if you want eye lash detection then Pentax is not for you. It may be owned by Ricoh, but the CEO i think is a traditionalist photographer who keeps the company history alive in all aspects of the invention and ground making pentaprism which other companies can’t hold a candle to. I feel that you were very kind as to the abysmal build quality of other manufacturers who are making very flimsy products which are packed with high end electronics and very expensive. Not so with the Pentax even my humble KP is a brick and oozes quality. Thank you for this great video lad you bring hope and clarity to us Pentaxians.🤞
Thanks a lot for the feedback. Much appreciated
I mean some people have a Model T in the garage to take out for a spin now and again. If that's what you like, then that's what you should have.
I'm going to bed, I will dream K1 /3, Dreams come true, Thanks Matt,🤠🦘🦘🇦🇺
Good night
There aren't any "rumors" persay about the K-1 Mk.iii but it was confirmed by Pentax last December that the K-1 Mk.iii was under development but it was being slowed due to supply chain issues. So yeah, its coming though unfortunately not soon.
Thanks for your feedback on that. I can confirm too what you have said. As I have stated toward the end of the video, post fil camera release it will be the next on the list
If the mark I was still on sale, new, I would buy it and be 100% happy, It has all I need and more!
Agree 100%
You can get a K-1 II instead, but personally, I'd prefer a K-1 as well.
There are plenty of them on 2nd hand market. For less than 1/2 of the price of K1II and they usually are displayed for months because there is no real demand.
Much bigger buffer and much faster readout (support for new generation cards) is needed
For sure
@davidsladek: Would need a different processor and motherboard for that. The Pentax "prime" cpu is a single core single thread model. Plenty of power but slows down a-lot when multi tasking.
Type 3 UHS is your only option. They do come at a premium price. The price more than doubles by every double in ram capacity you get.
Type 3 UHS is much like the SSD or M.2 NVME drives that have the D-ram chip and PCI interface controller. Much higher cost as well.
1.5 seconds to offload a k-3 iii pixel shift image to the type 3 card, older type 2 or cheap generic cards 5-7 seconds.
On the K-1 i and K-3 i no difference in speed with type 3 cards.
A good type 3 SD 32GB is about 20$ but after that in 64GB or more it jumps to 50$+ Same price premium concept really for type A and B CFexpress cards.
Not sure if type B CFexpress is worth the cost. I would say so if my Nikon Z9 could do a real Pentax like pixel shift but even for full fps sports Type B CF Express is over kill. Type B CFExpress is for full frame 4K 60+fps or greater video.
Type 3 UHS is quicker in a Pentax K200d. Not much quicker but it's noticeable. Which means that on the K200d and K-30 it's a hardware limitation.
Well that's enough testing for now.
Thank you for posting a video about Pentax camera. Keep shooting Pentax!!!!
Cheers
speaking of the pentaprism, I hope they take the idea of making an APSC viewfinder look like full frame on the K-3iii and make the K-1iii look like a 645Z in size in the viewfinder.
Interesting
I like your thinking Matt. My K-1 mk1 is still going strong and never disappoints on IQ or features. I think the only thing that would tempt me to move on from the K-1 mk1 would be a K-1 mk3 and I'm happy to wait until it arrives. Thanks for the video mate and cheers from Oz : )
Totally agree
Hi Matt, great video and love what you had to say here, I'm sure there's gonna be a K1mrk iii on its way and much improved, great to see you back and looking forward to hearing your more about your great talent on the next Photography Landscape podcast 👍
Thanks a lot!!!! Yes, the podcast! Hopefully next week mate
@@MattBishopPhotography 🙏
The only word from Ricoh/Pentax has been in December of 2023 when they commented about the state of K-1 mk3; that they were having trouble getting raw materials. But thats all thats been mentioned about it. At the very least it confirms its in active development. I'm 50/50 confident of it coming out in 2025 though.
The top 5 things i want to see:
- Better AF. This is a must. The K-3 mk3 has OVF subject tracking even, so im pretty confident we'll see similar performance with the K-1 mk3.
- A good bump in mechanical FPS and buffer size would be hugely welcome.
- USB-C charging in-camera. They have the D-BC177 so they know how to do it right, and the K-3 mk3 has it too so this is probably going to 100% happen.
- I'm actually not a fan of the K-1 mk2 top-mounted LCD, doesn't show a whole lot. Hope they go back to something like what the K-3 mk3 has.
- Please for the love of all that is good, keep the metal-legged moon-lander articulating screen for the mk3.
Honestly if the new K-1 mk3 can't exceed or even match something like a 2017-era Nikon D850 (FPS and buffer size, 3-D OVF subject tracking, AF performance) then Pentax is going to have some serious issues staying in the market.
Some very good points indeed.
I enjoy the OVF over the EVF for shooting photography. Especially after spending my whole workday behind a computer screen. The Pentax 50mm and 43mm and 77 lenses are smaller than my Lumix full frame lenses.
OVF is photography for me
Until I am satisfied with the EVF (which is highly unlikely). That digital feel is simply not real
K-3 III AF system, pre-capture in electronic shutter mode, fast readout image sensor to accommodate pre-capture, keep the lunar lander screen with additional hinge for vary angle ability, selectable subject recognition. Those are my thoughts on what it would need on top of what the K-1/II already has.
And more
I've been shooting the K-1 for about 4 years now and I own quite a bit of their full frame lenses.
I would push back on the noise reduction aspect of what you're saying. The sentiment from the community (which I agree with) is that noise reduction is something that needs to be optional. There are at least a few software options for controlling noise. Things that weren't as accessible when the K1ii rolled out. It's understandable to implement this in something like the K3iii. That was geared towards handheld fast shooting where it's going to be common to push ISO. They need to prioritize clean beautiful files for a K1iii though. The K1 was heralded for for its RAW files and the K1ii lost some of that admiration with the built in noise reduction. A K1iii needs to get back to clean beautiful files that allow the photographer to decide how much noise they're willing to accept and how to deal with it.
A BSI sensor in the 45-60MP range would be a necessity. Obviously the improved AF system from the K3iii. An OVF update would be nice but not necessary in my opinion. A focusing screen that is a little more manual focusing friendly would be great, or at least an alternative screen for the system would be cool for the vintage lens shooters.
As far as frame rates go, faster would be necessary in an update, but it doesnt need to be amazingly fast. 6-10 fps in full frame RAW and maybe 8-12 in the apsc crop mode would be good.
Keep the GPS. Keep the body relatively the same. Improve the live view and focus peaking modes.
They need to keep at it with the lenses. I have the DFA 21mm ltd. It is an absolutely beautiful lens. I started shooting with the DFA zooms but have slowly migrated towards the limited lenses. They need to continue more modern limited lenses. A zoom could be fun, something similar to the DA 20-40. A 28-55mm F1.8-2.8 (something like that) could get people excited. Then maybe something in the 120-135mm range down the road would be awesome.
They should obviously continue to put out modern DFA glass as well.
I really like my K-1, and I'm hoping a K1iii would hit on most of these points. I don't think most people need anything too incredible.
I feel like the biggest reason people leave the system (why I would consider it) is because they just aren't transparent enough to even assure us that the ship isn't sinking. The 645z essentially being discontued is kind of scary. That's a lot of people that bought into a system that died out relatively quickly. People don't want to end up being the ones stuck on the ship when they find out it's sinking. Slow development cycles are not the end of the world, but not knowing if development is happening is problematic. This gear is expensive, and an investment. Ricoh needs to understand the bind they're asking consumers to put themselves in when they're less than forthcoming about their goals for their systems.
I've been following you for years now, and always enjoy seeing where your photography is going. Love the images you put out. Happy shooting.
I agree with what you’re saying about that NR feature in the mark II. That was a big mistake. So much better giving people the option to have a pure clean raw file or a processed one for sure. However with regards to the k3III iso performance is native not software based.
@MattBishopPhotography I worded that part poorly. Any noise reduction present in the k3iii files is more understandable to me given that it's geared towards fast handheld shooting where a lot of people will be pushing ISO most of the time. Noise reduction in K1ii files didn't make sense since the camera generally encourages a slower pace of shooting where ISO can be more deliberately managed by the shooter.
Noise reduction should be left up to the photographer to implement in post using software for the K1iii. Noise reduction in software has come a ways since the K1ii was released (lightrooom, topaz, ect...). It is therefore now less necessary to be heavy handed with Noise reduction in camera.
Happy shooting!
I'm another K-1 Mk 1 user. I still love the camera and agree with you that the size is pretty good, it feels great in the hands and I wouldn't want them to shrink it too much. In fact I have never bothered getting a grip for my K-1 (just an L bracket). The K-1 mk ii didn't offer anything compelling for me personally, but the K-1 mk 1 is getting a bit long in the tooth! I shoot a lot hand held (except for night shooting / low light of course) and I'm generally comfortable shooting the K-1 with RAW at up to ISO 3200, when needed, but sometimes it needs to be much lower (and rely on stabilisation + multiple shots) for adequate dynamic range in post.
One thing that would be greatly appreciated would be a reduction in shutter shock when using lighter lenses (and the DFA 28-105). While generally the results are still acceptable, I know I'm missing out on some IQ and it often leads me to avoiding 1/30s to 1/200s or changing to LV (with electronic shutter turned on). Its not a marketing feature but would likely lead to even better reviews (due to more consistent sharpness).
Thanks for your feedback and time to write this done. With regards to the last comment, I think technology such as this can only improve over time
I also loved my K1 but I gave up on it in the end for various reasons but mostly because I didn't like the huge filter system I needed to use for the 15-30 lens and because I was also using the 645z at the same time. Both systems together was too heavy. I now have a dual system of Lumix S1r with Lumix G9 as backup. Smaller ligher MANY more lens options. L-mount is where its at I think for a future proof camera/lens system. However I would like to buy the k3 monochrome at some point in the future and I still own and regularly use my 645z / 28-45 kit as a stand alone single camera landscape kit.
In the end I doubt Pentax will bring out another full frame camera because it is hampered by lens selection. Better off sticking the APS-C system, GR's and film cameras.
I hope our wrong about that Morden. Thanks for your feedback and have a great day
The mythical beast
Let’s hope soon!!!!
@@MattBishopPhotography I’m still happy very happy with the images that come out of my K-1 ii but it’s the autofocus speed, buffer and general responsiveness that is out of date not. And mirrorless offers a bunch of shooting benefits (I do love an optical finder though). Although it feels great in the hand ergonomically, the mirrorless full frame cameras are so much smaller and lighter that if Pentax want to keep customers with a potential future K-1 iii they’ll have to find a way to shrink it smaller and lighter while retaining shake reduction, weather sealing and articulating screen. For my travel photography I really appreciate the built in GPS but I don’t know how they can shrink it and keep all those features.
I got tired of waiting and finally bought the K-1 II last month for my birthday.
Regarding size, I wouldn't want the K-1 III to be smaller than the K-1. If one mounts a bigger lens then the camera needs to provide sufficient purchase to handle the combination. The K-5 is already a bit too small for me as I cannot comfortable get all my fingers on the grip. I hope I'll never be forced to use one of those miniaturized MILCs where the designers seem to have forgotten that hands don't shrink accordingly. Some manufacturers appear to have noticed, though; at least Sony started allowing a sufficiently wide gap between grip and lens to put one's fingertips in that space.
Couldn’t agree more
Strange, I have no issues operating with lenses like Sigma 100-300/4 and Sigma 50-500/4-6.3 on my K20D, K5 or K3. Well there are issues with Pentax AF, but that is different story. I also have Olympus EM5III which is way smaller, but still fits in hands well no matter if I have tiny 9mm F8 fisheye on it or large 12-100/4 zoom (which has superb image quality and there is no Pentax zoom lens with comparable output btw)
After regretfully selling my K1 and my limited primes, I'm hopeful Pentax will give the KP another go, actually. I think that form factor along with its features were perfect for my needs. While I loved my K1, it was just never easy to pick up and take with me for a day out with the kids.
Fair enough
@@MattBishopPhotography That isn't to say I'm not hopeful for Pentax to continue its Full Frame endeavours. Still very excited with any bit of gear that comes from them.
You sold your limited primes?😮😢👎🤷
@@mkrainwater Unfortunately I really needed the funds, so had to. My 31, 43, 77 silvers. Also my HDFA 100 in silver. My K1 was also a silver limited edition. Still hurts talking about it. 😢
I guess at least I never got around to buying a silver 21 limited!
I'm still very happy with the original K-1 for my color work. I might be interested in buying a hypothetical K-1 Monochrome if they ever release one.
Pentax is one of my primary kits. On the Nikon side it's the Z9 mostly with f-mount glass. Will get a K-1 III when comes out... Eventually... Maybe... Who knows.
Took me what seemed forever to find the macro set settings in the Z9 menus. If it was a book it would have been on page 80 of 100.
The Nikon is certainly the best option after Pentax in my opinion. The z system performs really well
"People that want to step into Pentax" are unicorns. 🤣
Why is that?
@@MattBishopPhotography Just look around at what people are using to take photos and at sales data. If the K-3 mk III and monocrome where seeling like hotcakes Pentax would had launched a K1 mk III by now.
Tell that to anyone who got new K-3, both color and mono that are really successful going by Ricoh own reports.
I have not yet met a single young aspiring photographer who would start photography with a Pentax camera. Pentax seems to be for nerdy older pentaxians whose trembling hands could not operate anything else.
@@jerzyjablonski1432 You must remember that while Fuji reached 500k+ preorders on recently released camera, Ricoh is happy to sell 50k cameras per year combined. So if they suddenly sell 55k cameras thanks to K3IIImono, they are celebrating.. but what.
Thank you for still hoping ;) Only selling point for me would be awesome AF with properly working eye-AF like Canon R5 and Sony A1 have.
In addition to that preshooting, actually usable electronic shutter for fast moving objects, big buffer and starting from 20 fps.
If it does not have those features, why would i really buy Mark III? I mean if it's yet another landscape camera, what does it do what i cannot do with original K-1 or K-1 Mark II?
Fingers crossed!
Hi Matt, I'm not sure if just a K1 III Body will solve the things the whole system is missing. The lens line-up is lacking some newer lens designs with fast linear motors and new lens designs. I would love to see a 50mp-ish sensor and also a monochrome version - I had the pleasure using the K3 III Monochrome for some months and I wished it would have been a full frame body.
I also would love to see a bold move from Pentax to push their 645 System again to the market as "real medium format" camera system.
Yes the medium format is certainly something I wish Pentax continued
Ciao credo che la corsa ai megapixel non serva a molto se non come immagine o poco più , perché se guardi le foto sullo schermo certo non servono e neanche per la stampa a meno che non fai dei mega crop o stampi magari più di 1 metro per 1 metro....ma poi con quelle dimensioni a che distanza guarderai la foto? Non certo da vicino quindi.....
I clicked this knowing it was "Click Bait" but I so so so hope Pentax fires off the K-1 Mkiii sooner than later (I traded my Mark ii for my very used K-3 Mark iii off MPB - HUGE step up but I do miss the full frame sensor). I love my Pentax beefy bodies (I'm a hiker street taker and car show attender), love knowing if it rains my camera isn't going to be junked, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE that I can still use my 1970's lenses on my newest Pentax body. Fun video, thanks Matt.
P.S. I need people to stop keeping the value of DFA* lenses up.. I'm getting tired of my old glass :) ..
Thanks for the your feedback and personal experience with Pentax. Yes, dfa do hold their value quite well on the used market. Shows you that their request is high and rightly so. Glad you enjoying the k3iii.
Actually a Pentax Japan guy said recently that the K1 Mark III is in the works. So a few years out, but at least they are thinking about it.
For me a serious omission on my K-70 and K-1 is a focus stacking feature. I have to shift focus manually for e.g. mushrooms pics with risk of changing camera position. I know Canon and Nikon cameras have this feature built in. Further I hope GPS will be retained in a new K-1 model.
That would be a great tool to have for sure
It would also be amazing to do 16bit DNGs, to help cover the medium format space they nixed last year.
Nice idea
Probably not much point, the extra bits would primarily be noise, the lower pixel density of MF sensors provides a higher signal to noise ratio hence they can make use of the extra bit depth.
We can only hope. The current K1 has a market. The marketing of cameras has been towards the advantages of mirrorless operation. The trick that Pentax may need to achieve is to be a valid alternative. The form factor of DSLR without too many drawbacks. Image quality and focus acuity with viewfinder aids. The DSLR is niche now so that niche design needs to be a selling point that’s advantageous. Great Video, pithy and thoughtful!
I agree with what you are saying. To justify a new k1 as I said it really has to shine as a dslr
As a tribute to you and Eric I watched this even though I'm sticking with my doorstop. 😂
Hahahahhah
A K-1 mkIII with the same body and upgrade internals would be enough for me to pick up. All the features of the K-3 mkIII with built in GPS. Biggest upgrades I’m excited about would be usb-c, sensor improvements, K3 MKIII focus accuracy and speed. I would be seriously bummed without built in GPS and the screen design. An identical body would make it so that old L-Brackets etc work and the ergonomics are superb.
All very well said
For travel and day-to-day photography, I prefer the smaller bulk of an ASP-C DSLR system (esp because of the APS-C format zoom lenses) and for me there's nothing better than the K-3 III right now.
But, having had my old K-3 II converted to Full Spectrum for Astro and Infrared photography, I can totally see a full frame K-1 mark III step in there to up the game. The swivel screen specifically would be a dream for that technical kind of photography. Bulk is no issue for this application, since I mostly use smallish pre-digital prime lenses with older coating (=no IR hot spots), all perfectly FF compatible as well.
However, not sure the company (Kolari) that did my previous conversion will still tackle a new Pentax camera, now that Pentax has gone niche...
On many levels yes
Hello Matt , glad to see your video ! i wanted to ask you something ! am about to buy a new camera , but am still considering my options , am not a pro but am a photography lover , my interest are , City landscape photography (avenues, streets , panoramic, squares , crowds etc) , also portrait photography and landscape, !! my options are as follow ; Nikon Z7II , Z6II , Sony A7R IV , Fujifilm GFX 50s II , XH2 , Lumix DC S1R , and of course the beautifull PENTAX K1 Mark II , the PENTAX has a very atractive price right now , which one of these cameras would you recomend me to purchase , i want a camera that allows me to have very colorfull and definned images , images with very good details ! would you recomend me something like the Pentax ? something i love about PENTAX is that they are kind of artisanal brand those are like swiss whatches !!
I would highly recommend the k1 and considering you can get such a huge variety of even vintage lenses to experiment with too is another huge bonus.
@@MattBishopPhotography Thank you !
Inspirational and consoling
Thank you
MK iii should have the latest technology regarded landscape photography and all the necessary updates to keep going. If this wont happen, then we are talking about a huge failure to every person invested in pentax full frame lenses and that is allready unacceptable!
Good points
Bigger buffer & dual card slots that are uhs-2 compatible would be great
Nice idea
Volevo provare una reflex ho una mirrorles, quindi ho appena comperato una kp con 60/250 , fantastica lente, e il 20/40 che sto provando in questi giorni..costruzione di camera e obiettivi più che solida..tutto metallo niente plastica o quasi ...Ho scelto Pentax perché mi piace come lavorano, occupano una nicchia hanno poco budget ma hanno il coraggio di osare, vedi monocrome e pellicola, e a me le persone così piacciono...prossimo passo, con calma, la k3 Monochrome che ho provato....bellissima...Complimenti per il canale continua così
Grazie mille per i commenti. Daje’!!!!
With flagships focusing more on speed and fps, like the R1, over MPs, Pentax could have an edge in the portrait and landscape arena.
For sure
Soy usuario de Pentax desde hace ya 12 años. Empecé con un Kx, después pude conseguir una K5 de segunda mano y ahora ya llevo unos cuantos años con la K-3. El problema que estoy viendo a Pentax , ya no es que no saque cámaras nuevas, que también es un problema, es que ya casi no tiene terceras marcas que saquen objetivos más asequibles.
Para mí eso es un gran problema, el mayor. Ahora mismo estoy viendo un objetivo MEIKE 85mm F1.4 realmente barato.
Third party lenses just don’t stand up to it. If your looking to save go second hand or invest on old primes
And where is my Penax 102mp 645?
Hahahahhaha!
yep this is my dilemma right now, time to update hurry up Pentax
Be patient my friend
@@MattBishopPhotography Yep, be patient, You may be lucky playing with the 'New' one on Your death bed, maybe.
Hi! k1 or k1 ii, which do you prefer and why?
As for k1 iii, may be in 2030?
Both!
Your guess might be right. It took about 6 years for the K3 III from rumour to the shop. Pentax is not for progressive thinking photographers. It's for tinkering with old stuff. Nothing wrong with that though.
@@takuan650 I hope I'm wrong)
i'm definitley thinking in moving to sony for my next camera if pentax not release a successor to K-1, i do own a K-1 and love it. I might wait one more year...
It would be great at least if Pentax made some announcement that they are working on K-1 III and some estimated release date.
What would Sony give you? And what would you loose if you were to leave Pentax?
@@MattBishopPhotography Sony gives MOVING pictures..lol as well as the choice of very compact, light bodies...ADVANCE AF, that Pentaxians can only dream of...I thought you might know this and not have to ask...
@@MattBishopPhotography well, personally i think i would get accurate AFC tracking for wildlife and daily kids photos, also not back focus or front focus issues. I'm an amateur, i dont earn my life as photographer, but i do enjoy it a lot. So when i have the chance to go on vacation i do want that the very small moments i have to do some wildlife shots the camera be more responsive. I was thinking in getting just a Sony FF with the 200-600 lens and maybe a metabones adapter to start with something, so keeping the fantastic K-1 for landscape, astro, etc. So, in the end, if Pentax would would release a K-1 III with considerable improved AF and i can keep using all my gear, then i would be very happy with it.
@@palaneproductions7357Tamron have made some very nice and lightweight lenses for the Sony system. I went Nikon after Pentax but am tempted to go Sony. Never picked up a Sony that felt nice or intuitive to use though.
So, you are still thinking that the potential new K-1iii will still have a full frame sensor??
For now yes. Hey…I could be wrong !
LOL, the mythical K-1iii? Hey Matt, you forgot the most fabulous feature of the K-1 which are the LED lights. 😎 I still use my K-1 and K-1ii cameras to shoot events and portraits. And my clients are very happy with their images. But, I sure would like better autofocusing, better high ISO performance - and I would be thrilled to pieces if this mythical K-1iii had some sort of hybrid OVF/EVF so that I could shoot video looking through the viewfinder. LOL, I almost always get someone asking me what kind of camera I am shooting. "Pentax? Do they still make cameras?", or from younger folks, "Pentax? I have never heard of that brand." I kinda wish Godox would buy Pentax from Ricoh. Then we would have a new camera around every two years that worked with all of the Godox lighting gear.
There are so many features that I didn’t mention and so many features that other camera brands would dream about. Pentax is niche, it’s not mainstream.
One more thing: Pentax has introduced a lot of F series lenses. A camera to rejuvenate their sales would make sense.
For sure
Essential: processing speed of K3 Mk iii or better
The same tilt swivel screen on K1 ii
More internal memory for longer high speed burst
Faster (10fps or better) high speed burst
Faster and more accurate auto focus than K3 iii
Prism of K3 iii
In camera focus stacking
More pixels (40 meg)
Brighter / sharper LCD panel
Much faster, more accurate live focus
Now, pair the above with new PLM macro lens and new PLM f2.8 super zoom and that will definitely rejuvenate Pentax. The 55-300 is great but for wildlife / nature a 60-300 or 50-300 f2.8 PLM would be welcome.
Nice to have: better video. I don’t use that but many people do.
Sounds good…and yes, in camera focus stacking would be a great feature !
I think biggest issue for Ricoh now is that K-1 Mk II, for what it is supposed to be (I think) so landscape/architecture etc. "slow photography" camera K-1 is pretty much complete camera. There is little to nothing that can be made better for those genres and for action there is K-3 Mk III. So I think that Ricoh will start selling K-1 Mk III when K-1 Mk II stock runs out and it will be smooth replacement of one camera by another.
I think K-1 Mk III will be great photographer camera, but if someone hopes for MILC-level eye-AF or subject recognition then well, it is nice to dream. I would rather ask for some unusual sensor, new pentaprism glass, maybe something related to astrophotography (though there is supposed to be K-3 Mk III Astro so...).
Very good points
In two years even more Pentax users will have died off. They need to do something to bring new users in.
For sure
Maybe the Mark III is going to be a mirrorless K mount camera.
I doubt it
i love Pentax cameras and lenses, but the company takes way too long to produce new cameras. the k1 mark 3 should have been out last year.
You need time to create a masterpiece
Sorry Pentax but I got tired of waiting on you after being a Pentax user since 1985 when I had a Super Program Plus. Finally sold my K1 mkii and K5 and moved over to a Lumix S5 which I absolutely love. If you ever step into the modern world I may come back because you still hold a place in my heart.
Why do you say modern world? I am curious to understand this? When I hear that it makes me confused because they haven’t gone mirrorless ?
@@MattBishopPhotography I say this Matt because every major camera brand has gone mirrorless except for Pentax. Yes companies will still continue to make some DSLR models for awhile but the future is mirrorless, and if you follow the industry you'll see that everyone is heavily investing in and putting all of their R&D into mirrorless systems except for Pentax. Again, I loved my old Pentax but my Lumix S5 takes equally good pictures, has better stabilization, don't even think of comparing the video and it's half the weight. In my opinion Pentax has turned themselves into a niche market which is maybe what they want but I'm not sure how well that will work out in the long run.
@@MattBishopPhotography Exactly, but not only that.
It`s more that they don`t give the customer what it wants.
And lets face it where do you ever hear that somebody just bought a new pentax.
If you want doing pure photography, Pentax is more then you need. Letting you slow down and think over the caputure. If you like that camera takes control of your exposure and show you how your picture will look like before you take it - go for mirrorless. I do prefer to master my skills with Pentax DSLR, to see my vision of final picture in my head before I hit the shutter. Not seeing it first in EVF.
@@ykhm9778 Well that`s gonna sell new Pentax camera`s, just what they need. NOT.
Besides, every fan of dying brands comes up with the same story you`re telling me.
Maybe, next time be a bit more original.
You can slow down with EVERY camera just configure it that way.
Pentax made the terrible mistake of not weatherproofing the limited series when they updated them
Interesting
I appreciate your enthusiasm but Pentax's lacklustre roll-out is all down to poor decisions and limited cash-flow. Nikon released its first FF mirrorless the Z6 in Nov 2018, then the Z6ii in Oct 2020 and the imminent release of the Z6iii has just been strategically leaked, meanwhile Pentax, crickets.
Nikon is not Pentax though
@@MattBishopPhotography Thankfully true, I just cited it as an example how other companies function. Pentax users have to be very very patient, I'm still waiting for a 645zii.
Question - Why should Pentax release new FF camera? For K-3 Mk III they got new AF, new Pentaprism that got APSC OVF to FF level, new faster card and buffers etc - all that made action oriented camera that much better. What better can you do for K-1 Mk III? It is pretty much complete landscape/architecture/studio camera. It is DLSR so advanced subject recognition is, I believe, impossible due to limitations of dedicated AF sensor. Unless it gets really high-res sensor faster readouts, buffer, FPS - there is little reason for that in such camera. It will be putting it there just cause we can.
It will be another matter when K-1 Mk II stock runs out and new camera is needed for Ricoh to have FF on sale. Then they will be making camera of what is available on market. And I think that is the case - they simply making replacement for K-1 Mk II not necessarily some uber-camera. I would more count on fun to use, great ergonomics and decent sensor with great color science camera build with modern blocks rather then Z9 equivalent of something.
Unless, of course, Pentax dusts off some of their weird patents for hybrid OVF, pellicle mirror and whatever else and puts that into new K-1 Mk III. But then imagine the price :)
@@jerzyjablonski1432 The FF users will have worn out bodies in the coming years. The will need to keep mk 2 in production or put out a mk 3.
We will be waiting till doomsday, Pentax is gone.
If (and that`s a big if) they somehow would pull it off, it definitely won`t be a DSLR anymore.
If they would do that anyway, it would really be the final nail in the coffin.
Oh right? Sorry that you feel that way
@@MattBishopPhotography Don`t be, just step out of your cave into the 20 first century.
You are speculating about wet dreams. The Poles will have melted before Pentax comes out with another superseded camera. Pentax is not as exciting as it once was. Still have the K3 Mark1 and the K5 IIs though and use them for giggles every now and then.
I think if there were not excited they wouldn’t be bringing out new niche cameras that sell very well to the customers that want them
I can't 100% share the admiration of Pentax cameras. In the K-1, K-1 ii, KP, K-3 iii models, there is a problem with the noise reduction mechanism, as well as about the amount of information in the RAW files.
These models lose details and color information when shooting in poor lighting conditions, even with noise reduction turned off.
There is no such problem in Nikon SLR cameras, which were produced in parallel. When shooting on the D850 and K-1 ii at night using the astrotracer, the D850 camera wins because it retains details and colors where there is a terrible confusion of pixels on the K-1 ii. Also, RAW files from full-frame Pentax cameras weigh less, and accordingly less information is available for processing. I can send a lot of research about this problem from one of the Pentax brand ambassadors.
I would like Pentax to release a software update for the camera models listed above so that you can save RAW files without aggressive noise reduction and with a lot of information.
p.s. The images from the K-5 II S and K-3 II have more detail due to the lack of a separate noise reduction coprocessor, which cannot be explicitly turned off in the latest Pentax cameras.
Are you shooting in DNG?
@@MattBishopPhotography , of course. I tried to attach materials on comparisons and research in the comments. The video hosting did not allow this to be done.
K1III makes no sense. Either it will be at least somewhat modern camera with new sensor and modern AF, but then it will be prohibitively expensive and completely incompetitive with $5000+ price range. Or it will reuse most modules from K1II and then it will be expensive obsolete camera with zero customers, because current K1/K1II users won't spend $3000 for camera with barely better stats. If you think these prices are exxagerated, just take a look at K3III price now. 2015 tech camera released in 2021 now cost about the same as completely new FUJI X-H2. Disgusting.
Other serious problem is, that FF K mount portfolio is missing many important lenses and now there is not even single 3rd party lens manufacturer supporting it with AF lenses.
Development and NPI of such camera cost several millions of $ and you need sales to cover such cost + make some profit. But FF DSLR market barely exist now and Ricoh share on that tiny market is completely laughable. We are talking about at least 40k bodies you need to sell per year for several consecutive years. Which is NOT going to happen. Even current K1/K1II had serious issues on market after initial rush that was mainly caused by slow production ramp-up. After 1/2 year since introduction sales went down. Then Ricoh tried to improve situation by K1II modification, but with little success. Compare that to Fuji who release camera and already have 500k preorders. That is the functional bussiness.
K1III will be financial suicide even worse than K1 was. K1 sucked a lot of R&D resources, but in fact as a result removed large amount of K mount customers who were waiting for K5/K3 replacement. Instead we got gutted KP which had MUCH lower sales than K5/K3. And FF K1 which in 2016 had 2012 technology but AF even significantly worse than D800. It sucked so much resources, that they abandoned Q mount and even mighty 645 system because of this. Those customers who left during 2014-2021 are not going back too.
K1 was interesting camera for some landscape guys and owners of old K mount film lenses, but thats about it. There are no ultrawide lenses, no fast wide lenses, in general no modern hi-res lenses comparable to competitors. Current portfolio is supported by three severely overpriced OEM Tamron DSLR lenses that are no longer produced 15-30/2.8, 24-70/2.8 and 70-210/4. Once stock is depleted, they are gone like PenTamron 18-270. Then we have large heavy slow focusing DFA*70-200/2.8, barely interesting 150-450/4.5-5.6 variable aperture 3x zoom and two somewhat modern F1.4 lenses at 50+85mm. Done. 28-105 is uninteresting kit lens. DFA21/2.4 cannot compete with 20/1.4 or 24/1.4 lenses all competitors have. Ricoh does not have resources to fix large gaps in lens portfolio and release any modern camera. We saw evidence for that during last 10+ years. Worse than Hoya.
Compare that with Sony, Nikon, Canon and L mount. These systems started recently, they now all have IBIS, weather sealed bodies and LENSES. Tons of lenses. Own, 3rd party and adapted. Or if you include APS-C, then Fuji is the new king here as they completely surpased Pentax that used to be APS-C leader 10 years ago. In fact Fuji enjoys the old Pentax strategy of APS-C for general users and medium format for hi-end pro/enthusiasts which works well.
But somebody in Ricoh said no, lets commit suicide and lets join overcrowded FF DSLR market right in time before it collapses. Who could expect the result... now you have to search for camera store that sells Pentax cameras and barely any store have them on display. Compare that with all other brands including OM Digital (dead Olympus). They all have much wider support.
K3-IV with articulating screen, improved live-view, phase detect on sensor and much larger buffer will make sense. And also K70/KF replacement is important if they still want to continue with K-mount. But in general it will be better to ditch obsolete K mount, create nice functional adaptor for new mirrorless system and focus on modern cameras which will be able to use legacy lenses with such adaptor including AF if somebody needs that.
I share some of your thoughts/observations to a little extent. I happen to be very happy with the lens line up and don’t care less about third party lenses. But hey, that’s me. That’s my taste. The camera suits my needs.
I do honestly believe though a lot of your comments will be very soon proven to be mislead.
Thanks a lot for your feedback and time to give your side of the Pentax story
@@MattBishopPhotography So maybe you can tell us how many K1II were sold this year and total. Or how many DFA15-30/2.8, 24-70/2.8 or 70-210/4 are going to be produced next year. Maybe tell us which FF Kmount lenses are going to be fielded in 2024 and 2025 to support modern K1III cameras.
And maybe add why Ricoh killed 645 system even though it had good lens coverage (much better than current FF) and all they needed was improved 645Z with competitve 100Mpix sensor and AF from K3III..
damn was hoping for news and i hear maybe 2026 wtf
Hopefully earlier
The K one mk III may be under development but is it needed?....Both K 1 models do product and landscape and portrait reasonably well, while the K33 does the rest at a good level(talking about STILLS forget moving pictures.)...A faster K1 for WHAT?...it wont compete with any of the mirrorless cameras, their capability is beyond what Ricoh can achieve.....Development $$$ should be spent on lenses.
I think that there are certain features that exist in the k3iii that a lot of ff users really would like to see in the k1 and i can understand why
The K3 Monochrome and the new split frame film camera is all you need to know about Pentax's race to the bottom. While I love my K-1, the lack of third-party lenses and other gear is problem. All new camera technology is aimed at mirrorless. Sure, a MKIII with a faster burst rate, faster AF and, crazy as it sounds, full function adapter rings for the latest competing lens brands, could breath new life into a highly competent camera system.
Why would you want third party lenses May I asks. If you are with Pentax take advantage of their optics which you can set aside from the others
@@MattBishopPhotography I have several vintage Pentax lenses that render beautifully but lack electronic connections to the camera body including much needed auto focus.
@@MattBishopPhotography Because with Tamron and Sigma support K mount in past was usable. I wanted ultrawide lens. So I have Sigma 8-16. I wanted lens better than horrible DA*16-50mk1, so I got Sigma 17-50/2.8, I wanted universal lens so I got Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5 back in 2008. I wanted long fast telephoto so i got excellent Sigma 100-300/4. I wanted very long lens, so I found extremely versatile Sigma 50-500/4-6.3. I wanted long fas telephoto WITH FAST AF so I got Sigma 70-200/2.8 HSMII. Later added also optically great Tamron 70-200/2.8. I wanted lenses for low-light concerts and conference shootings, so I got EXCELLENT Sigma 35/1.4 Art and also superb Sigma 18-35/1.8 which has NO counterpart in Pentax own portfolio and since I bought these my FA*24/2, FA35/2 barely see any action.
This is all gone now. Current Pentax is completely uninteresting overpriced system that has no future. No way somebody new will jump into it. Why? Starting now I will happily go M4/3. Which I did and now I have secondary system. Once I added Oly EM5III I find myself using Pentax less and less. Because I can drop EM5III + 12-100/4 + 75-300 + 25/1.7 into my bag and I have most covered.
There is nothing magical about Pentax optics. Maybe if you love chromatic and logitudinal aberations or low resolution in corners. And those few good lenses cost a fortune, yet they already struggle on 24/26Mpix APS-C bodies.
And if magically something has acceptable optics like my TokiPentax DA*50-135/2.8, then it at least has Sudden Death Motor to finish it :D
Pentax knows they cannot go toe-to-toe with the other brands on mirrorless so they stayed with DSLR. They know that there will always be some, like me, that don't really like EVFs and will stay with DSLR. So I suppose DSLR is now a niche, eh? They stay with a niche. BTW, the monochrome has sold well...I plan to get one.
Flippy screens are not that reliable. So far the K1 flippy design is holding up but the KP not so much.
The old screen is actually very robust and reliable from my experience
Most likely they are going bust
I doubt that mate
Selling old stock. FF hopefully will be killed like Q mount and 645 which might let them focus on APS-C portfolio rework or switch to new system. (Or abandon it completely which is nothing new for Ricoh)
But what could Pentax offer to make me move from the K1 mark I to a new mark III?
Better AF? If I want faster AF I buy a Sony, Canon or Nikon.
Better IQ? Does anyone really need more than 36 Kpix?
Smaller and lighter? If the different is significant YES!!!
With a Pentax 24-105 f/4 lens? Yes, please!
Canon and Nikon don’t offer what makes a Pentax a Pentax
@@MattBishopPhotography Exactly! IMO, Pentax users are not sports photographs so AF is not the main reason to buy a camera.
@@luispnrf Talk for yourself. I am using Pentax for plane spotting, airshows, car racing if there is anything close by etc. And main reason I got K-3 Mk III was new AF system. Not a single complaint (about camera, lots about DA lenses :P)
@@MattBishopPhotography Chaotic AF? Missing lenses? Oh.. there is one thing. Astrotracer. But there are new ways to do it better just with image tracking + computations. Instead of moving sensor.
@@jerzyjablonski1432 What other system you used at least for a month and can compare Pentax AF with?
This is why I sold up everything Pentax and now have gone Sony.
I hope that went well for you
@@MattBishopPhotography Going well so far. It's the complete lack of the sign of any attempt to modernise the offering. The basic range were all in development in the 2015-2016 era. All we have had is tweaks here and there. No matter how "advanced" they were when released they are all behind the curve now
@@bigjimny That may not be as important to everyone as you think.