Some thoughts on the Olympus E-P3 / Ricoh buys Pentax.

http://www.photographyblog.com/news/olympus_e-p3_hands-on_preview/

Having had a look at the various previews, reviews etc. of the E-P3, it seems that Olympus at least seem to still be interested in providing m4/3 cameras that retain the looks and feel of a useable tool, rather than joining the gadget size war which seems to be obsessing Panasonic and Sony. True they have a couple of smaller versions but the retention of the Pen shape and construction and the release of the 12mm f/2 and 45mm f/1.8 lenses is very encouraging.

The E-P3 is pretty much what I expected it to be and that's a good thing. It would have been nice to have the viewfinder built-in but I've never had an issue with the VF-2. From the jpg and raw samples I've looked at, the sensor does seem to be improved both in terms of image quality and high ISO performance. 

As ever the Olympus designers have come up with an attractive package and the new lenses are certainly very pretty indeed. 

Whether Olympus's reluctance to increase the MP count will hold this camera back remains to be seen. Having been using the Fuji X100 and Leica M8 recently, I am very aware that 12MP is certainly capable of delivering very high quality files and from a brief look at some samples it seems Olympus have weakened the anti-aliasing filter still further to the advantage of the sharpness. The images reminded me very much of the E-5.

Because of my problems with EVF's it may be a camera I don't buy, but it does look very good and the lenses are very seductive. Add the Panasonic 25mm f/1.4 to the 12mm and 45mm and you have a very Leica-esque trio.

Overall, it all looks very "photographic" and shows I think, that the reference points for photographic companies are somewhat different to electronics manufacturers. 

 

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/Pentax_UK_speaks_out_on_sale_to_Ricoh_update_news_308403.html

Ricoh buying Pentax is an interesting development. Shows a commitment to develop I think. Many people I respect have good things to say about the GXR and again regard it very much as a well-constructed and laid out camera. Hopefully Pentax will benefit from this takeover and build on the success of the K-5. The Q system is hopefully their one and only foray into the micro gadget camera market and I for one would imagine a partnership with Ricoh could produce some interesting results. A k-mount module for the GXR must be a certainty now, which might take the place of the rumoured APS-C CSC Pentax. That would surely help both the Ricoh GXR and Pentax K limited pancake lenses and would produce a nice quality system. 

Anyway its good to see Pentax back in the game with a new partner. I'm always pleased to see them moving forwards after my long association with them. They mostly make excellent cameras and lenses and Ricoh may be just what they need after their dalliances with Samsung and Hoya.

Pentax K-5 Video - Actually very good.

Having virtually ignored the K-5 video since I bought the camera I decided yesterday to give it a try. It doesn't get much attention. Most reviews say that, yes the camera does video, but it doesn't have any manual control and thats about it. Well, its actually very good. Its very sharp with great colour and simple to use. I think its the best looking footage I've shot on any video enabled stills camera. The footage above was shot on a very dull afternoon, and its come out really well. Shot using a 70mm f/2.4 limited lens, which as you can see is very sharp.


I recommend watching it in full 1080p HD on YouTube to see just how nice the footage looks.


When I had the K-7 I didn't like the stills much, but liked the video. The K-5 is a great improvement on both. I took a screen grab off the K-5 footage on my iMac and its excellent quality.





Also because of the in-camera stabilisation its possible to use the K-5 hand held. Its not quite as good as the Sony A55's Super Steady Shot in this regard but its close and I certainly prefer the look of the video from the K-5 over the Sony. I was missing the A55's ability for hand held work, but not now.





This was shot using the 15mm f/4 limited lens and edited in iMovie using the stabilisation software in addition to the cameras IS. 


One of my continual complaints about the reviewing and discussion of video on stills camera is the assumption that as photographers we all want to become film-makers. The continual winges about how these cameras don't do what "proper" video cameras do, leaves me bewildered. If you want a camera to make movies on, shouldn't you buy a camera thats designed for that? I know we're all supposed to be into convergence, and turn into photographer / videographer hybrids overnight but this assumes an awful lot. It assumes we want to do that to begin with, it assumes we've got the time, inclination and ability to be able to learn how to do it, and assumes we've got the necessary funds to be able to afford the extra gear that seems to be vital in order for us to be the camerapersons/ directors / producers / editors we're all dying to be. 


I can understand if you are a film maker first and foremost, that something like a GH2 might be a cost effective way to do it. But even though the GH1 and GH2 have excellent video capability, thats not what they are designed for. Both are primarily stills cameras. 


Much as I enjoy reading someone like Phillip Bloom and watching his videos it should be remembered that he is a video cameraman, with years of experience working in television and movies. He is looking for different things in a camera, mainly to satisfy the needs of his clients. How much of that professional capability, those of us who are photographers first and foremost, need, is I believe open to question. 


When these cameras first started appearing, with the release of the Canon 5DMkII, I always thought that this would lead to a different kind of video, shot from a photographers perspective. I'm a great fan of the kind of European cinema, that uses longer takes, photographic framing and a much slower pace overall. The combination of comic book action and television advertising sensibility that permeates much of modern commercial cinema often leaves me cold. A bit like a Big Mac as opposed to a well-prepared meal. It looks big and colourful but ultimately there's not a lot in it. 


I like the idea of these video enabled cameras being able to produce an alternative view to the media mainstream. Its perfectly possible to use these cameras, with only the addition of a decent tripod with a video head and an external microphone, to produce interesting work with extremely high quality. Though they do get used for mainstream television and film work, there's the possibility of using these cameras for other more personal work. To that end, are full manual control and all the other bells and whistles that some deem essential, really as essential as many reviews seem to make out?


Some of what the K-5 doesn't have, I see as an advantage. It doesn't AF while shooting video. Well thats great as far as I'm concerned. Footage with lenses hunting back and forth to find focus is almost unwatchable. I used the camera on manual focus anyway and it does that very well with a magnification function allowing accurate and precise focus. The K-5 is also criticised for being mostly automatic. I have no problem with that either. It allows me to get on with other things without worrying about settings. 


I could however live without the rolling shutter, which makes panning look terrible, but until camera designers change the way they open and close the shutters on their cameras from vertical to horizontal, then we have to live with that.


I like the K-5 video very much. I'm a sucker for sharp images with saturated colour anyway and this camera gives me that with movement!! Add in the fact that it has low noise at high ISO's and you have a very useful video function. Pentax are not known for their video expertise and it seems they have been somewhat unambitious with regard to the K-5 video. However what they have done, they have done well and have concentrated on producing a high-quality output that can be accomplished relatively simply. I'm certainly not going to complain about that. 


David

m4/3 with Pentax lenses - 2 plus the versatility of m4/3

m4/3 with Pentax lenses - 2





This is a Panasonic GH2 fitted with a Pentax 70mm f/2.4 limited lens.








Really good results from this lens, even wide open. Its the best lens for image quality on my Pentax K-5 and it produced very sharp files on the GH2. Nice bokeh too.

















So yet another option for m4/3. I now have M-mount, Panasonic & Olympus 4/3 and Pentax lenses that I can use on my Panasonic G series cameras. More than I need however. I had hoped to reduce my gear but ebay is a bit sluggish at the moment, and most of it is still here. I'll probably re-list what I don't want  a bit closer to the Spring. Obviously just after Christmas is not a great time to sell.


The versatility of m4/3


I was thinking yesterday about this when the Fuji X100 samples appeared and disappeared again. I have used a Leica X1, Samsung NX10 and Sony A55 and all of them have gone while I still continue to use m4/3. All the cameras had their virtues but for me didn't have enough of them to persuade me to use them rather than what has become my core system.


The advantage of an APS-C sensor is somewhat overstated as far as I'm concerned. Particularly for someone like me who uses anything higher than ISO 200 very rarely. I also find the handling of m4/3 cameras suits me well in terms of size and weight. The GF1 for example is a small camera but its not that light & it feels very solid in my hand. The GH1 and GH2 are excellent cameras to use in the field and I've really grown to love the GH2's handling. 


I love the idea of the Fuji X100 and there's no doubt that it's a very sexy camera. However the samples I saw yesterday have given me something to think about. Apart from the excellent high ISO performance I saw nothing to get me that excited. Like a lot a people I really want the X100 to produce great results and it still may be capable of that.


Most of all I love the ability of the m4/3 system to accept literally 1000's of lenses. My real enthusiasm for it started when I began using Nikon lenses via an adapter. I got some extraordinary results from my 50mm f/1.1 and 85mm f/1.8 lenses. From there I started using M-Mount lenses, 4/3 lenses and now Pentax lenses. The posts last week where I was writing about using the Zeiss 50mm f/2 Planar and Leica 90mm f/2.5 Summarit-M on the GH2 were an account of a real turning point for me. The results were so impressive and did indeed surprise me with the levels of sharpness and clarity, that I've only ever seen bettered by the Leica M9. 











Also where else would I get to be able to use the Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95 lens, which is rapidly becoming my favourite lens of all time. It seems I'm not alone in this as the first production run has apparently completely sold out across the world.


So no matter what else I try I seem to always be coming back to m4/3. Here in the UK we seem to have embraced it enthusiastically. I gather those of you in the US are encountering the same supply problems with the GH2 as with previous Panasonic items. Figures seem to indicate a lower take up of m4/3 there, though whether this is due to the difficulty of actually buying it or other factors is unclear. 


Its not a system for everyone, as many photographers would find it completely inappropriate for their needs but I think there's no doubt that a lot of the innovative technology created by m4/3 will spin off into other camera systems. The removal of the SLR mirror has possibilities that are only just beginning to be explored.


So whether I try a Fuji X100 remains to be seen. The answer is probably yes as I doubt I'll be able to resist it! Whether it stays long term is another story.


Words - David
Images - David and Ann

Four Thirds Camera - Pentax Mirrorless?

FOUR THIRDS CAMERA




For the time being I've decided to keep the Panasonic L10 the Leica Vario-Elmar 14-150mm zoom and the Olympus 50mm f/2 macro. It certainly makes more financial sense than buying an Olympus E-5. I was shooting some conservatory pictures for stock / library use yesterday and thought I'd use the L10 + the 14-150mm zoom.





The L10 is a strange camera. It was released in December 2007 with the Leica D 14-50mm f/3.8-5.6 Vario-Elmar as the kit lens. This was the only option. At £800 or $1300 it was considered expensive. There's a Dpreview review from the time at:- http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmcl10/
It has very poor high ISO performance, and its not very speedy, though with the right lens the AF is pretty quick. The viewfinder is terrible, like looking down a tunnel. It does however have good live view and an articulated screen like the later G series, which obviously follow its design parameters. Despite its shortcomings it does have some claim, under very specific circumstances, to be able to produce the best ever results from the 4/3 system. These being when its used with the right lens and no higher than ISO 100 selected.








My conservatory pictures, shot at ISO 100 on a tripod, using the 14-140mm vario-elmar zoom at apertures between f/10 and f/20 are incredibly good. In terms of sharpness and resolution they rival anything I've ever used. The files are perfectly capable of being blown up to double their size with very little loss of quality. They stand up extremely well to close inspection and would reproduce in an A3 double page spread with no problem at all. 


Another advantage is the weight. The outfit pictured at the top of the page, with zoom lens and 3rd. party battery grip is just 1kg. Just to put this into perspective a Nikon D700 with battery grip and equivalent lens (18-200mm) is double this. Like the Nikon the Leica lens has image stabilisation. The Travor battery grip is incredibly light and is also very long lasting.


There is of course no comparison between the Nikon and the Panasonic over virtually anything else. The Nikon wins hands down in terms of options and features. Plus the vast choices of the Nikon lens system.


The L10 is by no means a versatile all-rounder, but for me its a very useful camera. A light (ish) camera that allows me to use the 14-150mm zoom for hand-held landscape work at ISO 100 and get high quality results capable of A3 reproduction, which in real terms cost me less than £100 S/H is a great bargain buy. Its probably the best value piece of equipment I've ever bought. It also gives me something to hold when I yearn for that "big camera feel"!!!! Not for everyone, in fact probably not for very many photographers at all. It suits me and I plan to use it more. A few multi-image panoramas would be quite spectacular I think.


PENTAX MIRRORLESS?

Photo Rumors, K Rumors and 43rumors are all running with the story that Pentax are currently working on TWO mirrorless camera systems. One based on their 110 film camera, which had a size very close to m4/3 and another for an APS-C sensor. 

Whether this is an either / or situation or both will eventually appear is a matter of speculation. It does though lead to thoughts that Pentax may be working towards a system(s) that use either their existing lenses or lenses they already have designs for.  Personally my hope is for an APS-C system that allows the use of their limited series of prime and/or pancake lenses. Pentax are good at "small but perfectly formed" so this would an obvious market for them to target. They would then have the widest range of cameras of any of the major manufacturers. The only thing missing would be a rangefinder. Now there's an idea.

David

2011 Predictions

Its a new year, and time to make a few predictions for 2011. Total speculation, since I have no insider knowledge, and with a few fantasy / wish list items masquerading as "possibilities". One day this terrible weather, dull and cold, might disappear and I could actually get out and take some pictures. Writing about cameras is fun, but I'd rather be using them.

NIKON

For what seems like years there's been speculation about a D700 upgrade. Basically people want the D3X sensor in a D700 type body. There's rumours of a D800 or D900 doing this and I can see it happening. The D3X is 2 yrs + old and Nikon probably feel that they can "allow" that sensor, or something like it, into a more enthusiast level (cheaper) camera. It will of cause get bought by professionals, who are as reluctant to pay high prices as anybody else.

The D300 is also getting somewhat old. It seems obvious that the D7000 sensor will get added to a higher end body & we'll get an upgrade. D400?

A D4 is due also. I would imagine slightly more pixels - 16MP? - with better video and the same high ISO performance as the D3, maybe not as good as the D3S. 

The rumour about Nikon and mirrorless, is for a small, interchangeable camera with a sensor somewhere between a compact camera and m4/3. They will introduce it, probably because they feel they should, but their heart won't be in it. Despite rumours to the contrary DSLR's aren't going anywhere for a while. With companies like Samsung and Olympus dropping out out of that field, Nikon have even less competition than before. Systems like m4/3 are very popular in the far east but the huge US and European markets are much more DSLR orientated and likely to remain so for some time. The DSLR isn't dead and likely to remain the dominant camera in these markets for years to come.

On lenses I'm no Nikon expert so I'm not going to attempt any predictions other than a new 24-70mm f/2.8 with VR.

CANON

A 1Ds Mk IV is due. Canon are currently behind Nikon in the MP race, so expect a pixel hike. The rumours are for a 32MP full frame sensor. Expect upgraded video also. I Imagine they will keep the same body shape.

At some point in the year a 600D is due, if Canon follow their usual timetable. However the 550D was such a well-specified camera its difficult to see where they can go. Would they add more MP's and make their low-end enthusiast camera have more than the 7D or 60D? I can't see that happening. So if no more MP's, there's not much point in upgrading. 

I can't see Canon only releasing one camera in the year, so will we see a 5D Mk III earlier than expected? If they follow the timetable it should be appearing at the end of the year, but maybe it will be announced late summer. I see this as a camera concentrating on video. My guess is that it will be the best specified video DSLR they can come up with. Slightly more MP's, maybe 25MP, to equal the D3X, articulated screen, raw output for video etc. 5D Mk II's are getting used to make movies and TV programmes so its logical to go in that direction.

My off the wall prediction is for some designed for video lenses for the continuous AF they will introduce in both the 1ds Mk III and 5D Mk III. How many and what type, I don't know, but I think Canon see themselves as the "inventors" of DSLR video and I think they are probably ticked off at people saying the Panasonic GH2 is a better camera for video. 2011 is the year they show the world that Canon is the leader in that field.

A mirrorless Canon? Everything I read and see tells me not. I don't think they believe in it and they are so far behind, they will have to get a lot of lenses on the market very quickly. The EIS system? Sounds total fantasy land me. A 22MP m4/3 size sensor, with ultra-fast small primes? Sounds great, and who wouldn't want it, but apart from the first rumour back in September everything has gone quiet. This obviously means it will announced next week!! 

SONY

OK, here's a real stick your neck prediction. Sony are a company that are big enough to try something daring and just shrug it off if it fails. They have a large range of DSLR's and will probably upgrade a few of them. They will also expand the NEX system and add more lenses, probably smaller than what they have. 

However I believe that the big news will come at the high end. I think they still want to be a player in the full-frame pro market. The A900 and A850 weren't the cameras to achieve this, so what do they do? I think they will go in another direction. My prediction is that they will go for a monster! A full-frame 32MP pellicle-mirror, EVF, full HD video with continous AF, raw output, hybrid stills / video camera. This will be an attempt to take out Nikon and Canon in one go, as they will price it at something like £3000. It will be their attempt to grab the pro / high end enthusiast market. It may also be a radical design, Sony have no qualms about that, and may look like the offspring of a DSLR and a video camera. They will also introduce a range of high-end video friendly lenses, designed with Zeiss, which will be phenomenally expensive.

So this is my (first) outrageous prediction for 2011. Read on for the second.

PANASONIC

The GH2 and GF1 are recently announced, so what will Panasonic announce? Well I see a 25mm f/1.4 and a "pro" zoom. Maybe the 12-75mm F/2.8 thats been talked about, which could explain the lack of a wide-angle prime so far. 

However, I see the big news as a collaboration with Leica on a GF1 follow-up. Despite both companies talking down their association, I see it as in both their interests to continue this. This camera will be primarily made by Panasonic, with design input from Leica. I believe it will have retro aspects but be modern. However in Leica tradition it will look uncluttered and simple. It will take the Panasonic EVF and have an optional optical viewfinder. To go with it there will a small number of Leica MF primes with a m4/3 mount. These will of course be very expensive and be outside of the current Panasonic range. 

So the second outrageous prediction, though I will admit this is bordering very closely on personal wish fulfillment!!

LEICA

See above. More S2 lenses - possibly an X2 announcement - dealing with all the criticisms of the X1. Some M-lens revamps. 

OLYMPUS

My initial thoughts on Olympus were "I haven't got a clue" On thinking about it more I came up with "I still haven't got a clue!" E-PL2, and E-P3 are obvious, with minor improvements. More lenses, including a 12mm prime. Apart from that I really can't see where they can go. They need something radical. A mirrorless vehicle for the 4/3 lens range is possible, but they don't want to hurt E-5 sales. Maybe a quiet year for Olympus.

PENTAX

I think they will build on the success of the K-5 and the 645D. A new mid-range camera is probably on the cards.

There are very strong rumours about a mirrorless camera. I think this may happen, and may be a vehicle for their existing range of small and pancake lenses. I don't think they will join m4/3 but will go their own way like Samsung and Sony. If they do announce something, and do remember Pentax aren't the fastest in this regard, then I think it will be an APS-C camera. I don't think it will be super small in order to accommodate their existing lenses, and may be designed to resemble their heritage cameras. Spotmatic or MZ series possibly?

SAMSUNG

We already know that its NX all the way. I see more cameras and lenses next year, with a Sony like strategy to include a camera at every conceivable price point. Maybe a new sensor with more MP's. A high-end compact could also appear.

FUJI


Fuji obviously have everything tied up with the X100. I see no more DSLR's from them. Everything depends on how good the X100 actually is and whether there is an appetite for this kind of retro styled compact in the mass market. If it remains a niche market then it may be heading for collectable status in a few years time. At its price point it has to be really good, otherwise it will sink without trace.

SIGMA


Is the SD1 with its 15MP (In real terms) Foveon sensor too late or is it going to blow everything else away. We will see. Probably neither. Always destined to be a niche product I think, though they do have an amazing lens range for it!!


I think 2011 will be the year that Sigma start producing lenses for the mirrorless / e.v.i.l systems. With the growth in this market, can they afford to ignore it? Maybe a few lenses to start with for m4/3 and Sony NEX.

RICOH


I assume we'll see more modules for the GXR. 




So there it is, my predictions for 2011. If these all come true, I'm off down the bookies for 2012!


David

Pentax getting some nice reviews

Review of Pentax 645D at Imaging Resource
Link - http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/645D/645DA.HTM

As a long time Pentax user it's nice to see them on the up again. With the release of the 645D and the K-5 they are getting lots of attention for these cameras and the reviews of both are extremely positive. Interesting that this happens at a time when they have separated from Samsung. 





Pentax have always been a real camera company. In film days they produced everything from compact cameras to medium format. Today they are the only major camera manufacturer, apart from Leica to do the same. Lack of commercial success and a decline in market share has caused them to loose direction somewhat. They entered the DSLR marketplace late and until now have been producing decent but fairly run of the mill offerings. The 645D and K-5 look set to change that. 


I've always rated their ability to produce photographer-friendly camera designs and as stated before I applaud their attitude of bigger isn't better. The K-5 is a great camera, both ergonomically and in terms of image quality. Finally Pentax have got there with the latter. The K-x gave encouraging signs that they were finally able to source a decent sensor. The 16MP Sony Exmor is certainly the best APS-C sensor I've ever used and its nice to be able to state that the 18-55mm kit zoom is actually a decent lens. You'd certainly never guess that from the K-7. 


My constant frustration at Olympus not providing a good enough sensor to take advantage of their excellent lenses used to apply to Pentax as well, but they have finally done something about it. I'm currently having thoughts about what lens (lenses) to get for the K-5. Unfortunately the limited series 31mm, 43mm and 77mm have all shot up in price since I last had the set and I'm not sure I want to spend £2300 on getting them again. I have already had three 31mm f/1.8's. All got sold because of my disappointment with the sensors Pentax chose, though I bought the first one in my film days & got fed up waiting for Pentax to come up with a digital SLR!!


You do certainly need patience to be a Pentax user. Look at the time the 645D has taken. Ultimately I think this has been their problem. I've certainly got fed up with waiting for them to come up with the goods and I'm sure I'm not alone. However on the positive side, lets hope that things get a little speedier in the future. It would be a real shame if they eventually stopped making cameras, because of their history, and I hope that will concentrate on what they do best, which is make robust small quality DSLR's and the incredible 645D, which I'm convinced will be a good seller. 


Just finally on the 645D camera. Here's a video of the camera in use. Anyone who has ever used the film version will know just how good that camera was for hand holding. In fact 95% of my shots with it were taken that way. 40MP in a camera lighter than a D3X. 





Finally may I wish all of you Happy New Year and best wishes for 2011. 


David

Pentax K-5

Picked up a Pentax K-5 yesterday. After lots of indecision and looking at samples I decided to go with the Pentax. Haven't really had much chance to take many pictures with it but the handling is superb. 


What really doesn't come across in pictures is how small it is. I bought it with the battery grip as this gives a better feel, which I discovered with the K-7. Even with this fitted it still isn't heavy or bulky. It reminds me of what SLR's used to be like before this bloated NIkon / Canon bulk has become the norm. It really is a pleasure to hold, with a beautifully designed handgrip. Pentax have always been good at this, and my favourite handling cameras have all been Pentax. 


A few test shots revealed that this is not the K-7. This camera has a variant of the Sony Exmor CMOS sensor also used in the Sony A55 and A580 and the Nikon D7000. Its a lot better than the Samsung one from the K-7. Much sharper, cleaner images. Really good up to ISO 1600 and then things get a bit noisy, but still very useable. 


Nice fast AF and motordrive. As per usual I set the AF to centre spot only. How a camera thinks it can predict what I'm going to focus on, I have no idea. Face recognition is OK, but none of the multi-point systems I've ever used work for me. I find it much quicker to have one centre AF point and re-compose if necessary. 


To me, its everything a DSLR should be, and the K-5 restores my faith somewhat in the concept. I've only had it a day & it feels like its been around for years. Its built like a tank, but not heavy and bulky, though its obviously a lot chunkier than m4/3. I was only able to shoot indoors, but the test shots looked fine. Very similar to what I get of the Sony A55, but then thats what I would expect. More testing to come over the next few days, but its looking good so far.

Pentax

Yesterdays post and the comments that followed about the Pentax K-5 coincided with a very positive review of the camera on DPreview. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk5/

"It is hard to find a negative thing to say about the Pentax K-5."

 "Ultimately, we have no hesitation in recommending the Pentax K-5 to anyone"

It does indeed look a very good camera. I've been looking at some of the samples over the past weeks and they do look very good. The high ISO samples are amongst the best I've seen, with some excellent results at ISO 6400.

Have a look at this one from the Dpreview review. Its taken at ISO 6400. It is in good light which always produces cleaner results but its impressive none the less.
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/reviewsamples/photos/780617/imgp2863?inalbum=pentax-k-5-review-samples

I was not very impressed by the K-7 sensor which had a lack of sharpness to my eyes and very poor high ISO performance. It was made by Samsung and ended up in the NX10, where it looked a lot better though still not especially good at high ISO's. Pentax have always gone for a "softer look" Whether this is a strong anti-aliasing filter or just software I cannot say but this is a definite trend in their digital cameras. With the K-x they switched to a Sony sensor and got a lot better reviews regarding the noise at high ISO's. Certainly the samples I saw were very impressive. 


It seems that the K-5 shares the same basic sensor technology as the Nikon D7000 and Sony A55. "The K-5 captures its images on a 16.3 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor. This is probably closely related to the hardware used in the Nikon D7000 and Sony SLT-A55."  from the Dpreview review.
This is not the whole story but the results from the three cameras do look very similar. Interestingly from my own perspective having used the A55 I can certainly testify to that cameras incredibly good performance at high ISO's.

The Pentax is slightly lighter and smaller than the Nikon, though obviously in a different league to the A55. Though I didn't like the K-7 in terms of IQ, I liked its handling, particularly with the battery grip, and it did feel very sturdy. Its fully weatherproof, with weatherproof lenses to go with it. All in all it seems an excellent camera and having been a Pentax user over the years I'm glad they are making a decent camera again, after the somewhat disappointing K-7.

I have incidentally bought more Pentax cameras than any other brand - here's the list:-

Film
Pentax ME Super
Pentax 645
Pentax MZ-5 
Pentax MZ-50 

Digital
Pentax *istD
Pentax *istDL 
Pentax *istDS
Pentax K-10
Pentax K-7
Pentax K-5 ??????.............. Maybe. 

David 

Remember summer? - Pentax 645D

 

Having heard on the news last night that this cold weather may last until the new year here in the UK, I felt the need to post a couple of shots from last summer. 

Both shots - Panasonic GH1 - Leica Panasonic 14-150mm Vario-Elmar

Dpreview have just posted some sample images from the Pentax 645D medium format digital camera, including some .DNG raw files available for download.

 http://www.dpreview.com/news/1012/10120308pentax645d.asp

The resolution is obviously incredible and you can crop massively into the files and still produce large detailed images. However I was somewhat unimpressed by the look of the files. I remember the biting sharpness and contrast of the Velvia transparencies I took on my film Pentax 645, and I think I was expecting a digital version of that. These samples are a little disappointing however, slightly soft and a bit "flat". 

Not unexpected however as Pentax seem to take a pretty conservative view about their sensors. Every one of their digital cameras I've used has been like this. The 645D is being touted as a great camera for landscape photographers, and indeed the film version was just that. However a 3 image stitch from a Leica M9 would equal the 645D's resolution and seriously embarrass it in terms of sharpness, colour and contrast if these samples are typical.

Its nice to be able to say that a Leica is a "cheaper" alternative to another camera.

In an extremely unscientific test I blew up a Leica M9 file to the same size as a Pentax 645D one (148%) and took a 600x600 pixel chunk out of each.

 This is the result.

I am aware of exactly how flawed this is but my reaction to all the 645D samples I've seen has been the same. "Shouldn't they be better?" Compared to what I've seen from Hassleblad MF and indeed the Leica S2 they do look soft to me. Anyway have a look for yourself, and see what you think.

Pentax 645D

This is an image and specs below (from a Japanese website)
of £8000 worth of Pentax 645D. The much talked about, on-off-on-off-on again 40MP digital version of the best medium format camera ever made. (Objectivity is suspended for this post!!)



The Pentax 645D features:

• TTL autofocus, auto-exposure medium-format digital SLR camera
• Kodak CCD image sensor size: 44 x 33mm (1.7 x 1.3")
• Pixels: 40 megapixels
• Shutter speed: 1/4000 sec
• Screen: 3-inch, 921,000 dot LCD
• File format: JPEG, TIFF, RAW
• Image customization: 8 types
• Charging: 800 photos on one full charge
• Power: D-L190 lithium-ion rechargeable battery, AC adapter (not included)
• Includes: software CDROM, lens cap, AC cord, USB cable, strap, lithium battery, battery charger
• Cold-resistance for up to -10C (14F)
• Dust-proof, weather-resistant
• Finder: 98% field of view (trapezoid prism type)
• Size: 156 x 117 x 119mm (6.1 x 4.6 x 4.7")
• Lens not included
• Add lens for extra: SMC Pentax-D FA645 55mmF2.8 AL[IF]SDM AW
• Suitable lens: 645AF2, 645AF, 645A
• Memory card: SD, SDHC dual slots
• Frame: magnesium-steel-alloy
• Weight: 1480g (inc. battery and SD card x2); 1400g (camera only)

I used a film Pentax 645 for 15 years. I'm sitting here surrounded by cupboards flled with boxes that contain tens of thousands of 645 transparencies shot with that camera. It was an absolute dream to use. It felt like a big SLR, and because of its damped mirror it was designed to work hand-held. The lenses were absolutely superb. I once did a comparison test with a friend who had a Hassleblad with Zeiss lenses. After the test he sold the Hassleblad and bought one of these.


Some famous Pentax 645 users:-
David Lachapelle
Sam Haskins
Bob Carlos Clarke


If Pentax have finally got this right, forget the Leica S2, forget Phase One Backs, Hasseblads etc. £8000 (with lens) for 40MP in a DSLR style body, only slightly heavier than a Nikon D3. The queues for this will be round the block.


The image size is 7264 x 5440 pixels. Thats 24"" x 18" at 300ppi!!!


Whether or not it becomes available outside Japan is not known yet, though the editor of Amateur Photographer, Damien Demolder tried one out & saw that the model he used had menus in various languages other than Japanese.


I always loved the 645. I carried it up mountains, along footpaths all through the UK and Europe. I remember being unable to get to the top of the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye because of the high winds carrying it, and struggling for breath walking at altitude in the French Alps taking pictures of Mont Blanc which had finally revealed its summit for the first time in days.


I share a lot of history with that camera, and the thought of a 40MB digital version is intoxicating.


Theres a link to some full-size samples here.


Here is one with a blow-up to show the level of resolution.

Just thought that I would add the comment, that no I shan't be ordering one. I would only use it for Landscape and I can get this kind of resolution shooting multi-image stitched panoramas. The Leica M9 provides the capacity to probably out resolve the Pentax using this technique and is a smaller, lighter and (I've waited a long time to say this!) cheaper alternative.

D