New Firmwares for K-5II/s, K-30, K-01, K-5 and K-r

The new firmware is available for download in the following page:-

http://www.pentax.jp/english/support/download_digital.html

And the changes for the new firmware are as follows:-
Optimized contrast AF when using [HD PENTAX-DA 560mmF5.6ED AW]　lens.
Improved stability for general performance. 

Update (2-1) : I have roughly tested the LV AF of my K-5 after updated to the latest firmware and it

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New Product Photos of the AF360FGZII Flash and the Q Body Cap Pinhole Lens

Via: http://www.pentax.jp/japan/news/announce/20130130.html
(in Japanese)

Note that the body cap pinhole lens is NOT a REAL Pinhole lens as there is glass/optics inside the hole! It is because owing to the really small-sized sensor of the Q, it is not possible to make a small enough hole to produce a sharp enough image but at the same time to observe the diffraction limit before everything is

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WG-10, WG-III / GPS are Coming

See what Photo Rumors reports:-

http://photorumors.com/2013/01/28/full-list-of-new-cameralenses-to-be-announced-at-the-cp-show-this-week/



Update (1-31): The new WG-IIIs and WG-10 have been officially announced:-

http://www.pentax.jp/japan/news/2013/20130130_1.html

http://www.pentax.jp/japan/news/2013/20130130_2.html
(Both in Japanese)

There are four colours in total for the WG-IIIs, two

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6D Vs 5D3 ISO Test, 100 to 12800, Outdoor Scene

(Modelling photos taken with my Pentax Q.)

So, measurbation party again! Click on the following album and measurbate endlessly picture by picture, one by one by your oneself! ;-D


http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v313/RiceHigh/5Ds/6D_Vs_5D3_ISO/

Test Conditions:-

1. Camera mounted on a sturdy tripod (a giant Gitzo) and shutter was triggered via the original Canon remote cable switch;

2.

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D5200 Took the Crown of the Benchmark King from the K-5s

See the news: http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Publications/DxOMark-Reviews/Nikon-D5200-New-sensor-and-new-leader

Now, the D5200 is the new King of APS-C in the DxO BenchMark ranking!

And the comparison of the D5200 against the K-5IIs:-

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Compare-Camera-Sensors/Compare-cameras-side-by-side/%28appareil1%29/850|0/%28brand%29/Nikon/%28appareil2%29/830|0/%

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More Recent Pentax Samples (K-5IIs, K-5II and MX-1)

All via the 1001 Noisy Cameras:-

K-5IIs full samples here and DA18-270 samples here, by the ePhotozine.

K-5IIs Vs K-5II image comparisons of the same scenes, by WDC of UK.

Pentax MX-1 first samples (RAW) at Quesabesde with quick hands-on.

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First "Ricoh MX-1" Hands-on Report and Samples

By fengwei/frank (who is a die-hard Chinese Pentaxian located at Singapore):-

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/pentax-ricoh/1209242-pentax-mx-1-handson-review.html

Quick samples and with particular crops are posted in thread via consecutive posts here and here. Do note that it is stated that the camera is a pre-production unit as provided, though.

Similar to the K-01 and the Pentax Q, I can

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K-5 SR Super Demo (YouTube Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XiPmR5SFQI

OMG! :-o

Speaking of the K-5 family, here is also a latest ISO test for the K-5IIs against the Fuji XE-1:-

http://www.neocamera.com/camera/fuji/xe1/samples/indoor

It seems the results of the IIs is good enough and it wins hands down the Fuji.


View Also:-

K-5 Mirror "Jumpy" Videos Galaxy

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Evangelion (EVA) Q10 Versions

Via: http://www.yaotomi.co.jp/blog/used/2013/01/pentax-q10-1.html
(in Japanese)

N.B. EVA stands for Neon Genesis EVAngelion, a Japanese popular science fiction cartoon series back to 1995.

Update (1-31): More official information about these special versions of the Q10 can be found at the Japanese EVA online store link below:-

http://www.evastore.jp/pc/index.php?toid=PC_ARTICLE&fromid=

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Luxury 50mm Lens Fight: EF 50/1.2L Vs CZ 50/1.4ZE on 5D3

(Modelling photos taken with my Pentax Q. Who said that such a tiny sensor doesn't give a "shallow" DoF? ;-p But it may still be not enough after all~)

Well, there is not much new Pentax gear that interested me for the time being and I have "nothing better to do" with my current Pentax gear. So, I decided to continue my measurbation dream to the Canonland. So, I did the following and here we go

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"New" Lens Roadmaps Have Nothing New to Tell! :-(

Pentax has "updated" and published their "new" lens roadmaps as at January 2013 at their official facebook page.

First of all, let's look at that "latest" K-mount roadmap:-



But if you compare the last one that was published back to February 2012, actually we could find nothing new, except those lenses announced in Photokina last year are now included:-



Actually, the same applies for the Q

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New Ricoh's APS-C Lens Patents: 23mm F2.5 and 27mm F1.9

(27mm F1.9 APS-C lens, 40mm 135 equivalent FoV.)

(23mm F2.5 APS-C lens, 35mm 135 equivalent FoV.)

Via: http://egami.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2013-01-11 (in Japanese)

It seems that the development of APS-C and FF will be carried out in parallel by Ricoh, then.


Last Related:- 

New Pentax Lens Patent Published: 70-200mm F2.8 Full Frame Lens!

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New K-5II/s Firmware and New Pentax DC

New Firmware for K-5II/s: http://www.pentax.jp/english/support/digital/k-5_2_s.html

Changes to V1.01

Enabled contrast adjustment on Monitor.
(Added [contrast ]on [LCD setting ]menu)
Improved stability for general performance.

And the new Pentax "Efina": http://www.pentax.jp/english/news/2013/20130117.html

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MX-1 Quick Hands-on and other Gear TidBits

Read what the Phoblographer found in the secret room of Pentax at the CES:-

http://www.thephoblographer.com/2013/01/09/first-impressions-pentax-mx-1/

Here were their first impressions and quick conclusion:-

"Overall, I walked away from the Pentax MX-1 a bit disappointed. When I saw the camera, I had hoped for more because of all the hype already surrounding it. But something about it just

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Yet Another Pentax Lens Arsenal!

Well, the classic luxury FA* lenses could be used as the legs of a table for playing Chinese Mah-jong! :-o

Via Chinese Xitek Forum Here.

And then here is the White Pentax lens collection of that Pentax user/collector, who is in Taiwan:-



And then maybe most of his Pentax glass:-



Via Xitek Forum Here.

Now, I am knowing that I am really "not a Pentax user", in comparison with him! :-(

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Yet Another Online Index to Pentax Gear Samples (Listed by Bodies and Lenses)

http://www.pixel-peeper.com/cameras/pentax/

And below are the other similar links that were previously reported:-

A Japanese Pentax User Site with Much Samples

Pentax Picture Samples (Full Sized, Japanese Link)

Pentax Lens Samples Galaxy @ Flick(river)

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Excellent Page about Early Pentax Lenses and Designs

http://taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Pentax_Takumar_e.html
(in English.)

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4 Million Visits to My Blog!

Oh, really? ;-D

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DC Watch CES Live Report - Pentax: New Look of the AF360FGZ II

http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20130109_581023.html
(in Japanese)

It seems to be a mock up, though. Look at the back LCD panel, there is nothing inside!

Btw, there are some other photos of the MX-1, for a real product.

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MX-1 Samples, Official in Small Size

See: http://www.pentaximaging.com/digital-camera/MX-1_Silver

They are directly linked as follows:-



N.B. Click to Enlarge. Those samples are converted to PNG format and of course there is no EXIF. Btw, I think they look good enough to my eyes although they are small.

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Pentax Offers 100 Colours of the Q10 for the US Market

Further to what has been offered in the Japanese home market for the Q10, now custom ordering is also available for the customers in the US market. See what Engadget reports:-

http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/07/pentax-offers-100-different-custom-color-options-for-its-q10-ilc/

As for the Q10, last time I tried, it feels too plasticky than my like, especially when it is compared to the original

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Are You Interested to Acquire the MX-1?

At the weight of nearly 400g (loaded and ready) and at the price of (US)$500, would you consider to get one?


Do you intend to get the MX-1?
Yes.
No.
Unsure.
  
pollcode.com free polls 

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"New" AF360FGZ II Flash is Coming (And K-01 is Not Yet Dead!)

See the official Press Release here - what are displayed in the CES is also told.

Future Product Concept

AF 360 FGZ II: Scheduled for a 2013 launch this automatic, external, clip-on flash has a maximum guide number of 36 (at ISO 100) with bounce flash functionality adjustable both vertically and horizontally.


So, it is just a 360 flash with a swivel head now, most probably. What a

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Why Use a Pentax Camera?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NnfBtxPvHY

The true answer is at after 1:00! :-D

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Pentax MX-1

The MX-1 is announced over the DPR, but the same news cannot yet be found at the Pentax Japanese homepage. It is not a DSLR, nor it is an ILDC. It is just a DC, or you may call it an advanced compact if you want.

For more details, please go read DPR's quick hands-on preview.

Btw, I don't like Pentax Ricoh to use the MX' name so causally just for a compact. I think at least they should create

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The Unbalanced Q - Part 2.5: Photo Samples

Here are some quick samples taken by the "560mm" lens Q-K combo that I posted for the last time:-



All the above photos were taken handheld, at ISO 320, lens set at f/4 using the aperture ring, which my DFA lens has one but not the latest version, with the in-body SR on (correct focal length input as 100mm at startup). I have done some minor retouch to the above photos, including light up the

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Chipworks Reviews Full Frame Sensors and Predicts Trend

Look at this series of articles by Chipworks:-

Full Frame DSLR Cameras Part I – Nikon vs Sony

Full Frame DSLR Cameras Part II – Canon stays the course

Full Frame DSLR Cameras Part III – New entrants and look forward


Last Related:- 

Official! Full Frame Pentax System is Coming!! (Latest Interview with Pentax Ricoh Head)

Twelve Years of 135 Full Frame Digital Cameras (Timeline 2012->2000)

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20 Top Selling Mirrorless and DSLR Cameras in Japan in 2012

http://bcnranking.jp/news/1212/121228_24511.html
(in Japanese)

As for the mirrorless, the top 20 models equal to 91.1% share of the total market in 2012. The Pentax Q is ranked at No. 8 while the K-01 is just at No. 20. The total Pentax brand share is 7.1%.

As for the reflex, the top 20 models equal to 95.4% share of the
total market in 2012. The K-30 is the best selling Pentax model, followed

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The Unbalanced Q - Part 2 (with a K-mount Lens)

(Above: Pentax Q with DFA 100/2.8)

The Q is so unbalanced, when a K-mount lens is mounted. The above is an 135 equivalent 560mm F2.8 Super Tele Macro lens which has a highest effective magnification of 5.6:1, i.e., in 5.6X! Wow, what a Super Fast Super Telephoto and Macro lenses two-in-one it is!

As for that hot-shoe mount Optical Viewfinder as shown also, it is a cheap Chinese made one with

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