OK1000 Pentax Blog

From World Pentax Day, Oct. 10, 2009

2009-10-10T13:32:00.005-04:00

"Brooklyn Heights Vintage Bike"K20D, DA 18-55mm II @ 28mm, f4, 1/80, ISO 400 Link: All Photos For World Pentax Day, Oct 10th, 2009

World Pentax Day and SyncSnap

2009-10-09T15:12:00.006-04:00

PentaxForums have organized another World Pentax Day for Saturday Oct. 10th. If you have a Pentax camera, get out there and take some pictures to share. Then within the next 2 weeks, submit your photos to the special online gallery at PentaxForums.com (with everyone else's photos taken on that same day) and bask in the communal glory (or your monitor's glow). Easy as pie! If 24 hrs is just too much time and you need stricter deadlines, next week is the official Pentax SyncSnap: October 17th at...

Pentax K-7 Designer's Notes: Takeharu Shin, Development Dept. User Interface Designer

2009-09-23T07:00:00.009-04:00

Here is the second of the "designer's notes" from Pentax's team that built the K-7. These notes come from Pentax Japan and are reproduced here as translated by Pentax (I've touched it up a bit where the translation was a little problematic). Using the K-m as inspiration for button locations, customizing the use of the OK button to quickly change ISO (in addition to the new ISO button), and making digital filters easier to combine were all a part of the strategy for the Pentax K-7. Mr. Takeharu...

Pentax K-7 Designer's Notes: Toshihiro Hamamura, Development Dept. Product Designer

2009-09-21T07:00:00.008-04:00

Here is the first of the "designer's notes" from Pentax's team that built the K-7. These notes come from Pentax Japan and are reproduced here as translated by Pentax. It's interesting that among the details they doted over was the return to a trapezoid style for the pentaprism housing, which is a nod to the rich history of Pentax's SLR cameras. Toshihiro HamamuraIn charge of K-7 product design Pentax Imaging System Division Design Group, Development Department The goal is a camera body that is...

Mixed Reaction to Japanese K-x Custom Colors Is Still Success

2009-09-18T19:42:00.016-04:00

Generally, people are impressed by Pentax bending the status quo by offering bold colors for the K-x. It's good buzz. Even though no one seems to agree on which option to choose, I think the consensus has been that it's been exciting to at least have the opportunity to choose a K-x in one of 100 color combinations available in Japan. Read the comments at Online Photographer to get a sense of the elite sarcasm brigade who are disappointed in the lack of zebra stripe options.I'll admit, I'd pay...

A First Look At The K-x in NYC

2009-09-17T00:02:00.019-04:00

Pentax's Special Launch in New York (For a quick introduction to the K-x, see my previous post "Red. White. Blue. Black. Take Your Pic With the New K-x.") About a month ago, I received a very nice "X Marks The Spot" invite to Pentax's Sept. 16th launch of a mystery camera at the International Center for Photography in NYC, a camera which was then under wraps but which I soon learned was the Pentax K-x. I have to admit, I'm a bit out of the loop this year while I concentrate on my full-time job...

Red. White. Blue. Black. Take your pic with the new Pentax K-x

2009-09-17T00:01:00.009-04:00

K-x Kit 1: $649.95 MSRP for the single lens kit (w. 18-55mm DA L "light" zoom lens) K-x Kit 2: $749.95 MSRP for the twin lens kit (w. 18-55mm and 50-200mm DA L "light" zoom lenses) K-x Kit 3: $849.95 MSRP for the premium twin lens kit (w. 18-55mm and 55-300mm DA L "light" zoom lenses) For fall 2009, Pentax has a new DSLR. The K-x is a new iteration of consumer-sized DSLR based on Pentax's acclaimed digital "k" series (going back to the digital *ist cameras, really), available in 4 different...

Drew Barrymore: Time Out NYC Cover

2009-09-06T15:13:00.005-04:00

This week's cover of Time Out New York / Issue 727 (Sep 3–9, 2009) features Drew Barrymore and a Pentax K1000 SE, as a part of Time Out's NYC in Pictures series for their Photo Issue. For her part in the series, Drew presents a small gallery of 10 photos of summer in the big apple (I understand she used a disposable camera, like the other celebrities involved, not the Pentax). Links: Time Out NYC article with Drew Barrymore

Pentax K-7 Firmware Update 1.01: Selective Point Fix

2009-07-28T23:40:00.003-04:00

Well, the cat's out of the bag! Pentax has released a fix for one of their newest cameras, the K-7 DSLR, within the same month of its US release. And as speculated, the first firmware update for the K-7 addresses the highly contentious default behaviour of the 4-way controller for some of those users frustrated by having to press the OK button to allow the controller to move the AF point.v1.01 Added a custom function to the K-7's Custom Function menu that affects the behavior of the 4-way...

K-7: Changing The 11 Focusing Area Point Positions

2009-07-07T15:43:00.013-04:00

There was some concern when the K-7 was first announced that quickly changing the autofocus point (11-points, 9 cross) would be a hassle because the new control pad on the back of the camera was tied to functions in the new menu system (flash, WB, etc.). As it was demonstrated to me, I saw no problem, and Pentax was good enough to show people in their demos around the country that there was nothing to be up in arms about. The solution was easy once you knew the formula. Now that the camera is...

Imaging-Resource's Comparometer™ And The Pentax K-7

2009-07-06T21:04:00.007-04:00

Although I wasn't bowled over by their K-7 Preview (which did appreciate the camera, mind you, just not in the most reasoned explanations), I'm more appreciative of these K-7 chart test results from Imaging-Resource.com and how they reveal the K-7's potential detail bonanza with a lens like the DA 70mm lens. Personally, I'm ignoring the poster test they do of the house (below left). I like the line tests and ISO tests best. What you'll see at their site is a set-up where you can compare the...

K-7 Now Arriving in the U.S. with Bounce Back Card

2009-07-03T15:15:00.006-04:00

Thanks to the astute people at Pentax Forums, Pentax USA president Ned Bunnell has been prompted confirmed that the Pentax K-7 is now in the U.S. and arriving at retailers to fulfill the first pre-orders. There's a little discount treat to be found inside, too. The "Bounce Back Card." Says Ned on his blog:"Since shipments to the US have begun, I thought this would be a good opportunity to point out that your K-7 package will come with a "valued PENTAX customer" thank you card. Similar to the...

Pentax K-7: Hands-On Preview

2009-05-20T11:30:00.031-04:00

Note: This is just one of the many introductory reviews you can read about the K-7, with others notably by Yvon Bourque, Mark Dimalanta, Dan Havlik, Mat Gallagher (with video), Jack Howard of Adorama, Mike Johnston, and the mighty DPReview. I'd like to thank Michelle and Chris of Pentax USA for going out of their way this spring to let us all get a good look at this exciting new camera, and I sincerely hope internet readers everywhere appreciate the variety of good writing they can find about...

Pentax K-7: The Best of the New Features and Facts

2009-05-20T10:01:00.000-04:00

My favorite line from the Pentax K-7 literature is this self-deprecating phrase: "Despite all these features, the K-7 is one of the most compact and functional photo enthusiast level models in the market." As if Einstein had to apologize for not having a giant, bulbous head. The following list is a nearly straight regurgitation from Pentax's literature regarding the K-7's features, but I divided it up into two sections, New/Greatly Improved and Inherited/Slightly Improved, and then I integrated...

Pentax K-7: The Complete Specs

2009-05-20T10:00:00.000-04:00

For posterity, let's remember that in April and May of 2009 these specifications were under considerable speculation and were at one point leaked amid controversy. But now, here they are, all quiet and docile, legitimately reproduced for your viewing pleasure. MODEL: K-7TYPE: Digital SLRPRODUCT CODE: Body Kit: 17811, UPC: 027075155145Retails July, 2009 for $1299.99 (US MSRP) IMAGE STABILIZATIONType: Sensor-shift Shake Reduction with rotational compensation (4 stops max)Electronic level...

On Waiting Until The 20th

2009-05-18T13:22:00.010-04:00

Over the last few weeks, websites (both with and without Pentax NDA agreements) have been speculating, dishing gossip, and spreading information about a certain upcoming camera model to be formally announced on May 20th. It's gone beyond little hints and teases for one site in particular, which has actually been begging for people to leak new information and do dirty work. This weekend, it exploded. Forums and now big sites have been eating up what may well be ill-gotten pictures and specs...

Keir Dullea Anecdote: Kubrick Paused Set to Look At New Pentax Camera

2009-05-08T09:19:00.005-04:00

I found this quote below today and I thought it was fun to read that director Stanley Kubrick could be just as geeky about new Pentax cameras as most of us. Most people know Kubrick for his films like Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, and The Shining (and many others), but he got his start as a photojournalist. Later, when filming Barry Lyndon, he famously used a Zeiss F0.7 lens to capture a scene lit by candlelight (more on that here and here). The man could be...

DxO Tests:Pentax K-m (K2000)

2009-04-28T14:00:00.004-04:00

DxO Labs' DSLR RAW tests are freely available for anyone who wants to look up and then quickly compare the sensor abilities of many of the top-selling cameras. I think their published results actually prove how remarkably similar all the DSLR cameras behave across markers like dynamic range and color depth. Sure, there's latitude, but within given groups, it's not that wide at all. When the latest image quality test results were published for the K-m (K2000 in the U.S.), I thought it would be...

Pentax Hyper-Program and Hyper-Manual: Features for the "Best Camera in the World"

2009-04-27T15:30:00.007-04:00

Planet Neil's Neil van Niekerk recently started blogging about the features he would characterize as being essential to the mythical beast known as "the best camera in the world." Not only did Neil laud the Pentax "Hyper" system as one of his defacto requirements for such a camera, but he gave one of the best real world descriptions for how Hyper-Program and Hyper-Manual actually work (outside of the Pentax Forums): "When Pentax brought out the Pentax Z-1 / PZ-1 in the early 90’s, they had...

It's all about the Jeeps

2009-04-27T09:36:00.012-04:00

This weekend saw Pentax USA President Ned Bunnell post some more shots to his blog with the DA 15mm. Admittedly, I think I'd want this lens as my good walking around lens when I'm on vacation. That's just how it seems to behave in Ned's hands. And what would a personal DA 15mm shot collection be without an obligatory Jeep picture? Cue The Ventures: It was also nice to see Ned also chime in with some calming remarks about last week's frenzied rumor discussions:"Having seen a lot of less than...

The DA LImited 15mm F4 Round-Up

2009-04-24T16:30:00.002-04:00

Earlier this week, I was thrilled to see Yvon Bourque enjoying his new DA 15mm on a trip to the San Bernardino Mountains, because the lens seems to do fantastic things in the bright light, especially stopped down to F8 or higher. Check out the contrast in this picture: This makes me just as giddy as when I first saw Ned Bunnell's blog postings in February about how the lens looked, and what the new DA Limited 3x case was like. It really made me want this lens as part of a trio (DA 15mm, 35mm,...

Mysterious New K? DSLR Coming Soon

2009-04-23T23:00:00.010-04:00

(Updated, with special thanks to 1001 Noisy Cameras.) The net is full of speculation this week. Curiously, The Online Photographer withheld his number 2 recommended camera pick today, alluding that he'd have to wait a month... and from a Russian site, it appeared Pentax may have leaked the above image referencing May 21st. Coincidence? The DPReview Pentax forums are in a tizzy with uncorroborated specifications and blurry images of this camera already dubbed by spies as the "K7D." Which Pentax...

New Firmware 1.03 for K20D To Improve SR

2009-04-09T11:00:00.002-04:00

Just out today, for K20D users only, Pentax/Hoya have released a firmware upgrade that is meant to improve the accuracy of the Shake Reduction system. It's available as an installer that runs off an SD card (32MB min, although the patch itself is very small). You can download the firmware from Pentax Japan here, and soon from other Pentax international sites. To read more about the K20D's excellent Shake Reduction, there's plenty of info at this Pentax sub-site: In-Body SR of the K20D

$50 Rebate on K200+Lens+Flash Kit in U.S. for a Limited Time

2009-04-03T00:00:00.002-04:00

From April 3-11, 2009 (not much time, just a week), Pentax is offering a rebate for select digital cameras, including one DSLR system - the K2000 with 18-55mm lens and AF200FG flash. That means U.S. customers can spend $599 and get $50 back through an instant rebate (no need to submit claim or fill out forms or wait 8 weeks) right at the retailer, so the invoice price is $549. Or less, if the participating retailer is selling it with a lower price. Not bad. I hereby declare it officially buy a...

645D On Display At PIE 2009

2009-03-26T09:56:00.005-04:00

Akihabara News (link) has some photos taken at the Pentax booth of the upcoming 645D and the limited edition K-m ("Camo" finish) and K20D ("Titanium" finish). I'm not sure if this is the very same 645D prototype we saw at previous industry trade shows 2 years ago (I think it might be), but it certainly looks finished enough to be a production model, although I imagine there are a few more subtle refinements to come. All photos copyright Akihabara News, 2009.