Pentax K-3 Official topic, first camera with USB 3.0

Manu4Vendetta

Pentax make great cameras, this look like another great camera.

pundit

@davjd I still have a K5 and recently bought the K3.

I did own a DA*16-50 but after two failed SDM's I got rid of it about a year ago so I'm afraid I can't tell you how it performs on a K3.

However the auto focus on the K3 does seem overall an improvement compared to the K5.

The only SDM AF lens I own is the DA15 Limited plus the FA31, FA43 and FA77 Limiteds which are the older screw drive auto focus system.

I have several old manual Pentax lenses which I like and they mainly get used on my GH2 for video.

After never really trusting the AF on the K5 I would manually focus much of the time. However my eyes are not as good as they use to be so manual focus was becoming hit and miss as well.

I was in two minds whether to dump all my Pentax gear for a camera with more accurate AF or take a punt on the K3.

As I have quite a bit invested in Pentax gear I decided to give Pentax one last shot.

So far the K3 AF seems snappier and more accurate and seems to lock focus better in low light than the K5 did. Also the additional focus points are a welcome addition.

If I were you I would take your DA*16-50 to a store and give it a work out on a K3.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

New firmware released

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Vitaliy_Kiselev

K-3 is the only camera making significant strides in the high-end APS-C DSLR space. Ricoh is a company with a history of building enthusiast-focused cameras, so it's no surprise that the K-3 is just as much a photographer's camera as its predecessors were. As you'd expect of a camera at this level, there's a bit of a learning curve to overcome but, once you've done so, you'll get repeated reminders that the K-3 has been designed from a photographer's perspective.

The K-3 is capable of some excellent images. Its sensor shows impressive dynamic range at low ISOs and remains pleasantly clean as the light levels fall. We were also impressed, not just that the camera is able to do so much in the way of lens correction processing (lateral chromatic aberration, geometric distortion and vignetting all being correctable), but that all those corrections are optional.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentax-k-3

MarcioK

A report of a somewhat serious problem in the Steve Huff site - looks like firmware bugs:

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2014/04/15/a-review-of-the-pentax-k3-and-the-crazy-acting-mirror-sickness-by-amy-medina/

Vitaliy_Kiselev

@MarcioK

I suggest to read thread below

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/254464-k3-crazy-mirror-sickness-mirror-flapping-lockup-report-yours-here.html

it seems like issue is present, but I also think that with non zero probability Steve can use it to add drama and punish camera.

MarcioK

@Vitaliy_Kiselev I hope that Pentax find and solve the issue - the K3 is probably the best APS-C DSLR on the market.

davjd

I was planning to get one for this year's wedding season. Hoping they will solve the issue very soon.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/pentax-k3/pentax-k3A.HTM

davjd

On pentaxforums we can read that Ricoh is replying to users complaints about the well known issues on K3, admitting the problem. Hopefully that is the first step for solving them. http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/254464-k3-crazy-mirror-sickness-mirror-flapping-lockup-report-yours-here-19.html

Vitaliy_Kiselev

V1.10 Firmware

Added Diffraction Correction on Lens Correction.
Shortened processing time for Digital Filter　and Color Fringe Correction.
Improved stability for AWB (Auto white balance) performance.
Changed to ISO Bracketing when using Exposure Bracketing on TAv mode
Improved stability for general performance.

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k3_s.html

Vitaliy_Kiselev

V1.11 firmware

Corrected – When shooting image after using the Built-in flash, Exif data of shutter speed is not updated on Version 1.10.
Added automatic reset function when detecting rarely occur abnormal motion of the sequence. (When automatic reset function is operated, latest setting will be reset)

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k3_s.html

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Pentax K-3 firmware version 1.20

Optimized performance of HD PENTAX-DA 18-50mm f/4-5.6 DC WR RE, HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6ED DC AW and HD PENTAX-D FA*70-200mm f/2.8 ED DC AW.
Corresponded to AF button and preset button function for HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6ED DC AW.
Improved stability for general performance.

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k3_s.html

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Firmware version 1.2:

When status screen setting is set to [Display Off] and shutter button or AF button are turned to off, back light of Monitor is lit up on firmware version1.20. This has been corrected.
Improved stability for general performance

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k3_s.html

Vitaliy_Kiselev

http://www.ixbt.com/digimage/pentax/k3/video/pentax-k3-video.MOV

http://www.ixbt.com/digimage/pentax-k3.shtml

Vitaliy_Kiselev

New firmware - v1.30

Corresponded to [KAF4 lens mount] that is equipped with an electromagnetic diaphragm control system.

Enable new lens HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE to shoot stable by updating firmware.

Improved stability for general performance.

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/digital/k3_s.html

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