Showing posts with label Pentax DSLR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pentax DSLR. Show all posts

Friday, October 23, 2015

Actual pictures of the upcoming Pentax Full Frame DSLR., What's new and size comparison.

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com 

 Hi Photographer friends,

An actual Pentax Full Frame DSLR was shown under glass at the Photo Plus

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Pictures were posted by
pentaxforums's member
Veteran Member
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I enhanced them in Lightroom for a better rendition. It looks like the images were taken with very high ISO.


The picture above was taken from DP Review. You can check their post here.

The picture above shows some new features that appear to be on the upcoming Full Frame DSLR.
There seems to be five User Defined settings on the Mode Dial. A new Dial for direct access to the ISO, CH/CL?,Bracketing, HDR, Grid, Shake Reduction, Cropping (Full Frame or APS-C), Wi-Fi. The same rotary dial seems to have a separate locking device to switch to Still or Video. The Screen looks like it is build very solid and allows all movements.
There is a giant button or dial beside the LCD Panel, but I can't figure out what it will be for. The LCD Panel is smaller, but all the information is also available when looking on the screen or through the Viewfinder.

Here is the size comparison compared to the K-3







Well...It looks like we will get an articulated screen, Wi-Fi capability, built-in GPS, a new dial atop for quick setting of ISO, Bracketing, Wi-Fi, etc. 

You can see the additional buttons and dials on the camera shown on the images, indicating more professional features than the previous Pentax DSLRs.

This is going to be an awesome DSLR.


Click on the image above to visit our e-book store. You can also download sample e-books and get the free AF front and back focusing adjustment charts at this e-commerce.



Monday, May 11, 2015

The Pentax K-S2 e-book is now available. 320 pages of information and how to!

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com 

 Hi Photographer friends,


Today, I introduce our new e-book, "PENTAX K-S2 Everything you need to know...and then some."

The K-S2 is the first Pentax DSLR with Wi-Fi and articulating screen. It's pretty special. Because it is so special, my e-book is also special. I  pretty much revamped my e-book template and I am proud of the new look. It is much more interactive than my previous e-books, with links from within the e-book and links to the internet. The e-book has 320 pages. This one took me three Months to write. 

The K-S2 is a remarkable DSLR for it's price range. I prefer some of its features to that of my beloved K-3.

Email me if you would like a sample of the e-book. brqyvn@gmail.com

The full e-book is available, as all my Pentax e-books are, at ebooks4cameras.com

Thank you for being such loyalist readers.

Yvon Bourque






Monday, February 9, 2015

PENTAX K-S2 Digital SLR Camera – the Ultimate Family Camera

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

Hi Photographer friends,



Ricoh Imaging Introduces the PENTAX K-S2 Digital SLR Camera – the Ultimate Family Camera featuring built in Wi-Fi, weather-resistant body and the addition of an all-new retractable standard zoom lens for capturing all of life’s important moments.

Ricoh / Pentax is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX K-S2; featuring a 20 megapixel AA Filter-less CMOS sensor with Prime MII image processing engine. The PENTAX K-S2 offers high image quality and functionality ensuring consistent and compelling results shot to shot. The camera’s weather-resistant body, built-in Wi-Fi and NFC sharing component make it a perfect companion for active families and those who simply enjoy life’s adventures. 

The standard kit includes the newly designed, ultra-sleek, Retractable Standard Zoom lens that measures less than 1.5 inches in height when retracted, making it one of the smallest DSLR camera kits on the market.

The new PENTAX K-S2 combines a compact, lightweight body with many advanced features including PENTAX’s award winning weather-resistant design, in-body shake reduction, as well as SAFOX X AF system ensuring fast and accurate autofocusing even in challenging situations such as 
low light, action, and adverse weather conditions. Various viewing angles are achieved with the vari-
angle 3.0 inch LCD, 921K dots (RGB+White), and Air Gapless Construction. With the all-new Self 
Shot Assist users can capture the perfect “selfie”. The K-S2 camera’s vari-angle LCD monitor and 2nd shutter release button assist you in conveniently capturing the best self-shot.

Sharing favorite images with friends and family is made easy with built-in Wi-Fi and built-in NFC module. Along with the dedicated app, “Image Sync”, available for no additional cost in the Android and iOS stores you can seamlessly remotely operate the camera, transfer images and share images from your camera to your favorite social networks. Connecting your camera to your smartphone or tablet is made simple with built-in Near Field Communication (NFC); just bring the K-S2 in to close proximity of the target device for pairing.

The Clarity Enhancement feature, introduced with the K-S2, adds more realistic texture impression to your imagery. This technology covers broader and more gradual tone changes of the subject since it was originally developed to reproduce the images that best match the whole screen on a display device. Clarity Enhancement is applied automatically on Advanced HDR and also user-selectable for most still images on the setting menu.

 “The PENTAX K-S2 takes the best of all our innovations and combines them into the ultimate family DSLR”, says Jim Malcolm, President of Ricoh Imaging America Corporation. “The K-S2 has everything to capture the active family, including PENTAX legendary quality, compactness, weather resistance, and built in Wi-Fi to easily share with family and friends.  We are fulfilling our promise to deliver the highest quality and innovation imaging products.”

Included in the PENTAX K-S2 kit is the newly developed, retractable standard zoom HD DA 18-55mm lens. Experience improved convenience and better performance with this ultra thin lens complete with multi-layer HD coating, built-in DC monitor and 7 rounded aperture diaphragm blades for capturing beautiful Bokeh.  This PENTAX-DA L 18-50mm F4-5.6 WR lens is ultra-thin and matches perfectly with the compact body of K-S2

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The K-S2 will be available in 3 standard colors: black, white, and graphite with an orange accent. 


Pricing and Availability

The PENTAX K-S2 kit including a new retractable standard zoom lens will be available in standard colors at retailers nationwide and at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com in March 2015 for a suggested retail price of $799.95. 

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Main Features

1. The world’s smallest dustproof, weather-resistant body*



The K-S2 camera body is not only designed to be compact and portable, but also dustproof and weather-resistant. One hundred seals have been applied to crucial parts of the body to prevent the intrusion of rain and dust into the interior, making the K-S2 a perfect choice for a wide range of outdoor activities, including mountain climbing, camping and sports events. 

Included in its lens kits is a super-compact zoom lens, with a length of just 41 millimeters in the stored position despite its weather-resistant construction. The combination of the K-S2 camera body and this lens creates a highly portable digital imaging system.
* The world’s smallest model in the dustproof, weather-resistant digital SLR camera category 

2. Variable-angle LCD monitor for easy image viewing



The K-S2 comes equipped with an Air Gapless LCD monitor, which has a special resin layer applied between the protective panel and the LCD screen to effectively cut down the reflection and dispersion of light and assure excellent visibility. This monitor also features a variable-angle design for the first time in a PENTAX digital SLR camera, allowing the user to set the monitor to the desired viewing angle and simplify high- and low-angle shootings. By rotating the monitor 180 degrees to face the subject, the user can activate the self-portrait shutter button, which is provided in addition to the regular shutter-release button, to keep a firm hold of the camera when shooting self portraits.

3. High-precision autofocus system with SAFOX X module

The K-S2 features the state-of-the-art SAFOX X AF sensor module, which assures responsive, high-precision autofocus operation. With its 11 sensors including nine cross-type sensors in the middle, this AF system assures pinpoint focus on a subject at a minimum brightness level of as low as –3 EV. Its select-area expansion function ensures that the sensor module keeps tracking a moving subject, even when the subject moves out of a pre-assigned auto-tracking area, by assessing the distance data collected by neighboring focus sensors. Its AF hold function maintains the in-focus position, even when the AF system loses track of the subject after once capturing it in focus. These advanced functions combine to improve the camera's accuracy in the detection of moving subjects.

4. High-resolution images produced by an image sensor with approximately 20.12 effective megapixels and a super-high sensitivity of ISO51200.The K-S2 features a high-performance CMOS image sensor with approximately 20.12 effective megapixels to deliver super-high-resolution images. It is also designed without an optical AA (anti-aliasing) filter to optimize the imaging power of its high-performance image sensor. By coupling this image sensor with the high-performance PRIME MII imaging engine, the K-S2 delivers true-to-life, fine-gradation images by effectively minimizing noise at all sensitivity levels, even during super-high-sensitivity shooting at ISO 51200.

5. In-body shake reduction (SR) mechanism, and anti-aliasing (AA) filter simulator for effective moirĂ© reduction 

(1) In-body SR mechanism

The K-S2 features a PENTAX-developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism to effectively minimize camera shake and assure sharp, blur-free images, even in camera-shake-prone conditions such as when using a telephoto lens, shooting low-light scenes with incident light only, or photographing sunset scenes.

(2) Innovative AA (anti-aliasing) filter simulator**

By applying microscopic vibrations to the image sensor unit at the sub-pixel level during image exposure, the K-S2’s AA filter simulator provides the same level of moirĂ©-reduction effect as an optical AA filter. Unlike an optical AA filter, which always creates the identical result, this innovative simulator lets you not only switch the AA filter effect on and off, but also adjust the level of the effect, so the user can effortlessly apply the desired effect to a particular scene or subject.

(3) Supportive shooting functions

The K-S2’s SR unit has a flexible design that tilts the image sensor unit in all direction, by shifting it horizontally (left/right) and vertically (up/down), and even rotating it. Taking advantage of this flexibility, the K-S2 provides a host of handy shooting functions, including ASTRO TRACER, which simplifies advanced astronomical photography in combination with the optional O-GPS1 GPS Unit.

** This function is most effective with a shutter speed of 1/1000 second or slower. This function is not available during HDR (High Dynamic Range) shooting.

6. Optical viewfinder with nearly 100-percent field of view

Despite its compact body, the K-S2 is equipped with a glass prism finder featuring the same optics and coatings as those used in higher-level models. With a magnification of approximately 0.95 times, it provides a broad, bright image field for easy focusing and framing.

7. High-speed shutter to capture fast-moving subjects in crisp focus

The K-S2 provides a top shutter speed of 1/6000 second to assure sharply focused images, even with fast-moving subjects. Coupled with its high-speed continuous shooting function with a top speed of approximately 5.5 images per second, it lets the photographer freeze once-in-a-lifetime shutter opportunities in beautifully focused images.

8. Wireless LAN compatibility for easy access to smartphones,  first time in the PENTAX  K series

The K-S2 features wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) functions to provide better access to smartphones and tablet computers. It also provides NFC (Near Field Communication) functions for easy pairing with NFC-compatible smartphones and other communications devices, simply by bringing the K-S2 into proximity with a target device. Also by installing the newly developed, exclusive Image Sync application on a communications device, the user can effortlessly control the K-S2’s aperture, shutter-speed and ISO-sensitivity settings, release its shutter, check the live-view image, and even browse and upload recorded images onto SNS sites such as Facebook remotely.

9. RICOH-original image-processing technologies

The K-S2 features a Clarity Enhancement — a RICOH-developed imaging technology designed to capture the subject’s texture and unevenness more truthfully and produce a more true-to-life depiction of the subject based on the human visual characteristics. Also provided on the mode dial is a new A-HDR (Advanced HDR) position, which combines the Clarity Enhancement with the conventional HDR mode that composites a single, extra-wide-gradation image from three images taken at differing exposures. Thanks to this new mode, the user can capture more dramatic, painting-like HDR images with great ease.

10. An assortment of photo-shooting tools for creative, personalized expressions

The K-S2 provides a choice of 11 Custom Image modes for flexible control of various parameters, as well as nine digital filters. Coupled with 19 distinctive Scene Modes and the hands-off Auto Picture mode, the K-S2 assures simple, quick selection of the desired shooting mode for a given scene or subject.

11. Dual electronic dials

The K-S2 provides a pair of electronic dials: one on top of the grip, and another on the back panel. In the P (Program) mode shooting, for instance, the user can control the aperture and shutter-speed settings independently using these dials, allowing more intuitive camera operation without the need to remove the eye from the viewfinder.

12. Full HD movie recording

Equipped with a built-in stereo microphone, the K-S2 captures beautiful Full HD movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels; 30/25/24 frame rate) in the H.264 recording format, along with natural, lively stereo sound. It also assures flawless, high-quality movies even with fast-moving subjects. It even provides advanced movie functions, such as a 4K Interval Movie mode that connects still images recorded at a certain interval to create a single movie file, and a Star Stream mode to fade in and out the traces of stars to recorded movies.

13. Other features

・77-segment, multi-pattern metering system for high-precision light measurement

・DR (Dust Removal) mechanism for effective elimination of dust on the CMOS image sensor using ultrasonic vibration

・Self-timer functions usable in continuous shooting mode








Also announced:





Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Here is some new details on the new Pentax DSLR camera Ricoh announced at the CES 2015. You can anticipate all the new attributes to also be incorporated in the 2015 release of a full frame Pentax.

Email: brqyvn@gmail.com

 Hi Photographer friends,

Here is some new details on the  new Pentax DSLR camera Ricoh announced at the CES 2015. You can anticipate all the new attributes to also be incorporated in the 2015 release of a full frame Pentax.

  1. Built-in Wi-Fi (That's great)
  2. Dual control wheels
  3. Fully articulating LCD (Long anticipated)
  4. Weather sealing
  5. Video mode on the on/off switch

Thursday, May 14, 2009

This poster of Pentax SLR cameras from 1952 - 2008 is about to change.

Click to see full size.

Visitors to this page also liked: See "Recommended Reading" on the right column. We honor reciprocal links. Email: brqyvn@aol.com


Hi Pentaxian friends.

The picture herein represents all Pentax SLR cameras produced from 1952 through 2008. The K2000/K-m is missing. The K-7 will be added to this family soon.
This Poster is from the Asahi Optical Historical Club.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Is it easier to build a Pentax DSLR today than it was building a Pentax 35mm SLR in the 70's?

Hi Pentaxian friends,

Is it easier to build a Pentax DSLR today than it was building a Pentax 35mm SLR in the 70's? I know, I wrote Pentax in the title, but now that I have your attention, of course this applies to any brand.

I have an old Asahi Pentax K2 (circa 1975-1977) that was no longer functional. It wasn't worth repairing, so I decided to take it apart. It took me several weeks to take it apart, working on it a little every night. Actually, I didn't completely take all the parts off. Some cluster of gears, levers, springs and circuit boards were left intact. I wanted to conserve the intricate mechanism that were incorporated in these older 35mm cameras.

These cameras were precise and built just like a fine watch. I actually wore protective eyeglass during this project, as I never knew when a spring would fly off. Can you imagine designing one of these? Today's engineers all have computer aided drafting tools like Auto Cad, 3D modeling software, animation, etc. In those days, all design and drawings were carefully and precisely hand drawn to a larger scale, on paper. Some were even drawn in ink on special paper. I didn't count, but I took at least 100 tiny screws off. The camera had to be built manually, for the most part, as there was no way to build with that precision using the automation technology that existed back then.

Note that the frame was all metal, the prism was pure solid glass, there were no computer chips and the circuit boards were simple current conductors, used in lieu of wires.



These cameras are still used today by many photographers and hobbyists. It seems that every home had a Pentax camera during the 60's and the 70's. Built like tanks, an SLR from those days was expected to last twenty years or more. There was no "New Models" coming out every year.

Were they better than today's DSLRs? Well...No, just different and technologically limited to what was available at the time. The concept of digital cameras wasn't even imaginable. Like the old TV ad said, "We've come a long way baby!".

Now, about the question of whether today's DSLRs are easier to build than the 35mm SLR cameras of Yesteryears, I don't know the answer. I don't know the answer because I'm not about to dismantle any of my Pentax DSLRs. However, I suspect that it is indeed easier. More molded plastic parts are used, electronics and computer chips take little space and are all pre-assembled with some kind of automation. There are much less mechanical parts. I'm pretty sure that you will not find as many tiny screws holding parts together.

Will the current DSLRs last for twenty years? I think not. On one hand, too many models are being introduced, with new features, and the current generation of upcoming photographers want all the gadgets. On the other hand, technology is expanding at an exponential rate and who knows what next year alone will bring!

We live in a great Century, and taking pictures has never been easier...and more complicated than today, all at the same time.

Thank you for reading.

Yvon Bourque

Friday, January 11, 2008

Old Cars Weekly Post - Chevrolet Towing Truck from a Pentax K10D viewpoint

As I wrote last week, I will post pictures of old cars and trucks once a week.

This week, I found some pictures of an old Chevrolet towing truck I took last spring. The pictures were taken with my Pentax DSLR at the entrance of Sequoia national park. If you know what the production year this old truck is, let me know.


This old towing likely rescued many stalled vehicles and from its size, other big rigs as well. I assume that this is going to be is final location, except if the owner is thinking of restoring it to its former glory. That would be a great project. I have never seen an old towing like this one before. In the early years, towing trucks were usually much smaller.

If you happen to drive to the park, the towing was located in the town of Three Rivers, about one mile before the official entrance to the park, on the right side of the road when driving toward the park.



Thanks for reading,

Yvon Bourque