My first camera was a pentax k1000, it is absolutely stunning how good the picture sharpness is, even with a 35 dollar 70-200 zoom I was able to resolve grains of sand when enlarged to 12x14 in the darkroom for a photography class. It is one of my absolutely favorite cameras ever with fuji acros and a yellow filter with the 50 f 1.4 lens. It is razor sharp and ultra contrasty. Best hundred bucks I ever spent! Pentax is VERY near and dear to my heart!
i partially agree, but with a mirrorless addition to your gear-“list” Fuji cameras, specifically the X-T series, and the all-in-one X100-series! those cameras integrate mirrorless well, while maintaining the tangibility of photography… Many other systems are more like managing a computer - Olympus … Sony… cough cough…!
I used them almost exclusively esp as I live in PNW so I needed the rugged weather sealing.. also used e-m1 olympus for its weather sealing. More recently started using L-mount Sigma fp and fpL cameras.. they also love photography.. as someone else said Fujifilm also are photography first cameras.
@@mortenthorpei would immediately get a fuji if they made a fullframe . Yes i need the better lowlight , museum and churches don’t like flashes and the higher noise takes away a lot of details unfortunately.
Nice to see some Pentax love here on UA-cam, we are far & few between these days! Although I've yet to shoot with the K1 I've seen countless amounts of stunning images from the Pentaxians who do shoot it!
Do you know why this happened? Pentax produces very reliable cameras. I used to give my old Pentax cameras, which had worked for half a million frames, to children and they still work. With any lens, even with an M42 telescope, even with an old portrait Jupiter 85/2 with macro rings, it's just a microscope. You can have a lot of fun with the remnants of old lenses from your grandfather's cupboard. For me, these are cameras that can be operated with your eyes closed, so you don't need to put on glasses ;) and study a complicated menu. Most of the functions of modern cameras are left unused precisely because they take a long time to find in the menu. The touchscreen is not very helpful when you are outside, in the rain or in the cold. Button customisation is good, but the number of buttons may not be enough in other systems. The only issue I have with Pentax is the quality of the autofocus system in all models. Previously, photographers got out of the situation by understanding the depth of field well, but now everyone wants automation.
@@Vlad0304UA The K-3 Mark III substantially improved the AF issue plaguing the older platform Pentax cameras such as the K-70/KF, K-3/II, KP and K-1/II. We're all just sitting around hoping they continue the improvements on the next Full Frame, which would be on the newer platform.
My friend had a Pentax and I always found it to be so well made, aesthetically and build quality. Even the lenses were excellent. I would say that Olympus and Pentax cameras are some of the fines cameras that don't get the attention.
I’ve been using a K-1ii for 4 years so I’m part of that small and devoted base 😊. IMO it’s worth owning for the 43mm and 77mm ltd. lenses. I also use a LUMIX G9 which is how I originally found your channel.
@@mattisulanto I’m also part of that small and devoted base for almost half a century. I love my K-1 II, and my prize lens is SMC Pentax 50mm f1.2. I obviously do not mind the size or heft, or even manual focus. Truth told, I carry Pen-F on my vacation trip, but for photography session, it's always Pentax DSLR.
His remarks on getting used to the user interface are even more valid for someone who is used to Pentax and then asked to go to Canon, Nikon, Sony or any other brand. The Pentax user interface and location of buttons, dials and knobs are much more intuitive than that of other brands.
I've tried a lot of cameras from different brands and I've always come back to Pentax. At present, I still have a K1, a K3, a K5 and a K10, and around twenty Pentax lenses. I don't know why, but it's a pure pleasure to shoot with a Pentax reflex and a Limited. It's a pleasure I just can't find with the big, classic brands.
Agree with all your sentiments about Pentax. It is a company that deserves to be in the mainstream mix but for some fateful decisions by its old school management.
Excellent well thought out review. As Lee said, there aren't many of us doing PENTAX coverage on UA-cam, so Kudos! We can add another channel to the list! I've shot with the K-1 II. It's a heavy camera but I found it to be very well balanced in hand no matter what lens was attached. However, you still can't beat physics. They weight is there.
You're right, the K-1 with the 85/1.4 weighs over 2kg, and I also add a 6-inch monitor to it to quickly and comfortably review small details while shooting with the model. Not everyone can see well, and the additional screen allows me to shoot from literally any camera position. And do you know when I stopped feeling the weight of the camera? When I started doing exercises with dumbbells, so it turns out that this setup made me start developing my muscles. Isn't that great? ;)
Very good photos. They have 'simple' subjects but are very well presented in the composition. Congrats sir and I'd like to see Pentax be on the top again. Cheers!
I’m not a fan boy for Pentax as I own and use the Fuji X-T3 and the X-Pro3 (one of my favorites) but if I were to only have one camera, it would be the Pentax K-1, and it’s not even close. The reliability, ergonomics, build quantity, weather sealing, and the list goes on. The image quality is second to none. And IBIS is in the camera, so vintage lenses are wonderful to use. Yet this camera gets ignored or simply dismissed. I also use the GR3, so Ricoh did it right with both cameras.
I have both the K-1 (Mk 1) and the K-3 III. On balance the K-3 III is the more practical travel and landscape camera. The lower resolution sensor, lack of articulating screen and crop factor are really the only disadvantages, whereas it is smaller lighter, faster and more reliable AF and, for me at least, better and less confusing button placements. There is a wider range of smaller and lighter APS-C Pentax lenses (the tiny DA Ltd lenses are gorgeous) and, of course, all the Full Frame lenses work on it too. The third control wheel is more complicated to set up, but I find it more useful with a wider range of potential functions. I have kept the K-1 mainly for its compatibility with my full frame lenses that can give a shallower depth of field at any particular focal length (angle of view). I prefer using the K-1 with the D-FA 50mm F1.4 lens for portraits (beautiful bokeh and shallow DOF), and where I am using a tripod for landscape or still life, where the weight is less of an issue and the articulating rear screen with live view is an advantage. To my eyes, the image quality from each is comparable - and the 26mp from the K-3 III is more than enough for screen viewing and reasonable sized prints. I have tried, and positively hate, the viewfinders on mirrorless cameras. I would almost rather not have a viewfinder at all if it made the camera even smaller - which is why I recently acquired a Ricoh GR III 😄
Thank you for the video ! I owned 2 of them and still regret that i sold them. The astro tracing worked so well (when you get it to work) and the GPS tagging was nice to have. Also the 36MP (!) made beatiful coloured pictures. And last but not least the weather sealing was so good, even in -20°C you could use the K-1ii without problems. The grip was the best i ever had in my hands... just the price was a bit to high imo.
I have gone the other way then most as I switched from mirrorless to DSLR at some point. I think for IT guy who looks all the time at monitor OVF is blessing from heaven :) I use Pentax K-3 which is APS-C sensor and while it is still pretty big it is not that much bigger then top level FF MILC. I doubt Pentax will ever made another MILC after K-01 fiasco but maybe they will be able to stay as sole DSLR company.
I own this camera since almost two years, and today I discovered an amazing feature, when I switch the aspect ratio to 1:1, the optical view finder views two vertical lines to indicate where the frame ends. This features is blew my mind because I also shoot square MF 6x6. I have a square optical viewfinder, insane!
Thank you for sharing your perspective on the K1-II. I have used 4 different Pentax APSC bodies over the years and have settled on the K1-II for the past several years. I shoot mostly landscape and seascapes in all kinds of weather in addition to nightscapes. I usually shoot in manual and having all of the primary settings available at my fingertips on dedicated buttons and dials, I can shoot and compose without looking at the LCD on the back, especially when the camera is being drenched with rain or snow. That said, for my daily shooter, I use the Fujifilm X100V for its weather sealing and OVF. For street photography, the K1 is just too noticeable compared to the X100V.
Despite moving to mirrorless I have still kept my K-1 (and 645D), there is something nice to embrace both tech. Sometimes I really need or want that EVF live update experience, other times I enjoy the OVF experience. I really wish there were more hybrid EVF/OVF cameras at that seems to be a really good compromise for us photographers moving forward.
I love the Pentax system and have many happy clients in the music industry. For the conditions I find myself in, the Pentax k3 and K1 with the da* and dfa lenses have been very reliable and provided good quality images. People mustn’t forget it’s not just the camera and lens choice but the experience and eye of the user that is also a big part of the equation. You can have the most expensive brands on the market but if you don’t know what you’re doing it’s pointless having it. For wildlife which I like to photograph the k3 matched with the dfa 150-450mm has given me great results. Yes it might be considered heavy for some to use but I like the weight especially in windy conditions. Find the brand and lenses that suit you, your budget and needs. I’ve used a number of brands but Pentax suits me the best.
Thank you for show a Pentax Camera. In dailyl life I use a complete Nikon Z Equipment most of the time. Now I am on holiday. With my more then 10 years old Pentax K5 APS-C. I love this Pentax cameras. I love to look trough a glas Viewfinder.
One of these days I would love to get a Pentax K-1II. For me these days I use my K-5II. It's an older camera but it still a joy to use and takes good photos. I like to keep the battery gripe on my camera at all times for portrait style shots. Imagine if you put a battery grip on a K-1II? You think its heavy now!
I startred my foray into DSLR on Pentax with a K100D. Loved that camera and just switched to Nikon after about 4 years. In hindsight it was just me trying to get "inline" with the majority of my buddies in my shooting group. I'd get funny looks when I told them what I shot on.
It really is, I wish any camera with ibis would do this. The implementation is not hard, just in software (but the camera needs to be told where it is on the planet.)
@@busydadscooking001 I think as long as the camera knows to keep the sparkly bits in the top half of the frame centred and on the same pixel, and move the sensor accordingly, it'll work for exposures under 2 minutes or so without any data input.
@@rodmehta5356 Maybe it could be done with ML, but then the camera is using the light it's collecting to determine ... how to move the pixels collecting the light. I think it could work good in practice, but maybe some astrophotographers would be horrified that the camera wasn't maximizing the signal collection potential it has. In any case, the Pentax solution asks for a GPS accessory to be attached, but it would be equally possible to do it with a smartphone app (for GPS coordinates) and level sensor (in the camera)
I had a Pentax briefly last year. I had to return it because of a defect. However, it was a joy to use, and the menu system was so much easier than the one on the panasonic g9 which I have now.
😂 I have many different Pentax DSLR's including the K1 MKII, I used it with a k3 to photograph events for several years, the thing about the K1 is that if you're out on a photo shoot and get mugged, you can beat your attacker off and go back to your photography. The thing about the Pentax cameras is that they take very little time to get to know them and the button layout is very simple and straightforward.
Well thought review. The camera looks solid, I didn’t know it was high res. I have a Pentax K-70 and I can say it’s got the best color science I’ve seen. Would like to see more Pentax reviews from you my friend. Thanks.
The comparative Lens would be G-Star 50/1.4, which would have a comparable weight and exzessive pricepoint. just bought mine with a 35mm/2.0 at 1399 due to a fair-rebatte.
I started with Pentax DSLR's about 15 years ago, my K1mkII was my go to body when I was photographing events, my back up camera was a k3 body from the k3 to the K3 MKIII and yes the camera is a beautiful beast paired with one of the many Pentax limited edition prime lenses.
Started off with an ME Super I purchased in Japan back in 1983 while serving in the navy. I have had many Pentax's since, and none have failed to impress. They also make great glass. I have never understood the attraction of the big clunky Canon's and Nikon's.
I love seeing your pictures of everyday city life in Helsinki. I visited in 2012 and it is one of my favorite places I've been to. The Pentax cameras always seem to make great images, and I miss the viewfinder on my DSLR. I'd love to have one. But it is just too hard to justify having a Pentax in addition to my other cameras, and I think that's Pentax' big hurdle.
The K1 cameras are indeed beasts, but very well designed and engineered. The ergonomics are excellent and the user interface very friendly IMO. The sensor output is absolutely stunning. There are also wonderful features like star tracking, compensation adjustment, and comprehensive in-camera RAW processing. The value for money is fantastic. The main problems are less than perfect AF compared to the opposition and the lack of choice of modern lenses*. This, however, is more than compensated for by the vast array of high quality vintage K mount glass which is very usable without adaptors, and in most cases without breaking the bank. I particularly like mine using a K 24mm f3.5, F 50mm f2.8 Macro (another big and heavy 50mm! but optically superb) and K 85mm f1.8. It's not really a camera I wish to carry about my neck on a day to day basis, but for slow considered work such as landscapes and still life it is perfect for me. *This reminds me of the situation back in the film days. Contax and Leica SLRs only had an adequate choice of glass rather than a comprehensive one.
When I was looking to upgrade systems back in 2018 I really thought about the idea of going with Pentax K3 if I wasn't going mirrorless. I loved beefy grip it had and the big viewfinder. Also the lenses were more affordable but I ended up with Olympus for the small design and their lenses were also affordable for the ones I was looking at. I felt mirrorless was the future.
Excellent video, thank you! I've had my Pentax K-1 (the original, not the Mk II) since it first became available and still absolutely love it. I do agree it is a "niche" camera and certainly not for everyone. I photograph landscapes (near and far) and I would say it seems to be particularly well suited for this purpose. I also came from the film-camera era and resisted digital photography until that point when I felt I could accomplish my intended results with the technology. So it happened to be the K-1 that finally sold me on it. And I'm glad I finally "converted", though I do still also love film photography. My only serious complaint about the K-1 is the problem you mention here, which is that Live View doesn't automatically turn on. You would think that Pentax/Ricoh would have provided a firmware update by now that would at least give you an "Always On" option. Cheers!
Returned to photography 2 years ago after 45 years. My first DSLR was and is my K70 and works great. Kinda moved to mirrorless with my so called flag ship camera OM-D1 II with OM-D10 II. Love them all use them all.
My recent camera purchase was the Olympus TG-6, and I am so happy to have a rugged compact camera in my kit. I've always been interested to try a digital Pentax at some point, and the Ricoh GRiii/x are fantastic.
After a couple of years of field use my new Nikon sounds like sandpaper is scrubing all of the noving parts on the inside. Something I never experienced before. My OLD film cameras (Pentax; 40 yrs, Argus; 60+ yrs) with proper maintenance have never given me that. I like to do landscapes and get excited when the weather report is for inclement weather. Wind, rain, fog, lightning, snow, my cameras come out for it. Pentax cameras are weather sealed as part of the package. Add to that the astro tracker and customizable controls these are huge benefits for me. The only offset is the weight as far as I can tell. I look forward to picking up one of these soon. With any luck it will last me the next couple of decades.
Terve Matti ! thanks a lot for the explanation of this great camera K-1, as you say it takes some time to understand - I am still working on it as it is my first fullframe Camera. some many features to try out. soon I will have it under "my" control... 😅😉 unfortunately I don't know many people around here using Pentax K -1 II, so I have to learn it myself. but, great camera - very high quality ! Daniel
Thanks for the video, Matti! Pentax has been my everyday carry since the earlier this year. I still have my MFT but my main camera now is a Pentax K-3.It has Ricoh printed at the bottom of its screen, by the way. I love shooting a lot during thunderstorms and heavy rain. I even use it now for street photography, where I generally use primes, M42 or K-Mount, but I revert back to the WR lenses when it's raining heavily. I got tired of EVFs and seeing the light through the lens and an OVF is just an experience by itself. With their good ergonomics, I never really felt overburdened when I am lugging it on the street. With a heavier lens, I can balance the camera on one of my fingers and walk comfortably. I just got curious about the brand because I used to shoot it back in the film era but when I got one copy last year, I understood completely why Pentaxians love them. Ricoh and Pentax are one as the engineers are all in one office floor. The colours are the same. The most natural colours I have seen are from those two brands. With your GR, you are essentially using a mirrorless Pentax. Acquisition is the greatest problem with getting a Pentax body because, for more than a decade now, they have only been producing what they can sell. Those are matters of sustainability that many consumers won't understand. Their workshop-like business model is now being implemented fully in Japan and it seems like they have seen the rapid decline of camera shipments way back.
The presence of built in GPS on the K1/K1 II is extremely useful for a nature shooter like me who upload pictures of species (flora and fauna) to an (AI) nature observation data base. The location is thereby automatically put on a map. And you can always trace back where your pictures were taken. This GPS feature is available on all smartphones but strange enough very rarely on APS-C or FF cameras. No need for messing around with external GPS from connection to a mobile phone or separate device.
Still regularly use my K1/K5(s) and the 50/1.4 (and limited 31) are amazing but you have to watch for AF accuracy as the DOF can be razor thin. Yes my E-M1 is lighter and weather proof, but pentax are photography centric focused (puns) and still have value to us old school photographers. Great video, voikaa hyvin!
A good accessorie to improve the grip (on any camera) is adding the battery pack,the grip is much better and you don't have to put batteries in it,i do to be safe,couple with the 28/80mm it makes a grat travel camera...
I'm one of those that can't use an evf, I can get a replacement focusing screen for the K1, I've used live view and don't mind, looks like I need a K1 MK2 in my future.
Hi guys ! Thank you Matti for this heartfeel video on the Pentax K1 II. When I go shooting social events I use the Live View and electronic shutter together, so what? Just like if I was using a mirrorless camera... Then why Pentax would do a straight full mirrorless camera? I prefer this combo that offers me the advantage of an optical view finder for portrait or proxi shootings in real life conditions!
From my last school days in the 1960s up to now, I have been affectionate to Asahi Pentax - first Spotmatic, then 6x7 and MX/ME, and all those besides of my Nikon pro gear. Today, Pentax is the only one remaining with my favourite SLR concept, and so the Pentax K1 ... may be the right choice because 'mirrorless' isn't any progress for me.
Pentax is for shooters, not people who call themselves photographers. First of all people the K1 interface is so easy that my child used it, and my grandson at SIX YEARS old was able to hold ,point, and shoot my K1. I mean ,maybe some folks need to see a doctor, eat some Wheaties, or hit the gym, because it's only a camera, not a cinderblock. The controls are not hard and the interface is the most logical I have had, hands down. It' is also more flexible because you can shoot at night, in the snow, in the rain, and just keep on going. The Pentax k1 mk2 and ONLY A FEW other cameras are for shooters who compose, not whine, cry, and complain about childish stuff and 'those who fall for the 'I need new gear SCAM'.So if you can hold some weight and won't end up in ICU crying, when you have some actual skills, and when you have an imagination, go find yourself an ADULT camera like the Pentax k1mk2.Yes, It is BIG and heavy, and since i have a working brain, I took that Pentax strap off, bought the Peak Design Clutch and the strap, so I can carry it slung or one handed. It is for the shooter who knows how to set up, take their time, and compose shots. I have shot live action with skateboards and such right here in NYC. I shoot in the streets, the subway, and outdoors everywhere. Since it is a low light BEAST, I have NEVER carried a flash to shoot at night. If you want to be creative, it has different modes and shoots the stars and even though i went and got some Sonys for the video/ AF/ live streaming, my Pentax is going nowhere. How lazy do you have to be not to want to just hit a button for Live View?That's like me saying I want to walk up to a car and the door should open itself...I am getting annoyed with UA-cam because so many grown men are crying about any little thing. Where's the actual men at who can pick up and carry a DSLR, tripod, 3 lenses, media, batteries, food,clothing, and hike for 25 miles?????
Hola totalmente de acuerdo con tu comentario, todas las cosa de las que se queja Matti Sulanto son necedades que no tienen que ver con lo que busca un verdadero fotógrafo: calidad excepcional de imagen en una cámara súper fuerte que resiste cualquier trato. Una cámara para fotógrafos no para niños mimados.
We're sharing the same hope and the same disappointment Matti, thanks for the honest review with such a beautiful production. On sensor PDAF is the way to go, I've mostly abandoned shooting because equipped with a K-1 and plenty of lens, but knowing that it'll under perform AF accuracy by quite substantial amount.
I was a Pentax devotee, my last being the K3 and K5. Six years ago I switched to Sony a6000 and never looked back. Loved all of the features mirrorless affords the user.
After 40+ years as a photographer, I can say that my Pentax k1 system, is the best camera I have ever owned. But I still miss my RB67 medium format system...
Nice to see Pentax get some well deserved appriciation. Ive had em all Olympus, Canon, Nikon, in my 40 years in the hobby, and always end up with a pentax, or a Olympus, but Pentax for now. Ergonomics and pentaprisma always brings me back to Pentax. And no i dont think Pentax should maken an mirrorless, Pentax should stay and niche them to the only DSLR brand. We dont need another faceless tech driven mirroless, in my humble opinion.
ricoh needed to make an ricoh gr alike mirrorless interchangable lens apcs camera, they already did once with the gxr with the m module, i just imagine a apsc camera with the new gr lenses and some pentax branded ones like limeted series and a fullframe on that had the gr lenses from the film days like those ltm lenses that they already release
Pentax have made it clear that a mirrorless won't happen. They are not going to step into the Sony-Canon-Nikon mirrorless mud fight. Instead they are pursuing the niche optical finder market, like Leica have pursued the rangefinder market. The K-1iii will have faster focussing, better video, and the same tech used in the K-3iii pentaprism, the best pentaprism in camera history.
Pentax did dip their toes into mirrorless briefly with the k-01. When it came out I thought it was as ugly as sin! After it was discontinued, I found an eBay seller that had full spectrum modified it so I bought one to play with infrared. After playing with the modified camera, I again went on ebay to pick up an unmodified example. I think after getting past the terrible styling, I found their mirrorless camera to be actually quite good. One thing I really like about Pentax is the length they go to to support old, or even ancient lenses. Anyway, I hope they continue to survive, even as a nitch offering.
Great review 👍 I’ve been using the Pentax k1 since it came out and I’m still enjoy using it, but why is pressing the live view button such a big deal, I really don’t understand that 🤔 Thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks. Mirrorless cameras switch between VF and back screen automatically and when you get used to that, the live view button seems like one extra unnecessary step. If you have never used a mirrorless camera, then pressing the live view button is not a big deal, of course.
I won't ever use an SLR again (although the Leica S system is intriguing). But I very much appreciate this video. It is a shame that Pentax isn't more prominent in the market. There is still a lot of room for innovative features that actually improve our photography. That astro tracer feature is very tempting I have to say. Edit: maybe do a video about the 645D one day?
Pentax's angle is more about enjoying your photography than about making it "better" I would say (more art less math). There are peope who say they would never drive an old car ever again or drive something with a manual transmission, but there are plenty of people who enjoy old and new cars equally but for different reasons.
A fair review. But @5:25 says _"You can't see how the picture is going to come out until you take the picture .."_ Well you can, by switching on Live View (as you say later anyway). @9:37, am I misunderstanding the complaint that you have to turn the Live View screen on and off? Why would you want it on while using the viewfinder, it would be dazzling. Surely you can also turn it off in a Sony, Nikon etc?
A Mirrorless camera is always in a live view mode, because the VF is also a screen. There is a sensor in VF and when you take the camera off your eye it switches to the back screen. It's all automatic and much easier to use. In my opinion at least. You can turn it off if you like, of course. In the Pentax you can't use live view and VF at the same time even if you wanted, because of the mirror.
@@mattisulanto Oh, thanks, I get the point now. So a mirrorless switches automatically between viewfinder screen and back screen by detecting if your face is close or not. Not necessarily on _every_ mirrorless camera I suppose, but common to all the more recent ones I expect.
Hi Matti, Nice review! When you say "I'm afraid we will never see a proper Pentax mirrorless camera" - which kind of "I'm afraid" do you mean? We might mean two things when we say that. It can mean "Unfortunately, that won't happen and I'm disappointed by that" or it can mean "I am frightened by the possibility that we won't see one"? Because I think we might see one. Also, don't forget that technically, Pentax had the first mirrorless interchangeable lens digital camera, with the K-01. I don't they can afford to switch lens mounts... the K mount is why they have that devoted fan base. So if they go mirrorless, it will have to somehow retain the K-mount... Honestly I think they are better off staying with dSLR and producing cameras that do a few things really really well, like for example, if they had a 61mp FF with pixel shift, then it would be the only dSLR to have that kind of resolution. Same with the astro-tracer thing.
I guess the first meaning is what I meant in the video. Pentax have so far showed little interest for mirrorless and instead released some new DSLRs. It would be great to see a proper mirrorless Pentax and I hope that happens one day. I'm not holding my breath though.
Pentax should do another 645 medium format SLR. Add in the unique Pentax features, GPS, hybrid optical viewfinder, a high bit depth sensor, and maybe some new computational photography high DR focus stack.
Honestly i got it for the astrotracer mainly , yes i know it’s not as good as a dedicated astrorig ,but have you seen the price of those? And im neither a scientist or a professional who makes money of it.
Pentax is a special kind of brand and Pentaxians have a very special relation to the brand, knowing that its future is really on the edge. There are always tons of features, very smart ones, in a Pentax camera, and the K-mount has remained compatible since the 80's (at least). The only downside to me, a veeeery low frame rate. That's why I keep my K5-IIs for sports or wildlife photo.
What you said about focusing screens are so true. I hated all DSLR for their very flat looking focus screens. What I think is interesting is Fujifilm has emulated spilt screen. I also like the picture in picture manual focus assist of the Panasonic that does such a better job of seeing your framing while focusing. I wish other brands did one of those thing. With macro photography, this would be helpful and I'm actually considering going with the Lumix GH6 over the OM-1.
@mipmipmipmipmip I absolutely agree about focus peaking. I guess you really have to try it to see if it works for you. I have used the picture in picture and I love how I can know at the same time I got the focus and also the framing I want for the shot. However, it never moved me to switch brands from Olympus to Panasonic. It's kind of a nice to have feature instead of have to have that feature. I think it is very effective in my opinion.
Hey Matti a very giod video of an interesting camera. Perhaps some day to buy, if the price goes down. Advantages: Solid, big writing on display, good menue, much control buttons. Disadvantages: heavy weight, slow autofocus, great body, DSLR. Because of price and existing equipment (Canon, Olympus) and the whole world crises with exploding costs I will wait to buy...
I've Pentax K30 and lenses for it. I'm waiting for new aps-c Pentax even if I have moved on to Nikon Z 5. Sometimes it's fun to use different kind of cameras even if the system isn't popular and future of the system is unsure.
i actually managed to get this exact kit for a too good deal to pass from amazon and am now waiting for it to arrive and test if ill keep it for sure or stick to my more peasant K70. Frankly a immense overkill for my skill level, but just really scratch this particular itch.... Anyway, been enjoying the k70 a lot and really hope Pentax can keep on doing its Pentax thing in the future as well.
I've learned that there is 'weight fatigue'. Pentax make some of the best ergonomic cameras known, they fit like a glove and all the buttons and placements feel fabulously placed. But that glove can weigh a tonne, and shooting an all day wedding with such weight really begins to take its toll. Fuji is light but feels crappy in the hand, but I tend to not have the same kind of next day systematic fatigue that comes with wielding a Pentax 😄
Interestingly Pentax did have a mirrorless system (albeit without a viewfinder) with the wonderful Pentax Q, but for whatever reason they gave up on it. Perhaps that is what has put them off since?
I highly recommand to add the battery pack adaptor,it extends the hand grip ,it gives you another triger for vertical shouting,Once you tried it,youll never go back. Bye. Lucien
You can - the K1 has an 16mp aps-c crop mode. Also some of them will cover the FF at various apertures. Details can be found online if you do a search.
The KP is about as compact body wise as my EM1.2 and renders the best black and white photos I've ever taken rivalling full frame despite being APS-C. I really do regret selling my KP, I mainly used it with my large vintage Pentax glass collection and the focus confirmation and focus trapping with the manual lenses without any need of chip adaptor worked so much better than adapting to mirrorless and relying on digitally zooming in and peaking. I almost never missed focus even for sports just by setting the depth of field/focus to where I wanted to end up at and then just following the player as they ran pressing the shutter and when they hit that field of focus the body would auto fire single (or burst until they left focus while I held). I know Nikon does trap focus and Canon has focus confirmation, but Pentax seemed to do it best for me. I've been considering the K1.2 for my Full frame body for a while. For now I'm waiting to see if Nikon makes a zfc style body using the internals from a Z6 or even Z5 to be full frame. A Nikon S looking rangefinder style body using old Z5/Z6 hardware would probably be an instant buy for me. I actually like APS-C a lot, but I also want IBIS which the zfc lacks sadly.
I hated manual focusing with DSLR (K-70 and KP). It's so much more convenient and easier with the magnifier function on my Olympus DSLM cameras and the viewfinder image is always nice and bright and doesn't shake thanks to IBIS. Using old lenses is also much easier with a DSLM for me. You can close the aperture and still have a bright viewfinder image and direct DOF and exposure control. I regret not having switched to DSLM much earlier.
I sold my Pentax gear because too many Pentax lenses had Chromatic Aberration issues. And I was tired of average auto focus and a lack of mirrorless cameras in the Pentax lineup. Pentax needs to go mirrorless, take out CA from their lenses and improve their auto focus. If they do those 3 things, they would be a powerhouse in the industry.
I have a K-1 and use a number of the fast older A* lenses (all manual focussing). I find the sreen fine for focussing. I have added a + 2.5 dioptre lens - cut from inexpensive reading glasses - to the slip on eyepiece shroud (my video is here - ua-cam.com/video/GrFrhFSP5Qg/v-deo.html ) as the adjustment on the viewfinder doesn't go quite far enough for my sight - the adjustment now sits in the middle of its range. I have done many tests on a tripod with f1.2 and 1.4 lenses wide open, and focus is accurate and as easy as my Pentax LX. Focus errors are down to me not paying attention, moving, or subject movement. The slightest of any results in missed focus at these apertures. One has to be a bit old school and slow down. I love the OVF with all overlays switched off - thank goodness it has that feature, as I find the clutter most distracting. I find it an excellent replacement/addition to my LX, and I use it in very much the same manner but it's great to be able to check the rear screen (which I have switched off) to confirm exposure etc. every several shots. It's also great to be able to run tests and trails at no expense and go straight to view on a computer whilst still fresh in my mind. It's a great practice tool before shooting film.
If all my camera gear was lost , I would 100% start again with Pentax . I think it's the only camera left that has retained the soul of Photography .
My first camera was a pentax k1000, it is absolutely stunning how good the picture sharpness is, even with a 35 dollar 70-200 zoom I was able to resolve grains of sand when enlarged to 12x14 in the darkroom for a photography class. It is one of my absolutely favorite cameras ever with fuji acros and a yellow filter with the 50 f 1.4 lens. It is razor sharp and ultra contrasty. Best hundred bucks I ever spent! Pentax is VERY near and dear to my heart!
i partially agree, but with a mirrorless addition to your gear-“list” Fuji cameras, specifically the X-T series, and the all-in-one X100-series! those cameras integrate mirrorless well, while maintaining the tangibility of photography… Many other systems are more like managing a computer - Olympus … Sony… cough cough…!
I used them almost exclusively esp as I live in PNW so I needed the rugged weather sealing.. also used e-m1 olympus for its weather sealing. More recently started using L-mount Sigma fp and fpL cameras.. they also love photography.. as someone else said Fujifilm also are photography first cameras.
You need to remove your Pentax blinkers. I've owned several Pentax cameras and they are poor.
@@mortenthorpei would immediately get a fuji if they made a fullframe .
Yes i need the better lowlight , museum and churches don’t like flashes and the higher noise takes away a lot of details unfortunately.
Love Pentax. Engaging, rugged, intuitive kit. Great to see the optical view finder lives on with Pentax.
Thanks for sharing.
Nice to see some Pentax love here on UA-cam, we are far & few between these days! Although I've yet to shoot with the K1 I've seen countless amounts of stunning images from the Pentaxians who do shoot it!
Thanks. Pentax cameras are hard to find these days for a review.
Do you know why this happened? Pentax produces very reliable cameras. I used to give my old Pentax cameras, which had worked for half a million frames, to children and they still work. With any lens, even with an M42 telescope, even with an old portrait Jupiter 85/2 with macro rings, it's just a microscope. You can have a lot of fun with the remnants of old lenses from your grandfather's cupboard.
For me, these are cameras that can be operated with your eyes closed, so you don't need to put on glasses ;) and study a complicated menu. Most of the functions of modern cameras are left unused precisely because they take a long time to find in the menu. The touchscreen is not very helpful when you are outside, in the rain or in the cold. Button customisation is good, but the number of buttons may not be enough in other systems.
The only issue I have with Pentax is the quality of the autofocus system in all models. Previously, photographers got out of the situation by understanding the depth of field well, but now everyone wants automation.
@@Vlad0304UA The K-3 Mark III substantially improved the AF issue plaguing the older platform Pentax cameras such as the K-70/KF, K-3/II, KP and K-1/II. We're all just sitting around hoping they continue the improvements on the next Full Frame, which would be on the newer platform.
My friend had a Pentax and I always found it to be so well made, aesthetically and build quality. Even the lenses were excellent. I would say that Olympus and Pentax cameras are some of the fines cameras that don't get the attention.
Thanks for your insights.
I’ve been using a K-1ii for 4 years so I’m part of that small and devoted base 😊. IMO it’s worth owning for the 43mm and 77mm ltd. lenses. I also use a LUMIX G9 which is how I originally found your channel.
Thanks for coming back😀
@@mattisulanto I’m also part of that small and devoted base for almost half a century. I love my K-1 II, and my prize lens is SMC Pentax 50mm f1.2. I obviously do not mind the size or heft, or even manual focus. Truth told, I carry Pen-F on my vacation trip, but for photography session, it's always Pentax DSLR.
Dziękujemy.
Many thanks!
His remarks on getting used to the user interface are even more valid for someone who is used to Pentax and then asked to go to Canon, Nikon, Sony or any other brand. The Pentax user interface and location of buttons, dials and knobs are much more intuitive than that of other brands.
😂
I've tried a lot of cameras from different brands and I've always come back to Pentax. At present, I still have a K1, a K3, a K5 and a K10, and around twenty Pentax lenses. I don't know why, but it's a pure pleasure to shoot with a Pentax reflex and a Limited. It's a pleasure I just can't find with the big, classic brands.
Agree with all your sentiments about Pentax. It is a company that deserves to be in the mainstream mix but for some fateful decisions by its old school management.
Thanks.
Excellent well thought out review. As Lee said, there aren't many of us doing PENTAX coverage on UA-cam, so Kudos! We can add another channel to the list! I've shot with the K-1 II. It's a heavy camera but I found it to be very well balanced in hand no matter what lens was attached. However, you still can't beat physics. They weight is there.
Thank for watching.
You're right, the K-1 with the 85/1.4 weighs over 2kg, and I also add a 6-inch monitor to it to quickly and comfortably review small details while shooting with the model. Not everyone can see well, and the additional screen allows me to shoot from literally any camera position. And do you know when I stopped feeling the weight of the camera? When I started doing exercises with dumbbells, so it turns out that this setup made me start developing my muscles. Isn't that great? ;)
Ricoh is making Great Cameras. The Pentax line is no exception! More Camera and system options options are always the best! Great pictures Matti!
Thanks!
You are now a pentaxian👍👍
For a short while, yes😀
@@mattisulanto ha ha ha😆😆
Pentax! I used to use Pentax but I ended up in M43. Size and weight were the factors that convinced me. I still take my K3 out every now and then.
Very good photos. They have 'simple' subjects but are very well presented in the composition. Congrats sir and I'd like to see Pentax be on the top again. Cheers!
Many thanks!
Thanks!
Thank You!
I’m not a fan boy for Pentax as I own and use the Fuji X-T3 and the X-Pro3 (one of my favorites) but if I were to only have one camera, it would be the Pentax K-1, and it’s not even close. The reliability, ergonomics, build quantity, weather sealing, and the list goes on. The image quality is second to none. And IBIS is in the camera, so vintage lenses are wonderful to use. Yet this camera gets ignored or simply dismissed. I also use the GR3, so Ricoh did it right with both cameras.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Apreciate your review!
Im on the "semi" pro market using K1II and K1 , I love my pentax gear...
Thanks.
The image quality is simply sublime
Well said😀
I have both the K-1 (Mk 1) and the K-3 III. On balance the K-3 III is the more practical travel and landscape camera. The lower resolution sensor, lack of articulating screen and crop factor are really the only disadvantages, whereas it is smaller lighter, faster and more reliable AF and, for me at least, better and less confusing button placements. There is a wider range of smaller and lighter APS-C Pentax lenses (the tiny DA Ltd lenses are gorgeous) and, of course, all the Full Frame lenses work on it too. The third control wheel is more complicated to set up, but I find it more useful with a wider range of potential functions.
I have kept the K-1 mainly for its compatibility with my full frame lenses that can give a shallower depth of field at any particular focal length (angle of view). I prefer using the K-1 with the D-FA 50mm F1.4 lens for portraits (beautiful bokeh and shallow DOF), and where I am using a tripod for landscape or still life, where the weight is less of an issue and the articulating rear screen with live view is an advantage.
To my eyes, the image quality from each is comparable - and the 26mp from the K-3 III is more than enough for screen viewing and reasonable sized prints.
I have tried, and positively hate, the viewfinders on mirrorless cameras. I would almost rather not have a viewfinder at all if it made the camera even smaller - which is why I recently acquired a Ricoh GR III 😄
Thank you for the video ! I owned 2 of them and still regret that i sold them. The astro tracing worked so well (when you get it to work) and the GPS tagging was nice to have.
Also the 36MP (!) made beatiful coloured pictures. And last but not least the weather sealing was so good, even in -20°C you could use the K-1ii without problems.
The grip was the best i ever had in my hands... just the price was a bit to high imo.
Thanks. It was all my pleasure and good luck I managed to borrow a Pentax.
pentax limited series lenses are so awesome that they make you think about buying this camera
Thanks for sharing.
I have gone the other way then most as I switched from mirrorless to DSLR at some point. I think for IT guy who looks all the time at monitor OVF is blessing from heaven :) I use Pentax K-3 which is APS-C sensor and while it is still pretty big it is not that much bigger then top level FF MILC.
I doubt Pentax will ever made another MILC after K-01 fiasco but maybe they will be able to stay as sole DSLR company.
Thanks for sharing your backstory.
Exactly IT guy here too OVF is a breathe of fresh air. Debating on the k1 ii or k3iii now. There is just something about the Pentax colors
@@sdhutesame here . Debating between k3iii and k1ii. I have a k5 so may just go w FF
@@bigdreams5554what did you pickup ?
I own this camera since almost two years, and today I discovered an amazing feature, when I switch the aspect ratio to 1:1, the optical view finder views two vertical lines to indicate where the frame ends. This features is blew my mind because I also shoot square MF 6x6.
I have a square optical viewfinder, insane!
Thank you for sharing your perspective on the K1-II. I have used 4 different Pentax APSC bodies over the years and have settled on the K1-II for the past several years. I shoot mostly landscape and seascapes in all kinds of weather in addition to nightscapes. I usually shoot in manual and having all of the primary settings available at my fingertips on dedicated buttons and dials, I can shoot and compose without looking at the LCD on the back, especially when the camera is being drenched with rain or snow. That said, for my daily shooter, I use the Fujifilm X100V for its weather sealing and OVF. For street photography, the K1 is just too noticeable compared to the X100V.
Thanks for watching.
Despite moving to mirrorless I have still kept my K-1 (and 645D), there is something nice to embrace both tech. Sometimes I really need or want that EVF live update experience, other times I enjoy the OVF experience. I really wish there were more hybrid EVF/OVF cameras at that seems to be a really good compromise for us photographers moving forward.
I love the Pentax system and have many happy clients in the music industry. For the conditions I find myself in, the Pentax k3 and K1 with the da* and dfa lenses have been very reliable and provided good quality images. People mustn’t forget it’s not just the camera and lens choice but the experience and eye of the user that is also a big part of the equation. You can have the most expensive brands on the market but if you don’t know what you’re doing it’s pointless having it. For wildlife which I like to photograph the k3 matched with the dfa 150-450mm has given me great results. Yes it might be considered heavy for some to use but I like the weight especially in windy conditions. Find the brand and lenses that suit you, your budget and needs. I’ve used a number of brands but Pentax suits me the best.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for show a Pentax Camera. In dailyl life I use a complete Nikon Z Equipment most of the time. Now I am on holiday. With my more then 10 years old Pentax K5 APS-C. I love this Pentax cameras. I love to look trough a glas Viewfinder.
Thanks for sharing. I remember the K5, have used it when it was new.
One of these days I would love to get a Pentax K-1II. For me these days I use my K-5II. It's an older camera but it still a joy to use and takes good photos. I like to keep the battery gripe on my camera at all times for portrait style shots. Imagine if you put a battery grip on a K-1II? You think its heavy now!
Thanks. I don't want to think about the battery grip😀
I startred my foray into DSLR on Pentax with a K100D. Loved that camera and just switched to Nikon after about 4 years. In hindsight it was just me trying to get "inline" with the majority of my buddies in my shooting group. I'd get funny looks when I told them what I shot on.
That astro tracer function is a brilliant idea!
It is, indeed.
I wish this feature was available on every camera with IBIS, such an innovative use of the technology.
It really is, I wish any camera with ibis would do this. The implementation is not hard, just in software (but the camera needs to be told where it is on the planet.)
@@busydadscooking001 I think as long as the camera knows to keep the sparkly bits in the top half of the frame centred and on the same pixel, and move the sensor accordingly, it'll work for exposures under 2 minutes or so without any data input.
@@rodmehta5356 Maybe it could be done with ML, but then the camera is using the light it's collecting to determine ... how to move the pixels collecting the light. I think it could work good in practice, but maybe some astrophotographers would be horrified that the camera wasn't maximizing the signal collection potential it has. In any case, the Pentax solution asks for a GPS accessory to be attached, but it would be equally possible to do it with a smartphone app (for GPS coordinates) and level sensor (in the camera)
I had a Pentax briefly last year. I had to return it because of a defect. However, it was a joy to use, and the menu system was so much easier than the one on the panasonic g9 which I have now.
😂 I have many different Pentax DSLR's including the K1 MKII, I used it with a k3 to photograph events for several years, the thing about the K1 is that if you're out on a photo shoot and get mugged, you can beat your attacker off and go back to your photography. The thing about the Pentax cameras is that they take very little time to get to know them and the button layout is very simple and straightforward.
Well thought review. The camera looks solid, I didn’t know it was high res. I have a Pentax K-70 and I can say it’s got the best color science I’ve seen. Would like to see more Pentax reviews from you my friend. Thanks.
Thanks. Pentax cameras are hard come by theses days, I mean to borrow. The K1 II was a lucky strike when I saw it at Focus Nordic😀
@@mattisulanto indeed! Glad you had the opportunity of getting it.
The comparative Lens would be G-Star 50/1.4, which would have a comparable weight and exzessive pricepoint. just bought mine with a 35mm/2.0 at 1399 due to a fair-rebatte.
I started with Pentax DSLR's about 15 years ago, my K1mkII was my go to body when I was photographing events, my back up camera was a k3 body from the k3 to the K3 MKIII and yes the camera is a beautiful beast paired with one of the many Pentax limited edition prime lenses.
Thanks for the video. It's nice to see my choices more or less confirmed from time to time. 🙂 Terveisiä Brysselistä!
You're so welcome!
Started off with an ME Super I purchased in Japan back in 1983 while serving in the navy. I have had many Pentax's since, and none have failed to impress. They also make great glass. I have never understood the attraction of the big clunky Canon's and Nikon's.
in a life of screens and working in the computer industry a OVF is a breathe of fresh air
Yeah, I have to agree that it is.
I love seeing your pictures of everyday city life in Helsinki. I visited in 2012 and it is one of my favorite places I've been to.
The Pentax cameras always seem to make great images, and I miss the viewfinder on my DSLR. I'd love to have one. But it is just too hard to justify having a Pentax in addition to my other cameras, and I think that's Pentax' big hurdle.
Thanks. Happy to hear you liked my home town😀
The K1 cameras are indeed beasts, but very well designed and engineered. The ergonomics are excellent and the user interface very friendly IMO. The sensor output is absolutely stunning. There are also wonderful features like star tracking, compensation adjustment, and comprehensive in-camera RAW processing. The value for money is fantastic. The main problems are less than perfect AF compared to the opposition and the lack of choice of modern lenses*. This, however, is more than compensated for by the vast array of high quality vintage K mount glass which is very usable without adaptors, and in most cases without breaking the bank. I particularly like mine using a K 24mm f3.5, F 50mm f2.8 Macro (another big and heavy 50mm! but optically superb) and K 85mm f1.8. It's not really a camera I wish to carry about my neck on a day to day basis, but for slow considered work such as landscapes and still life it is perfect for me.
*This reminds me of the situation back in the film days. Contax and Leica SLRs only had an adequate choice of glass rather than a comprehensive one.
Pentaxian here - appreciating your review! K-1 is a killer camera for me...I think i need to give this new 50mm 1.4 a try :-)
Thanks.
When I was looking to upgrade systems back in 2018 I really thought about the idea of going with Pentax K3 if I wasn't going mirrorless. I loved beefy grip it had and the big viewfinder. Also the lenses were more affordable but I ended up with Olympus for the small design and their lenses were also affordable for the ones I was looking at. I felt mirrorless was the future.
Thanks. Mirrorless is the future, of course, whether you like it or not😀
Excellent video, thank you! I've had my Pentax K-1 (the original, not the Mk II) since it first became available and still absolutely love it. I do agree it is a "niche" camera and certainly not for everyone. I photograph landscapes (near and far) and I would say it seems to be particularly well suited for this purpose. I also came from the film-camera era and resisted digital photography until that point when I felt I could accomplish my intended results with the technology. So it happened to be the K-1 that finally sold me on it. And I'm glad I finally "converted", though I do still also love film photography. My only serious complaint about the K-1 is the problem you mention here, which is that Live View doesn't automatically turn on. You would think that Pentax/Ricoh would have provided a firmware update by now that would at least give you an "Always On" option. Cheers!
Thank for sharing your experience.
Returned to photography 2 years ago after 45 years. My first DSLR was and is my K70 and works great. Kinda moved to mirrorless with my so called flag ship camera OM-D1 II with OM-D10 II. Love them all use them all.
Thanks for sharing!
My recent camera purchase was the Olympus TG-6, and I am so happy to have a rugged compact camera in my kit.
I've always been interested to try a digital Pentax at some point, and the Ricoh GRiii/x are fantastic.
Thanks.
Sony full frame shooter here. Seriously considering picking one up for the astrotracer function.
After a couple of years of field use my new Nikon sounds like sandpaper is scrubing all of the noving parts on the inside. Something I never experienced before. My OLD film cameras (Pentax; 40 yrs, Argus; 60+ yrs) with proper maintenance have never given me that. I like to do landscapes and get excited when the weather report is for inclement weather. Wind, rain, fog, lightning, snow, my cameras come out for it. Pentax cameras are weather sealed as part of the package. Add to that the astro tracker and customizable controls these are huge benefits for me. The only offset is the weight as far as I can tell. I look forward to picking up one of these soon. With any luck it will last me the next couple of decades.
Thanks for sharing.
Terve Matti ! thanks a lot for the explanation of this great camera K-1, as you say it takes some time to understand - I am still working on it as it is my first fullframe Camera. some many features to try out. soon I will have it under "my" control... 😅😉
unfortunately I don't know many people around here using Pentax K -1 II, so I have to learn it myself. but, great camera - very high quality ! Daniel
Thanks for sharing! Glad to hear you are enjoying the K-1II😀
I liked the images. They seemed different than your usual subjects.
Thanks. Maybe it was the camera. I only walked along my usual streets😀
Thank you so much for your very nice review! Fantastic video!
Thank you too!
Thanks for the video, Matti! Pentax has been my everyday carry since the earlier this year. I still have my MFT but my main camera now is a Pentax K-3.It has Ricoh printed at the bottom of its screen, by the way. I love shooting a lot during thunderstorms and heavy rain. I even use it now for street photography, where I generally use primes, M42 or K-Mount, but I revert back to the WR lenses when it's raining heavily.
I got tired of EVFs and seeing the light through the lens and an OVF is just an experience by itself.
With their good ergonomics, I never really felt overburdened when I am lugging it on the street. With a heavier lens, I can balance the camera on one of my fingers and walk comfortably.
I just got curious about the brand because I used to shoot it back in the film era but when I got one copy last year, I understood completely why Pentaxians love them.
Ricoh and Pentax are one as the engineers are all in one office floor. The colours are the same. The most natural colours I have seen are from those two brands. With your GR, you are essentially using a mirrorless Pentax.
Acquisition is the greatest problem with getting a Pentax body because, for more than a decade now, they have only been producing what they can sell. Those are matters of sustainability that many consumers won't understand. Their workshop-like business model is now being implemented fully in Japan and it seems like they have seen the rapid decline of camera shipments way back.
Thanks for sharing your extensive comment.
The presence of built in GPS on the K1/K1 II is extremely useful for a nature shooter like me who upload pictures of species (flora and fauna) to an (AI) nature observation data base. The location is thereby automatically put on a map. And you can always trace back where your pictures were taken. This GPS feature is available on all smartphones but strange enough very rarely on APS-C or FF cameras. No need for messing around with external GPS from connection to a mobile phone or separate device.
Thanks for sharing.
Still regularly use my K1/K5(s) and the 50/1.4 (and limited 31) are amazing but you have to watch for AF accuracy as the DOF can be razor thin. Yes my E-M1 is lighter and weather proof, but pentax are photography centric focused (puns) and still have value to us old school photographers. Great video,
voikaa hyvin!
Thanks so much for sharing.
A good accessorie to improve the grip (on any camera) is adding the battery pack,the grip is much better and you don't have to put batteries in it,i do to be safe,couple with the 28/80mm
it makes a grat travel camera...
Thanks for your tip.
I'm one of those that can't use an evf, I can get a replacement focusing screen for the K1, I've used live view and don't mind, looks like I need a K1 MK2 in my future.
Hi guys ! Thank you Matti for this heartfeel video on the Pentax K1 II. When I go shooting social events I use the Live View and electronic shutter together, so what? Just like if I was using a mirrorless camera... Then why Pentax would do a straight full mirrorless camera? I prefer this combo that offers me the advantage of an optical view finder for portrait or proxi shootings in real life conditions!
Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like an awesome camera thathas held its value both monetarily and spec. Awesome break-down on it
Thank you.
I have a K1, Pentax just needs to expand the full-frame lens lineup.
From my last school days in the 1960s up to now, I have been affectionate to Asahi Pentax - first Spotmatic, then 6x7 and MX/ME, and all those besides of my Nikon pro gear. Today, Pentax is the only one remaining with my favourite SLR concept, and so the Pentax K1 ... may be the right choice because 'mirrorless' isn't any progress for me.
I have got this camera Pentax K1 MK2. But not used it yet.
Pentax is for shooters, not people who call themselves photographers. First of all people the K1 interface is so easy that my child used it, and my grandson at SIX YEARS old was able to hold ,point, and shoot my K1. I mean ,maybe some folks need to see a doctor, eat some Wheaties, or hit the gym, because it's only a camera, not a cinderblock. The controls are not hard and the interface is the most logical I have had, hands down. It' is also more flexible because you can shoot at night, in the snow, in the rain, and just keep on going. The Pentax k1 mk2 and ONLY A FEW other cameras are for shooters who compose, not whine, cry, and complain about childish stuff and 'those who fall for the 'I need new gear SCAM'.So if you can hold some weight and won't end up in ICU crying, when you have some actual skills, and when you have an imagination, go find yourself an ADULT camera like the Pentax k1mk2.Yes, It is BIG and heavy, and since i have a working brain, I took that Pentax strap off, bought the Peak Design Clutch and the strap, so I can carry it slung or one handed. It is for the shooter who knows how to set up, take their time, and compose shots. I have shot live action with skateboards and such right here in NYC. I shoot in the streets, the subway, and outdoors everywhere. Since it is a low light BEAST, I have NEVER carried a flash to shoot at night. If you want to be creative, it has different modes and shoots the stars and even though i went and got some Sonys for the video/ AF/ live streaming, my Pentax is going nowhere. How lazy do you have to be not to want to just hit a button for Live View?That's like me saying I want to walk up to a car and the door should open itself...I am getting annoyed with UA-cam because so many grown men are crying about any little thing. Where's the actual men at who can pick up and carry a DSLR, tripod, 3 lenses, media, batteries, food,clothing, and hike for 25 miles?????
Thanks😀
@@mattisulanto You're welcome..
Hola totalmente de acuerdo con tu comentario, todas las cosa de las que se queja Matti Sulanto son necedades que no tienen que ver con lo que busca un verdadero fotógrafo: calidad excepcional de imagen en una cámara súper fuerte que resiste cualquier trato. Una cámara para fotógrafos no para niños mimados.
We're sharing the same hope and the same disappointment Matti, thanks for the honest review with such a beautiful production. On sensor PDAF is the way to go, I've mostly abandoned shooting because equipped with a K-1 and plenty of lens, but knowing that it'll under perform AF accuracy by quite substantial amount.
Thanks for sharing your insights.
I was a Pentax devotee, my last being the K3 and K5. Six years ago I switched to Sony a6000 and never looked back. Loved all of the features mirrorless affords the user.
Thanks.
After 40+ years as a photographer, I can say that my Pentax k1 system, is the best camera I have ever owned. But I still miss my RB67 medium format system...
Thanks. We have about the same amount of history as photographers😀 The Mamiya was a real workhorse.
Nice to see Pentax get some well deserved appriciation. Ive had em all Olympus, Canon, Nikon, in my 40 years in the hobby, and always end up with a pentax, or a Olympus, but Pentax for now. Ergonomics and pentaprisma always brings me back to Pentax. And no i dont think Pentax should maken an mirrorless, Pentax should stay and niche them to the only DSLR brand. We dont need another faceless tech driven mirroless, in my humble opinion.
Thanks for sharing.
ricoh needed to make an ricoh gr alike mirrorless interchangable lens apcs camera, they already did once with the gxr with the m module, i just imagine a apsc camera with the new gr lenses and some pentax branded ones like limeted series and a fullframe on that had the gr lenses from the film days like those ltm lenses that they already release
A mirrorless version would be a winner, some really great features. Thank's.
Thanks.
Pentax have made it clear that a mirrorless won't happen. They are not going to step into the Sony-Canon-Nikon mirrorless mud fight. Instead they are pursuing the niche optical finder market, like Leica have pursued the rangefinder market. The K-1iii will have faster focussing, better video, and the same tech used in the K-3iii pentaprism, the best pentaprism in camera history.
@lex.. thanks for the info, intriguing 🤔
Pentax did dip their toes into mirrorless briefly with the k-01. When it came out I thought it was as ugly as sin! After it was discontinued, I found an eBay seller that had full spectrum modified it so I bought one to play with infrared. After playing with the modified camera, I again went on ebay to pick up an unmodified example. I think after getting past the terrible styling, I found their mirrorless camera to be actually quite good. One thing I really like about Pentax is the length they go to to support old, or even ancient lenses. Anyway, I hope they continue to survive, even as a nitch offering.
Thanks for sharing.
Great review 👍 I’ve been using the Pentax k1 since it came out and I’m still enjoy using it, but why is pressing the live view button such a big deal, I really don’t understand that 🤔 Thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks. Mirrorless cameras switch between VF and back screen automatically and when you get used to that, the live view button seems like one extra unnecessary step. If you have never used a mirrorless camera, then pressing the live view button is not a big deal, of course.
Yes, from an old Pentax user, you are correct - the competition in the digital market too much for them. Canon/Nikon dominates. So sad.
I have K1 Mk I : very very good camera !
The K-01 is mirrorless, although it has a 16 megapixel sensor and no viewfinder.
Yes indeed: ua-cam.com/video/wn5fvJ0-MvI/v-deo.html
I won't ever use an SLR again (although the Leica S system is intriguing). But I very much appreciate this video. It is a shame that Pentax isn't more prominent in the market. There is still a lot of room for innovative features that actually improve our photography. That astro tracer feature is very tempting I have to say.
Edit: maybe do a video about the 645D one day?
Thanks. It's very hard to come across a Pentax 645D, but it would be an interesting topic.
Pentax's angle is more about enjoying your photography than about making it "better" I would say (more art less math). There are peope who say they would never drive an old car ever again or drive something with a manual transmission, but there are plenty of people who enjoy old and new cars equally but for different reasons.
Pentax made the first mirrorless with the K-01
A fair review. But @5:25 says _"You can't see how the picture is going to come out until you take the picture .."_ Well you can, by switching on Live View (as you say later anyway).
@9:37, am I misunderstanding the complaint that you have to turn the Live View screen on and off? Why would you want it on while using the viewfinder, it would be dazzling. Surely you can also turn it off in a Sony, Nikon etc?
A Mirrorless camera is always in a live view mode, because the VF is also a screen. There is a sensor in VF and when you take the camera off your eye it switches to the back screen. It's all automatic and much easier to use. In my opinion at least. You can turn it off if you like, of course.
In the Pentax you can't use live view and VF at the same time even if you wanted, because of the mirror.
@@mattisulanto Oh, thanks, I get the point now. So a mirrorless switches automatically between viewfinder screen and back screen by detecting if your face is close or not. Not necessarily on _every_ mirrorless camera I suppose, but common to all the more recent ones I expect.
@@lexlayabout5757 Yes, that's how it works.
Hi Matti,
Nice review! When you say "I'm afraid we will never see a proper Pentax mirrorless camera" - which kind of "I'm afraid" do you mean? We might mean two things when we say that. It can mean "Unfortunately, that won't happen and I'm disappointed by that" or it can mean "I am frightened by the possibility that we won't see one"?
Because I think we might see one. Also, don't forget that technically, Pentax had the first mirrorless interchangeable lens digital camera, with the K-01.
I don't they can afford to switch lens mounts... the K mount is why they have that devoted fan base. So if they go mirrorless, it will have to somehow retain the K-mount... Honestly I think they are better off staying with dSLR and producing cameras that do a few things really really well, like for example, if they had a 61mp FF with pixel shift, then it would be the only dSLR to have that kind of resolution. Same with the astro-tracer thing.
I guess the first meaning is what I meant in the video. Pentax have so far showed little interest for mirrorless and instead released some new DSLRs. It would be great to see a proper mirrorless Pentax and I hope that happens one day. I'm not holding my breath though.
Pentax should do another 645 medium format SLR. Add in the unique Pentax features, GPS, hybrid optical viewfinder, a high bit depth sensor, and maybe some new computational photography high DR focus stack.
I use the 645z
Yes!! Another 645 would be great! Those cameras are amazing.
I really hope the bring out a third ff dslr body.
Ah, I also (very occasionally) use a Pentax, the Q and its 50mm equivalent. I can't wait for it to grow up.
Thanks.
Honestly i got it for the astrotracer mainly , yes i know it’s not as good as a dedicated astrorig ,but have you seen the price of those?
And im neither a scientist or a professional who makes money of it.
Pentax is a special kind of brand and Pentaxians have a very special relation to the brand, knowing that its future is really on the edge. There are always tons of features, very smart ones, in a Pentax camera, and the K-mount has remained compatible since the 80's (at least).
The only downside to me, a veeeery low frame rate. That's why I keep my K5-IIs for sports or wildlife photo.
Thanks for sharing.
What you said about focusing screens are so true. I hated all DSLR for their very flat looking focus screens. What I think is interesting is Fujifilm has emulated spilt screen. I also like the picture in picture manual focus assist of the Panasonic that does such a better job of seeing your framing while focusing. I wish other brands did one of those thing. With macro photography, this would be helpful and I'm actually considering going with the Lumix GH6 over the OM-1.
@mipmipmipmipmip I absolutely agree about focus peaking. I guess you really have to try it to see if it works for you. I have used the picture in picture and I love how I can know at the same time I got the focus and also the framing I want for the shot. However, it never moved me to switch brands from Olympus to Panasonic. It's kind of a nice to have feature instead of have to have that feature. I think it is very effective in my opinion.
10:18 Pentax Q10, Pentax K-01
I'm waiting for the next Pentax Beast ...: the Pentax K1 Mark III or better ... the next Pentax K2!
Hey Matti a very giod video of an interesting camera. Perhaps some day to buy, if the price goes down.
Advantages:
Solid, big writing on display, good menue, much control buttons.
Disadvantages:
heavy weight, slow autofocus, great body, DSLR.
Because of price and existing equipment (Canon, Olympus) and the whole world crises with exploding costs I will wait to buy...
Thanks. No need to rush, there will always be cameras to buy😀
I've Pentax K30 and lenses for it. I'm waiting for new aps-c Pentax even if I have moved on to Nikon Z 5. Sometimes it's fun to use different kind of cameras even if the system isn't popular and future of the system is unsure.
Thanks for sharing. Yes, it's nice to use different cameras sometimes.
i actually managed to get this exact kit for a too good deal to pass from amazon and am now waiting for it to arrive and test if ill keep it for sure or stick to my more peasant K70. Frankly a immense overkill for my skill level, but just really scratch this particular itch....
Anyway, been enjoying the k70 a lot and really hope Pentax can keep on doing its Pentax thing in the future as well.
Thanks for sharing. If the deal is good, why not?
@@mattisulanto As i happenned to end up on this video again, as a follow up: K1ii still going strong and zero regrets :)
I've learned that there is 'weight fatigue'. Pentax make some of the best ergonomic cameras known, they fit like a glove and all the buttons and placements feel fabulously placed. But that glove can weigh a tonne, and shooting an all day wedding with such weight really begins to take its toll. Fuji is light but feels crappy in the hand, but I tend to not have the same kind of next day systematic fatigue that comes with wielding a Pentax 😄
Thanks. Yeah, you sure can feel that weight after a long shoot.
You need the PASM Fujis!
@@palaneproductions7357 I do and with the XH2 and XH2S that choice is there now, which is wonderful for me.
Have you ever calculated how much you save on fitness club membership fees with a Pentax 🙂People would pay for these high-tech dumbbells.
🏋
@@thierrygillard6896 😆
Nice to hear that you have the same problem with horizon that I have :-).
😀
Should make a digital K1000 to get the smart phone generation used to a dial.
Nice camera
Interestingly Pentax did have a mirrorless system (albeit without a viewfinder) with the wonderful Pentax Q, but for whatever reason they gave up on it. Perhaps that is what has put them off since?
They tried, but not seriously.
I highly recommand to add the battery pack adaptor,it extends the hand grip ,it gives you another triger for vertical shouting,Once you tried it,youll never go back.
Bye.
Lucien
You really have to love (not the form factor) but the OVF (I do) over and EVF to carry around a DSLR
Thanks for this video. I still have some Pentax lenses from my old K5. Can you use Pentax APS C camera lenses on the Pentax K1?
Thanks. To be honest, I'm not sure if you can use APS-C lenses on the K1, but I think you can.
You can - the K1 has an 16mp aps-c crop mode. Also some of them will cover the FF at various apertures. Details can be found online if you do a search.
@@johnforbes1659 thank you!
I don't own a Pentax DSLR (yet), but I have friends who own them, and I really the new K3 MKIII.
The KP is about as compact body wise as my EM1.2 and renders the best black and white photos I've ever taken rivalling full frame despite being APS-C. I really do regret selling my KP, I mainly used it with my large vintage Pentax glass collection and the focus confirmation and focus trapping with the manual lenses without any need of chip adaptor worked so much better than adapting to mirrorless and relying on digitally zooming in and peaking. I almost never missed focus even for sports just by setting the depth of field/focus to where I wanted to end up at and then just following the player as they ran pressing the shutter and when they hit that field of focus the body would auto fire single (or burst until they left focus while I held).
I know Nikon does trap focus and Canon has focus confirmation, but Pentax seemed to do it best for me. I've been considering the K1.2 for my Full frame body for a while. For now I'm waiting to see if Nikon makes a zfc style body using the internals from a Z6 or even Z5 to be full frame. A Nikon S looking rangefinder style body using old Z5/Z6 hardware would probably be an instant buy for me. I actually like APS-C a lot, but I also want IBIS which the zfc lacks sadly.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I hated manual focusing with DSLR (K-70 and KP). It's so much more convenient and easier with the magnifier function on my Olympus DSLM cameras and the viewfinder image is always nice and bright and doesn't shake thanks to IBIS. Using old lenses is also much easier with a DSLM for me. You can close the aperture and still have a bright viewfinder image and direct DOF and exposure control. I regret not having switched to DSLM much earlier.
How do I enable electronic silent shutter ... I can not find it. Thank you Matti !
I have returned the loaner camera already long time ago and I can't help you. My suggestion is that you read the manual.
hahaha @@mattisulanto
I sold my Pentax gear because too many Pentax lenses had Chromatic Aberration issues.
And I was tired of average auto focus and a lack of mirrorless cameras in the Pentax lineup.
Pentax needs to go mirrorless, take out CA from their lenses and improve their auto focus.
If they do those 3 things, they would be a powerhouse in the industry.
I have a K-1 and use a number of the fast older A* lenses (all manual focussing). I find the sreen fine for focussing. I have added a + 2.5 dioptre lens - cut from inexpensive reading glasses - to the slip on eyepiece shroud (my video is here - ua-cam.com/video/GrFrhFSP5Qg/v-deo.html ) as the adjustment on the viewfinder doesn't go quite far enough for my sight - the adjustment now sits in the middle of its range. I have done many tests on a tripod with f1.2 and 1.4 lenses wide open, and focus is accurate and as easy as my Pentax LX. Focus errors are down to me not paying attention, moving, or subject movement. The slightest of any results in missed focus at these apertures. One has to be a bit old school and slow down. I love the OVF with all overlays switched off - thank goodness it has that feature, as I find the clutter most distracting. I find it an excellent replacement/addition to my LX, and I use it in very much the same manner but it's great to be able to check the rear screen (which I have switched off) to confirm exposure etc. every several shots. It's also great to be able to run tests and trails at no expense and go straight to view on a computer whilst still fresh in my mind. It's a great practice tool before shooting film.
Thanks for sharing.