Pentax K-3 First Impressions at dpreview

[JRG]

It's up:

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/pe..._source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

 

[Dirk]

Still waiting for a Pentax FF...

 

[charjohncarter]

Those dp reviews are a pain. But it looks fine with me. I've gotten over the FF thing so I might get one. I don't like the 'heavily laden' comment. I hate these over adjustable digital cameras.

 

[tstermitz]

There isn't much profit in FF, and Pentax has an unusually complete lens kit optimized for the smaller sensor. I'd rather Pentax succeed, than chase the expensive end of the market.

I've really enjoyed the handling and build quality of the K-5.

I would like to know whether the K-3 has autofocus capability as good as Nikon & Canon.

 

[gavinlg]

There isn't much profit in FF, and Pentax has an unusually complete lens kit optimized for the smaller sensor. I'd rather Pentax succeed, than chase the expensive end of the market.

I've really enjoyed the handling and build quality of the K-5.

I would like to know whether the K-3 has autofocus capability as good as Nikon & Canon.

Actually there is more profit in the high end of the market. 100% serious.

 

[TakumarKid]

Pentax flange distance is the same as for their FF film cameras, so lenses are not optimized for small format. They are just smaller because they are slower. If they choose not to make FF camera, they should shorten flange distance and make lenses faster. But this had to be done ten years ago.

 

[defconfunk]

Actually there is more profit in the high end of the market. 100% serious.

Profit, but not volume.

Sell 5,000 cameras at $1000 profit, $5M profit
Sell 50,000 camera at $250 profit, $12.5M profit

(numbers are pulled from my behind, purely illustrative and fictional)

I really like the last few Pentax sensors. To be honest, they've pulled out some amazing image quality from the APS-C format. I like that pretty much all the bodies are weather sealed (plenty of non sealed lenses though).

Pentax did a neat experiment with the K-01. After reading the Lensrentals teardown of the A7 (just how much cost and complexity can be removed by going mirrorless), I'd love to see Pentax go for a Full Frame K-01 successor keeping their regular lens mount. Take a page from Fuji and make it look, feel, and control like a K1000 and I'd be in love.

 

[Scrambler]

Pentax flange distance is the same as for their FF film cameras, so lenses are not optimized for small format. They are just smaller because they are slower. If they choose not to make FF camera, they should shorten flange distance and make lenses faster. But this had to be done ten years ago.

They are smaller because they are shorter for the same angular view e.g. 28mm vs 45mm. And they don't need as large an image circle so for a given maximum aperture they can use less glass.

 

[charjohncarter]

They are smaller because they are shorter for the same angular view e.g. 28mm vs 45mm. And they don't need as large an image circle so for a given maximum aperture they can use less glass.

I have never used a D lens on my Pentax digital cameras. I'm not sure if it makes much difference except as you say: size. I really doubt that in the real world use FF vs Aps-C and FF lenses vs D lenses is really a consideration. By real world I mean less than super poster size prints. Even then I would say a tripod is most important.

Now if you are talking about the difference between Aps-C or FF and say the Pentax 645 then I see a difference. This is my opinion from files of friends and my own.