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[bjolester]

Pentax K3ii

Pentax K3ii

I have been reading about the new Pentax K3 ii model which is soon to be released. This camera features a pixel shift technology aka "super resolution". If I have understood this technology correctly, the camera captures four images in one shot, and records full RGB information on each pixel. In other words this camera will record correct colours much like the foveon sensor. Unfortunately the pixel shift technology does not function well when there is movement in the scene, but for landscape work with tripod this could become a very attractive alternative to for instance foveon cameras. The Pentax K3 ii could also turn out to be the perfect DSLR scanner, recording full RGB, unlike the Bayer sensor guesswork found in Sony A7, Nikon 800 and most other DSLRs used for DSLR scanning.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

There's a helpful Facebook Pakon group. I believe some there have managed to get the Pakon working on Apple computers.
Pete

Thank you! I'm not on facebook, but googled around and yes, it seems to work via bootcamp. I might try for one of these. I used to own a Coolscan but this seems faster, and as high a resolution as I need.

 

[David_Manning]

I use a Pakon 135+ on my MacBook Pro using VMware. Works great. It's fast, scans great for 8x10/8x12 prints (if you're actual printing), and has ICE for dust and scratches.

It doesn't get much easier for a film-digital hybrid workflow...that is, after you get the damn thing running on your computer!!

 

[Dwig]

....the camera captures four images in one shot, and records full RGB information on each pixel. In other words this camera will record correct colours much like the foveon sensor. Unfortunately the pixel shift technology does not function well when there is movement in the scene, ...

That's because is is NOT taking one shot, but is taking 4 separate shots, although they are taking with a single shutter button press and single opening of the mechanical shutter. The Oly E-M5mk2 does essentially the same thing though the methods used to assemble the four images likely vary between the two cameras.

Either may prove to be useful for "scanning" purposes.

 

[bjolester]

That's because is is NOT taking one shot, but is taking 4 separate shots, although they are taking with a single shutter button press and single opening of the mechanical shutter. The Oly E-M5mk2 does essentially the same thing though the methods used to assemble the four images likely vary between the two cameras.

Either may prove to be useful for "scanning" purposes.

I agree, I should have formulated this in a more precise way. The way I understand the sensor-shake technology in the Pentax K3 ii, it has no AA filter and records full RGB colour information. The few images I have seen on the net reveal impressive resolution and deep vibrant colours. Does the sensor-shake technology of the Oly E-M5mk2 work in a similar way, does it also record full RGB on each pixel site?

 

[rolfe]

Has anyone had luck running the Pakon software on a modern Mac, using VMware or something?

Yes, I run mine on Yosemite using Parallels. Others use VMWare or VirualBox, but Parallels is the easiest to set up.

Rolfe

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Yes, I run mine on Yosemite using Parallels. Others use VMWare or VirualBox, but Parallels is the easiest to set up.

Rolfe

VirtualBox actually works? It has the advantage of being free, of course. Is Parallels or Fusion worth the $80-100 in terms of convenience/performance? Also, I don't have an XP license...I assume people have gotten the software to work with TinyXP?

I'm actually thinking I might do this. I have been trying to set up a DSLR-based system and it's working OK, but the F135+ sounds better.

 

[jmraso]

Thanks, never thought of a DSRL !, sounds great though I am looking for something less handling required.

 

[majid]

VirtualBox actually works? It has the advantage of being free, of course. Is Parallels or Fusion worth the $80-100 in terms of convenience/performance? Also, I don't have an XP license...I assume people have gotten the software to work with TinyXP?

VirtualBox works fine for Windows, and in fact it is the only Mac virtualization software that supports Solaris. It has less integration between guest and host OS (incouding accelerated video) but that is a feature in my book as it reduces the likelihood of a Windows virus breaking out of its virtual straightjacket.

Not sure if the scanner you are thinking of is USB or Firewire. None of the virtualization programs supports Firewire, which is why I had to dedicate a PC running XP for my Coolscan 9000ED.

 

[Solinar]

Knock on wood - Vuescan still allows me to use both my Minolta 5400 and my Nikon 8000ED with a firewire cable using a Thunberbolt adapter on a MacBook running Yosemite.

 

[rolfe]

VirtualBox actually works? It has the advantage of being free, of course. Is Parallels or Fusion worth the $80-100 in terms of convenience/performance? Also, I don't have an XP license...I assume people have gotten the software to work with TinyXP?

I'm actually thinking I might do this. I have been trying to set up a DSLR-based system and it's working OK, but the F135+ sounds better.

People have gotten VirtualBox to work, but I found it too finicky to tame. Parallels works like a dream. And yes, you do need an actual XP disk, but these are easily and cheaply available. Don't know about TinyXP...

 

[GarageBoy]

Search on the forum for the thread about scanning using a DSLR. I have owned a Nikon coolscan 4000ED, minolta dimage scan dual IV and a Epson V700. All of those are gone and I exclusively use my Nikon D7000 to scan film. It's dead easy with 35mm and is only marginally a pain with MF. Mostly because I'am too cheap to invest in a good copy stand and have to spend time leveling my tripod.

What does your set up for that look like?