Members Martin Vronsky Posted April 13, 2023 Members Share Posted April 13, 2023 Press release: Ricoh announces PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome digital SLR camera DSLR with exclusively-designed image sensor delivers the ultimate in black-and-white photography PARSIPPANY, NJ, April 12, 2023 - Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced the PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome camera, exclusively designed to capture black-and-white images. The only monochrome-specific digital SLR camera currently on the market, it captures high-resolution images rich in gradation, enabling users to express a distinct view of the color-rich world in high-quality black-and-white images. “The concept of a monochrome-specific digital SLR camera attracted a great deal of attention and interest from photographers who participated in an online fan event held in November 2021,” said Ken Curry, president, Ricoh Imaging Americas. “PENTAX has since conducted extensive research on the development of a commercial product based on this concept and we’re excited to announce it today.” The new model’s design is based on the PENTAX K-3 Mark III — the flagship model of PENTAX’s APS-C-format series that integrates remarkable imaging performance and a host of advanced features in a compact, durable body — while totally redesigning and optimizing the imaging characteristics by adding a new, monochrome-specific image sensor with approximately 25.73 effective megapixels. A typical color image sensor composes a black-and-white image by converting the color data to monochrome. This new custom sensor does not have to convert the any data because it can reflect the brightness obtained by each pixel in the image, thus producing extra-fine sharpness in images that only the monochrome-specific sensor can deliver. The PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome features three Custom Image modes exclusively designed for black-and-white photography to provide distinctive finishing touches. In addition to Standard mode, it offers Hard mode to produce high-contrast images and Soft mode to create high-key, low- contrast images. Each mode allows minute adjustment of parameters such as tone, key, contrast and sharpness so that users can personalize their images with the desired finishing touch. The exterior design of the camera has also been customized to reflect its monochrome capabilities. Design features include white backlight illumination on the LCD data panel, “Monochrome” lettering printed on the upper-left shoulder of the back panel, a menu screen featuring a black-and-white visual scheme as default, and icons printed on buttons and switches across the camera’s exterior finished in three shades of gray. 1The PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome camera body will be available late April at www.us.ricoh-imaging.com as well as at Ricoh Imaging-authorized retail outlets for the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $2,199.95. | Main features of the PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome | Monochrome-specific CMOS image sensor To optimize the quality of monochromatic images, the camera incorporates a monochrome- specific, APS-C-format CMOS image sensor free of an AA (anti-aliasing) filter with approximately 25.73 effective megapixels. Typical color image sensors are designed to receive light passing through red (R), green (G) and blue (B) color filters, so each pixel detects only one color-data component. To compose a monochrome image, color sensors must convert color data into monochromatic data by interpolating the color data they collect. The new monochrome-specific image sensor, however, can faithfully reflect the brightness data obtained by each pixel in the image — without the interpolation process — to produce extra-fine monochromatic expression, in images high in resolution and rich in gradation. Image quality exclusively designed for monochrome photography The image quality produced by the original PENTAX K-3 Mark III was thoroughly re- evaluated and totally redesigned to optimize the imaging characteristics of the new monochrome-specific image sensor. The result is highly sensitive expression with a natural bokeh (defocus) effect, rich gradation and extra-fine sharpness — an image only the monochrome-specific image sensor can deliver. A selection of monochrome-specific finishing touches The PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome provides three Custom Image modes exclusively designed for monochrome photography to provide distinctive finishing touches. In addition to Standard mode, it also provides Hard mode to produce high-contrast images, and Soft mode to create high-key, low-contrast images. Each mode provides minute adjustment of parameters such as tone, key, contrast and sharpness. This allows the photographer to personalize their images with the desired finishing touch. Exterior design reflecting the monochrome photography concept The PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome provides white backlight illumination on the LCD data panel positioned on its upper panel, while featuring “Monochrome” lettering printed on the upper-left shoulder of the back panel. Its menu screen features a black-and-white visual scheme as default, while the SR (Shake Reduction) badge is finished in silver. The icons printed on buttons and switches across the camera’s exterior are finished in three shades of gray to assist the users with their camera operation. All in all, the concept of monochrome photography is evident throughout the camera body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Martin Vronsky Posted April 13, 2023 Author Members Share Posted April 13, 2023 PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome Specs: Price MSRP - $2199 (body only) Body type Body type - Mid-size SLR Body material - Magnesium alloy Sensor Max resolution - 6192 x 4128 Image ratio w:h - 3:2 Effective pixels - 26 megapixels Sensor photo detectors - 27 megapixels Sensor size - APS-C (23 x 15.5 mm) Sensor type - CMOS Processor - PRIME V Color space - sRGB, Adobe RGB Color filter array - None Image ISO - Auto (200-1600100) White balance presets - 0 Custom white balance - No Image stabilization - Sensor-shift CIPA image stabilization rating - 5.5 stop(s) Uncompressed format - RAW JPEG quality levels - Best, better, good File format: JPEG (Exif 2.3) Raw (PEF/DNG) Optics & Focus Autofocus: Contrast Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi-area Center Selective single-point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection Live View Autofocus assist lamp - Yes Digital zoom - Yes Manual focus - Yes Number of focus points - 101 Number of cross-type focus points - 25 Lens mount - Pentax KAF2 Focal length multiplier - 1.5× Screen / viewfinder Articulated LCD - Fixed Screen size - 3.2″ Screen dots - 1,620,000 Touch screen - Yes Screen type - TFT LCD Live view - Yes Viewfinder type - Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder coverage - 100% Viewfinder magnification - 1.05× (0.7× 35mm equiv.) Photography features Minimum shutter speed - 30 sec Maximum shutter speed - 1/8000 sec Maximum shutter speed (electronic) - 1/16000 sec Exposure modes: Program Sensitivity priority Shutter priority Aperture priority Shutter & aperture priority Manual Built-in flash - No External flash - Yes (via hot shoe or flash sync port) Flash modes: Auto, Auto + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow- speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Flash X sync speed - 1/200 sec Drive modes: Single Continuous Bracketing (AE, DoF, motion) Mirror-up Multi-exposure Interval Continuous drive - 12.0 fps Self-timer - Yes Metering modes: Multi Center-weighted Highlight-weighted Spot Exposure compensation - ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) AE Bracketing - ±5 (2, 3, 5 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) WB Bracketing - No Videography features Format - MPEG-4, H.264 Modes 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM Microphone - Stereo Speaker - Mono Storage Storage types - Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1) Connectivity USB - USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB charging - Yes HDMI - Yes (micro HDMI) Microphone port - Yes Headphone port - Yes Wireless - Built-In Wireless notes - 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth Remote control - Yes (via wireless) Physical Environmentally sealed - Yes Battery - Battery Pack Battery description - D-LI90 Battery Life (CIPA) - 800 Weight (inc. batteries) - 820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz) Dimensions - 135 x 104 x 74 mm (5.31 x 4.09 x 2.91″) Other features Orientation sensor - Yes Timelapse recording - Yes GPS - None Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Martin Vronsky Posted April 17, 2023 Author Members Share Posted April 17, 2023 Quote Pentax just made a Monochrome Camera! I had the great privilege to shoot with it for a few weeks and in this Video I am sharing some insights and images. Is this the beginning of more affordable monochrome cameras? 00:00 A Monochrome Sensor? 00:55 Pentax K-3 III Monochrome 03:30 Street Photography & First Impression 06:17 Landscape Photography 07:08 Camera Body & Design 09:41 My History with Pentax 11:25 Street Photography Day Two 14:58 Easter Fire Low Light Photos 15:30 Monochrome Sensor vs Color Sensor! 16:30 My Final Images & Impressions 17:36 Honest Thoughts on the Sensor 18:46 Big Revelation & Shooting Experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Martin Vronsky Posted December 20, 2023 Author Members Share Posted December 20, 2023 Quote The announcement of the Pentax K-3 III Monochrome was one of the most unexpected camera releases of 2023 and we finally got our hands on one. Find out what advantages the monochrome version offers over the standard color version if you capture your images in black and white. 0:00 - Intro 1:24 - Sample Images 1:49 - Camera body 3:20 - Color Filters 4:06 - Image quality 7:20 - Who is it for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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