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K3 iii monochrome available is improving

Managed to take some shots on the weekend with this unusual sensor . . nothing that great but I am very impressed with the raw files on my screen so everything is fine.


View attachment 13099



View attachment 13100

The files are gorgeous actually to look at close with a laptop screen. I am not sure that you will have much idea from these examples of what I am looking at.
The beauty is when you look around the full image at 100 %. Every pixel is working and you can clearly appreciate this. I would describe it as sublime gentle perfect detail that has NO CRISP TELL TALE SHARPENING CONTRAST around edges. Everything is gentle and yet very very impressive detailed. I love the look at 100% that you get. The grass foliage is oh so gentle rendered and yet fully detailed. I swear I can see it clearly but yes your imagination likely does go hyper. You know you are seeing every pixel so perhaps you over rate it.

Now personally I feel when you print up the pictures I am not sure whether you would get the benefit of this sensor over say what a K1 produces in terms of print size detail but who knows really unless you did proper tests. There is a massive difference to the way the pictures look because of how I am forced to process differently with landscapes but I feel I could process the K1 to replicate pretty much what is going on. I have never processed a colour sensor this way before I but I could if I wanted to.

I take a lot of Street Photos and that will be easy to process from this camera. I suspect from these first shots that PP landscapes is tricky but that is just my experience. It may not be yours.
Years and hours perfecting post processing routines for my own tastes in landscapes has to be refined and retuned completely over turned pretty much to use this sensor. It was completely different for me but enjoyable because you are pp a real sensor without beyer distortion. The next day was enlightening to see the work was really good in the skies.

I will be getting filters but at the same time it is very interesting sky wise what the camera produces as is but it is early days.

Regards Dino26323
Looks good. Doesn't the camera have different B&W settings, like soft, hard etc? If so, where did you have these set?
Thanks,
barondla
 
Looks good. Doesn't the camera have different B&W settings, like soft, hard etc? If so, where did you have these set?
Thanks,
barondla
Sorry for late reply but very busy.
I have not yet experimented with camera settings but I certainly expect to shoot streets easily in camera pretty much.
My two examples are raw conversions. I do not want to say too much because I have already seen different things from the raw files when un processed. Contrast is very different from different shots. It is all too new to say much.

The files are absolutely gorgeous and I am really happy. For me personally I already love black and white advantages on screen for example grain at 800 iso 100% from my two K7 cameras can be really beautiful. In print you cannot get the right grain effect ( so far when I have tried in print ) Personally, I see this monochrome camera as primarily a screen shooter for black and whites. The 26 megapixels works really well at 100 % for me. THE FILES ARE INCREDIBLE TO SEE REAL IMAGES FROM ALL 26 MEGAPIXELS AS THOUGH EVERY SHOT IS PIXEL SHIFTED ON A K1. For me it is magical to see at times. You are in fact seeing how good your screen can look given such image quality at 100%.
The 20to40mm is very light weight allowing me to take two cameras sometimes easily and optically looks fantastic in my opinion.
It will be interesting to see what proper 3 stop Loss Red Filters look like and I am now thinking of getting a square drop in filter system as well as maybe some screw on type filters.
The camera is very very exciting machine because the quality on screen at 100 % is amazing. Because I shoot street photos at times then I am glad it is a K3iii mono as opposed to a K1mono but either version has advantages and disadvantages against each other. For example the ApSc camera can be used with filters that are less hassle less space and cheaper most of the time than a similar set equivalent for my K1.

It is what it is.
Ricoh may make a mono K1 when they have the AF module updated perhaps but in the meantime I will be shooting streets at times and carrying two cameras for landscapes and I think it works out well especially if you add more bulk with filters. 26 megapixels at 100% is fantastic to hover around a landscape with at least with my laptop here.


Regards Dino26323
 
Sorry for late reply but very busy.
I have not yet experimented with camera settings but I certainly expect to shoot streets easily in camera pretty much.
My two examples are raw conversions. I do not want to say too much because I have already seen different things from the raw files when un processed. Contrast is very different from different shots. It is all too new to say much.

The files are absolutely gorgeous and I am really happy. For me personally I already love black and white advantages on screen for example grain at 800 iso 100% from my two K7 cameras can be really beautiful. In print you cannot get the right grain effect ( so far when I have tried in print ) Personally, I see this monochrome camera as primarily a screen shooter for black and whites. The 26 megapixels works really well at 100 % for me. THE FILES ARE INCREDIBLE TO SEE REAL IMAGES FROM ALL 26 MEGAPIXELS AS THOUGH EVERY SHOT IS PIXEL SHIFTED ON A K1. For me it is magical to see at times. You are in fact seeing how good your screen can look given such image quality at 100%.
The 20to40mm is very light weight allowing me to take two cameras sometimes easily and optically looks fantastic in my opinion.
It will be interesting to see what proper 3 stop Loss Red Filters look like and I am now thinking of getting a square drop in filter system as well as maybe some screw on type filters.
The camera is very very exciting machine because the quality on screen at 100 % is amazing. Because I shoot street photos at times then I am glad it is a K3iii mono as opposed to a K1mono but either version has advantages and disadvantages against each other. For example the ApSc camera can be used with filters that are less hassle less space and cheaper most of the time than a similar set equivalent for my K1.

It is what it is.
Ricoh may make a mono K1 when they have the AF module updated perhaps but in the meantime I will be shooting streets at times and carrying two cameras for landscapes and I think it works out well especially if you add more bulk with filters. 26 megapixels at 100% is fantastic to hover around a landscape with at least with my laptop here.


Regards Dino26323
Thanks for the added info. Glad you are enjoying the camera so much.
Thanks,
barondla
 
Here are images from some taken today. All raw processed and perhaps over processed at times but I am still learning what to do. They are so flat in the skies that you end up over working them perhaps.



IMGP0136-1 copy.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 20.0 mm
  • ƒ/8
  • 1/60 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • ISO 200




IMGP0140-1 copy.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 40.0 mm
  • ƒ/8
  • 1/60 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • ISO 200




IMGP0144-1 copy.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 20.0 mm
  • ƒ/8
  • 1/125 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • ISO 200




IMGP0168-2.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 20.0 mm
  • ƒ/11
  • 1/60 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • ISO 200




IMGP0210-1 copy.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 20.0 mm
  • ƒ/11
  • 1/20 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • ISO 200




Hopefully you can see something of the beauty of the files.

I am really impressed so far but Like i said earlier I am not claiming it will be any better than a K1 in print in my opinion. The beauty of the files is seeing them on a good decent enough modern screen and clicking onto 100% and then hovering around the picture at will and seeing a real sensor ability. It is fascinating because it is not what you might expect. It is gorgeous but not necessarily sharper in my opinion. I believe the Beyer gets away with murder because it looks sharp. When you see the mono images they are very subtle and genuine image quality on screen. They are perhaps less gritty and sharp looking at 100% because at last you are seeing the real image. They look fantastic. Also the processing is also in tune with this subtle nature because the grass is subtle by just showing illumination. I am planning to get filters but at the same time the images are incredible without a filter being used and also it gives them a feel that is different to my normal red channel mixing. They are different. The K1 can also be processed this way and avoid red channel mixing but K1 will not have every pixel real and true unless you manage to pixel shift the image without distortion from moving grass. The advantage of a mono sensor is likely subtle but it does not feel that way in use. It feels like the images are a class above on screen at 100%. Perhaps I am still in the honey moon period and will eventually see the difference is small.
In print a K1 likely has advantages if you print huge but on screen this sensor mono is fantastic at 100%.

Regards Dino26323
 
I have Just processed this one today and want to show you that this one is different in the grass. It is pin sharp in grass like a beyer colour image using red channel mixing to black and white because of the lighting and the contrast. Some of my comments yesterday do not apply here on this shot. I actually miss the subtle rendering and might try and re do to be nearer to the gentle rendering of other days. Just thought I would point this out after my words already looking not exactly true.
The skies are absolutely stunning on this mono picture here. The dlelicate way the clouds are formed around their edges looks fantastic. Your mind may well be playing tricks on you BUT THERE IS NO ESCAPING THAT WHEN YOU THINK YOU ARE SEEING EVERY PIXEL AS IT SHOULD BE THEN THE EYE SEES HEAVENLY DETAILS. For all we know the K1 may have looked similar but I doubt it. It is very very very subtle around the cloud edges. It is heaven. My screen looks better at 100% with the mono camera than 645D and K1. K1 would have to pixel shift to compete. The screen looks amazing as I have said many times at 100%. Trees at infinity that have drifted ever so slightly out of focus are also very sublime. You see exactly what the lens has captured and it is dreamland.




IMGP0288-1 copy.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 20.0 mm
  • ƒ/11
  • 1/10 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • ISO 200


Regards Dino26323
 
FYI you can see here another slightly more subtle in grass but the grass is still very contrasty and sharp near the camera. That is really different to other grass shots other days.
The files are beautiful and this 20to40mm is an excellent optic to use.



IMGP0296-1 copy.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 20.0 mm
  • ƒ/11
  • 1/10 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • 3
  • ISO 200


Thanks for looking.
Best Wishes Dino26323
 
This is what my ( used bargain ) Nikon D810 captured today and processed to kind of maximise the colour advantage of a normal colour RGB sensor. I Used a yellow channel mix and then added red channel mix a touch too to perfect my taste.
You might think it is good and that is why I have given you this example. For me I am convinced that the K3iii mono would have made a better job of the very fantastic sky at the time. I can see them and flick from one to another. The K3iii mono is special in the skies but you might say it is my imagination.

The Nikon was a very useful camera at the time because the wind was very bad at times and the neck strap on the Pentax mono was going to shake the camera about I was scared to use it at times on the tripod. The nikon currently has no neck strap on it fortunately. Far too windy for the lightweight K3iii mono with just a very lightweight lens on it. The nikon has a lot more heft and also with the 24 to 70 nikon lens on it and also is a much heavier camera thus giving it an advantage while the wind was very strong. There are advantages and disadvantages. The Pentax K3iii is very modern with superb implementation of electronic shutter and superior bracketing for my taste that allowed an option to capture birds were they to enter the frame while shooting by easily using the remote release. The nikon is set up to use electronic shutter but it is laborious procedure on mirror up mode and would have taken about 5 seconds to get the camera to fire if a bird came flying across the frame. Also I have no remote release for the nikon. I have not managed to find one for the D810 without resorting to a contraption kind of add on onto the camera which would have been acting like a sail in this wind today and for me is just too silly to bother with when you can use a self timer or button with mirror up mode.

So I gave you a gear talk lesson in real world scenario that is real life instead of stupid theory that is everywhere on the other main forum. If you take landscapes then at times you need to combat wind. There is none better than Pentax 645 for real photographers as opposed to gear head theory landscape photographers. The original Fuji GFX 100 is better in the wind than the lightweight Fuji medium format cameras if you are an expert at Landscapes where wind is a problem very often in the hills of Wales. The Pentax 645D is my king easily in wind conditions by a mile and today would have been a good time to use it but the Nikon seems to have done ok. I assure you it was very very strong winds today. Gearheads speak all theory and do not seem to understand actual photography.

Below the nikon shot processed to the max i could do with it in black and white. just as I tried my best with the mono pictures already shown from today.


DSC_1178-1 copy.jpg
  • NIKON CORPORATION - NIKON D810
  • 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8
  • 24.0 mm
  • ƒ/11
  • 1/6 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • 2
  • ISO 64


Regards Dino26323
 
Got more examples today.
Pretty happy with camera and the 20 to 40 impresses too. The D810 never got a look in today. Rain rain came down but when rain stopped my little pentax made taking photos in black and white look like a piece of cake. Here are 5 to try and show some variety for you.



IMGP0356-1 copy.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 26.0 mm
  • ƒ/8
  • 1/10 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • 3
  • ISO 200




IMGP0429-1 copy.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 23.0 mm
  • ƒ/8
  • 1/250 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • ISO 200




IMGP0438-1 copy.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 30.0 mm
  • ƒ/6.7
  • 1/250 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • ISO 200



IMGP0452-1 copy.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 36.0 mm
  • ƒ/8
  • 1/90 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • 2
  • ISO 200




IMGP0464-1 copy.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 20.0 mm
  • ƒ/8
  • 1/2 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • 2
  • ISO 200


Thank you for looking. I will try again tomorrow. Honey moon continues with this box of tricks.

Regards Dino26323
 
I got more yesterday but it felt like the honey moon was over. A lack of sun and lack of decent skies left me with not hardly much.
These are some of the best ones. I likely missed best shots on the evening sinceI was late arriving at the location.

645D made some shots and during post i was absolutely certain a K3iii monochrome with a telephoto would have made better skies. Is it my imagination?

IMGP0524-1 copy.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 26.0 mm
  • ƒ/9.5
  • 1/45 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • ISO 200



IMGP0544-1 copy.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 30.0 mm
  • ƒ/8
  • 1/4 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • 2.5
  • ISO 200
IMGP0578-1 copy.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 30.0 mm
  • ƒ/8
  • 1.5 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • ISO 400



IMGP3124-1 copy.jpg
  • PENTAX - PENTAX 645D
  • smc PENTAX-FA645 150mm F2.8 [IF]
  • 150.0 mm
  • ƒ/2.8
  • 1/60 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Auto bracket
  • ISO 100


Perhaps interesting for someone to see K3 mono struggling a bit more. 645D did even worse. Poor light and poor skies.


Regards Dino26323
 
OK so I have got nothing much to show you today. Raining mostly and boring skies.

The image quality on this picture though is absolutely a stellar example of the mono sensor in full swing. The Sky is perfectly rendered and every photosite is creating perfection in the sky. The depth of field drawing out of focus is also superior and can be seen. Trees at infinity are definitely superior to what slightly out of focus trees look like from a Beyer colour sensor.
Is it my imagination?
I bought this camera with street photos in mind kind of thing. I also planned to buy filters. Those two things are completely flipped really. The images are that good for landscapes. It is a whole different world when every photosite is working properly. Were Nikon or canon to make a colour camera that used every photosite then everyone would be raving about the image quality and rightly so. It would be noticed immediately that it was superior on the lap top screen or good monitor .
The Beyer filter array does damage image quality but has not been questioned much because the images do hold sharpness very well. There is no doubt though that the images from Leica and Pentax sensor cameras with black and white sensors are vastly superior for those that keen understand image quality. Sharpness crisp jagged images is not better than tender gentle subtle tones. Forgive my geartalk here. I got carried away. These are my opinions and may not be yours shall we say.


Ordinary average shot but still shows fantastic image quality characteristics from this camera.

IMGP0610-1 copy.jpg
  • RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. - PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome
  • HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited
  • 26.0 mm
  • ƒ/8
  • 1/1 sec
  • Center-Weighted Average
  • Manual exposure
  • 2
  • ISO 200


Thanks for looking. The camera will not be superior in print than a K1. I doubt it is better than a K1 if you print large.

Regards Dino26323
 
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