Pentax K3 mark III Monochrome

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Күн бұрын

ABOUT THE PENTAX K-3 MARK SYSTEM
As a Pentax brand ambassador I have been fortunate enough to spend some time with the newly launched Pentax K-3 mark III monochrome earlier this year. I'm very familiar with the regular K-3 mark III as that was the camera that I used 90% of the time during the phototours that I hosted in Botswana.
The original Pentax K-3 mark III is known for it's excellent viewfinder, giving this APS-C camera the field of view of a full frame camera. Working with this camera at aye-level is therefore outstanding.
The autofocus is very responsive and it's 10 frames per second drive speed comes in handy during situations where you want to make the most of the action in front of your lens. As an outdoor photographer, Pentax's acclaimed weather sealing is a big plus for me as well.
WORKING WITH THE PENTAX K-3 MARK III MONOCHROME
I'm best described as a photographer who seeks tools that aid me to capture the best images possible. That means that the camera should produce RAW files with excellent dynamic range, perfect sharpness and the ability to push the ISO high to capture wildllife around dusk and dawn when lighting conditions are often dim. Secondly the camera should be easy to operate with an easy menu structure and a lot of ergonomically placed buttons to speed up most operations. And last but not least it must be able to withstand a fair amound of professional "abuse".
From my previous experiences with the Pentax K-3 mark III, I knew that the last pints are wel covered by this system, so I was mainly interested in the capabilities of the monochrome sensor.
I'm not a studio photographer, where I would or could test the sensor in a fixed environment, nor did I have the intention to test the camera in a controlled environment. That's not where great images are made ;-). So I took it out into nature and used it as my everyday camera. I only had the camera for a few days and conditions were dull unfortunately, but by carefully selecting some of my favorite spots here in Holland I was able to test the Pentax K-3 mark III monochrome extensively.

Пікірлер: 119

@welshskies Жыл бұрын

Pentax and Land Rover, a combination made in heaven!!!!

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

I could not agree more :-)

@cobydate3845 5 ай бұрын

Indian made these days😅

@frankluo230 Жыл бұрын

Long live Pentax! Monochrome is great for DSLR because you can see through OVF viewfinder with color and shoot B&W

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

The dedicated sensor is the real icing on the cake. It's so much better than converting colour to B&W!

@frankluo230 Жыл бұрын

@@mikemuizebelt from Q2 mono and D800 Mono, the light sensitivity is about 1 stop better, which means iso 50 on a monosensor can match the shutter speed and aperture of a RGB sensor at iso100.

@ashzhu3085 Жыл бұрын

until you need to use color filters 🌝

@russellbaston974 Жыл бұрын

I don’t think ‘seeing in colour’ and recording in monochrome is any advantage at all. Colours ( hues) that are easily separated viewing in colour can be very similar in monochromatic tonalities. One would see this when checking the back screen, but another stage to go through. The merging would be immediately visible with a mono mirrorless camera.

@TomVestvik Жыл бұрын

Now we just need this sensor in a GR, and life will be complete.

@XXX-vy6xv Жыл бұрын

I don't often shoot BW on my PENTAX KP but those tones on your images.....WOW!

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thanks my friend! It really is a different kind of camera. I personally love the images it produces.

@ZheZi Жыл бұрын

The only guy with PENTAX K-3 III Monochrome who knows what BW photo really is!!!

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the compliment! Much appreciated :-)

@juniwasaki6933 Жыл бұрын

I was surprised by the wonderful gradation!

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

So was I! When you view the images at 100% the difference from a colour converted file is so apparent. Not only in gradation but in high-iso the grain stays really pleasing as well.

@krzysztofmoranda Жыл бұрын

Dziękuję Mike za ten materiał. 🤝 Powodzenia w realizacji projektu monochromatycznego.

@lotsofcouscous Жыл бұрын

Thank you for one more super reflection on Pentax and your work is as usual inspiring!

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thanks for stopping by! I'll try to keep up the standard ;-)

@sandyhancock7833 Жыл бұрын

Many of my favourite personal DSLR images are the ones I have converted to monochrome. I can't wait to see the output from this camera, which I have pre-ordered today.

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Hi Sandy, great that you took the plunge. I'm 110% confident that you will love the images that it produces. The details and tonality are unlike anything I've ever seen from full colour RAW files. It really resonated with me and I trust it will with you as well! Enjoy :-)

@davidw2454 Жыл бұрын

I’m a film photographer, Nikon F5 and Yashica Matt 24G, now just pre-ordered the Pentax

@majun26 Жыл бұрын

Good move, I don't think you'll regret it, but I hope some people do because I'll be hunting for these in the near future

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

@@davidw2454 a decision you won't regret David!

@garyguest1999 Жыл бұрын

Before this video I would have said what's the big deal. As I have seen other videos that weren't really showing how good this camera is. However in the right hands. Wow. I was wrong. What a awesome camera and the results. Thank you for showing what this camera can do. Awesome.

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Gary, for that compliment :-). And my pleasure of course!

@b.2221 Жыл бұрын

Great photographs Sir , and always good to watch your videos. This camera will be a god send to a lot of photographers, and I say good luck Pentax in your future projects.

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thanks B. Much appreciated! I'm positive the camera will get a lot of B&W photographers exited. The images are so nice to look at. I also did some prints and they look very good!

@tomhyland4077 3 ай бұрын

Very helpful to show your processing in Lightroom - thanks! Outstanding images.

@halimj7 Жыл бұрын

Your amazing work is great advertisement for this camera and monochrome in general!

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for that nice comment!

@1000brink Жыл бұрын

Thank you Mike! Excellent video as always! I would love to take this K3 monochrome to a place like Louwman classic car museum in The Hague, with al the chrome on the cars and classic lines...

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

You and me both!

@Amia67360 Жыл бұрын

Absolute Klasse, diese Monochrome Pentax! Jetzt fehlt nur noch der richtige Vergleich mit der Leica!

@wimjacobs4075 Жыл бұрын

Great video Mike. Looks like a great addition to the line-up. I'm loving my silver K-3 mark III a lot. I was amazed at how much better IQ I got from it compared to my K-3 II, so I can imagine that having all cells on the sensor dedicated to the same task (luminosity) and no interpolation going on, can get you into yet another IQ category. In terms of comparison to converting color images to B&W, I would miss the color information to develop B&W images in post. Most specifically the possibilities the color mixer provides, i.e. localized targeting of specific colors in the image to brighten or darken them. I guess you could use filters to achieve this on the general image. OTOH, I had my old K-3 II converted to full spectrum about two years ago (replacing the low pass IR/UV blocking filter by a clear glass), and have been using it to photograph various styles of infrared photography, by using different types of filters on my old K and M generation lenses. I'm sure the experience with that camera comes close to what you would get with a monochrome camera (even if results can be very different). There's a lot more previsualization required, and that's always great for improving one's eye. Tx!!

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Hi Wim, great to hear that you are exploring the world of monochrome photography as well! I'm also using a full spectrum 645Z IR currently and love to work with it as well. As you say, previsualising without the distractiojn of colour is so nice to develop yourself and become a better photographer.

@renerazon4008 Жыл бұрын

Stunning shots👍

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 😀

@olavwickmann1498 Жыл бұрын

absolut amazing pictures with outstanding details at all levels ; it is unbelievable great video Mike

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Many thanks Olav!

@ironmonkey1512 Жыл бұрын

Best video show far showing the capability of the camera!

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Great to hear, thanks!

@regentag7703 Жыл бұрын

Excellent Review and Pictures!

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thank you kindly!

@PrestonThomasCafe Жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed this review. Thank you. And I have to say, other reviews I've watched regarding the Monochrome, featured terribly disappointing photographs. The photographer matters. I still have the 1st generation K3, and it's still amazing. It's been everywhere with me, most recently, during my last trip to Cuba. Pentax image quality is second to none, and I say that as someone who also shoots Leica. I'm already adding this Monochrome to my budget, and I'm looking forward to using it with my wonderful and classic Pentax glass. Cheers!

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

You will love it Preston! And I have to agree, the camera is just a tool, but the image is after all made by the person behind it. And luckily we are not all created equal otherwise I could say my profession goodbye ;-)

@sdhute Жыл бұрын

Excited about this release

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

So was I :-)

@markielinhart Жыл бұрын

Beautiful images‼️ I’m going to start saving for a Mono…✌️

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

You will love it Markie!

@drthompson65 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your video.. I'm very interested in this camera!

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thanks Duane, and that's great to hear!

@kiwijonowilson Жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting - lovely shots! Regarding highlights, I have seen other photographers complaining that its easy to do clip them with the monochrome. That said, to my eyes, with black & white you can get away more with clipping highlights than with colour (colour is more obvious as it get saturated as it goes from the colour to full white!). I'm getting really interested in this camera because I like B&W photography but don't do enough and this camera would really focus me on the task while also getting the most out of the image.

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Without any disrespect for the other photographers, I do think it's a exposure fault from their side. I've yet to find any clipping of the highlights that has an affect on the perceived quality of the images. Photography is about being on the right place and the right time, and if we are off, it could mean we have deep shadows and bright sunny spots. There is no sensor out there that can capture this dynamic range

@EduardodeRegules 6 ай бұрын

Great review of this camera 👍Thanks.

@sabasworldfamous 7 ай бұрын

Very nice 5 minute video.

@nsnoesuarez Жыл бұрын

At last Pentax ins finally in the News...

@mwfolsom Жыл бұрын

I love the images you made - as a B&W film photographer they made me think about buying this camera. I must admit I wish Sony made a monochrome digital camera.

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thanks for that compliment Michael. much appreciated!

@kevinbuja8105 Жыл бұрын

First I liked your video and images. (to me, having shot b&w nearly 5 decades, there’s a difference between images and photos) anyway, done pontificating. Next, that is a GREAT alternative to Leica’s Monochrome. I’ve been fortunate enough to own the 1st and 2nd iterations of the monochrome, and had the 3rd generation (something about it I didn’t like and sent it back) and loved shooting in b&w with these cameras. This made post both easier and better; for me at least. Lastly, I like your way of describing and using the camera; practical, informational, and “easy going”. Sidebar: a lot of your images reminds of Harry Callan. Again, Thank you for the video.

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for your extensive reply Kevin! means a lot to me especially coming from a collegue versed in the art of B&W photography.

@kevinbuja8105 Жыл бұрын

@@mikemuizebelt Thank you. I was blessed by not being taught many years ago, but mentored by Roger Mertin (publish in Time-Life books, MOMA, 1 man show at the Eastman House of Photography 22-24 for his series, “Plastic Love Dream”. He in turn was mentored by Minor White. All three of us lived in Rochester, NY. Never got a chance to meet Minor; he passed before I met Roger. You may want to look them both up. Roger Mertin, Minor White. Cheers

@mjja00 3 ай бұрын

love the seascape images. - amazing detail and with no tripod!

@zitnbit Жыл бұрын

I used to shoot a b&w film. The results are great. Maybe I gonna get this camera.

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Sometime we have to buy presents for yourselves... ;-) Go for it! Without kidding, you'll love the images it can produce, I'm positive about that!

@krishartsphotography5643 Жыл бұрын

Nice & Thanks :)

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

No problem!

@hyperseah Жыл бұрын

6:56 This photo is so simple and beautiful. I guess sometimes less is more!

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thank you! One of my favorite locations here in Holland!

@Eliehbk Жыл бұрын

Awesome video! subscribed..

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Awesome, thank you!

@user-ql4oc9ld9l Жыл бұрын

Hi Mike, great Video and lovely Photos. Did you test the monochrom in combination with the limited 20 to 40mm? I am intrested in these combi for street and people photografie. Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts. Mario

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Hi Mario, I did not. Kept it rather easy this time with a light kit. But that range indeed would make it a great set for B&W documentary!

@eulinemartin Жыл бұрын

I know this one just came but the big brother coming out as a monochrome would really be exciting to me. As a Pentax ambassador do you know if a full frame monochrome is on the way? I really hope so. The K1 would be killer as a monochrome!!!!

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Hi Euline, I have no idea to be honest. But I understand the reasoning to make K-3 monochrome version. At this point it's the most advanced camera in the line-up

@user-cx6rg6mr7d Жыл бұрын

09:18 stunning !!

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@cars291 Жыл бұрын

Great video. Thank you foor it. At some point my mind heard you say 'leica said before'. 🤣 My mistake entirely

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thanks and my pleasure!

@majun26 Жыл бұрын

I love this concept, I want one, it ought to have drastically higher resolutio and sensitivity than a bayer sensor. Think about it, if you were shooting a subject under blue lighting, you're only going to get around a third of the nominal resolution of an RGB sensor. With a monochrome sensor, you record the luminance, all of it. There will never be moire or colour fringing, there will be no colour noise, and little noise period. It stands to reason that you'll get lett latitude to recover highlights in RAW files, but, it also stands to reason that if you can get the exposure right, there may be little need to shoot RAW, other than for archival purposes. I'm also interested in the possibiity of colorizing the photos, either with software, "AI," or by actually recording three frames with different coloured lights or lens filters, it could be possible to produce very high resolution colour photos, I believe they do something similar in some kinds of astrophotography, not sure if anything of the sort would work with this, but its an interesting idea. Anyway, I bought a lottery ticket when this was anounced lol, I want it.

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

It indeed has, the files it produces are the sharpest and cleanest looking images I've ever seen from any camera (and I shoot medium format as well).

@tobyc.2712 Жыл бұрын

Nice Land Rover

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thanks Toby, I've been enjoying that one for 16 years now. Probably will never let go of it :-)

@jerzyjablonski1432 Жыл бұрын

I am color photographer too, hard not to be when plane spotting. Still monochrome looks tempting, not for now, I need money for airshow travels, but if it is available at fall or winter then who knows. With 21 Limited it could be nice replacement for Spotmaitc with 35mm lens for some documentary photography I am now doing with film.

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

I'm positive you will love to have this camera in your backpack. Personally I found that working in B&W also gave me a new look to the world around me.

@user-cx6rg6mr7d Жыл бұрын

10:10 wow this is jaw dropping

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much :-)

@feth7747 Жыл бұрын

The main advantage is that you get the double resolution or more than with the same Mp bayer sensor

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

The increase in detail is indeed staggering. It's too bad we can't be showing everything in it's full glory in video's...

@user-ti9zc1xv2b Жыл бұрын

Time to sell my large format film kit

@shang-hsienyang1284 Жыл бұрын

On the information I have seen on the internet, there's a white balance setting on the contrast (shadow) page. I am quite surprised to see it on a monochrome camera. What does the white balance setting do?

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

I only shot in AWB Shang-Hsien, as the effects were minimal when I would select a different WB

@hanfurnee4295 Жыл бұрын

Interesting video. For me, this camera could be the reason to get a Pentax camera again. But first I would like to download two raw files of the same subject. One made with a K-3 Mark III Monochrome, and the other with the K-3 Mark III. The examples ricoh-imaging has on the site are useless.

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

That would indeed be very good for those interested. Unfortunately I personally have the rule that my raw files never leave my possession. I tried to show it in the video as best as I could, but In understand the need to see and fiddle with them yourself.

@hanfurnee4295 Жыл бұрын

@@mikemuizebelt What's the problem with sharing a testshot. (sorry , I'm joking). But without a good comparison there is no reason to buy this camera.

@dominiclester3232 Жыл бұрын

Nice thanks! (Request, could you mention your name slower than Mach 3 next time please?)

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Thanks Dominic, also for the tip :-)

@PetrPodaril Жыл бұрын

Thanks! 2k Euros ... starting to save it 🙂

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Nice one! You'll love it, I'm positive :-)

@MrJueKa Ай бұрын

Why not a B&W viewfinder with a B&W sensor? A viewfinder with color makes no sense for me here. I would also like, and above all, to be able to see in the viewfinder what the finished result out of the camera might look like and how changed settings immediately affect it. I`m not a fan of using only the monitor.

@SummersSnaps Жыл бұрын

Damn... these highlights are a problem huh 😬

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

If you are really struggling with them I could give you a lesson or 2?

@thebitterfig9903 Жыл бұрын

That’s one of the downsides to a monochromatic sensor. The highlights are a bit fragile, and it seems like underexposing compared to a Bayer sensor is worthwhile. But since it’s so much easier to push the shadows, the results work out in the end.

@SummersSnaps Жыл бұрын

@@thebitterfig9903 That's the issue though, isn't this a bit like one step backwards one step forwards? If looking for an even exposure and have to underexpose MORE than you would need to with a regular camera, then are the shadows still retaining IQ benefits over the colour version seeing as it needed to be pushed more?! You might need -1EV for a shot with the colour cam, and -2.3 with the mono, its needing more lifting in the dark areas than the colour, so is it all just swings and roundabouts to the same kinda IQ for high contrast scenes? Right now it feels like the benefits would be there for flat lighting, but HC 🤔... hmm

@SummersSnaps Жыл бұрын

@@mikemuizebelt Sorry Mike, I was just meaning to say that after watching 2-3 videos on this camera, it looks like the highlights are being blown easily on many sample images. For a YT video where we're gonna lose out via compression to appreciate the finer things, the trained photographic eye just gets drawn to the blown highlights and that's a shame, I can't get past it... Are you using 3rd party conversion software for the RAWs before taking them to LR? My limited understanding says that LR might still be treating these files like they have a bayer filter and the full potential is not unlocked yet?

@mikemuizebelt Жыл бұрын

Hi Eddy, that's not my experience while I was working and editing them. Highlights are very well controlled due to the dynamic range. It may be due to the way film works (or images are edited). I opened the DNG RAW files in photoshop and went from there. I've been shooting in overcast days mostly so I had no strong contrasts in shadow and sunlight. Any way, my personal experience is that images have loads of detail, also in the highlights. The pelican in my video should be a good example as it holds both detail in the white feathers and the dark eye.