PENTAX K-3 Mark III live Q&A

[@Needacreate]

Must say I'm pretty stoked about what you're suggesting about the motion- and eye-tracking capabilities of the K-3 III, and I'm definitely looking forward to your next video. Watching you live this time was sure fun too. You remain a rare asset, Albert.

[@Highlander515]

Great job Albert! Thanks for doing these kind informational videos to keep us Pentaxians appraised of new Pentax gear.

[@maggimarmion3836]

Already have my camera! love it! just playing around testing out all the buttons! :-) Great video!! but would liked to have seen you using the camera up close while you were working your way through the controls to see what you were doing ! cheers

[@Tkarma77]

Best video I've seen on this camera. I bought it really looking forward to its arrival 😁

[@Tkarma77]

The marketing from Ricoh has been so bad for this camera. I had bought before seeing this but it answered all my questions. They should make you an ambassador but glad your not. Objective opinions worth much more

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

@@Tkarma77 Yer not kidding - Beside Albert and Kai, all the stuff I've seen so far is more about the photographer, and not about the camera - I want to know "should I buy it",.. not "Should I hire them". Pentax should be asking "how do we sell units" not "how do we get our ambassadors work"

[@clparfen]

Sorry I missed the live event. Great video, glad to hear about the improvement in the focusing ability!

[@isotechimages.9130]

Missed the live session but thanks for doing it. Though l am fully immersed in mirror less technology and would no longer fork out money for a DSLR l did get started with Pentax and am fond of their cameras so do keep track of what they up to and enjoy learning what this camera body has to offer.

[@alexsarbu3978]

Nice! I'm looking forward to the next videos. About the image quality... you should try comparing with e.g. the KP, Pentax made a lot of progress since the K-3. Perhaps even with the K-1ii, as Pentax does :)

[@AlbertSiegel]

I hope to make a video with a production version with this in mind.

[@texfrances6664]

Albert, thank you very much. Please in your next video---or another one---focus on the video. I recognize it's not what you use your cameras for, but it's a key reason I might want this camera (I'm a Z and K1mkII owner, so for stills I am covered well...). Currently I have to use my work's 5DmkIV cameras, and I'd prefer to stay in my Pentax universe---and I don't do enough video to justify a pure video camera. So, a thorough work-over of the video would be appreciated. Even here, you mentioned some things no one else has about the video. And no one else is talking about it.

[@KobieMC]

Hey Albert. Can't believe I missed this! I did have a question regarding AF.C while doing video. I saw in the manual that it is capable, just wondered how well it works. I believe it only works with the 55-300 PLM and possibly SDM lenses. Not sure of you tried that at all. Great overview and I'm glad to hear that the eye tracking works as well as it does and the AF speed is at least very close to the D500. I've already pre-ordered, I can't wait! In Canada the release date is April 29th, not sure about other regions though. Looking forward to your next video 👍🏽

[@AlbertSiegel]

I have not been able to try it out with a PLM lens as I do not have one. The option for continuous AF is in the menu, but does seem to be able to be selected for SDM, DC or SD lenses I've tried. You can hit the AF button to refocus while video is recording, but that's only single AF. Anyway, the motor sound on all the above lenses is loud enough that it can be recorded.

[@KobieMC]

@@AlbertSiegel I would be using an external mic away from the camera so I'm not worried about the sound (wireless lav mic). 2 weeks can't come fast enough!

[@xmeda]

@@AlbertSiegel Should work with DA18-135 like in K70 too.

[@glebrasseur]

Sooooooo sorry I missed it🥲. But thank you anyway for the live, very interesting, did you try high iso? How high is it usable ? Maybe you gonna do another live ? That’s cool for the eye focus 😍

[@AlbertSiegel]

I did try the high ISO and it's impressive for sure. I would very much like to do another live, but I need to return the camera today, so I can't until I can get a production model.

[@williamself1949]

Sorry I missed the live stream! With regards to the eye detect AF, can I access this feature directly through the optical viewfinder vs using the screen? Thanks!

[@williamself1949]

Update: Just found the time to watch the video and I see you already addressed my question just after the 14-minute mark. Thanks!

[@l.nauwelaerts195]

Thank you for the great video! Sorry I missed the live, though... I would've added a few questions. :-) That being said, just a QQ: how does its size compare to that of the K-5 (ii)? Have the ergonomics improved compared to the (already excellent) K-5 (ii)?

[@leehaze1]

missed the live but thanks for doing this

[@thetilo8682]

How do you compare it against the KP? and the K-1 ii?

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

What's the 4k video bitrate? Anything under 150mbits is a waste. Does the HDMI output always match the selected frame size and frame rate, or is it still junk that changes resolution and framerate when you press record? The sensorshift is really back? Can the audio input be set to Line Level Input? K-log.. 🤣 That would be the Muted profile. The problem with that "use a camcorder for video" rational, is that Sony are the only company that made a camcorder with APSc (VG 10 / 20 / 30) or Full Frame (VG900) sensor. Our only options below the price of Cinema cameras for those size video sensors, and the resulting Depth Of Field availability, is a DSLR or Mirrorless body.

[@AlbertSiegel]

I can't comment on the bitrate for sure as this is a pre-production version and I am not allowed to say anything that is not in the spec sheet. I would need to wait until I have a final production model. Also, I did not test out the other aspects of video as my time was limited and I focused on stills. Yes, the mechanical sensor shift is back and it's excellent. What I meant by use a camcorder is something like a NXCAM or other prosumer / pro model ENG type device. These can be found for under 2,000USD. If for cinema use where you prefer a larger sensor, there are many other options by many other brands, but none of them are as affordable as a standard SLR / SLM camera as you pointed out. I'm not a fan of the SONY NEX camcorders. Anyway, they are all discontinued now.

[@texfrances6664]

"The problem with that "use a camcorder for video" rational, is that Sony are the only company that made a camcorder with APSc (VG 10 / 20 / 30) or Full Frame (VG900) sensor. Our only options below the price of Cinema cameras for those size video sensors, and the resulting Depth Of Field availability, is a DSLR or Mirrorless body." Exactly right, PiDsMedia! I keep trying to make these points to people who make these sorts of comments.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

@@AlbertSiegel - An NXCAM is still limited to a 1-inch sensor, so has less flexibility in it's Depth of Field creative options then even a M4/3rds camera. It and other fixed lens cameras are simply not an equal choice for creative production. Even Blackmagic Designs least expensive APSc equipped bodies take on the Mirrorless form factor, and they're well over that US $2k price range - there is simply no other choice but the DSLR/Mirrorless bodies for APSc or FF cinematography for anyone with real world budget constraints.

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

@@texfrances6664 - Sadly, the Pentax Forum is littered with 'Stills' folk who use that same 'just use a camcorder for video' response, as if they understand the creative choices for the artform that they do not participate in. They don't understand our side of the artform, but they're eager to tell us we should 'just use a camcorder...' and be limited to deep focus. Sure, 1/3rd inch sensors like the Canon XL-H1 I was using today have their place, they're ideal for live streaming football games and recording news stories, but when it comes to streaming to Zoom, my full frame NEX-VG900E with KM 35mm f2 makes a much more suitable image with shallow focus that the Canon. The 'stills only' crowd effectively want to tell us, we video folk should not be allowed to have the same Depth of Field choices that they enjoy for Stills. That's just rude.

[@thetilo8682]

so they left out the GPS and the articulated LCD and they put an astronomical price on it - does not seem like a good strategy. As a result I'm looking at the K-1 ii, K-3 ii, and the KP

[@maggimarmion3836]

Can you help me with this problem? When I connect my k3 mk3 to my iMac computer it doesn’t register as a device on either my desktop on on the side panel ? so I can’t access the memory cards to upload to my computer- if I have set the ‘automatically open Adobe bridge when camera attached’ it does that but then I can’t eject the device before disconnecting the camera as there is no device icon on my desktop or panel - and I know that this can damage the memory cards 😩😊 My K3 mk1 registers as soon as I connect it to the computer so not sure what the problem could be? Any help would be much appreciated Thanks 👍

[@AlbertSiegel]

Hi, I do not use Apple Computers, so I cannot advise on that. The K-3 Mark III manual p.71 says that you can set the USB mode in the settings menu to "MSC" if it's not already set that way. Another option is to just use a card reader for the SD card. This is my preferred method.

[@maggimarmion3836]

@@AlbertSiegel hi - thanks for your reply Albert - it us set to MTP but not working 😊 I think I will use the SD card reader 😎

[@loochan325]

How is the K3 III viewfinder eye poit with the O-ME53 loupe ?

[@class_a]

Albert, I was hoping you'd be talking about the S.Fn button approach to using the third wheel. Have you tried it? I think the concept has potential but could be held back depending on how well the top LCD reflects one's actions.

[@AlbertSiegel]

I've never really found the third wheel to be of interest to me. Many people love it, but it's just not a feature I use. That being said, I do think the S.Fn button versus the dial is a big improvement as it really lets you decide which and how many options you want.

[@class_a]

@@AlbertSiegel Thanks, Albert. I find the third wheel on the K-1 too stiff to use it while I'm using the viewfinder, but I love using it to avoid menu-diving. Much nicer, in my view, to use the option dial and then the big dial, compared to turning on the back-LCD and navigating through menus, even if it is the custom menu. I think the new S.Fn approach will work well. I hope we won't have to wait too long for the K-1 III, that's the camera I'm really interested in.

[@xmeda]

Hi Albert, it might have 101AF points but just 25 of them are cross type AF points and all smashed in the center part of frame. It only has basic live view contrast detect. Basic video like other cameras had 4-5 years ago. Sensor by Sony released in 2016. No tilt screen, no pop up flash for commanding wireless external flashes, no built-in GPS. Buffer for about 3 second raw burst at 11fps and maybe 4 sec in jpg.. well well... €2000 for such 2016/2017 parameters in 2021? No way. €1500? maybe. Try to compare it with already old Nikon D500 (99 cross type AF points, flip screen, up to 200 jpg or over 50 raw frames buffer with 10fps) or Fuji XT-4 or even new Nikon Z6II which you can buy for same price. This camera basically has double the price of previous K3/KP models when they were fresh on market. I'll keep my K3+K5 for a while... and I'm looking forward to see some nice deep review :) Please try to test that Eye AF with some F1.4 lenses and check how accurately camera can pick the right spot. You know, it is easy to focus on face with lets say F3.5. But F1.4 and shallow depth of field, that is different level to catche eyes in focus properly. Eyes, not nose, eyebrows or ears like cameras like to do. Then lets try some birds in flight using AF-C and some fast lens like 300/4 or 70-200/2.8. Bear in mind, that even my K5 with Sig70-200/2.8 HSMII is able to catch some flying swallows and K3 is even a bit better. Shooting people walking is easy job even for K20D, so please lets do something significantly more challenging than we saw in ambassador videos :) Low light comparison will be interesting too. ISO 1 600 000 is useless marketing B.S. and even ISO 25600 seems to be horrible on available raw shots. But lets compare it with K3/KP/K1 in some usable range eq ISO 1600 - 6400 for practical use (low light portrait, street prhotography, concert, dynamic range, noise, counterlight)... Another interesting part will be flash photography. So far there was ZERO info in all those revirws about flash photography. How well the exposure metering works, how the camra works with auto-ISO with flash attached etc. What is the real battery life? How sturdy are those top command wheels? How strong is the AF motor in body (as we saw motor speed increase in K20D -> K5 -> K3)? How well the connection with mobile app works? How well does it work with Sigma HSM lenses? What about METZ flashes? What are the viewing angles on LCD? What info is visible on top display in various modes? How the grip shape works if camera is wet or very cold? How the AF point selection with joystick works in real life shooting? Etc etc..

[@class_a]

@xmeda Mirrorless cameras have zero (0) cross-type AF points. Zero.

[@xmeda]

@@class_a they have effective combination of pdaf points on main sensor combined with cdaf using the rest. Which is very accurate in lates generations. Maybe wake up :) Btw. Even the EOS 90D has 45 cross type AF points.

[@AlbertSiegel]

The reason that PENTAX does not have on-sensor phase detection on most cameras is over image quality concerns. While the potential risks of image quality issues due to on-sensor phase detection is not a concern for the vast majority of users, this seems to be the way PENTAX prefers to do it. As for the sensor, we do not know if it is the same sensor from 2016, a modified version, or a new one yet. Anyway, even if it were, not a problem as it's an excellent sensor that Ricoh has had time to fine-tune. I am bummed out about the fixed screen. Hopefully they will add one in the next version. The omission of a flash and GPS is understandable considering how much space the new viewfinder system takes and the goal of keeping the camera small. I too wish the buffer were longer, but it's good enough for most of my shooting. Thanks for the idea. I will try the eye AF with a faster lens next time. I'll try to find something more challenging for tracking next time as you suggest. You will see a high-ISO comparison in a future video I plan. The maximum two high-ISO settings are worthless I think, but high-ISO overall is better than I expected. I do plan to test the flash system when I get a production model. This was an annoyance for me with the K-5 where I just ended up doing flash on manual. Thankfully PENTAX fixed the issue with cameras based on the K-3 and later metering systems, so I imagine this will be better. I did not measure the battery life, but managed 1500 shots and some video after two charges with the second charge still nearly full. The screwdrive motor seems great to me, though I'm not sure how much faster it is over older models as they were pretty good with my DA limited lenses. I was unable to test the mobile app as the new camera is not listed as an option on my version. I tried a Sigma 8-16 HSM and it worked perfectly. I do not have a METZ flash to try. The viewing angles are very good. No complaints from me on that. Best to see the manual for the display in various modes as I can only type so much on here. ;-) I have not tried the camera is wet or cold conditions. The joystick works well and is great to use. As for the ect ect... I do like the dedicated SR button and the ability to keep the rear LCD shut off at all times. I'll try to take a closer look when I get a production model and use it for a bit. Until then, I hope you continue to enjoy your K-5 and K-3. They are excellent cameras.

[@wildbunch9978]

@@xmeda If by your rational, more cross type points mean better performance, then things looks really bad for K-3 III, since 90D viewfinder tracking is very poor (check dpreview test). K-70 (9 crosstypes) does a better job. Also X-T4 tracking is rather poor.

[@ragenhamlin4000]

When will it be released?

[@AlbertSiegel]

April 23 in Japan, around that time give or take a week in other areas.

[@KobieMC]

In Canada it's April 29th.

[@glebrasseur]

End of April in france.

[@jerzyjablonski1432]

Last week of April in Poland.

[@SivakumarSS]

Sorry to miss this. How does this work with DA560mm? Is the AF faster than with other bodies?

[@AlbertSiegel]

No difference in AF speed with the 560 in my opinion. It's not a fast lens to start with. The sake reduction and tracking works better though.

[@SivakumarSS]

@@AlbertSiegel 'sake' reduction? Shows your favourite drink? :-D