First Impression: Pentax KF

[@stephanweiskorn6760]

Excellent video 😮!

[@LuigiBarbano]

Thank you!

[@shiroganesam]

Very good points about the benefits of an OVF. I prefer not seeing a camera interpretation in the viewfinder and find myself being more motivated and more creative to shoot and edit when I'm using a body with an optical viewfinder. I'm currently migrating my main system back to Pentax K because of these very reasons. I'll still keep a mirrorless system around for video and fringe cases where I need super fast autofocus but I'll be primarily shooting with the K-3 III and the K-1 for the foreseaable future. The 31mm definitely struggles with flare and fringing at times but it's still one of my favourites in the system. I think at times you can even use the flare creatively to enhance a shot. Regardless it is a bit of a character lens that won't please everyone.

[@LuigiBarbano]

I absolutely dislike EVF, no matter how good they are. I think Pentax is very smart to continue with the SRL in a market abandoning it. I will have to test in an accurate way all the lenses I have now in my hands. The 31mm seems great but when I try to get a first impression I really like to feed them with difficult subjects :)

[@LuigiBarbano]

@mipmipmipmipmip I'm using Fuji XPro-2, they are good cameras but I really miss an optical viewfinder SRL. I'm getting back to the Pentax world also in digital. Never abandoned Pentax with film.

[@cdrkennon]

Definitely you can save RAW and JPG to the same card. I have a KF purchased to use for full spectrum IR and UV photography. It functions wonderfully. I have the K1 II which shares the same menu.

[@LuigiBarbano]

Thanks for the clarification.

[@MarcosBH]

Very good video and explanation regarding the ovf. Subscribed.

[@LuigiBarbano]

Thanks

[@k8nyonyoutube487]

Luigi, grazie. I am a Pentax user since 1970 when I bought my first Pentax Spotmatic to start filming the births and lives of my children. I have all my lenses and have purchased many new ones and new Pentax film and digital cameras along the way. I am using all of these lenses with my current Pentax Kr. That is certainly a great option that Pentax offers, backward lens compatibility. I am thinking of purchasing the KF as I wish to continue taking still photographs but also add video recording. I am hoping to find some reviews on the Internet that might address the Video capabilities of the KF. My current Kr does not do well on Video. Thank you so much for your insightful review of this KF.

[@LuigiBarbano]

Thank you for the positive comment. I will try some video with the KF and let you know. I had in mind to end and publish the full review this week but I was forced to waste a week by a very ugly flu. If I can start to work again tomorrow I will have the review (with also the video part) published for next Monday.

[@k8nyonyoutube487]

@@LuigiBarbano Thanks again Luigi. On the video recording side, my current Kr will overheat when video recording is longer than about 7 minutes so I was wondering if the KF has a similar problem. I appreciate your offer however it may be too much trouble for you so it is not absolutely necessary. Grazie & ciao de Roberto in stati uniti

[@LuigiBarbano]

@@k8nyonyoutube487 No problem. I will let the camera record a long video and see what happens.

[@ASTRO-films]

@@LuigiBarbano this is somthing I was wondering too

[@LuigiBarbano]

@@ASTRO-films I answered in the full review.

[@scrptwic]

I have the K70 a great camera I shoot in DNG Raw , I like the flip screen and all my lenses work on the camera and it shoots good pictures up to ISO 12500

[@LuigiBarbano]

I still have to test the high ISO... will do in the next days for the full review.

[@DanBullard]

Very nice production!

[@LuigiBarbano]

Thanks Dan. I try to improve with each video but it's not that easy.

[@DanBullard]

@@LuigiBarbano Tell me about it!

[@LuigiBarbano]

@@DanBullard you have to concentrate on building a microphone amplifier without inappropriate distortions... I could use that!

[@CarmineGroe]

Grazie Luigi! I am also a Pentax lover. I believe they are well made for real photographers. Which mirrorless cameras have you used in the past?

[@LuigiBarbano]

Thanks. I'm mostly using Fuji, X-Pro2 is my daily camera. I used Sony and really disliked their philosophy as user interface, too much smartphonish to me. I tried the new Canon, great cameras but the EVF is really not for me. I have seen a lot of quality in the images produced by mirrorless but I cannot get the right feeling with the cameras. I have a great feeling with the Fuji X-Pro series but a lot of times I feel the need for a reflex OVF.

[@CarmineGroe]

@@LuigiBarbano I own a hasselblad 500 Cm and is my fav camera of all time. For Digital I am using the Nikon z with some classic vintage Nikkor primes. Very well thought out overall.

[@LuigiBarbano]

@@CarmineGroe I love my Hasselblad c/m! I made the huge mistake to sell my SWC a couple of years ago. I miss that camera. I never had the opportunity to try the Nikon if not just few shots in a shop.

[@shotbymarlozan]

Hi Luigi. New subscriber here 🙋 Do you think Pentax KF is an option for a newbie? I am not a photographer, but I want to buy my first camera and learn photography. My plan is to study to be a future photographer. Thanks I'm advance. Merry Christmas and happy New Year 👍🏽

[@LuigiBarbano]

Yes, I think is a good option. If you want to learn photography I have a suggestion: invest in some good books about the basics. That is usually more important than the camera itself. The KF is a great camera for a newbie, it will give you the access to the Pentax system that is great ofr the compatibility with the past and option to expand in the future. Usually when I teach to newbies I suggest to get a film camera with a 50mm lens (you can find some good used camera for $50), some black and white film and learn the basics of exposure and composition that way. The slow process and the cost of film will help you to give a value to every single shot and so learn before you push the button. It's something you will bring with you in the digital world and help you to avoid to become just another phone photographer with a fancy camera. Happy new Year to you too.

[@froreyfire]

You probably already bought something. Still, this is what I'd consider to be the most important advice for a newbie: never buy gear new! There is a lot of gear to be had used in great condition for a fraction of the money. For example, get a used Pentax KP instead of a new KF, its a better camera and will cost less. To really start out with photography basics, I would recommend a Canon 5d (classic) for 200 Euro from MPB and a 50mm lens.

[@tomsun3159]

Its simply a rebadged K70, with a priceincrease of app. 45%. Yes there are changes: 1.) there is a new name 2.) there is an updated Display, due to the fact the old one is not available anymore 3.) the Firmware is changed, at least simply to the new name 4.) ???? Is the KF a bad camera, for sure not is it better than the K70, i highly doubt Is it a disappointment, YES due NO real innovation, as the changes are not an innovation. As long you can get a new K70 get it instead and spend the money in good lenses.

[@LuigiBarbano]

I never used the K70, so I cannot make a comparison...