Pentax K3 Mark III Monochrome vs. K1 Mark II vs. Fuji XT-5 | Black and White Shootout

A Photowalk downtown LaGrande Oregon with 3 cameras. Which do you like the best?
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[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

Some people saw the difference straight away. On YT it's not that easy. But I made some prints and the K3 Mark III Monochrome really is something special. And at 100% the noise levels don't exist and the Bayer and XTrans images seem very noisy, but only because I've seen the K33M images. A Monochrome sensor camera is just something really different and new and it's going to take a while to figure it all out. But I will say it can do things that photographers have not been able to do until now like shoot at ISO 25,000 with no noise in low light. And I'm still not sure about shooting Pentax. Or to put it another way, the K1 Mark II and K3 III Monochrome haven't gone back... I just enjoy shooting with them too much. Tri-X film gets pretty noisy pushed to ISO 25,000. 🙂(Update: I did a test of the K3IIIM vs an Ilford 8x10 negative and the results are virtually identical. You can watch that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWKvi6drbdFkiLM Like I said the K3IIIM is a new to us technology and it's going to take a while to figure out what it is and what it can do. What fun! Spoiler alert, which is which is: A - Fuji XT5 B - Pentax K1 Mark II C - Pentax K3 Mark III Monochrome

[@michelecintramika8482]

I got it right. I noticed that the shades of black in the photos of the letter C were quite varied. The blacks are well separated. I keep imagining a full-frame monochrome sensor from another company without Leica. Nikon Zf type with monochrome sensor.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

@@michelecintramika8482 This was relatively easy for Pentax to do, Sony already made the sensor in the two variations, color and mono for some astro applications I believe. SO if there is a FF camera that uses a sensor that Sony already has a sensor in both variations, it's a possibility.

[@michelecintramika8482]

@@EdwardMartinsPhotography Cool! I'm looking forward to a full-frame monochrome model that has the same price as the color variant of a Nikon Zf or the launch of the Lumix S9.

[@ronbokje6213]

Love my Pentax k1 markII. The lenses my dad bought in 1975 still works on the camera and there is so many older nice lenses for cheap these days. Also the functions like Astro tracking built in and so many handy functions. It’s a designed so different than all other manufacturers, it’s more about the experience and the photo. Not for making money, no chance to the mount so you can use your nice glass you have already spent money on. Still getting updates after years and so on.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

Pentax had the best digital camera interface in the business. Only now are some of the companies catching up to where Pentax was 10 years ago. Rich is not as good. The K1 is a much better ui than the K33.

[@BornIn68]

Yeh, you put a good vintage lens on a K1-Mk2 and the only way to describe the photo is it's technically good but more importantly it feels like it's got some soul about it, there's just something that you can't quite work out that makes it feel good !!

[@richardhale9664]

Well, ten months later and now thanks to your excellent series on the K3 iii M, I now own one. Mind you I did track down an Amazon return going for £1690, which Amazon kindly gave a further discount on which reduced the cost to £1350. Having owned it now for a month, I do think the initial price would just about have been worth it to me, but it was so high I never would have taken the plunge until I found this deal. I am still getting to grips with what it is capable of, how to get the best out of it and what lenses best suit it for me (favourites are the 21 and 40mm Ltds at present), but it is clear that the tonality of the images is unmatched by other digital images converted to mono in post. Luckily I don't have to worry about video or trawl about with multiple cameras so I can keep my burden down very easily. I usually take it out with just the two lenses and a back up compact film camera with a good lens such as an Olympus 35 RC for colour. Like you when you did this series, I thought I could buy an awful lot of film for what the Mono costs, so I took the decision to shoot film a lot more early this year. Messing about with various SLRs, rangefinders and compacts has been a huge amount of fun and led me to two conclusions. Even though I am knocking at the door of 60 my eyes still appreciate an optical viewfinder over an EVF and for me film cameras are a lot more fun to shoot. However there is no getting away from the fact that a digital ILC, whether with an optical or electronic viewfinder, has unmatched versatility. So in my case and bearing in mind that 70% plus of the images I take that I really like are B&W, the argument for the K3 iii Mono is quite compelling. I am very grateful for the time and effort you spent in making this series. It has really helped me.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

I'd have a hard time passing up a K3 III M for $1350. It is a great camera!

[@ahilgaz]

A: Fuji B: K1 -II C: K3-III ? On the JUB engineering building photo, you can see the stripes on the canopy canvas on picture C, while in other shots you can barely see them.

[@RonnieAshlock]

This chapter in the K3MIII M saga is the most interesting one of all. Trying to weigh the pros and cons and come to a decision that you and your wallet can live with must be really tough. Good luck finding the right path, I totally sympathize with you on this dilemma. Whatever you choose, it'll be the right decision.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

The K3M (or any monochrome sensor digital camera I would think) seems to excel in low light, high iso, low noise imagery. And it's a lot lot better at those things than a Bayer or XTrans color sensor camera at least from what I've seen in my testing and experience. But in the work that I do, those attributes are not really that important to me. The key feature for me that I could use and was looking for was a more film like tonality, which the monochrome sensor exhibits in SOOC jpegs, but the color sensors can come pretty close to that (close enough without having to spend $2200 and switch to a Pentax) with judicious post processing. So for me, I think I'll stick with the Fuji's for my digital work and be happy shooting more film. Kinda like I'd rather actually hear the Berlin Philharmonic in person than a recording on a great stereo...and film is a lot more accessible than flying to Germany. :)

[@RayLombardi]

Hey Ed, I got it right! Where's my cookie! LOL. It never stops amazing me how good we have it nowadays. And there is nothing wrong with that! As you said, all of these camera systems, including analogue camera technology, are simply incredible and any of them would suffice the discerning photographer. Best of luck to you choosing mate! Cheers, Ray.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

I think the Pentax wins, Overall image quality, color and B&W is better. But especially the b&w, nothing comes close except the Leica.

[@petemellows]

I figured photo C was the monochrome. The shadows were much richer. I have 2 K1MII cameras and a K3M3 (colour though). The K1MII is still, after 6 years, a brilliant camera. You can see on my videos just how gorgeous the photos are. I really would like to convert one to monochrome… Thanks for the comparison video.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

For the money, the K1 can't be beat, even today. The images look very film like, which is high praise. Not sure if the K3M is worth it though unless you really need high iso low noise capabilities. Other than that you can tweak the K3 III converted shots to look about the same.

[@HA1W]

Thanks for the interesting video. My guess is, A: K-1 mk2, B: K-3 III monochrome, C: X-T5 I myself own K-1 (original) and K-3 III monochrome.

[@russellmann8297]

I am considering the Pentax Monochrome and watching all your videos. But I am heavily invested in the Fuji system and I am not giving up my Fujifilm. I absolutely love my Fujifilm. However I have been shooting film for my black and white. Fujifilm does have better black and white than any other camera I have used except film.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

I'm in the same boat. Just how much better is the Pentax monchrome for black and white and is it worth it? If Fuji made a monochrome XT5 or Xpro then there is no issue, I'd just buy one and not worry to much about it. But for now, Pentax is the only affordable game in town.

[@DarioBoriani]

Interesting. I watch your 'journey'. Just by way of a personal anecdote: 1. Grew up with film, often B&W. Kodak Instamatic, Minoltina-P, Rolleiflex TLR, then Nikon F2, inherited from my dad. 2. Sold all. Long hiatus with nothing. Missed it. 3. Many years later went into street, with Fuji X100 series first. Found 23mm lens soft. Liked tactile feel. 4. Liked Fuji. Moved to XH-1 and 16-55 2.8 zoom usually shot at 16-18 (24-27 equiv). Solid. No complaints. 5. Wanted something with me at all times. Tried Ricoh GR ii first, then GR iii for its very sharp 28mm and snap focus. Still have it. Don't love lack of viewfinder but understand compromises made. Worried about dust, never a problem. 6. Always wanted a 'system' I could add to. Knew I had no need for extreme perspectives or fly-on-a-hippo-at-3-miles safari gear. Did not like newer plasticky Nikons, Canons, etc. Not crazy about EVFs and poor battery life of mirrorless. Back to DSLR? Hmmm ... 7 Considered newer GFX ii, very nice. Very. Preordered at B&H. Too worried about busting inaginary budget. Rethought needs vs wants. Canceled preorder at last minute. 8. Prioritized lenses over body. Manual focus, metal build, distance scale for zone focusing on street. Tank-like body, sealing, viewfinder, battery life. Kept open mind, tried to drown out marketing 'noise'. Ricoh bought Pentax, took a long look at latter. 9 Had been getting into stock video with XH-1. Like video, even sold some, but love photo. Decided could not optimize both in same gear. Too many compromises. Photo first then. 10. Considered Leica II Mono. III Mono a year away and possibly too high res sensor for old(er) lens. Still, a great design and not plasticky. 11. Pentax seemed solid option. Met needs and had great UI. Appeared very undervalued relative to usual suspects. Lenses first. Got 21, 31, 43, 77 Lmited and K1 ii DSLR (FF). Good base, I think. 12. Love B&W. Added K3 iii Mono (APS-C), same lenses should serve. Believe starting from optically great glass / lenses instead of 'latest body' and having one focus (stills) helped. 13. At some point, video. Maybe Lumix S5 iix or successor. Thanks for reading. Modest street portfolio at darioborianiphoto.com. Keep up good work, Ed!

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

The K1 with Limiteds is a solid choice, so is the monochrome. But if you want any kind of pro level video you have to buy something else as well. An XH2 or XH2s would serve. In my case all I would need is a Nikon Z-30. But with an XT5 and XH2 and 3 lenses I can do everything I want to and still have a full pro stills AND pro video kit. The IQ is so close for both systems I'm not sure either way is much of a compromise.

[@DarioBoriani]

@@EdwardMartinsPhotography I agree. I decided to prioritize stills and I was just sharing the sequence of steps that took me to my current setup. Good results come more easily if one feels comfortable with gear and it 'gets out of the way' so one can just focus (no pun intended) on the task at hand. One can achieve this in a number of ways and there is no magic one-size-fits-all formula.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

@@DarioBoriani I do know that with certain cameras you want to go out and try things and with other cameras you couldn't be bothered. Kinda like certain girls attract you and certain girls don't and there really isn't much rhyme or reason as to why. It's an intangible that most people don't talk about. I know I shoot the Pentax's more than I do the Fuji's, so maybe there's something to it. The monochrome sensor does require more testing though.

[@cnicolo]

Hard to say Ed, I cannot suggesting you the best for your landscape. I love photos C in most of them. But still that doesn’t mean that others are bad. Is a matter of how practical is a camera for you, for example for me the tilt screen on my xt3 is my must. I can’t stay away from it. 15:38 This is why I didn’t changed at the time for the xt4. Now the xt5 is perfect but has 40mpx when my medium format gfx50sII has 50mpx. lol so I hope I made a sense. Have a good one

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

Yes, the Fuji system is clearly the best do it all option. It checks off all the boxes. Weight, size, price, video, resolution, image quality UI, modern lenses, the right screens on the right cameras. Cheers!

[@garyrix9136]

Hi Ed, can't really decide I would say K1ii, XT5 and K3iiiM. It may be that I'm viewing this on another screen, or the tweaks you have made to the B&W conversions but my choice is basically a guess. Was definitely clear-cut in the landscape images which by the way took me by surprise as I didn't think I would seen anything on KZbin quality. Anyway good luck with the choice (of keeping the K3iiiM or not.) The Fuji-system does seem like the more suitable choice for you though. Thanks for the videos, love them. Cheers!

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

Thanks! Yes much harder to tell. I didn't tweak much in post, but I did dial in some contrast to the highlights and shadows in camera to try to get the XT5 and K1 more in line with the tonality of the K3M. Tonality is really the only attribute that I am personally interested in, because that has been my biggest complaint about digital B&W. From this I've learned that the K3M's main benefits are high iso shooting and low light shooting with almost no noise in comparison. At 200% on screen the differences are really clear. But that's just not very useful for what and how I want to photograph. I could see where the Monochrome sensor would be really awesome in a Leica M style camera though.

[@srri8912]

A very tough call! My guess, if I force myself to make one, is that "A" is the K3iiiM...Having said that, the advantages of a monochrome camera were never or rather, should not be, touted as superior at low ISO settings, I hear - from none other than The Mathphotographer, one of the most precise YT contributors in my opinion. Monochrome cameras shine in very high ISO/low light situations where non-monochrome cameras start groaning and graining. And I see that every day - with my Canon R, XT-5, a Q2M, and K3iiiM.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

That is exactly the conclusion that I am coming to in my very "un-precise" way... :) Low light and higher ISO's are awesome with this camera. Unfortunately I have very little need for that kind of camera as a more traditional landscape photographer. But it is way cool!

[@ericrjennings]

Camera B is K3 mark iii ?

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

I'm not sure what changed, but these urban street shots seem much harder to decipher which is which. I did tweak the in camera jpeg tone curves in the XT5 and the K1 to more closely match what I was seeing in the K3M natively. At 200% the differences are clear. The bayer sensor images have a lot of noise in comparison. But up to 100% printing (which is about a 16x20) there's very little difference. But all these images were shot at lower iso's. If a person had a need for low noise higher iso b&w images, the monochrome is the clear winner.

[@artsilva]

It's simple; If you are serious about your b&w, maybe print a lot, know the differences and are well versed in monochrome and is a majority of your imagery then the Pentax is a no brainer. If you mainly shoot color and "occasionally" convert to b&w for online viewing, then No, stick with what you got. The monocrome cameras are usually for those who grew up in the b&w darkroom and knows what true non color tonal exposures offer by way of registering true light values. It is for those (like me) who miss the pure value of monochrome photography.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

It's a very good uni-tasker. If I had the extra money to throw around I'd have one.

[@artsilva]

@@EdwardMartinsPhotography I am saving and selling off lots of gear I no longer use and plan to get it with "maybe" on or two native lenses as well as an F to K mount adapter for my Ai lenses to use manually.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

@@artsilva If I were to get one I'd pair it with the 15/21/35/70 limiteds. That would be cool. I already have the 21mm :)

[@artsilva]

@@EdwardMartinsPhotography Limited are for sure the ones to get it seems. Thanks for the tip.... how do you feel about the 20-40mm f2.8-4 limited for EDC? 30-60mm FF equiv. has always been like the most useful range in my experience.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

@@artsilva The 20-40 is a very nice lens. WR too.

[@JOSEKLRANGEL]

😂 man !!! Is really so difficult to see the differences My best guess is the A photos are the mono !!! But now that I turn 60 I’m enjoying so much film !!! I do have a GFX 100s !!! And a k3!! Is a big huge dilema !!!! Any way you go is going to be the right choice the difference will be $ !! Take care man

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

Wish I had the $$$'s. They're all great and love to have them all! But that really is the problem right there. $2200 and there's just not that big a difference. The tonality can be adjusted to almost match in post, the Monochrome just has a lot less noise, but I shoot at iso 200 for what I do anyway. Not sure I'd get $2200 worth of benefit from it.

[@RichardBO9]

Interesting video. I can’t really tell much difference. Based on the reflections in the door, I think A is the K3iii, B is the K1, and C is the Fuji. How does the K3 iii compare to Tri X? MPB has a K3iii with everything that comes with it, 2259 Shutter Count for $1299. I’ve had really good luck with them.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

That would be interesting, shoot the K3 III Monochrome against the MX with Tri-X... Hmmmm.

[@RoastBeefSandwich]

@@EdwardMartinsPhotography I'd go K3M against Delta 100 personally, but each to their own! ;)

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

Been looking at a lot of film shots vs the K3M. K3M still doesn't even come close. Though is it better than color sensor digital images.

[@TheScottab]

To give you an idea how much I love my K3iii Monochrome, I am considering getting a second body.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

I can understand that. The K3IIIM was enough to make start shooting my Pentax's again. It is that good.

[@sdhute]

I prefer OVF too however these days it’s hard to find a camera with one. I do like Pentax however wish the lenses were a little more modern.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

If I really had the money to fool around and was so inclined or had to start over for some reason, I'd probably give the D850 and the F lenses a go.

[@sdhute]

@@EdwardMartinsPhotography at this point like you mentioned it’s less about the technology. It’s more about the personal preferences. Peak camera is here for sure

[@michaels8607]

I will never sell my Pentax because it is superior to MOST out there.I find it crazy when people buy what they do not use...Love my full frame monster..

[@hoosierdome8698]

All look the same to me. I bought an Fuji XT-3 a year ago and haven't pickup my Pentax K3 since. I like the EVF, what you see is what you get and at 66 it easy on the eyes.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

If only Pentax made it into the modern Era. A Pentax mirror less would have been great. I do agree on the EVF being "old eyes" friendly. 🙂

[@mrpatrickkay61]

I guess B is the monocrome. I have one myself. Why buy film and scan and print when you have better in camera. The quality and dynamic range in the monocrome is sensational. I've always been a canon user for 45 years, now primarily use the mono

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

Not sure what happened with these shots. As I use the Monochrome more and more the differences are becoming much more easily discernible. For some reason these shots are hard to tell apart. C is the monochrome.

[@JimsPhotographyArt]

You should just get a GFX50Sii with the 35-70mm and shoot digital B&W with that. You'd be quite surprised how good the depth and tones are with the GFX. The B&W's are even more unique with some of these older (and reasonable priced) Pentax 645 lenses. Since getting the XT5 and this GFX I haven't even considered trying anything else and am completely content and enjoying these cameras. Heading to Old Car City junk yard in White, GA in a couple weeks with the GFX and some Pentax 645 lenses, can't wait to see the results I get!!!!!!!!!!!

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

I was actually planning on buying the GFX 100s and a few lenses until I learned that my sister decided to steal my $190,000 inheritance after she convinced my dad to write me out of his will and leave everything to her before he died... That's family for you. I got that news beginning of September. Not that I'm not doing OK financially, but that just made it a little harder to arbitrarily throw money around. So I'm going to make do with my great XT5, XH2 and shoot more film. Still thinking about keeping the K3M though.

[@JimsPhotographyArt]

@@EdwardMartinsPhotography That's odd, my sister did the same damn thing right before my Dad died in 2009! I almost bought the 100s but instead got a great deal on a used 50Sii, it's honestly a beast for being 50mp, I'm perfectly happy with it. (I doubt my computer could handle 100s files).

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

@@JimsPhotographyArt WOW. Must be a photographer thing. Oh well, I have a great life and she is one of the most miserable people I know, what you sow, so shall ye reap. Nigel Danson has an interesting recent video where he tested 21mp Nikon apsc vs Z8 vs HB 100mp cameras. Reaffirms that the 40mp sensor is all I need. :) I still would have enjoyed giving a GFX a try though. Maybe if my Oregon Lottery retirement fund tickets pan out.... 🙂🙂

[@JimsPhotographyArt]

@@EdwardMartinsPhotography The XT5 and the 50Sii is a marriage made in heaven. They pair great together and the files are rather quite similar. 50Sii files have the edge of course in processing, especially in fine detail and color depth/tones. (to the trained eye using specific lenses). The GFX almost makes me feel like I'm shooting film again, especially when using the full manual Pentax-A 645 lenses. These two Fuji cameras have boosted my "photography spirit". I'll check out Nigal's recent video, he's a good guy and I enjoy his videos.

[@robertsaunders5740]

I have been considering the K3 mono. On my laptop the K3 image "C" is better. I have been trying my point and shoots in monochrome and my Pentax bridge camera looks very good and perhaps my thrift store Nikon point and shoot is better for black cars at car shows. I have several 35mm film Cameras and my RB67 camera but no longer a darkroom.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

As you know, and are probably doing, you can always develop film in a bathroom and scan it. :) I'm not saying your right, but what is it about the "C" images that made you pick them?

[@robertsaunders5740]

@@EdwardMartinsPhotography on my laptop they look richer or more black. However on one image the red sign with the line, the color went away so I preferred the middle range image. Most of the building light color images looked better in mid tones. Also the quality of the screens that viewers are using may show different.

[@epstar83]

Been fun to watch this experiment Ed. I went through a similar experience about 3 years ago after picking up a 2nd hand Leica M246 Monochrom. I haven’t looked back, and ended up going further down the rabbit hole with an 2nd hand M10M Monochrom. Whether the the added detail and micro contrast of a monochrome camera is of any value can certainly be debated. But what can’t be debated for me is the experience of using dedicated monochrome cameras, it puts me in a certain frame of mind that a colour digital camera just doesn’t. Also similarly to an SLR, an actual optical viewfinder on the rangefinder is so much more comfortable for me to use than an EVF. If I had the time I would probably only shoot film, mostly B&W. But I travel a heck of a lot for work and the monochrome camera is the only digital that provides something close to the film shooting experience. That was enough of a motivation in my own personal case.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

I agree, judging fine aspects of photographs on different screens is futile. It's like using different papers for an art print limited edition. One of the many downsides to digital photography we somehow have just come to accept.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

That's one of the things I'm weighing in the decision to continue or not with this camera. I do have the time to shoot film, and $2200 buys A LOT of film....

[@ashleyblack327]

Sorry Ed, my old eyes are unable to spot the difference. I would list the XT5=A, K3M=B and K1=C purely on the grounds of distortion at the edges of the Limited lenses. I've been using my Fuji's for the past year or so but on the rare occasion when I pick up the K1 it's as though I've been using it daily for the past month, the handling is just superb, plus GPS. It's like picking up a forty year-old MX, so intuitive.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

The K1 is a pleasure to use for sure. I don't shoot street stuff, but this was a good test for me and showed me that the K3M is more for shooting at higher iso's and low light stuff. It really is phenomenal at high iso's with the lowest noise iv;e seen in any digital sensor. However as cool as that is, it's not really useful for my use case. But I could see where for the right photographer this is really an awesome thing. I also love my MX's. 👍👍

[@RoastBeefSandwich]

Ed when you picked up that roll of tri-x I had the same thought tbh…shooting monochrome is definitely special but the output is a big deal too…I know you’ve got a big boy printer so I’m sure your monochrome prints look great…but as good as a wet print?

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

Nothing that I've seen printed digitally can equal a darkroom print when you nail it. But it's a lot easier to make a lot of really really good digital prints. And no one really cares or is buying darkroom prints anyway. I think the real reality of the situation is photography as an art is dead, just enjoy it for your own satisfaction. At least that's what I try to keep telling myself.

[@RoastBeefSandwich]

@@EdwardMartinsPhotography Right, this is all for us. It's a hobby. You can shoot a wedding on an iPhone and get the prints made at Walgreens and the family will be perfectly happy with the results.

[@sdhute]

Shooting street that k3 iii mono would for for itself. Especially for those who send everything out for development

[@motorbikesgary]

Great video thank you. I was wondering about the monochrome, I have a k3 and an xt30. I don't think there's enough difference to justify the money in my case, and I'm guessing b is the full frame k1 from the detail and clarity, with photos a the k3. I think the b photos edge it but that's personal obviously.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

There is a difference, but is it enough, and particularly at base ISO's? At any ISO over 800-1600 the monochrome absolutely is the clear winner.

[@vlcheish]

​@@EdwardMartinsPhotography I dont own a monochrome camera, but as an outside observer one big benefit to the K3 monochrome would be the ability possibly not need to deal with a tripod in almost any lighting situation. One thing I noticed on view high res photos from it online is the noise is much more pleasant at high ISOs over color cameras. Even ignoring the fact there is less noise, but the noise itself actually works for the black and white photos. I mean it's common people add in grain in their color converted photos because it's too clinical looking but I noticed there was some high ISO k3 photos at 25000-51000 ISO area that look good with the noise.... almost more like film. Anyway Im trying to justified the K3 lol as I already own Pentax glass. It's just very expensive for what it is. I feel like $1600 would be much more fair of a price but it's niche and Pentax knows that.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

@@vlcheishIt's taken me a long time to figure this all out. The problem with the K3 M is that it is a fine art camera but not in a fine art medium. Digital is not a fine art medium, it has no soul. Film has soul. Obviously a much bigger topic, and the subject of my next video...

[@michelk5]

A K1. B XT5. C K3. I watched the video on a cell phone though so I am not sure for A and B but C looks sharper and contrasty. I like the rendering of C camera! Hope I am wrong and C is XT5 so you can sell the rest 😂

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

There's no question at 200% on my screen which is which. The XT5 is the most noisy, the K1 next and the K3M has no noise. Where iso 1600 is about my limit on the XT5, the K1 might go to 3200 and the K3M is cleaner at ISO 50,000 than both of them. The monochrome sensor is a low light monster. Unfortunately I have very little use for that attribute for the work I do. As for tonality with about 30 seconds in post adjusting the Highlights, mid, shadows and blacks I can can come close enough to the K3M tonality for what I want. If I really want to make sure I get film like tonality, I'll just shoot film. Problem solved and $2200 saved. Don't get me wrong the K3M is fantastic if you need it's specific set of talents. But overall, the XT5 and XH2 are hard to beat. I'm not continuing with the Pentax for the same reason I didn't continue with the Sony or Nikon FF's, not enough (or any) gains for the money, weight, and size and sacrifices. After all, it's only digital, and not real photography anyway... :)

[@michelk5]

@@EdwardMartinsPhotography when I want to shoot black and white I shoot film too. + I love the process of developing film.

[@Pentaxenstein]

I appreciate your work and channel, always have. I'm sticking with Pentax - to be different. Fuji, meh ( no offense )

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

If 70% of what I did these days were not video, I'd have stuck with Pentax too. But Fuji is a lot less "meh" than everyone else's new cameras... 🙂 And I like what Fuji is doing better than the new Ricoh-ized Pentax's. (K3-3)

[@imagenatura]

The resale on the Monochrome will be higher. Just a point. B is the monochrome; don't care for the other ones.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

I did think of that. Might be a tough sell, small market. But then again Pentax underestimated demand too.

[@imagenatura]

@@EdwardMartinsPhotography Honestly, I cannot imagine it going under $1500... possibly forever. They won't come out with another one; Leica's cost WAY more; there will always be a "curious Joe" out there. Any of the other cameras are not in the same case, losing 20% or more a year.

[@pamelahooper7851]

Hi, enjoying the B&W trials Mr M. So, although A and B are similar, photos B do seem to have the more detail. In all C images there seems to be some highlight detail missing - that would annoy the heck out of me. Couldn't say which is which though.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

Thank you Pamela. At 200% the differences are very clear. The XT5 has the most noise, the K1 less so and the K3M has no noise at all. But at anything less than iso 800, or printing smaller than 16x20 I'm not sure there's any point to shooting with the monochrome. The tonality can be mostly matched with careful post processing. But high iso's and low light, a bayer of XTrans sensor can't touch it. Cheers!

[@pamelahooper7851]

Oh Hi, Sorry that I don't know specs & techs. However, I enjoy the flexibility of Affinity Photo's B&W conversion in Develop Persona, so I use that when I think a photo might lend itself to B&W. Even if I was awash with dosh I probably wouldn't get the monochrome as it would just be another bit of equipment to deal with.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

@@pamelahooper7851 That's kinda where I'm at with it too. It's really cool, but just another thing to deal with. 🙂

[@pamelahooper7851]

Incidentally, being able to drastically change an image in affinity b&w conversion seems to indicate how much the pixel is affected by the initial conversion to colour. Apologies, I am rambling.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

@@pamelahooper7851 Converting colors to b&w is pretty dodgy, the computer in the camera is guessing, and when we get it into Affinity or such, we are guessing too. Yes it is within the realm of possibilities to get an image with impact from almost infinite choices, but in my experience it's much easier to get or make impactful b&w images if you start from a point of accurate tones to begin with. And no apologies necessary Pamela, always a pleasure! 🙂👍👍

[@paultaylor2589]

A: Fuji X-T5 - B: Pentax K3iiiM - C: Pentax K1ii - just my opinion.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

Almost... it's really hard to tell though.

[@craig4297]

Did you decide to keep the K3iiiM or send it back?

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

Still doing the cost/benefit analysis... 🙂

[@craig4297]

Good luck with your decision@@EdwardMartinsPhotography

[@tomsun3159]

I think the value decrease for a Pentax is not that big difference compaired to Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji,... Not that there isn't a huge decrease in resale vaslue after buying a Pentax, BUT if you buy a Sony or another brand and you want to trade in, they also have a big price decrease. The BIG advantage of the Pentax Ecosystem is the usage of lots of lenses, and the cameras are way cheaper the the concurrents. I just bought a K1-II in a forum deal at a dealer at 1399€ including a 35/2,0 lens, so i think if i would sell this camera in a year (what i don't think i would do) the risk of loosing money is more or less minimized. If you look at the prices for used K1 Mark1 they are still dealed at a reasonable price. There is only one downside (or is it in fact anadvantage?) Pentax does not throw every year a new model on the market and decreases value of the old model. And as i have some FF-usable lenses from my K70 it is not that big deal compared to a total system switch. The body is just 1/3 of the system costs.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

I think I exaggerated a wee bit... The loss isn't 50%. But it is more like 25%. With Pentax it would just be a slower sale than for a Fuji, Nikon or Canon: larger user bases. The thing I don't understand is that used gear is relatively cheap now, but everything is about to double in price soon. It has to. Fuji announced a 10-30% increase in the Japanese market Jan 1st. And my grocery bill is double to triple what it was 8 months ago. I'm really expecting new camera prices to go up sharply after this year.

[@KnightlyHouse]

interesting. so the fuji was the widest at 50mm ff equiv, the k1 next at 43mm, then the k3 mff equiv at 46mm. i'd keep the pentax m, we all know fuji sucks in low light

[@danieleaccardo2217]

A k3 B Fuji C k1

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

It really is hard to tell. They are all very close at base ISO's.

[@philippegiorgionizzola1799]

Edward, you seem to have a wife-mistress issue there...:-)) Who is the wife? Fuji... and the mistress Pentax...? So who's faithful ? Good luck !

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

LOL... American women don't go for that kind of thing, unfortunately. :)

[@ironmonkey1512]

I don't want to shoot film regardless of cost.