Pentax K-3 III Monochrome Review: Why Does THIS Exist!?

[@kokliangchew3609]

I cut my photograph teeth on black and white photo film in the 1970s, when it was still cheaper here in Malaysia than colour film stock. I still remember that you really had be careful of lighting, more so than colour film. Ironically, my black and white photos still look pristine whereas my colour photos of the same age have faded drastically.

[@shootermcgavin4999]

teeth?

[@robert_may]

The only disappointment with this is that it doesn't have a retro body to go with it. Pentax would have a total winner on their hands with a classic MX-style camera, especially as it'd still be a DSLR and have decades of nice Pentax lenses to chuck on it. I feel like the majority of people buying a monochrome camera are likely to be street shooters, and they tend to want something fairly stylish 😅

[@Globetrotter-1]

The Pentax LX with a digital sensor would be even better...

[@robert_may]

@@Globetrotter-1 Ooh yes. I dunno why I always forget about that model. Lovely camera.

[@kalinmir]

you cant fit the electronics in mx body...I have kinda beheaded MX with the MX-1 (point'n'shoot) and I bought it just for the aesthetics 😅...it has rubber all over it and the top and bottom casings brass with use 😍

[@jw48335]

They'll never allocate the research and development money it would require to produce such a camera, and fit again into that form factor would be impossible unless they moved to mirrorless.

[@annekedebruyn7797]

@@dreadnoughtandcrow Have you just learned what inane means and just use it on every comment thread? Current Fujifilm is thriving to the point that you cannot get their most cameras anymore because retro bodies are so it makes sense that people want a body from a manufacturer who already has a lot of experience with design retro styled bodies and lenses like the Limited series. If you feel like that's "inane" you should probably hold off that moonshine because YOU are the one not thinking straight here.

[@drthompson65]

I really want this camera. Do I need it? No but want it yes. I shoot a lot of street at night and concert to monochrome in post. This system would be nice for the Dynamic Range it offers. Bravo to Pentax for listening to the user base and taking the chance on this camera. You are right, a K1 monochrome would be killer!

[@montanostjules312]

I actually have a K1 monochrome. Wasn't cheap but I had a K1 converted to pure monochrome. It is killer!! as you said. 👌

[@fallyn2920]

Pentax. The company that doesn't wonder why, but only why not. Parented by Ricoh, another company that happily supports the weird. I'm just an utter fan. BW SLR? Love it. I wish i had the money.

[@bekanav]

You can shoot in black and white on many DSLRs, but since it's much better to convert afterward, it doesn't make much sense to do it in-camera. A color sensor allows you to adjust different channels when converting to black-and-white and that is huge benefit. If a monochrome camera doesn’t offer that kind of flexibility it can't produce as good black-and-white images as a standard DSLR, or it don't allow you to express your own view of the tonality of the subject. Modern DSLRs allow you to create black-and-white photos far better than what old masters like Adams, Cartier-Bresson, or Salgado could have ever dreamed of. Even the cheapest cameras from 10-15 years ago can achieve this.

[@fallyn2920]

@@bekanav like i said, pentax is weird and i love it.

[@bekanav]

@@fallyn2920 Nothing wrong with that. I still have some manual SMC Takumar lenses and MX camera, they are great

[@geofff6671]

The fact that you can't afford it is the issue. How many people will invest in a dedicated b&w slr and likely another lens system, given pentax's small user base.

[@fallyn2920]

@@geofff6671 see thats why i love pentax. They do stuff that often doesnt seem to make sense and somehow they keep their head above water anyway.

[@mrpatrickkay61]

Taken the best photos of my life with this camera, I love it

[@tomw0815]

For me the benefit of a monochrom camera is the experience of the end-to-end black/white workflow. You have to think in bw, use filters like with fillm and you are never spoilt with a colour image on the way.

[@jlwilliams]

Zo, it is ze discipline zat you vant? You vish to submit yourself to a synthetic-leather-clad monochrom dominatrix?

[@jimmason8502]

@@jlwilliams You can shoot all the Fuji digital cameras in B&W and the image in the viewfinder is also B&W.

[@michelecintramika8482]

@@jimmason8502 Canon R6 Mark II too.

[@sethwoodworth4504]

Thank you for continuing to cover Pentax!

[@Sullyg406]

I don’t understand why people that wouldn’t buy this camera anyway have to comment on how bad a choice this camera would be for anyone else. Unless you have tried the camera you really don’t know anything about it. I am a Sony fanboy and I love this camera. It is a whole different way of shooting photography. I think that a lot of people can’t afford multiple cameras so they have to bad mouth whatever they can’t afford. It is a niche camera for,sure- not for everyone, but in the right hands the images are awesome.

[@michelecintramika8482]

I would have sold a lot more if it had been at GRIII

[@ds89421]

The sharpness advantage comes from the lack of interpolation. When each photosite contains all the information, you get the actual 25mp out of your 25mp sensor, instead of 12.5-6.25mp (12.5 for green and 6.25 for red/blue) you'd get from a full-color sensor with bayer filter in front of it.

[@andreasoberg2021]

The sharpness advantage is there on mono senaors but it is very small. The reduced noise is a big improvement however

[@tubularificationed]

@ds, you can't do a naive sharpness calculation. Modern color demosaicking isn't just "interpolating", it is a sophisticated fully edge-preserving algorithm. Therefore, there's no (relevant) sharpness gain for a mono sensor. I think this is also the very reason why Foveon (=every pixel has every color) never had a chance in the market against Bayer mosaics. Synthesizing full color from Bayer, while preserving all sharpness, is simply too good today. @andreasoberg2021 Keep in mind, that Pentax mono seems to do strong denoising cheating of its RAW files. Such cheating was already (mathematically) analyzed and confirmed for the color K-3 III, but now it seems as if this denoising may have reached an all-time high? Not formally analyzed yet AFAIK (because nobody among the "smart guys" is interested in looking at this camera, Pentax is dead for the majority of the photo community). But as a precaution, any simple naive visual A/B noise comparison would need to keep such in mind.

[@ds89421]

@@andreasoberg2021 are you saying that 2-4x improvement is resolution is small?

[@deliciousjammusic]

What a bizarre way to talk about resolution. Complete nonsense

[@bartjeej]

You're wayyyyyyyyy overestimating the sharpness difference that interpolation makes. It's absolutely not as if a Bayer sensor has no resolving power at all within a 2x2 Bayer block. Check out the DPReview comparison tool for the Leica Monochrom cameras to confirm this.

[@stephensmith1509]

Might be fun to use this camera for astro! No need for colour in that context, and that extra shadow boost and sharpness would be clutch

[@stevesharkey3312]

I often set the picture style in my canon to monochrome. The view finder and back screen display b&w but if you shoot raw you still get the full colour pictures if you want them. Some of my favourite photos have come this was probably because I’m not distracted by colour and am more “focussed” on contrast, texture, composition.

[@Zetaphotography]

Not the same

[@michelecintramika8482]

@@Zetaphotography I have a Canon R6 Mark II and I made my black and white recipe with Picture Style. And I delete the EXIF from the photo and put it as Leica Monochrom. And everyone believes it. Because there is no way to really know in which camera it was taken. I even put the name and configuration of the fake leica lens. 😁

[@Answersonapostcard]

@@Zetaphotography but a lot cheaper

[@ronaldjohnston7989]

Yup, there's a real reason to purchase a monochrome camera. Excellent review and insight...as always. Thank you!

[@danculberson]

A Ricoh GR with this sensor would be a dream.

[@alexk7046]

WHY DID YOU PUT THIS WISH IN MY HEAD!!!

[@patrickjclarke]

I love, if for nothing else, that Pentax is the only other camera maker to have the guts to do things that their fan base asks for. I have almost bought the K33 Mono a few times, but since I don't own any Pentax glass, it's just never made sense (I mainly shoot Leica M240). Now, a Ricoh GR 4 Mono? I'd be all over that like stink on a skunk.

[@kalinmir]

cheap film era glass could work...but I guess it depends on your uses

[@JustinWatson23]

They are doing what some of their fanbase wanted. Which is fine. I'm moving over to Fuji and wish Pentax the best with the niches they are chasing. Fuji chased the niches i was hoping Pentax were going to go for over the past 20 years and have diverged from recently. I'm glad this monochrome camera exists for those who wanted it. Its just a shame they seem to have stopped developing a lot of other aspects of their lineup and i feel they spread themselves thin, trying to chase everything, like digital MF, fullframe, and now a film camera.

[@martintretjak1396]

put some of the limited series in front of it and it's a beautiful thing

[@alistairlambert3275]

Agreed, a totally bonkers camera. They are the Citroen of the camera world!

[@chuheihkg]

no no no no. Pentax may be the third entity who put NON-COMPROMISED monochrome CMOS on camera body. I firstly know leica maybe the first entity who makes something like that.

[@LeeIveson]

Love the idea of using those colour filters! I was a little thrown off at first looking through the viewfinder & expecting to see black & white (brain fade moment I know) but I quickly got my head around that & started to look purely for how the light & shadows fell in a scene. Overall I was very surprised by the K3iii Monochrome in a good way, I defiantly think it's a great camera for refining your photography but also just to enjoy the process again.

[@HusbandnWifeDuo]

Well said!

[@chuheihkg]

Before this, I used to be a huawei P9 user, maybe that entity is the first company who tries using monochrome CMOS for beauty? The output knew, just like using actual monochrome negatives . I have read some reviews from others, Before sigmaphoto solves her problem, I may rely on Pentax(R).

[@Russellhawker]

What this video does highlight is how epic the G9 II is. What stunning quality video.

[@Needacreate]

Gotta love the audacity with which Ricoh brought this project to fruition. Also, commend them for putting it into an exceptionally well-designed body, which the camera shares with the regular K-3 Mark III.

[@michelecintramika8482]

I would have sold a lot more if it had been at GRIII

[@thebitterfig9903]

A monochrome K1 would probably be a big hit… K1-iii with the improved AF and firmware of the K3iii, a sensor with possibly the current 36mp or maybe 45mp, available in Bayer Color or monochrome. It’d be a fantastic tool for exploring classic Pentax primes, but also powerful landscape tool with the robust body, that flexible rear screen, and a lot of good DFA* AW zooms.

[@piyastudios]

Thank you for the review. I bought mine back in June and never looked back. No regrets; I love my K3iiiMono.

[@kyleparks4528]

I always like it when you're nice to pentax

[@ronbokje6213]

I’m glad that you where making the comparison with the K1, have that one and now I don’t have to upgrade. Love that full frame with all my old lenses.

[@recreationalplutonium]

upgrade? that k3 would be a downgrade

[@chuheihkg]

That depends on what you need. If you like looking for actual monochrome style, you may get that body just like you load T-max negatives to your old-school camera.

[@namenloserflo]

@@recreationalplutonium well.. bigger is not always better

[@pafaccount4454]

Lmao, what are you on about about? The K3iii is faster, has better SR, autofocus, electronic shutter, eye detect in ovf, and on and on and on. I get maybe you prefer FF, but not everyone does. The new K3 is an absolute upgrade.

[@ronbokje6213]

@@pafaccount4454 my dad has the K3 III, why. do I need a fast autofocus with manual lenses. never needed eye detection and never I had a. need for a electronic shutter. the K1 mqartII is all I need in a camera. I do lots of macro with bellows, and there is one thing I sometimes think that would be good to have is focus stacking in camera. if that' would be a reason to get a autofocus macro lens and upgrade. I uses lenses I used when I was around 10, 42 years ago, I know exactly what I will see when I put it on my full frame. tried the K3 from my dad and I can't get use to having a total divergent focal lengt. like to shoot with my 20mm from 1977 and on. a crop sensor it is not what I'm looking for. And it is most of the time not the gear that's makes the best pictures, its the photographer 😀

[@pelham8910]

Pentax is a great camera "company" that has made some great products. It would be good if people bought it enough to allow further R&D.

[@notScissors]

Just took it on a landscape photo trip--the camera performed well, and it was such a fun experience to be committed to black and white.

[@highlander200107]

Some wonderful points you make, thank you Chris & Jordan.

[@photologic5900]

Long time Pentax shooter, the only reason I don't own one of these yet is that I have my fingers crossed for a mono version of the imminent K1 III! That would be an amazing mono camera.

[@TheScottab]

Two thoughts, if you started into B&W film photography in the film only era. You learned to see in B&W, so seeing the subject in color through the OVF is no big deal. Second if you want a pure monochrome camera the K3iii is very affordable compared to the Leica options. Absolutely love my copy.

[@chuheihkg]

Huawei P9 was a good thing due to monochrome cmos. Before sigmaphoto solves her problem, need something no time, pentax shall be my main choice.

[@tamasnemeth2161]

I am lucky to be able to shoot black and white images using a full frame medium format device (it is a Phase One IQ4 150 Achromatic), and I love it. I don't know about smaller colorless (I prefer not to use the monochromatic phrase as these cameras don't produce a single bit of chromatic information) sensors, but this one has an additional benefit of lacking not just the CFA, but the hot mirror, so one can use it to take really nice high contrast infrared images (remember, the Phase One has real 16bit raw files). The ISO advantage Chris was mentioning stands only until you attach a color filter, as it will by design cut off some of the light. The effect is quite the opposite in real life to be honest, because of the non-discriminating quality of the usual CFA attached to a regular color sensor (loosing one stop only) and the regular color filters which tends to loose more than one stop (the lightest yellow is around 1 stop). Still, this camera is a really nice way to get into the digital black and white photography, so I'm happy that it exists.

[@callauzen]

Glad to see Ricoh getting into the monochrome game. A bit surprised by the choice of the K3. A monochrome GR would be a no-brainer/preorder-on-day-one. I would seriously consider buying a monochrome K1 thanks to the appeal of vintage k-mount lenses. But it's 2023 and, as Sony FE and Leica M user, i don't feel like investing into investing into an APS-C system.

[@lsaideOK]

I think your black and white walk around photography is excellent, rising above what you get with standard color cameras. Which is also nice. Probably you but I may be biased towards black and white. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@mariobnc1995]

In the test that the promirrorless KZbin channel did they pushed the camera up to 12800 Iso and you don't see any grain problems. It's a bit shameful that in this video it didn't go beyond 1600 the sensor is nothing short of incredible It also holds the highlights better than Leica's monochrome sensor and it's an APSC against a Full Frame

[@tubularificationed]

JPEG or RAW? if latter, this would be due to cheating in-camera (massive denoising of RAW files). Pentax does that with all their later models, and it seems getting worse (stronger) with every model. Probably particularly strongly with B&W now.

[@mariobnc1995]

@@tubularificationed raw check promirrorless K3 monochrome

[@sondirobianto1548]

OMG Finally, the long waited

[@hammettl]

I love that alley shot Jordan. Nice composition and exposure on that one!

[@crimlarksSteve]

Chris, I was amazed at how many times and how fast you said K-3 III Monochrome without a single mistake! I got tongue-tied just listening. Great video, guys.

[@gregl.7465]

I'm very interested in this camera as a potential black and white landscape shooter. From what I've seen from this review and others, this camera produces higher quality B&W files than what you would get in a color conversion. Very attractive for exploring the classic B&W landscape aesthetic.

[@audioupgrades]

Yes, the sharper and cleaner image makes it more akin to large format cameras in film terms.

[@thebitterfig9903]

This and the DA* 16-50/2.8 PLM would be an amazing landscape kit. Tilting screen like the K1 would be nice, but there’s a tonne of potential with the small WR kit. A shame there isn’t an updated DA* 50-135 with a better focus motor than the finicky SDM.

[@southendsites]

Pentax is one of the great camera companies... Glad Pentax keeps going and You cover Them.

[@polacofederos]

what i would like to see is a K-1 mark III with the features of K3 III... i would definitley buy such a thing

[@kalinmir]

the latest news is that its is in development but not coming out in the very short term...it's probably their next dslr body but who knows if they'll make a film body before that

[@lordovravens]

@@kalinmir I'm a Pentax fanboy, but only God knows what they are up to. Earlier a french(?) Pentax representative said the film camera is coming spring '24, then Pentax told the media there is no exact time when and if they release a film camera. IDK if K1 mk III is in development, the only time i've read speculations about it is when a dude on pentaxforums wrote that he left his K1 mk II on top of his car and it only fell off when he was driving at 60kmph. When he recovered it the back lcd was broken off, but the camera was still functioning so he sent it to the service(i believe in Australia) and they informed him that they don't have spare parts for the screen assembly. This part shortage sparked speculations about Pentax maybe about to release the K1 mk III. I really want Pentax to be succesfull. I think they should focus on specs that would appeal to a larger buyer base then people who are already married to them. They should beef up the video capabilities and autofocus. They should improve their phase detect autofocus and tracking as well. Honestly their autofocus(both in tracking and coverage) should be better than Nikon D500's/Canon 7D's and also the buffer depth should be comparable, because realistically Pentax is mostly competing with older second hand mid to higher end Nikon and Canon DSLRs. For example even though i want it over them, but the K-3 mk III should have obliterated the D500 and the 7D mkII in every aspect, but it didn't and it is more expensive plus there are less Pentax lenses that are capable of fast continous focusing. If they would up the video specs and LV autofocus, their cameras would be more appealing to hybrid shooters who otherwise prefer an OVF for photography and basically to anyone. This shouldn't be a more or less total sacrifice of video and LV shooting. And they have to update their lens line up too. I use screw drive lenses and i'm OK with that, but honestly they should have introduce a bunch of PLM lenses and not only in the higher price tiers(also I'm pissed about SDM). Those would be modern lenses in Pentax terms, but for anyone else these are called...lenses. Also their processing. I think it came up at the K-1 review's comments on imaging-resource, that Pentax has the worst JPGs...until you turn of NR and sharpening, then it becomes the best. They should adress this as well. I like the JPGs out of my K-S2 and K10D, but Pentax should be the best without any tricks. I want to emphasise: I'm a Pentax fanboy.

[@guyjordan8201]

A great demonstration of the resolution hit we get with one shot color in bayer filter. Still mourning the fate of Pentax.

[@jlwilliams]

More of a demonstration of the resolution hit we get because Pentax chooses to bake noise reduction into the raw files of their Bayer camera, but don't let me stand in the way of your altar...

[@guyjordan8201]

@@jlwilliams - aren't we full of ourselves

[@jamesmlodynia8757]

I have been using Pentax DSLR's for 15 years, my first DSLR was a Pentax K100D super and l purchased many others over the years. My favorites include the Kp, all k3 cameras and my K1 MKII, the only k3 I don't have is the monochrome version, I placed a pre order for the monochrome k3 and got shut out, they sold out of the first run and as the months went by B&H photo still had them listed on back ordered so plenty people bought them, but things happen for a reason I gave up on the camera and then Nikon released the ZF and it was not a dedicated B&W camera but it was something I wanted to round out my collection of Pentax ,Olympus, Panasonic and Fujifilm cameras , the ZF is a classic retro style camera and it reminds me of my Uncle's Nikon film camera, I paired the ZF with the Z6II and they compliment the other cameras I have perfectly, I enjoy using different cameras and glass and that has kept photography fresh for me for many years.

[@maxhammick948]

3:05 the gauntlet is down for a mirrorless camera maker to join the BW camera game - a Zfb or Zfcb would be an easy parts bin camera for nikon to put out

[@jub8891]

it looks beautiful

[@gatesbuster]

can't wait for the Ricoh GR III or IV to come hopefully with a monochrome sensor. Street photography in B&W is my thing

[@highlander200107]

My guess will be the IV, as the jump in megapixels will mean it will have to be a different model than the GR III/IIIx; but I also would be very welcome to see monochrome versions of the GR series.

[@mg-leisure-monochrome]

@@highlander200107 debayered versions of all GR aps-c sensors are available on demand

[@BobK58]

Pentax getting some love!

[@vincents.6639]

I've been waiting for this review 👍

[@NWPipeSmoker]

I had to go full-screen and 4k to see the difference in the details - but WOW! Foveon levels of detail. You might look into the rumors of Sony working on a Foveon-like sensor (full-frame 126mp). I'm hoping that is more than a rumor and perhaps Sigma could license that (or license to Sony some Foveon patent concepts) rather than expend more resources on the Foveon full-frame sensor.

[@HusbandnWifeDuo]

Love from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada! We watched it yesterday on our TV when a few viewers had watched it. Just wanted to say that lots of professionals have basic version of cameras to have basic fun with. K-3 iii Monochrome is a camera that serious photographers should have to have serious fun with.

[@jimmason8502]

It costs over $3000 taxes in, I'll have a lot of fun with my Fujis in B&W for free.

[@HusbandnWifeDuo]

@@jimmason8502 That is why I said "lots of professionals have basic version of cameras to have basic fun with."

[@jennifercall9014]

Great video. Love the form and function of the video work.

[@cmcalgary]

I'm honestly surprised I haven't seen you guys filming videos downtown yet.

[@PetaPixel]

If you ever do, be sure to say hi!

[@halokiller711]

at 6:00 wow the detail retained!

[@xanedan4565]

I'm really loving that black and white video out of the G9-II

[@cutecoots]

Panasonic G9 II? Tell me more? 😊

[@xanedan4565]

@@cutecoots They used it to film the video, it seems to have become Jordan's new go-to run and gun cam. One of the new color profiles on it is "Leica Monochrom" which is a really pleasing high contrast black and white tuned by Leica. I would venture a guess that's the color profile Jordan was using here. I'm still getting to know my G9II (I usually shoot birds, and it released at the beginning of the winter after most had migrated out of my area) but I did set one of the custom buttons to swap color profiles to Leica Monochrom.

[@cutecoots]

@@xanedan4565 thanks a lot, quite interesting. What do you use to save the videos onto? Ssd or sd? I saw a Ssd mount on Aliexpress that fits under the tripod thread. But it's sold out, didnt find anything like this anymore. Do you have an idea or are you just using sd cards?

[@ianroe1076]

This camera looks like a lot of fun and a great experience. I wish it were full frame, but only because I would love to be able to (faithfully) adapt old lenses onto something like this. Unfortunately, it does make me want one of the Monochrom Leica's.

[@Zetaphotography]

Buy a Leica Monochrom

[@TheIppoippo]

What I'd love is a Fujifilm GFX Mono. The older 50Mp sensor would be sufficient, so a "GFX50R II Mono" or "GFX50S II Mono". But, it seems that Fujifilm has finally got through it's stock of the old 50Pm sensor, and will only be using the 100Mp going forwards. I proposed the 50Mp sensor, because it would keep the costs down on what would be a specialist camera. It's be a nice second body if you were already invested in the GFX system. The 100Mp sensor would probably push the costs into a region that would make it harder for people to justify as a second body, and too many people prefer the flexibility of colour.

[@sierragold]

Try the "Acros" b&w setting on the GFX.... it's stunning!

[@TheIppoippo]

@@sierragoldI use it already, but only to pre-visualize monchrome shots while taking them, if my probably intention is to have them as mono. But, once I get the RAWs to Capture One, I'll B/W edit my own way. (I don't intend to shoot JPG) And that's beside the point. The goal of getting a real monochrome version is to get the additional sharpness, and dynamic range from the loss of the colour array.

[@ulfjonsson2122]

As always, a great video

[@GrainOnTheGo]

As someone who frequently uses black and white film, and sees people complain about monochrome cameras as compared to just desaturating an image there absolutely is a difference on monochrome sensors. If you shoot black and white all the time this is the camera for you. If not then it’s not. Simple as. If I had the money I’d get it.

[@jordanlaine7412]

Nah, I'd rather convert a used a7iii for abut the same price.

[@JACKnJESUS]

Only photographers see any difference. Notice how many times folks have to announce what gear they use...to plant the seed of appreciation. ..otherwise few would even notice or care. You have to tell folks you are shooting in monochrome...folks have to announce they are using a Leica...etc...to receive positive reinforcement...which is mainly artificial.

[@HappyHubris]

I would enjoy seeing double-blind testing of a collection of monochrome images vs. a collection of desaturated images. Without the photographer in the room announcing their gear, my guess is that there would be no material difference.

[@jordanlaine7412]

@@JACKnJESUS Removing the color filter array makes the sensor see light differently, you might not notice the difference on the internet but you absolutely will notice it on a large print!

[@GrainOnTheGo]

@@HappyHubris at a professional level the way monochrome sensors see light is different to color sensors. That being said, I don't know of anyone professionally shooting monochrome cameras exclusively.

[@kiwijonowilson]

Love the idea. I'm mostly geared up with a K-1 and so can't really justify going for this but I still love the idea! Maybe I will get one on the second hand market at some point.

[@lelanddyer9461]

Shame they didn’t get you the 16-50 PLM lens

[@AnthonyAdrianAcker]

This sounds like an amazing concert camera. My a7iii was my choice when I bought a new camera in 2019 and I shoot it often in monochrome.

[@SummersSnaps]

Yeh, but only certain concerts. I do sounds sensitive stuff like orchestra and need to be utterly silent. The clack of the mirror and subpar LV experience (compared to mirrorless) is what holds me back. As soon as another competitor brand bring out an affordable mirrorless mono camera (stacked sensor pls!) I will be all over it.

[@ScottJWaldron]

A bit odd they didn't put this in a GR first, but overall a pretty neat camera! My guess would be due to no sensor with the combination of PDAF and monochrome.

[@NetvoTV]

Stay with DSLR is quite a smart move, it's just that hope they will able to stay in business until the time when DSLR is like Leica M rangefinder where it make no sense to exist practically but it make sense to exist for these who want the classic experience with some of the benefits from the classic bodies!

[@fotosapient]

Learn something every time watching Chris & Jordan. Keep it up boyz

[@zerixos]

I love monochrome, even more than I thought i would. I shoot a lot of analog, and black and white film is lovely to shoot. But since I got the Nikon ZF i really enjoy flipping that camera in its black and white modes, with a ficsical switch. Anyway, I think Pentax is an awsome brand for coming up with a aps-c black and white only camera. I really appriciate that they stick with DSLR and I hope that atleast a few people get to enjoy them. The first Digital SLR I shot was a Pentax and even though it was a cheap camera (ist DL2) it felt better then its competitors.

[@vikdaddy]

"ficsical" 😂

[@chuheihkg]

I also love that monochrome style, I wonder if there are better ways for one thousand shots.

[@larryzapata2614]

A retro body k1000 monochrome even if it's the 36 megapixel from the k1 in monochrome Pentax would sell out for years!

[@marcp.1752]

The question is pure clickbait. Because it was being demanded, hence therefore it does *exist* ! Ask a Leica M Monochrom (M9, Typ 246, Q or Q2, Q3 monochrom, M10 or M11 monochrom User, why it exist ! Simply as that. Because it does *make* sense, and it's subtle, but different with a monochrom Sensor, vs. just an ordinary Bayer CFA or X-Trans, to convert to b&w. Note: I don't own one, but i've seen pictures from the M & M246 Monochrom - it *is* simply a difference, compared to ordinary Sensors.

[@whafrog]

Nice review, gave a lot more detail about the IQ than I've seen. Now I wish I hadn't sold all my Pentax gear 4 years ago...

[@erichramone7812]

Truly the best photography review show around.

[@jacopoabbruscato9271]

Even IF there were no advantages, the fact that Pentax made such a peculiar camera for a niche audience is commendable. All the other brands are just out there imitating each other. I use a mirrorless for work but by God are they boring and all the same

[@tubularificationed]

I think that other brands just don't want to limit anything, so everyone offers everything. The mono is a bit like, "I'm going to chop off my right arm. That will make my life a peculiarly interesting niche. Not as boring as everyone else's, all those who have two arms and therefore are just all the same." 😉

[@bondgabebond4907]

I find it stupid. What's commendable when you can buy an excellent film camera (Nikon FM2 for instance) and shoot black and white film for the real look it offers.

[@jacopoabbruscato9271]

@@tubularificationed Pentax also offers the same camera but with a color sensor, it's not like they limited anything. Just offered an additional option.

[@jacopoabbruscato9271]

@@bondgabebond4907 I don't think anyone wants to suggest digital monochrome looks like BW film, it definitely doesn't.

[@gsrox2007]

This is going to sound strange but if Pentax could go full frame with this sensor and use the EF mount it would open up their bodies to a massive lens library. I would definitely be interested in an EF mount, K1 (full frame) version of this body.

[@kalinmir]

the reason there isnt a k1 mono is partly due to there not being a mono version of the k1 sensor...as to lens availability..there is already insane library of K mount and m42 lenses so I don't think Ricoh would see this as a smart marketing even if usage of the mount isn't patent protected or something like that

[@almostinfamous42]

Pentax has a longer history of making SLR cameras than Canon so why not ask canon to make a K mount camera or even better - one that takes the old Pentax M42 screw mount ?

[@Ildskalli]

The reason there isn’t a K-1 Mono is because that body’s outdated already, and it’d have been a huge risk to invest the R&D to make it considering that Ricoh will likely announce a successor soon. Making a monochrome sensor is trivial for the fab, they just need to skip the CFA. Also, a K-1 mono would cost upwards of $3K, making it a huge gamble. The K-3.3 is a much safer choice, as it’s cheaper and state of the art. The fact that it’s been pretty much backordered since its announcement is a testament to Ricoh’s wise choice of monochrome body.

[@gsrox2007]

Pentax may have a longer history of making lenses but I love my Zeiss, Sigma and Canon lenses which are all EF mount. You have a greater chance of finding EF lenses at rentals or to borrow from friends.

[@almostinfamous42]

@@gsrox2007 just get an adapter mate, they are like 40 usd.

[@raymondpenalver7095]

Thanks for this great honest review guy's, big respect to you 👏

[@DamonMoritz]

Okay, three three monochrome. Nice explanation.

[@connor56347]

The highlights look so clipped with zero transition from this sensor and I'm really surprised you guys didn't pick that up. You can clearly see it in the sample images you showed and I've seen it in other hands on videos of this camera.

[@richardhale9664]

Chris did mention clipping, but failed to mention that there is a metering mode provided which meters for highlights (as if one could not do that oneself). User error here I'm afraid.

[@krustysurfer]

Pure awesomeness!❤

[@83442handle]

just cancelled my A9III preorder for this

[@shootermcgavin4999]

lol wut

[@chris_b101]

So at 2:16 you say it does video. Any reason Jordan didn’t talk about video, or that you guys didn’t share any video clips from it?

[@-grey]

I'm ready for the Ricoh GRIII M edition now. 😂

[@mg-leisure-monochrome]

debayered version can be done

[@barrybarbas6965]

I bought it 4 months ago. I think I enjoy shooting with it better than my K3iii color version.

[@orangorill]

Even the Wotancraft bag is monochrome 😮

[@TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel]

Drinking game: drink a shot every time Chris say K-3 III . 😂You are done before this video ends.

[@zfisher]

Interesting watching the video in b&w with a M43 camera that gives the wide DOF, because without a narrow DOF and without any colors to create separation from foreground to background, the frame becomes more distracting. Where does Chris' head end and the truck begin?!?

[@henrahmagix]

lovely voice break at 2:27 ☺

[@heydavemyers1]

I own a bunch of Pentaxes including 2 K-1 bodies, K-3, K-5, K-7, K-S2, K-70, KX, and KR. I also have a similar number of Nikon bodies. Love playing with them all. Makes the hobby interesting. I've been intrigued by the K-3 mono but can't justify the expense of a mono-only body. I do wonder why, with such a specialized target audience, Pentax didn't offer this on the K-1 full-frame instead of the K-3.

[@bagzhansadvakassov1093]

luv u keep em coming boiz

[@skfineshriber]

The BW video from the G9 II is beautiful.

[@gschweiger]

Awesome Pentax content! I would love to have the monochrome as a secondary body to my K1. I would still use my FA/DFA lenses on it.

[@mg-leisure-monochrome]

debayered K-1 monochrome available

[@laurenoe]

Love Pentax and I usually buy their new stuff when it comes out. Sadly, Sony has been so much on point lately, that all my money goes to Sony these days.

[@kalinmir]

be sure to get the newest "Lines on screen" DLC for just 130usd! ...I considered going for sony over pentax to be a sensible choice but stuff like this makes me glad I didnt do that...stuff like this just rubs me the wrong way regardless of any features they have over pentax

[@bondgabebond4907]

@@kalinmir Love Sony. It has an excellent eco system of lenses and accessories. But the money spent on this Pentax is insane. How easy it is to shoot silent with any Sony camera in color or black and white. This video is hosted by a wonderful man who is nothing more than a salesman. Be aware of the nonsense most of these people spew.

[@kalinmir]

@@bondgabebond4907 I do not doubt the pure utility of Sony...I just hate "line allways goes up" driven bull like that

[@spritual_enlightenment]

A fixed LCD panel in 2023? Holy! Image quality has sharpness I appreciate. Impressive! I wish Sony make B & W and IR versions of a6700.

[@Photogopinion]

Or an A7cR(M)? Sony’s now got a camera for most purposes photographers can think of, so how have they missed making a monochrome Leica competitor? (To be realistic, though, I suspect the real market might be too small to interest them.)

[@MrRoRoWe]

I've had my Ricoh GR IIIx converted to monochrome and I use it more than I had thought. The files really are different compared to just desatured color files.

[@slammermx]

Even at -1 EV it had more dynamic range, and why isn't there a head to head with the M11?

[@RealBesty]

One for the jazz club 👍

[@Stories-in-Black-and-White]

Thanks for the review. I love B&W and having several cameras I stick mostly to my Fujifilm XH-2 when shooting monochrome. Here I have several film simulations for beautiful JPEG and still as well RAW. Is there some possibilities at the Pentax to change some parameters to create your own picture profile?

[@80-80.]

Pentax is now, as far as I know, the only company still using these beautiful "Casio-style" TN-LCD displays on their cameras. The kind of display that Tony hates but the rest of us love.

[@Pmike404]

Dang this is really neat. I might have to wait a couple years to get one on the used market.

[@sweden_ove2074]

I found new b/w love again. The "colours" are so fantastic in b/w photos. Well, sad it doesnt have articulated screen. Now i really wish there will be an PEN F ii monochrome... Then i buy it straight away. With the stacked OM-1 sensor but with the colour filter array taken away. And I guess it could cost like 500 euros less than the K3 3, and still be better in all but sensor size. And i actually think OMSystem would make huge profit in making such a camera for the world.

[@TomVestvik]

What if this sensor was in a GR? But with no good way of putting a coloured filter on the camera. Would that GR still be any fun?

[@mg-leisure-monochrome]

GR (debayered) monochrome conversion on demand ;)

[@debarshimajumdar3942]

What was the music playing at 1:30? Great video by the way!

[@argos-53]

I really love the camera, but I am disappointed by the minimal effect of color filters on the final image.

[@BrianHall-h1s]

Interesting that the video has similar monochrome quality despite originating with a lumix g9 which obviously doesn't have a dedicated monochrome sensor.

[@industrialvectors]

Is it strange to say that I'm really not a fan of mono unless it's an emulsion one can develop at home? Sure I've converted/saved shots using b&w, I'm also sometimes putting a b&w color profile to get a b&w EVF preview. But it's never more than a short fad to me. However, the black & white as a result of chemistry on a glass plate or a paper brings a totally different feeling to it.

[@PianoBlackTrimRep.]

$2,200 LMAO I'll just keep using my D700 and convert to B&W in LR.

[@thebitterfig9903]

I was about to say I wish we got a little video testing. Monochrome Super35 sensor could have an interesting aesthetic, do some old Hollywood things, even if video is mostly an afterthought on Pentax. Alas, the big kicker is that PL lenses can’t be adapted to K mount. While there no doubt exist some K cinema lenses, an affordable PL-compatible monochrome camera would probably be interesting. Not necessarily fantastic, but at least interesting.

[@Halbmond]

I’d love to see a Fuji X100 Monochrome someday

[@AndriyNepochatyh]

I really hope that the rumors come true and that Pentax releases a film camera. The reborn K-1000 will be a hit compared to this niche monochrome camera