Picture credit score: Pentax Regardless of being forward of its time, the Pentax Okay-1 (and its Mark II improve) was a digicam system that promised a lot but seems to have run out of highway. Born seemingly from an R&D division whose chains had been freed, the engineers went wild, strayed off-script, and produced a digicam stuffed with innovation. Quick ahead to 2024, and a scarcity of lens help paired with no upgraded fashions in over six years leaves Pentax homeowners in an undesirable state of limbo the place even probably the most loyal prospects are actually compelled to look elsewhere. A little bit historical past; the 12 months is 2016 and it’s been just some months since Sony launched the a7R II — the second era of the model’s fashionable full-frame digicam and one which strengthened the mantra that the longer term was mirrorless. Constructed round a 42-megapixel BSI-CMOS sensor, the a7R II supplied a complicated 5-axis IBIS system, 399 autofocus factors, and spectacular hybrid options, together with 4K video. Picture Credit score: Pentax And on the opposite facet of the room, enter Pentax with the model’s first-ever full-frame DSLR leaving these within the trade rubbing their eyes in disbelief. The Okay-1 supplied a large 36-megapixel CMOS sensor but additionally delivered innovation within the form of a novel LCD that sat on malleable stilts, providing a distinct consumer expertise. The Okay-1 was among the many first full-frame DSLRs to characteristic IBIS and LED-illuminated areas for ease of use in low gentle, resembling buttons, the lens mount, and reminiscence card slots. The innovation continued with an Astrotracer perform that enabled astrophotographers to make use of the Shake Discount mechanism and built-in GPS to trace stars within the sky. Picture Credit score: Matty Graham The Okay-1 turned heads, significantly of those that hadn’t been satisfied by earlier mirrorless fashions. Nonetheless, the digicam was succeeded by the Okay-1 Mark II. This curiously minimal overhaul supplied a quicker processor unit and upgrades to autofocus however not way more. The Okay-1 collection, a favourite for panorama photographers who appreciated the ‘constructed like a tank’ climate sealing properties, ought to have laid the foundations for Pentax to construct one thing particular, however then issues went quiet.
So far, since 2018 when the Okay-1 Mark II hit the cabinets, the model has solely launched yet one more DSLR — the APS-C sensor Okay-3 III (and its monochrome variant). This can be a drawback for Okay-1 homeowners, who many agree are among the many loyalest of shoppers in what’s an more and more fickle world of client conduct because it’s honest to say it left them feeling like that they had been deserted. And, it wasn’t the one challenge dealing with these photographers because the rollout of latest optics was additionally gradual — though Pentax customers had been capable of buy lenses from third-party producers resembling Sigma. Picture Credit score: Matty Graham The Okay-1 story tells us rather a lot about pictures. Technological innovation is anticipated rapidly and constantly. As soon as manufacturers create one thing sensible, they need to hold making merchandise that help or improve the primary providing. The Okay-1 additionally reveals that even probably the most dedicated photographers will finally transfer on if this help isn’t supplied. Right now’s cameras are about hybrid taking pictures, and different manufacturers have packed our bodies with infinite video options that eclipsed the meager Full HD providing of the Okay-1 way back. One other important issue is autofocus; decide up a Okay-1 at this time, and the AF will really feel immediately sluggish. Whereas that’s much less of a difficulty with panorama pictures, in case you are capturing quick motion, you’ll quickly get pissed off. Nonetheless, some options — like that LCD and the progressive LED illumination – nonetheless really feel remarkably recent.. In spite of everything, the curious case of the Okay-1 can be proof that taking a distinct highway and going in opposition to the grain will typically repay, and this is the reason it’s an excellent larger disgrace that Pentax hasn’t but adopted up with a Okay-1 Mark III. Picture Credit score: Matty Graham I used to be fortunate sufficient to have the Okay-1 Mark II cross by means of my arms, and I charge it as the most effective DSLRs ever made for panorama pictures. Pentax’s coloration science know-how and that 36-megapixel sensor made for some stunning imagery and different customers will testify that you would be within the worst of climate and by no means worry taking the Okay-1 out of your bag — a go-anywhere digicam that felt reassuringly sturdy in your arms. You by no means know with Pentax. Perhaps the corporate will shock us all once more and produce out a brand new full-frame mannequin, so what would I wish to see from a Okay-1 III? For starters, I wouldn’t need any compromise on that legendary climate sealing; if OM System can supply an IP53-rating within the compact OM-1, then I wouldn’t settle for something much less from Pentax. A decision north of fifty megapixels would once more be a baseline to demand, and given advances in know-how, upgrades to AF and video are additionally a should.
One factor I’d forgive a brand new Okay-1 III for could be weight. With the competitors shrinking cameras by the ounce with each new mannequin, Pentax going in opposition to that grain and unapologetically serving up a digicam that resembles a Soviet tank would go down properly for my part. One thing cumbersome, sturdy, and a great grip that will show very important when taking pictures throughout a downpour might supply Pentax a direct route again to panorama photographers’ minds and buying lists. Pentax, use a brand new Okay-1 III to construct a recent group that calls for substance over type and produce out some new lenses whilst you’re at it. Alas, whereas the occasional rumbling of a Okay-1 III beginning growth has edged the perimeter of the rumor mill, it’s exhausting to be optimistic in spite of everything this time. However because the Okay-1’s story proves, Pentax is a model that would probably shock us once more — right here’s hoping!
