Ricoh introduced a brand new paid firmware growth for the Pentax Ok-1 and Ok-1 Mark II cameras that may add three new features aimed particularly at astrophotography. Noticed by Digicame-Data, the firmware replace was made out there yesterday in Japan and added three new “premium” options beneath what it’s calling Astrophotography Help. The replace consists of what Pentax is asking “Star AF,” which permits automated focusing when photographing astronomical objects, “Distant Management Focus Advantageous Adjustment,” which assists guide focusing, and “Astronomical Picture Processing,” which is able to allow photographers to additional course of darkish sky photographs in-camera. Star AF permits the digicam to mechanically give attention to stars at night time. Usually, Pentax says, when specializing in astronomical images, photographers would first give attention to a star that’s simple to give attention to after which modify it to the composition they wish to shoot. With Star AF, photographers are capable of resolve the composition they wish to shoot from the start after which focus by merely working the AF on the digicam. This mode is barely out there in live-view and when utilizing autofocus lenses. It can also fail if there are too many vivid objects within the space of the photograph, comparable to could possibly be brought on by gentle air pollution, or when stars should not seen to the bare eye. Distant Management Focus Advantageous Adjustment permits photographers to regulate focus with out touching the lens or digicam utilizing a distant management, such because the Pentax O-RC1. Lastly, Astronomical Picture Processing permits photographers to regulate photographs of astronomical objects in-camera and consists of options like shading correction, fog correction, the darkness of the background, star brightness, celestial readability, and fringe corrections. This is applicable to RAW or JPEG pictures. Under is an instance of what might be anticipated from this function: Earlier than correction
After correction This new “premium function” is accessible as a firmware replace that’s unlocked by way of an activation key that should be bought instantly from Ricoh Pentax for 11,000 yen, or about $70. On the time of publication, the replace was solely out there by means of Ricoh’s Japanese web site and it isn’t clear if Astrophotography Assistant can be out there exterior of the nation. Ricoh Imaging Americas confirmed that the premium firmware options for the Pentax Ok-1 and Pentax Ok-1 Mark II will ultimately be out there to US clients, though an actual timeline was not supplied. Replace 7/26: Added data from Ricoh Imaging Americas about US availability. Picture credit: Ricoh Pentax
