Pentax & Ricoh Rumors

Pentax MX2 project – a reference to the popular 1970s film SLR, the Pentax MX

By admin | Published: November 14, 2026

Pentax MX2 project – a reference to the popular 1970s film SLR, the Pentax MX

My name is Pavel Suprun; I am a 3D artist and an avid photographer. I have extensive experience shooting with a wide variety of cameras, including film SLRs, panoramic film cameras (such as the XPan and 6×17 formats), DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and compacts. Like many others, I’ve often found myself with ideas or specific wishes regarding photographic equipment. Sometimes, these ideas become quite persistent, and I feel compelled to share them with others in a way that I can – a 3D CGI. My first project of this kind was a “digital XPan,” and now a new project: a digital SLR.

For this, I’ve drawn inspiration from the SLRs of the 1970s—models like the Olympus OM series, the Minolta XD, and the Pentax ME or MX. These were compact SLRs, with a body height of around 83mm. Their viewfinders featured split-image rangefinder and microprism collars, making manual focusing both easy and precise. The massive viewfinder (with 0.88x–0.95x magnification) practically pulls you into the scene—it’s something you have to experience for yourself!

Early Black Friday photography deals and promo codes

By admin | Published: November 12, 2026

Here are the first Early Black Friday photography deals and promo codes:

→ Early holiday deals at B&H Photo.

→ 2026 Topaz Labs Black Friday offers:

Up to 67% off bundles (Studio Collection, AI Creator Bundle, Filmmaker Pro Bundle)
$200 off the Studio Collection for the first year, unlocking every Topaz app in one subscription (for new subscribers).
Current single-app subscribers can unlock all apps for $99/yr.
AI Creator Bundle: 67% off (for new subscribers).
Filmmaker Pro Bundle: $300 off (for new subscribers).
New subscribers get 15% off all single, non-Pro apps for their first year.

→ DxO 15% off code: RUMORS (for new customers only).

→ Aftershoot early Black Friday sale.

→ Luminar Black Friday sale.

→ Adobe Black Friday.

→ You can find the 2026 Black Friday deals from Thypoch on this dedicated page (some of the Thypoch deals are also available at B&H Photo).

→ Viltrox Black Friday preview.

→ SmallRig early Black Friday offers.

→ WANDRD Black Friday: 20% off + free gift when you spend $200 or more.

→ Owlkrown discounts come only once a year for Black Friday. The new 2026 15% off coupon code is MEMBERSONLY15 and can be used on everything they make (grips, plates, eyecups, straps, kits, etc with no minimum). Use this link to make a purchase.

→ Matt Granger Black Friday Sale.

→ Sigma lens savings.

→ Think Tank Photo offer:

→ 3 Legged Thing coupon codes for 25% off any L-brackets that are not already discounted:

United Kingdom: 3LTNR25UK
USA: 3LTNR25US
EU member countries: 3LTNR25EU
Everywhere else: 3LTNR25ROW

→ The EZCast CamCast wireless HDMI video transmitter that sends a camera’s live picture to phones and tablets and turns them into camera monitors is now $136 (20% off) with code CAMCAST20 (until November 30).

Here is an updated list of photo gear promo codes (most of the coupon codes require the purchase to be made from the provided links; some codes could be disabled for Black Friday):

Lenses

Viltrox 10% off code: NIKONRUMORS
Light Lens Lab 5% off code: RUMORS
TTartisan 5% off code: RUMORS
7artisans 5% off code: RUMORS
BrightinStar 5% off code: RUMORS
Funleader 5% off code: LEICARUMORS
Sirui 5% off code: RUMORS
Meike $30 off: QTYW (minimum purchase of $200 required)
Thypoch 5% off code: THYPOCH
Mr. Ding Studio 5% off code: 2025YLSZMRAE
DK-Optic lenses $100 off code: DKOPTIC202607

Software

Accessories

FieldMade 10% off code: RUMORS10
Gura Gear discount code: RUMORS
IDSworks 5% off code: RUMORS
AkaraLabs 5% off code: LEICARUMORS
SmallRig 12% off code: RUMORS
Artra CameraOne watch $25 off code: LEICARUMORS
NiSi lenses and filters 10% off: RUMORS

Camera bags

Gura Gear 10% off code: RUMORS
Oberwerth 10% off code: RUMORS

Other

Insta360 code: RUMORS
Lifepixel $35 off priority processing: RUMORS
Tekiac 5% off: LEICARUMORS
Draht 5% off: LEICARUMORSMMD5
Colored metal M-mount caps 25% off: BLACKFRIDAY

Via PhotoRumors

Posted in Deals | Tagged Black Friday | 13 Comments

Updated list of discontinued Pentax lenses

By admin | Published: November 11, 2026

Here is an update to my last post on the latest discontinued Pentax lenses (the official list is available here, B&H Photo currently lists 35 different Pentax lens variants in stock):

Posted in Pentax lenses | Tagged to be discontinued | 9 Comments

Ricoh released new firmware updates for all GR IV and GR III camera models

By admin | Published: November 10, 2026

Ricoh released new firmware updates for the GR IV/HDF/Monochrome and GR III/IIIx/HDF/IIIx HDF cameras:

Ricoh GR IV / GR IV HDF firmware update version 1.21: improved stability for general performance
Ricoh GR IV Monochrome firmware update version 1.11: improved stability for general performance
Ricoh GR III / GR III HDF firmware update version 2.21: added several new enhanced features
Ricoh GR IIIx / GR IIIx HDF firmware update version 1.71: added several new enhanced features

Posted in Firmware updates, Ricoh GR | Tagged Ricoh GR III, Ricoh GR III HDF and Ricoh GR IIIx HDF cameras, Ricoh GR IIIx camera, Ricoh GR IV camera, Ricoh GR IV HDF camera, Ricoh GR IV M, Ricoh GR IV Monochrome camera | 15 Comments

Ricoh FY2026 Q2 financial results: cameras performed well and increased earnings, primarily on the strength of Ricoh GR series demand

By admin | Published: November 9, 2026

Ricoh released the FY2026 Q2 financial results for the fiscal year ending March 2027. In the Industrial Solutions/Othe business, the company restored profitability primarily on strong camera business performance:

YoY: Sales increased ¥5.1 billion (20%) and operating profit rose ¥2.9 billion
Cameras: performed well and increased earnings, primarily on the strength of Ricoh GR series demand

Posted in Financial reports | 5 Comments

Aftershoot early Black Friday sale

By admin | Published: November 8, 2026

Aftershoot launched its early Black Friday sale: the first 500 photographers can grab an annual plan and get 25% off; then the discount drops to 20%. You can also try using coupon codes BLACKFRIDAY26 and RUMORS for additional savings. That’s the lowest price of the year. If Aftershoot doesn’t work for you, you can claim a full refund within 30 days.

Aftershoot is an AI-powered desktop software (for Mac and Windows) designed for professional photographers, especially those shooting high-volume work like weddings, events, portraits, and schools, that streamlines the entire post-production workflow in one app. It uses AI to automatically or assistively cull images by scoring them on factors like sharpness, exposure, composition, facial expressions, closed eyes, and duplicates (grouping bursts intelligently and learning your preferences over time), then applies consistent edits that can match your personal style (via training on your past work or pre-built profiles) with full RAW controls, and handles natural retouching such as skin smoothing, blemish removal, object cleanup, flyaway hair, and glasses glare. The platform also supports client galleries for proofing, delivery, and print sales, all while running offline/locally for privacy with unlimited images and flat pricing (no per-image fees), helping photographers reclaim significant time—often reducing hours of manual culling and editing to minutes.