Pentax & Ricoh Rumors

Pentax digest #80

By admin | Published: December 14, 2023

→ New Gura Gear Kiboko City Classic 18L+ camera backpack announced.

→ Ulanzi announced the launch of two new cheap camera backpacks – BP09 (22L) and BP10 (35L):

Ulanzi BP09 camera backpack (22L) retail price: $109, early bird price: $89
Ulanzi BP10 hardshell camera backpack (35L) retail price: $149, early bird price: $119

→ B&H Photo has a sale on Hobolite products.

→ Is there a new PocketWizard Plus Ve transceiver coming? Pre-orders are already open at B&H Photo (2-pack also available – more info available here).

The latest updates from Topaz, Luminar, and Capture One

By admin | Published: December 13, 2023

→ Topaz Labs now offers 25% off their 2 flagship apps and upgrades (Photo AI and Video AI). Also: the upcoming Gigapixel 7 will be released in January and is now available for pre-order at a discounted price ($99).

→ New: Luminar NEO Winter Bundle by the Clever Photographer – it includes 69 collections with 860 tools.

→ Skylum released Luminar Neo 1.17.0 with the GenExpand feature.

→ Luminar Neo is going subscription only in 2024.

→ Capture One Express is to be discontinued on January 30, 2024.

→ Capture One is now 50% off.

Posted in Software | Tagged Capture One, Clever Photographer, Skylum Luminar Neo, Topaz Labs coupon code, Topaz Labs Gigapixel AI, Topaz Photo AI | Leave a comment

Ricoh Image Sync version 2.1.22 released

By admin | Published: December 7, 2023

In addition to the new Pentax firmware updates, Ricoh also released Image Sync version 2.1.22 and added compatibility with Astrotracer Type 3. The latest version can be downloaded at the Apple Store and Google Play store.

New firmware updates released for Pentax K-1, K-1 Mark II, K-3 Mark III, K-3 Mark III Monochrome, and KF cameras including Astrotracer Type 3

Posted in Software | Tagged Ricoh Image Sync | Leave a comment

New firmware updates released for Pentax K-1, K-1 Mark II, K-3 Mark III, K-3 Mark III Monochrome, and KF cameras including Astrotracer Type 3

By admin | Published: December 6, 2023

Ricoh released new firmware updates for the Pentax K-1, K-1 Mark II, K-3 Mark III, K-3 Mark III Monochrome, and KF cameras including Astrotracer Type 3:

Posted in Firmware updates, Pentax K-1, Pentax K-1 Mark II, Pentax K-3 Mark III, Pentax KF | Leave a comment

The Pentax brand is 104 years old

By admin | Published: December 3, 2023

The Pentax brand is 104 years old:

“The original company was founded as Asahi Optical Co Asahi Kogaku Goshi Kaisha in November 1919 by Kumao Kajiwara, at a shop in the Toshima suburb of Tokyo, and began producing spectacle lenses (which it still manufactures).[1]

In 1938 it changed its name to Asahi Optical Co., Ltd. (旭光学工業株式会社, Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushiki-gaisha), and by this time it was also manufacturing camera/cine lenses. In the lead-up to World War II, Asahi Optical devoted much of its time to fulfilling military contracts for optical instruments. At the end of the war, Asahi Optical was disbanded by the occupying powers, being allowed to re-form in 1948. The company resumed its pre-war activities, manufacturing binoculars and consumer camera lenses for Konishiroku and Chiyoda Kōgaku Seikō (later Konica and Minolta respectively).” (Wikipedia)

Here’s an overview of the history of Pentax:

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Ricoh GR series announcement teaser

By admin | Published: December 2, 2023

The Ricoh GR Photography YouTube channel published a new video interview with Ricoh GR designer Inaba San:

“Mr Inaba shares his insight into some of the challenges that go into designing the RICOH GR. He explains the level of detail and intricate changes that enhance the GR as a powerful snapshot camera. Many of these features we may take for granted, or perhaps only notice subconsciously; but as Mr Inababa goes into detail, we can suddenly appreciate how these subtle changes can make a huge impact on our everyday shooting.”

At the end of the video (starting at the 20:52 minute mark) Lukasz mentioned that a new Ricoh GR series announcement is coming soon. Mr. Inaba’s expressions clearly confirmed that something new is coming but he did not provide any additional details: