The Japanese photographer Kimio Tanaka, who has Ricoh/Pentax insider information and a good track record of reporting relevant information, recently tweeted about a new Pentax lens with “weird/unusual/innovative” specifications to be released soon – here is the translation:
I’ve heard rumors that PENTAX is going to announce a lens with “strange = strange = innovative” specifications soon, but while I was excited, it was half talk (or rather, “fake”).
The Japanese magazine Barfout published an interview with Takeo Suzuki (Product Planner and Designer of Ricoh Imaging’s PENTAX Business Unit), here is an interesting quote:
→ B&H has listed several new SD cards (64GB and up) with V60 ratings along with a 512GB V90 card (V60 cards read speed: up to 250MB/s, write speed: up to 130MB/s; V90 cards read speed: up to 300MB/s, write speed: up to 250MB/s).
→ KEH March promotions:
→ The Benro Theta self-leveling intelligent modular tripod already raised over $1.2M on Kickstarter from more than 2300 backers with another 32 days to go.
Probably more clickbait than real rumors, but here it is – a new medium format camera from Pentax:
→ AlexOnRAW released a new AI-Powered Workflow for photographers video course. The course is created for a broader audience than the AlexOnRAW Capture One products and covers the hot topic of AI editing. The course contains three hours of high-quality video lessons. All videos are available online or for download, and as transcripts for quick reference. Until the 31st of March, you can pre-order the course with a 40% discount. PentaxRumors readers can use code RUMORS for an additional 10% off on top of the pre-order discount.
→ Topaz Labs released Video AI version 3.1.9 with improved slow motion and fps conversion and a new version of the Apollo AI model, better Motion Deblur quality, and various fixes. Topaz Video AI is now $50 off until March 31st (purchase includes 1 year of upgrades). The pricing of all Topaz products is available here. Additional information is available here.
→ DxO released PureRAW 3 photo enhancement/noise reduction software with DeepPRIME XD AI tech. A free 30-day trial is available. DxO also released PhotoLab 6.4 (product page | additional information | free trial). Additional information is available here.
→ All ACDsee digital asset management and photo editing software packages are currently on sale. The sale will end on March 22nd. Free trials are available.
The Pentax smc PENTAX-DA 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 ED SDM lens is listed as discontinued in Japan (also on the official Rioch website):
In the US B&H Photo list the lens as “no longer available”, Adorama has it on backorder, but Amazon still has 5 in stock:
Update – the smc Pentax-DA 40mm f/2.8 XS lens was also discontinued last year:
Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 XS pancake lens listed as discontinued in Japan
Via Asobinet
→ Topaz Labs released a new Photo AI update (additional information is available here).
→ The new ON1 Sky Swap AI plugin is now officially released – additional information is available here.
→ Pentax HD D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW lens review at Capa Camera.
→ Pentax HD D FA Macro 100mm f/2.8 ED AW lens review at PCMag.
→ Pentax KF camera review at DCWatch.
→ Buying the worst condition medium format film camera on eBay.
→ 12 secret features in the Ricoh GRIII/x cameras.
The Latest Leica Rumors