AP K-1 Field Test

The latest AP (dated 7th July) has a very positive field review of the K-1 on a challenging trip to the Faroe islands. It's an interesting read.

This for the Mk1 or Mk 2 John?

I would be very interested to find out as a) one has a Mk1 and b) I have just returned from the Faroes. However, my Pentax gear did not come with my as my FA* lenses do not lend themselves to being used with the Lee Square filter system.

It was the K-1.

I'm not an owner of any FA * lenses. But certainly would be interested in finding out why you cant connect the Lee filter system to them ?

I repeat the question, was it not the K1ii? why do a field test with a 2 year old camera?


they are not internal focussing, so the filter holder and filters turn with the lenses...not a problem if you are using MF on a tripod but when you forget to turn off AF then the filters spln with centrifugal force.... DA* and D-FA* are IF but the don't suit the Lee 100 system as the lens diameters are too wide and Lee isn't cheap (all my Nikkor zooms are 77mm, as are the SA12-24 and DA*16-50).

It is a very positive article but not really new news given the camera has been around for a couple of years and other publications have published similar reviews during that period.
It does not makeup for the "Pentax is domed" article a couple of weeks go.

I am a bit confused by your post.

I have two FA* star lenses (24 + 85) which are IF lenses, and from what I can see on this webpage http://kmp.pentaxians.eu/lenses/ all the FA* lenses are IF with the exception of the FA*28-70. Is that not correct ?

I use the Lee 100 and 150 system (ND grads and Big Stopper). I always meter and focus before putting these in the holder. Good luck trying to AF any lens with a 10 stop ND filter in front of it

I use the Lee system with DFA 15-30 (150 system) and DFA 24-70 (100 system). I can also use them with all my DA lenses and legacy lenses too.

I have the 24 and 85, neither of which have adorned the K-1 but the 28-70 has spent considerable time on the body, I discovered in Vinales that the 28-70 is not IF which was pretty inconvenient. I bought the 28-70 before the D-FA lenses came out so haven't plumped for the 24-70 yet. Just checked the 80-200 which has IF but that did not go to Cuba (DA*60-250 went as it's lighter and spent its time on the K-3) so I haven't tried the filters on that yet....

But I was talking about my FA*28-70

Vinales, We spent a couple of nights there a number of years ago. lovely scenery.

It is a great read though it is bit late to come out and only a few retailers appear to stock K-1 Mk 1 nowadays.

At least it keeps the Pentax brand out there. I rarely buy AP these days, (I used to buy every copy for 25 years) But looking through their ads pages you would be forgiven for not knowing that Pentax existed!

When people ask me whether I use, Nikon or Canon? When I shake my head they run through Sony, Panasonic, etc etc. They are visibly shocked when I say Pentax! Even more so when they see what a brilliant piece of kit it is!
All my FA lenses are IF, 24-70 F2.8, 70-200 F2.8 100mm Macro and 150-450 f3.5 -5.6.