Pentax KF

Curious that the first I heard about this updated K70 was an email from SRS, not mentioned here in the news section.

Perhaps Ricoh didn't drop lots of pre-release hints because it's more of a mid-life refresh (to use automotive terminology) than a new model. It seems to have surprised people on other forums, too. Still, it's nice to see a new non-mirrorless on the market. And strangely comforting to see the usual moaning threads appear on other forums (we surely wouldn't do that here...:wink!!

Steve

It is nice to see a new model coming out, and I think it was pretty much a surprise all round. Hopefully a sample for review will come in!

Available for pre-order at SRS.
Looks just like the K-70 with a few upgrades (especially to the price!!).

Philip

Pentax have basically stated that there are parts for the K-70 that can no longer be sourced so they have used new ones where needed and called it the K-f.

With the K-f being so similar in specification to the K70 Pentax obviously think that there is still a market for an entry level DSLR to new users, rather than looking for existing K70 users to upgrade to the newer model. Hopefully the K-f will not have the aperture solenoid issues that have plagued the K70.

I was aware of it 2-3 days ago but didn't seem anything to get excited about. I notice at least one other forum member (from here)...had actually commented on it over on the US forum but hadn't mentioned it on this one! Possibly felt the same?

It appears from what has been released is that the only physical differences are a slightly higher resolution LCD screen and the charger comes with a USB-C connector...rather than a mains plug I presume. Oh..and feeling is that the better solenoid is fitted which is good...but expected really.

Given the longevity of the K-70 can't help feeling that some of the newer tech from better models higher up would have filtered down...think they've missed a trick there as the model will surely only have very limited appeal to existing Pentax users especially at £849 body only.

This is my understanding too. I get the feeling this has all happened rather quickly for Pentax too.

Much the same as the "new" 100mm macro, a small upgrade and raise the price by a third.

They could have given the macro a SDM motor at least and the K-f something better than the very old 11 point af system.

My point about it happening rather quickly for Pentax is that this has occurred in the last few months. No time to redesign major features like AF.

I am sure they would have preferred to keep the K-70 running for a few more years until a new entry level camera was designed from the ground up.

Perhaps it would have been better to keep the same name rather than launching it as "new", when it clearly isn't.

That's marketing for you

I imagine if they kept the same name it wouldn't have been so easy increasing the price so much.

Saying that it didn't stop them doing it with the macro lens.

"PENTAX KF incorporates a brand new glass prism finder featuring the same optics and coatings as those used in higher-level models."

Does this mean the prism is like that in the K-3III?

Philip

Nobody has mentioned the blue and white versions yet... Anybody want one??

Steve

The blue versions can look quite good. The white just might be good for shooting weddings, it's in keeping with the theme of the day.

Pentax are not the only ones doing colours these days, for example Nikon have a large range of colours for their retro Zfc, including an all black one. The all black Pentax K-3 III does look rather good.

No problem with Pentax doing coloured versions of their models...my first DSLR was a K-x in Olive with white "PENTAX" lettering...would consider another of their DSLRs in the same scheme. Don't need the lenses to match...black looked just fine with it.

Who knows...with Pentax's new small scale, customisable options model going forward and matched with existing technology they could offer bespoke colouring/design for a SMALL extra cost. Main consideration then would be possible resale value depending on how likely or not it was to be re-sold in the future.