Back to TPS, an interesting point Mary McArtney made was that for her personal projects she still uses film and carries around in her bag a small film camera; her reason is that images from small digital camera sensors won’t be good enough for a large print but this isn’t a problem using film. Also uses an iPhone for research photos and Instagram as they don’t need to be print quality.

It won’t have the Pentax spec glass and coatings on other mounts so not directly comparable. The declared aim is to produce better glass than Sigma’s Art lenses and as John says on a par with Zeiss so a worthy response to them both for snubbing the K-mount on their recent offerings. A Zeiss rep told me the market for K-mount was too small to be worthwhile but it looks like they are going to bed with Sony anyway. The new glass will be designed to get the best out of high megapixel sensors and that clearly is where Ricoh sees the future.

Went today and saw the discussion with Mary McArtney which was really interesting. The Pentax stand was well positioned near the entrance, tried the new DFA* 50mm lens which was very impressive but likely to cost around £1200. As a K1 user they were pushing me in the direction of trading up to a new K-1 Mark II rather than having the motherboard replaced, quoting a price rather higher than the £450 indicated in the news thread. Managed to resist blowing a fortune on a H********d MF mirrorless, bit like test driving a Porsche, could almost be tempted if I thought I could get away with it. Came away with rather more mundane print papers and a neat little led light.

With the Peak Design strap you can have quick release catches to take it off the body, which is handy when using a tripod. And when the 150-450mm lens is attached I keep one end attached to the camera and the other screwed into the lens foot, this avoids straining the mount and slung over the shoulder (foot rotated 90 degrees) it doesn’t wave around and fits snugly against your body. Only downside with the strap is it is rather stiff so cannot be shoved into a bag.

Looks good, hopefully see it at The Photography Show.

He paid his dues to the general public with dividends!

And apparently there is a FF teleconverter in the pipeline.

Keep a look out for deals at Easter.

Interview on Pentax Rumours website with pertinent questions put to Pentax spokesman hinting at interesting develoments in pipeline, although he could do with a charisma transplant and was giving very little away. New developments concentrating on expanding FF offerings including a teleconverter (hurrah!) and also K3II replacement. Not good news for video enthusiasts as SR will not be implemented nor 4K. Focus improvements in K1-II will be introduced to other new models. No new entry level DSLR planned below K70.

This was an opportunity to highlight how the brand will go forward but they really picked the wrong person.

It looks like good news for a compatible radio transmitter.