All Forum Comments
Congratulations on a brilliant set of images, the colours are just beautiful. Images 2 and 4 are my favourites
Comment by SSF1957 posted on Canal reflections at 06/12/2024 - 23:04
Some super images John. I was instantly drawn to image 6, the light on the bench and tree is lovely - made me want to sit on the bench and admire the view.
Comment by SSF1957 posted on A local snow walk at 01/12/2024 - 07:43
Not the most encouraging of articles but a bit at odds with previous information coming from the Pentax/Ricoh rumour machines
Comment by SSF1957 posted on This might be of interest, unfortunately. at 09/11/2024 - 10:55
Grodgeman wrote:
After all these years of simply going to the B/W settings of my many Pentax cameras (including a K-3) when I wanted B/W or of using the computer, your remarks make me wonder what I have been missing or getting wrong. I cannot imagine what. I’m certainly happier now than I was in front of the tons of chemicals and paper I used to waste with the (retired) Leica and (sold) Nikon. I need enlightenment. Cheers.
I did think the idea of a mono only camera was a little strange at first. However the greater detail and tonal range available from a converted (or in the case of the K3iii dedicated) sensor certainly ticks a few boxes. More importantly for me when using the camera I think differently about the images I am capturing, concentrating more on form and texture and not getting distracted by colour - admittedly that is more my issue than a cameras! After all these years of simply going to the B/W settings of my many Pentax cameras (including a K-3) when I wanted B/W or of using the computer, your remarks make me wonder what I have been missing or getting wrong. I cannot imagine what. I’m certainly happier now than I was in front of the tons of chemicals and paper I used to waste with the (retired) Leica and (sold) Nikon. I need enlightenment. Cheers.
The two images below were both taken with the K3iii Monochrome.
Comment by SSF1957 posted on Pentax K-3 Monochrome Conversion at 09/11/2024 - 07:48
Jonathan-Mac wrote:
I don't think I've heard of an original K-3 being converted to monochrome but it's certainly a great idea (and a lot cheaper than the K-3 III Mono, I'm sure).
Many older camera simply desaturated images to convert them to B&W, which always left them flat and lifeless, while newer ones have far better B&W jpeg profiles that can add a good punch and make them look more like film. The K-3's B&W profile is mediocre in my experience. Those in my Fujifilm cameras and Lumix S5 are much better, but of course could be mimicked in software with RAW files from any camera under the sun.
Certainly a lot cheaper than the K3iii monochrome was!I don't think I've heard of an original K-3 being converted to monochrome but it's certainly a great idea (and a lot cheaper than the K-3 III Mono, I'm sure).
Many older camera simply desaturated images to convert them to B&W, which always left them flat and lifeless, while newer ones have far better B&W jpeg profiles that can add a good punch and make them look more like film. The K-3's B&W profile is mediocre in my experience. Those in my Fujifilm cameras and Lumix S5 are much better, but of course could be mimicked in software with RAW files from any camera under the sun.
Comment by SSF1957 posted on Pentax K-3 Monochrome Conversion at 09/11/2024 - 07:15
MikeInDevon wrote:
Interesting, any chance of posting monochrome images from the converted camera in the image gallery?
Posting two images today - the exif data will just show as a K3 but I will highlight in the comments that it is a "converted K3"Interesting, any chance of posting monochrome images from the converted camera in the image gallery?
Comment by SSF1957 posted on Pentax K-3 Monochrome Conversion at 09/11/2024 - 07:13
When I first started out with an SLR (Praktica LTL3) I really could not afford to pay for too much film processing so quickly learned to develop and print B&W images. I still get nostalgic about B&W photography (but not the hours spent loading bulk rolls of FP4 into 35mm cassettes). Digital had great appeal as the conversion to a monochrome image was easy, but I always felt they lacked something. This could well have been down to my poor digital processing skills at the time - many hours (wasted according to my wife) in front of the computer have helped to resolve this.
Then by chance through the Pentaxian FaceBook group I came across a chap in Lithuania (MG Monochrome Conversions) who was stripping a layer off of the camera sensor to convert it to a monochrome capture (This link explains better than I can!) . So years before the Pentax K-3 iii Monochrome came on the scene I had obtained a Pentax K3 converted to a monochrome camera. I do not think I have done a monochrome conversion of a digital image since. I have though gone out on many days armed only with the monochrome camera and relived my early photography experiences of seeing things in B&W. It certainly gave my photography a much need fresh injection and the satisfaction levels rose accordingly. I have in more recent times indulged myself with the Pentax K-3 iii monochrome which continues to delight me every time I use it.
I was wondering if others on here have a similar experience of something re-igniting their passion for photography ?
Then by chance through the Pentaxian FaceBook group I came across a chap in Lithuania (MG Monochrome Conversions) who was stripping a layer off of the camera sensor to convert it to a monochrome capture (This link explains better than I can!) . So years before the Pentax K-3 iii Monochrome came on the scene I had obtained a Pentax K3 converted to a monochrome camera. I do not think I have done a monochrome conversion of a digital image since. I have though gone out on many days armed only with the monochrome camera and relived my early photography experiences of seeing things in B&W. It certainly gave my photography a much need fresh injection and the satisfaction levels rose accordingly. I have in more recent times indulged myself with the Pentax K-3 iii monochrome which continues to delight me every time I use it.
I was wondering if others on here have a similar experience of something re-igniting their passion for photography ?
Comment by SSF1957 posted on Pentax K-3 Monochrome Conversion at 07/11/2024 - 17:35
I found this link to a DPR review which compares the 2 models link
I don't have the Ist*D s but I do have the original Ist*D and the L version . For me the original Ist*D has the more robust build quality and from that aspect is closer in feel to the K10D.
Stephen
I don't have the Ist*D s but I do have the original Ist*D and the L version . For me the original Ist*D has the more robust build quality and from that aspect is closer in feel to the K10D.
Stephen
Comment by SSF1957 posted on Pentax istD, istD s, istD L, istD DL at 04/11/2024 - 12:41
Nice set jvs. I agree that the close up approach to autumn leaves reveals so much more of their beauty
Comment by SSF1957 posted on Autumn Leaves (2) at 29/10/2024 - 07:52
I had to follow exactly the same route - it is frustrating that the fix to revert to screw drive is not offered as a nominal fee fix by Pentax. On the upside though I did sell my K5ii body for a small profit
Comment by SSF1957 posted on SDM Strikes Again at 25/01/2019 - 10:16
