Becoming a Pentax Ambassador for the K3

nicolas claris · Feb 7, 2014

During the meeting I had yesterday with people of the Ricoh Pentax European headquarters yesterday.
They asked me if I would agree to become a Pentax Ambassador for the K3…
They have been happy with my collaboration for the GR (and also for the 645D BTW), so why not go ahead?
Of course I gladly accepted and have now a sweet little camera with 2 prime lens, 21 and 70 mm.

The deal is to provide my feedback and some photos too…

And I have a nice pro back-up to the 645D in case of a really high wave…
AA-filter-free 24-megapixel CMOS image sensor

click for Camera link

click for 21 mm lens link

click for 70 mm lens link

Asher Kelman · Feb 7, 2014

Congratulations! 24MP, fast AF and multi-zone WB are wonderfully made in a compact package!

We're all proud of you, Nicolas!

Asher

Michael Nagel · Feb 7, 2014

Hi Nicolas,

Congratulations!

I am using the K-3 now for 5 weeks and it is a considerable step up from the K-5 classic.
The two lenses work fine with the K-3. The DA 18-135 is pretty good as well.
This one and these were taken with K-3 and DA 18-135 as well as the below shot.

Olympiaberg-abends

The latest few of the Munich Underground series are taken with K-3 and DA 12-24/4 and this one with K-3 and F 50/1.7.

There are chances that you will like this camera...

Best regards,
Michael

nicolas claris · Feb 7, 2014

I easily guess you're right Nigel!
I remember your images but didn't know they were shot with a Pentax…
What processing raw converter do you use? LR?
I gave some try a year ago to Silkypix but didn't find it handy to say the least…

Michael Nagel · Feb 7, 2014

Hi Nicolas,

Most are OOC jpegs for the K-5 and K-3 (yes, the jpeg engine is pretty good), before it was usually PSE (K100Ds, K200D, K-7), now sometimes dcraw in the flavor of rawtherapee. DNG is the way to go.

In terms of DSLR I am using Pentax for almost 7 years now, it is just that I do not write/talk much about gear...

Best regards,
Michael

Asher Kelman · Feb 8, 2014

Michael Nagel said:
Hi Nicolas,

Most are OOC jpegs for the K-5 and K-3 (yes, the jpeg engine is pretty good), before it was usually PSE (K100Ds, K200D, K-7), now sometimes dcraw in the flavor of rawtherapee. DNG is the way to go.

In terms of DSLR I am using Pentax for almost 7 years now, it is just that I do not write/talk much about gear...

Best regards,
Michael

Michael,

You do a great job in sharing the results of your considerations to end up with the camera system you use. Although it's not something you brag or obsess about, you do provide a resource of considerable experience for folk who have never thought of trying out a Pentax camera.

I'm an enthusiast at everything I see and touch, so of course, I bubble over at the idea that my original favorite camera company survived Hoya and now is being fully supported by Ricoh. Each has contributed major original ideas to modern photography in small cameras. This new close working together has saved a major inventory of expertise and photographer's insight, all the Pentax camera experience, from bring lost.

So bravo to you Nigel for you for consistently showing us such well composed and architecturally admirable work in such an artistic way.

Nicolas will provide an entirely different photographer's viewpoint and hopefully more of us will share their work and promote and support what is an important asset to photography, the viability of this brand! ......................and besides, it's pretty damn marvelous anyway!

Asher

Michael Nagel · Feb 9, 2014

Asher,

I just wanted to provide a little contribution of pictures made with this camera because I happen to use it as well.

Now I am curious on the work of Nicolas and his experiences with the camera and this is where the attention should be.

Best regards,
Michael

nicolas claris · Feb 9, 2014

Tatata Michael
Showing your images and pointing out that you shoot for long with Pentax(s) including your fabulous work on underground stations is a great contribution for me, and I'm more than glad you did show. As I'm sure Asher is also.
I do admire your work, so never hesitate to post texts and images in my threads!
I'll be honored.

Michael Nagel · Feb 17, 2014

Hi Nicolas,

how was the first week using the K-3?

Bumped with pictures (all K-3, you asked for it

)

Ja, hier bin ich

Monopteros - Detail

Nymphenburg - Abendwolken

Bets regards,
Michael

nicolas claris · Feb 20, 2014

These are just superb Michael!

Below is image #37 from the K3… more to comme soon…

PENTAX-DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited - 21,0 mm smc - 1/250 s; f/8; ISO 400

Nice dynamic…

Asher Kelman · Feb 21, 2014

Olympiaberg-abends

Most enjoyable, all those tiny figures silhouetted against the sky.

Michael,

I have a joy to see the Pentax brand thriving, albeit as part of the Ricoh brand. This camera is such a power tool of remarkable capability. The only other small camera to compete is the Olympus 4/3. In fact, without Pentax, Olympus would be the obvious choice for pros wanting a small high quality reliable camera with a bevy of superb lenses. But, the large APS-C sensor and wider dynamic range males Pentax a hard player or better.

I appreciate that you are adding your voice here!

Asher

Asher Kelman · Feb 21, 2014

Nicolas Claris said:
These are just superb Michael!

Below is image #37 from the K3… more to come soon…

PENTAX-DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited - 21,0 mm smc - 1/250 s; f/8; ISO 400
Nice dynamic…

Nicolas,

Is this a vineyard in Bordeaux? Do they protect the plants with straw in the winter?

Asher

nicolas claris · Feb 21, 2014

Yes it is my friend. Pomerol… : D
No straws this winter, not cold enough!

nicolas claris · Feb 21, 2014

And this is a workboat just launched in Bordeaux :

Shot with the Pentax K3

Michael Nagel · Feb 21, 2014

Nicolas Claris said:
These are just superb Michael!

Below is image #37 from the K3… more to comme soon…
(PIC)
Nice dynamic…

Nicolas,

Yes, the dynamic range is great, but a bit below the one of the K-5, not much, but worth noting.

Thanks. I just had to include a cat picture for fun.
Somewhere on the internet there was a thread on an imageboard called:
Show you cat picture taken with ridicilously expensive equipment.
I remember seeing pretty ordinary cat pictures shot with D3S plus expensive lens and similar grade equipment...

The last one is darker, but so was the weather and my mood that moment...

Edit: I like the boat picture. My impression with the K-3 is, that the tonalities are improved. What is your take on that when comparing with the 645D? Any comments on usability?

Best regards,
Michael

Michael Nagel · Feb 21, 2014

Asher,

Asher Kelman said:
Olympiaberg-abends
Most enjoyable, all those tiny figures silhouetted against the sky.

Thanks - for me this is one aspect of the picture. This is also a picture which contains multiple views like this one.
Take the part in the middle with the tree and the planet above it, take the tree to the right with the warmer colors as backdrop...

Asher Kelman said:
... Olympus would be the obvious choice for pros wanting a small high quality reliable camera with a bevy of superb lenses. But, the large APS-C sensor and wider dynamic range males Pentax a hard player or better.

Olympus has fantastic lenses, but you should not forget the Pentax Limited lenses, the A*, F*, FA* and DA* lenses. The DA* 50-135/2.8 is a fantastic zoom lens which offers roughly the same FoV like a 70-200 lens on a 36x24mm sensor. The DoF is more like a 70-200/4 of course... The lens series cited can be used without restrictions in terms of exposure control and (except for the A* series which are manual focus lenses) AF on current Pentax DSLRs.
No need for an adapter...

Best regards,
Michael

Michael Nagel · Feb 21, 2014

Now two more pictures (K-3 and 18-135). If you want to know what it is, here is a link and here is the homepage of that group (in german). I might create a separate thread for this some time later.

Klabauf 1

Holzmandl 1

Best regards,
Michael

nicolas claris · Feb 21, 2014

Wow! scary guys!

Michael Nagel · Feb 23, 2014

Today it looked like spring (K-3 and FA 43/1.9 Limited):

Frühling?

Best regards,
Michael

nicolas claris · Feb 23, 2014

Delicate and romantic! and pretty nice bokeh…

Asher Kelman · Feb 24, 2014

Nicolas Claris said:
And this is a workboat just launched in Bordeaux :

Shot with the Pentax K3

Nicolas,

So bold, like the Sports Illustrated of boats, strong, vivacious and sexy, with sky and water, just no sand!

Asher

Asher Kelman · Feb 24, 2014

Michael Nagel said:
Today it looked like spring (K-3 and FA 43/1.9 Limited):

Frühling?

Michael,

Spring climbs up the mounts slowly, so one can go slightly higher and still have spring flowers week, after week! I discovered that in Boulder Colarado, where one can find mountain flowers and as they disappear, rediscover them at higher elevation.

Crocuses as so delicate and the color is a delicate version of lilac. These are lovely!

Asher

nicolas claris · Feb 24, 2014

Asher Kelman said:
Nicolas,

So bold, like the Sports Illustrated of boats, strong, vivacious and sexy, with sky and water, just no sand!

Asher

But a hard concrete dock to avoid! LoL!

nicolas claris · Feb 24, 2014

Some more of the launching, still shot with a Pentax K3

Michael Nagel · Feb 27, 2014

Nicolas,

so was the boat launched without incidents?

Here is another one, taken with the same lens like these (and K-3 obviously).

Gelb auf Blau

Best regards,
Michael

nicolas claris · Feb 27, 2014

Michael Nagel said:
Nicolas,

so was the boat launched without incidents?

Nope. Why should it be? they do this all the year long and the cranes operators are really precise : )

Michael Nagel · Feb 27, 2014

Nicolas,

Never underestimate the power of Murphy

Best regards,
Michael

nicolas claris · Mar 29, 2014

Not that day Murphy!

Steve Robinson · Apr 5, 2014

A little bump for the K-3. Congrats Nicolas on becoming the K-3 Ambassador. I'm sure you'll do a great job.

Here's a little contribution from me on a dark, wet afternoon. K-3, DA* 300 f/4, !/1000 @ f/8, ISO 6400, PP in LR 5.3.

Steve Robinson - Wet Goose

nicolas claris · Apr 5, 2014

Hi Steve
Thanks.
I'll use more of the K3 in the following months…
For now congrats to you, this nice goose is well captured, we feel wet!
I would have add a light tad of micro contrast on her back (goose is feminine in French) to make the water drops more obvious. And maybe enlighten a bit her head and neck, I'm sure there's room for that. But that's just me!
I like the drop ripples on the water : D

Becoming a Pentax Ambassador for the K3

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