Like many “serious” photographers, I’m unapologetic about owning quite a few cameras, including a DSLR, two mirrorless systems, and a vintage 35mm SLR. My arsenal also includes an array of nice glass to support the foregoing, and a few historically interesting (but not particularly useful) models.
The K-70 is Pentax’ newest SLR camera with a 24MP APS-C sized image sensor. It is a heavy camera (body: 1.5 lbs; 2.4 lbs including the kit lens), yet is quite compact. It has a splash-proof body and can be used in inclement weather conditions. The Pentax SMC DA F3.5-5.6 ED AL IF DC WR kit lens (used for the test) is also weatherproof.
The Pentax K-S2 offers a more classical handling and design concept than its predecessor with a standard mode dial on the top and two setup dials for exposure parameters (one near the shutter release button, the second on the back of the camera). For menu navigation, it offers a standard control field, which uses four buttons to navigate or to select functions such as white balance, ISO speed, and shooting mode.
It’s been awhile since we had a new DSLR to review, and as a long-time Pentax user I was eager to see what the recently introduced Pentax KF could do. In addition to the SMC Pentax-DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6AL WR kit lens, I also received the new HD Pentax-D FA 100mm f/2.8 ED AW macro lens, which was already on my wish list.
The Pentax K-S1 is a small but versatile DSLR system with a 20MP APS-C sensor. Its body design is based on a standard SLR concept, with a large grip on the right hand side and a pentaprism optical viewfinder. There are, however, some aspects of the camera that are quite unusual, mainly the use of LEDs to signal settings and functions. These LEDs sit on the front and back of the camera and can, for example, show how many people are included in the face detection function; indicate the choice of photo or video mode with a red or green circle of LEDs on the back; or, quite reasonably, indicate self-timer countdown via bright LEDs on the camera front.
Pentax has unveiled a new limited edition "Prestige" version of its K-3 digital SLR with a distinctive gunmetal chassis. According to Pentax, the K-3 is a special edition camera created to commemorate “the many awards bestowed upon the K-3” by photography publications and websites.
Pentax’s parent company, Ricoh Imaging, has been teasing that it would be announcing a new full frame digital SLR for several months now and today that phantom camera was finally unveiled. Ricoh just introduced the long awaited Pentax K-1, which is equipped with a 36.4-megapixel full frame CMOS sensor about the size of a piece of 35mm film.
Today’s sophisticated cameras feature a variety of shooting modes from Manual to fully automatic Program, and a couple others in between. In this photography primer you'll learn all you need to know about these different settings and which mode is best for capturing different types of scenes.
The first thing most serious photographers do after buying a new camera is to change many of the default settings to match their particular style and the type of images they shoot most. If you need some help with this important task, all you have to do is watch the quick video below.
This is the latest tutorial in an ongoing series of photo primers we’re featuring, designed to give you a better understanding of how a camera works so that you can choose the best settings for the scene you are shooting. This episode explains the Aperture Priority exposure mode and when you should use it.
Virtually all modern digital cameras enable you to achieve accurate color rendition by changing a simple White Balance setting to match the color temperature of the light in a scene. Unfortunately, many photographers leave their camera set to “Auto White Balance,” thereby capturing photos with unsightly color casts.
Most photographers are familiar with the popular narrative that shooting in Manual Mode delivers better, or at least more predictable, results. Unfortunately, many folks hesitate to turn their camera’s mode dial to “M” because they think Manual Mode is too complicated.
The autofocus system in a modern DSLR camera is truly a wonder of technology. And there’s a lot going on under the hood that you may not totally understand. But fear not, because the quick video below explains everything you need to know to achieve optimum results.
The camera primer below is the final episode in a series we’ve been featuring, designed to help photographers fully understand exposure settings and thereby capture better images. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to choose the most appropriate ISO for the scene you are shooting.
Many of the tutorials we share are intended to encourage photographers to move their camera’s mode dial off the Auto setting, and try more advanced techniques. But sometimes a basic mode like Auto ISO can be the right setting to use, and the video below explains why.