Ricoh Imaging is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome camera. The only monochrome-specific digital SLR camera currently on the market, it captures high-resolution images rich in gradation, enabling users to express a distinct view of the color-rich world in high-quality black-and-white images.
The camera's design is based on the PENTAX K-3 Mark III - the flagship model of PENTAX's APS-C-format series that integrates remarkable imaging performance and a host of advanced features in a compact, durable body - while totally redesigning and optimizing the imaging characteristics by adding a new, monochrome-specific image sensor with approximately 25.73 effective megapixels.
The PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome features three Custom Image modes exclusively designed for the monochrome-specific image sensor: Standard, Hard and Soft. Each mode provides minute adjustment of parameters such as tone, key, contrast, and sharpness, allowing the photographer to personalize images for the desired finishing touch.
The exterior design of the camera has also been customized to reflect its monochrome capabilities. Design features include white backlight illumination on the LCD data panel, "Monochrome" lettering printed on the upper-left shoulder of the back panel, a menu screen featuring a black-and-white visual scheme as default, and icons printed on buttons and switches across the camera's exterior finished in three shades of gray.
Monochrome-specific CMOS image sensor
The PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome incorporates a monochrome-specific, APS-C-format CMOS image sensor free of an AA (anti-aliasing) filter with approximately 25.73 effective megapixels. Typical color image sensors are designed to receive light passing through red (R), green (G) and blue (B) color filters, so each pixel detects only one color data component. To compose a monochrome image, color sensors must convert color data into monochromatic data by interpolating the color data they collect. The new monochrome-specific image sensor, however, can faithfully reflect the brightness data obtained by each pixel in the image - without the interpolation process - to produce extra-fine monochromatic expression, in images high in resolution and rich in gradation.
Image quality exclusively designed for monochrome photography
The image quality produced by the original PENTAX K-3 Mark III was thoroughly reevaluated and totally redesigned to optimize the imaging characteristics of the new monochrome-specific image sensor. The result is highly sensitive expression with a natural bokeh (defocus) effect, rich gradation and extra-fine sharpness - an image only the monochrome-specific image sensor can deliver.
A selection of monochrome-specific finishing touches
The PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome offers three Custom Image modes exclusively designed for monochrome photography to provide distinctive finishing touches. In addition to Standard mode, it also provides Hard mode to produce high-contrast images, and Soft mode to create high-key, low contrast images. Each mode provides minute adjustment of parameters such as tone, key, contrast and sharpness, allowing the photographer to personalize images for the desired finishing touch.
Exterior design reflecting the monochrome photography concept
The concept of monochrome photography is evident throughout the PENTAX K-3 Mark III Monochrome camera body, from the white backlight illumination on the LCD data panel positioned on its upper panel, to the "Monochrome" lettering printed on the upper-left shoulder of the back panel, and the SR (Shake Reduction) logo finished in silver. The camera's user interface menu features a black-and-white color scheme as default, while the icons printed on buttons and switches across the camera's exterior are finished in three shades of gray.
Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome Features
- Monochrome-specific CMOS image sensor with approximately 25.73 effective megapixels
- Image quality exclusively designed for monochrome photography
- A selection of monochrome-specific finishing touches
- Exterior design reflecting the monochrome photography concept
- Minimum ISO setting at 200
- Optical viewfinder with approx. 100% field of view, and approx. 1.05X magnification
- TTL autofocus, auto-exposure SLR digital-still camera
- Incorporates an advance In-body shake reduction mechanism
Firmware version 1.41 allows this camera to be used as an astro tracer without the optional Pentax O-GPS1 GPS Module. The camera enables astro tracing without GPS, direction, or other data, so there is no need for GPS positioning or to perform precision calibration. In addition, astro tracing can operate in areas affected by magnetic fields. Before starting, a preliminary shot is taken to track the object based on the movement of stars. (It is, however, recommended to use the O-GPS1 for star photography when shooting with a wide-angle lens.)
