I have had this camera for about two months now, and I agree completely with your review. I blown away, not just by the incredible image quality, but also by the ergonomics and attention to detail in the design. The highlight-weighted metering mode is amazing. I have found that if I rely on it every time, all I have to do is to recover highlights, and I can do so in camera.
@@joseiovino I will take a look at highlight weighted metering, I use mainly jpeg and didn't realise Pentax had that feature. This will be very handy, glad you've had a great experience too!
I shoot jpeg on my other cameras, but this wonderful camera has shown me the benefits of raw+jpeg for B&W. With the highlighted-protecting metering mode, you just have to balance the shadows to your taste, and I have recently discovered that the green button will do it perfectly in a single keystroke much if not all of the time. The autofocus is actually excellent once one knows how to set it up. For me, it hasn't failed once. I recommend the recent videos by Kobie K-C on the stability AF mode (done for the regular K3-iii).
How do you find the autofocus with night time football? What lenses do you use for this, and what is the AF hit rate? Very curious about this camera and potential applications.
@@raksh9 I use either the Pentax 70-200 or 55-300 PLM. The second lens is very accurate for night time, but has maximum f6.3 at 300mm. The 70-200 is a full-frame lens, so it's effectively 105-300 and has an f2.8 aperture. The focusing is good with a little forethought - looking for contrasty areas like white transition to black on uniform. Hit rate is 60-70 percent with extremely dark fields, 80-90 or higher with well lit ones. Ambient light varies greatly for the teams I usually end up shooting since many of the fields would hardly classify as practice fields!
I have been seriously looking at Pentax, and this camera is making me rethink everything! Images are amazing! Just sold all my Canon equipment. This video was a big help to me, thanks!
Lovely review and pictures. Makes me definitely interested in the camera and as someone who is also looking at a Leica M mono, this could be a serious alternative for someone who has not yet bought into the Leica system.
Hi, Just subscribed to your channel specifically for this Pentax mono Have been using Pentax since the early eighties but skipped for twenty years plus when digital originally came on the scene. Currently I have a K70 plus a few DA^ and also a K1ii with a prime or two inc the current DFA 50m 1.4 which just blows one away but is a heavy beast. Really looking forward to more on the K3iii mono by your good self as i would love one and probably will have to sell the K70 and save a lot as well to acquire one. Kind regards👍
One day I'd like to try the DFA 50m 1.4, looks like a great lens! The mono is such a unique camera, so far I have no regrets but it all comes down to personal taste. I've been so impressed that I'm already eyeing up a K1 ii, time to trade in the last of my old systems and see what all the K1 fuss is about... Glad you enjoyed the content!
Try one of the Sigma foveon sensor cameras, like DP Merrill or even SD Quattro. They're a bit quirky, however the image quality is something beyond remarkable and film-like some would argue, especially when shooting in monochrome.
I switched back to Pentax last year, got lots of old Pentax film lenses so got a K1 markII. love it, got 1 modern lens but don't use it because like the old lenses when I was young.
Can't beat a well made old manual lens, some of my favourites were manufactured before I was even born! I'm also looking at getting a K1 ii, everyone seems to rave about them.
@@i.like.pixels the catch in focus is very nice. The camera only takes a photograph when your in focus. So hold down the shutter button and turn the focus ring, if it’s in focus it will take a picture.
Great review and some lovely images. I've the colour version and love it. Maybe if I come into bob or two I'll get a monochrome version, I'd love to see what my HD DFA* 50mm f1.4 would be like with that sensor :)
@@ericmckillen2106 yes it's a big investment, if I already had the colour version I'd been very torn getting both. The 50mm * is on my list for future use, a very tempting lens!
Great shots! I like B&W photography so I'm somewhat tempted but just can't justify buying it at the moment (I have a K-1 and my lenses mostly suit that).
Autofocus works very reliable if you use a lens with a fast drive like the 55-300PLM or the 70-210. Also you need to disable AF Hold in C Mode. I got pictures of sea eagles from Norway. And my keeper rate better than 9 out of 10. So the AF isn't a weak point.
@@nilsbernhard2388 thanks for the information, I'm slowly learning more and improving my knowledge of the camera. I think after 3 months I'll have accustomed myself fully, I don't like giving full opinions without long term use. I'll be following up a full review once I'm sure I'm getting the best from the camera.
@@robertsaunders5740 unfortunately they pop up very rarely, and still demand a high price. But worth keeping an eye out, as their a very unique camera.
Great video and images. Regarding AF comments, I’m curious if your firmware is updated to the latest version. Also, there are numerous AF-related settings that will impact the experience and final result. Depending on your shooting mode this could be Program Line selection, AF Hold setting, and also priority setting of either keeping to frame rate first, or achieving AF first as a priority over frame rate. And there are others as well. My other comment is don’t be quick to believe what the internet and TH-cam reviewers say about PENTAX AF. The stereotype that the AF is poor is just not true and was started by competitors to try and thwart the brand. My K-1 Mark II has fantastic AF. Also, the PENTAX lens you use significantly impacts AF speed. It’s not just about the camera body.
@AllistonOnElement agreed the k1mark ii is great for autofocus. It's not blazing, but steady and sure which helps with confidence in the field . Perhaps I'll rethink my approach with the k3 iii and take some time aside to nail in it's af.
@@MishaG9 that would be a great question for the Pentax forum community, I'm not well read on the flange distances but I'd suspect it's a no for infinity focus but yes for macro.
@@i.like.pixels Forgot to specify, Nikon F mount camera, not the new generation which seems to have a different mount. Thank you for your answer. If I can find a usable adapter, I'll buy the K3 eyes shut.
And to think, 5 years ago I sold all my Pentax gear and switched to Olympus. I've been extremely happy with that choice, but lately my tastes are shifting towards more dedicated monochrome images, even for wildlife, and then the Pentax monochrome was released... It's extremely tempting to reinvest, though it's painful to think I already had almost all those lenses...yikes! Anyway, great images, and review!
@@whafrog that's a hard one to justify, I'd say stay were you are. Reselling and rebuying is very painful, unless you've bought 2nd hand to start with. But, then again if monochrome is your calling, currently nothing on the market can do what the pentax can at the same price.
Great shots! Very sharp! I just got my own K-3mkIII monochrome. What ISO range did you shoot? My test shots of ISO below 1600 are good. But very high ISO it seems more grainy than I was expecting.
I've had great success using way above 1600, I do let the native noise reduction operate though. The photograph of the puffin with fish in its mouth (5:26) and the wasp (7:05) were both taken at 2500 ISO if that helps for reference.
With regards to autofocus, this might be a dumb question but do you have the latest firmware? This channel by Kobie (www.youtube.com/@KobieMC/videos) has useful tips on autofocus and wildlife shooting for the K-3 III. Pentax Forums is also worth a look for tips and advice on both the mono and colour versions.
@@Eric.Taylor.1962 yes I'm using the latest firmware, I'll look into Kobie's videos and see if I can fix the errors I e encountered. Thankyou for the information, I mention in my final review if I was able to resolve this.
Your laptop screen looks too blue. That would be expected, if you never calibrated it. I recommend using a hardware calibrator or at least the built-in Windows calibration by eye.
I have had this camera for about two months now, and I agree completely with your review. I blown away, not just by the incredible image quality, but also by the ergonomics and attention to detail in the design. The highlight-weighted metering mode is amazing. I have found that if I rely on it every time, all I have to do is to recover highlights, and I can do so in camera.
@@joseiovino I will take a look at highlight weighted metering, I use mainly jpeg and didn't realise Pentax had that feature. This will be very handy, glad you've had a great experience too!
I shoot jpeg on my other cameras, but this wonderful camera has shown me the benefits of raw+jpeg for B&W. With the highlighted-protecting metering mode, you just have to balance the shadows to your taste, and I have recently discovered that the green button will do it perfectly in a single keystroke much if not all of the time.
The autofocus is actually excellent once one knows how to set it up. For me, it hasn't failed once. I recommend the recent videos by Kobie K-C on the stability AF mode (done for the regular K3-iii).
@@joseiovino thankyou I'll take a look at that, I'd be very interested in improving the af keeper rate.
This camera is absolutely killer for sports. Night time football. Action. It's an amazing camera.
Low light action is very good, the iso capabilities are phenomenal!
Yes but outlets and participants do not want BW photos
@@danigonzalez4299 You might be surprised by that! I certainly have interest from participants and staff. To each their own.
How do you find the autofocus with night time football? What lenses do you use for this, and what is the AF hit rate? Very curious about this camera and potential applications.
@@raksh9 I use either the Pentax 70-200 or 55-300 PLM. The second lens is very accurate for night time, but has maximum f6.3 at 300mm. The 70-200 is a full-frame lens, so it's effectively 105-300 and has an f2.8 aperture. The focusing is good with a little forethought - looking for contrasty areas like white transition to black on uniform. Hit rate is 60-70 percent with extremely dark fields, 80-90 or higher with well lit ones. Ambient light varies greatly for the teams I usually end up shooting since many of the fields would hardly classify as practice fields!
The reason I like Black & White photos is because I don't get distracted by the colours and I just focus on the subject itself.
I have been seriously looking at Pentax, and this camera is making me rethink everything! Images are amazing! Just sold all my Canon equipment. This video was a big help to me, thanks!
Excellent images. Honest review. Thanks.
This is getting close to Foveon levels of sharpness. Really get to see how bayer sensor interpolation reduces sharpness when color is involved.
Love your opinions and excitement for this camera
Thankyou, it's been some time since I've been impressed with a camera, and its definitely an exciting camera 😀
Lovely review and pictures. Makes me definitely interested in the camera and as someone who is also looking at a Leica M mono, this could be a serious alternative for someone who has not yet bought into the Leica system.
Hi, Just subscribed to your channel specifically for this Pentax mono
Have been using Pentax since the early eighties but skipped for twenty years plus when digital originally came on the scene.
Currently I have a K70 plus a few DA^ and also a K1ii with a prime or two inc the current DFA 50m 1.4 which just blows one away but is a heavy beast.
Really looking forward to more on the K3iii mono by your good self as i would love one and probably will have to sell the K70 and save a lot as well to acquire one.
Kind regards👍
One day I'd like to try the DFA 50m 1.4, looks like a great lens!
The mono is such a unique camera, so far I have no regrets but it all comes down to personal taste. I've been so impressed that I'm already eyeing up a K1 ii, time to trade in the last of my old systems and see what all the K1 fuss is about...
Glad you enjoyed the content!
Try one of the Sigma foveon sensor cameras, like DP Merrill or even SD Quattro. They're a bit quirky, however the image quality is something beyond remarkable and film-like some would argue, especially when shooting in monochrome.
SDQuattro in BW @ ISO 1600 looks to me like pushed 35mm Ilford HP5.
lovely photos!
@@EmirhanSanl4 thankyou!
Stellar photos.
I switched back to Pentax last year, got lots of old Pentax film lenses so got a K1 markII. love it, got 1 modern lens but don't use it because like the old lenses when I was young.
Can't beat a well made old manual lens, some of my favourites were manufactured before I was even born! I'm also looking at getting a K1 ii, everyone seems to rave about them.
@@i.like.pixels the catch in focus is very nice. The camera only takes a photograph when your in focus. So hold down the shutter button and turn the focus ring, if it’s in focus it will take a picture.
that eye reflection self portrait made me lol
Since each pixel is a dedicated monochrome sensor, this is equivalent to 75mp. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent images. Helpful review!
Great review and some lovely images. I've the colour version and love it. Maybe if I come into bob or two I'll get a monochrome version, I'd love to see what my HD DFA* 50mm f1.4 would be like with that sensor :)
@@ericmckillen2106 yes it's a big investment, if I already had the colour version I'd been very torn getting both. The 50mm * is on my list for future use, a very tempting lens!
Great shots! I like B&W photography so I'm somewhat tempted but just can't justify buying it at the moment (I have a K-1 and my lenses mostly suit that).
Autofocus works very reliable if you use a lens with a fast drive like the 55-300PLM or the 70-210. Also you need to disable AF Hold in C Mode. I got pictures of sea eagles from Norway. And my keeper rate better than 9 out of 10. So the AF isn't a weak point.
@@nilsbernhard2388 thanks for the information, I'm slowly learning more and improving my knowledge of the camera. I think after 3 months I'll have accustomed myself fully, I don't like giving full opinions without long term use. I'll be following up a full review once I'm sure I'm getting the best from the camera.
I would like to find a slightly used one with lens. Reviews have all been very positive.
@@robertsaunders5740 unfortunately they pop up very rarely, and still demand a high price. But worth keeping an eye out, as their a very unique camera.
Out of interest, what is the lens you’re using for most of these images?
I'm using the 150-450 mostly, the puffin photos are with the 55-300. Both fantastic, but the 150-450 is outstanding.
@@i.like.pixels thanks for responding. Really tempted by the K3 mono so considering lens options
Great video and images.
Regarding AF comments, I’m curious if your firmware is updated to the latest version.
Also, there are numerous AF-related settings that will impact the experience and final result. Depending on your shooting mode this could be Program Line selection, AF Hold setting, and also priority setting of either keeping to frame rate first, or achieving AF first as a priority over frame rate. And there are others as well.
My other comment is don’t be quick to believe what the internet and TH-cam reviewers say about PENTAX AF. The stereotype that the AF is poor is just not true and was started by competitors to try and thwart the brand. My K-1 Mark II has fantastic AF. Also, the PENTAX lens you use significantly impacts AF speed. It’s not just about the camera body.
@AllistonOnElement agreed the k1mark ii is great for autofocus. It's not blazing, but steady and sure which helps with confidence in the field .
Perhaps I'll rethink my approach with the k3 iii and take some time aside to nail in it's af.
Art & Mastery, thank you.
Wonder if there is an adapter to fit Nikon lenses. Any info?
@@MishaG9 that would be a great question for the Pentax forum community, I'm not well read on the flange distances but I'd suspect it's a no for infinity focus but yes for macro.
@@i.like.pixels Forgot to specify, Nikon F mount camera, not the new generation which seems to have a different mount. Thank you for your answer. If I can find a usable adapter, I'll buy the K3 eyes shut.
Please do more videos
And to think, 5 years ago I sold all my Pentax gear and switched to Olympus. I've been extremely happy with that choice, but lately my tastes are shifting towards more dedicated monochrome images, even for wildlife, and then the Pentax monochrome was released... It's extremely tempting to reinvest, though it's painful to think I already had almost all those lenses...yikes! Anyway, great images, and review!
@@whafrog that's a hard one to justify, I'd say stay were you are. Reselling and rebuying is very painful, unless you've bought 2nd hand to start with.
But, then again if monochrome is your calling, currently nothing on the market can do what the pentax can at the same price.
Great shots! Very sharp! I just got my own K-3mkIII monochrome. What ISO range did you shoot? My test shots of ISO below 1600 are good. But very high ISO it seems more grainy than I was expecting.
I've had great success using way above 1600, I do let the native noise reduction operate though. The photograph of the puffin with fish in its mouth (5:26) and the wasp (7:05) were both taken at 2500 ISO if that helps for reference.
If I could afford it as a second body (and set of lenses) I'd love to have one.
@@matthuck378 yes that's a tough choice to make, ultimately I decided to sell most of my camera collection to fund this purchase.
With regards to autofocus, this might be a dumb question but do you have the latest firmware? This channel by Kobie (www.youtube.com/@KobieMC/videos) has useful tips on autofocus and wildlife shooting for the K-3 III. Pentax Forums is also worth a look for tips and advice on both the mono and colour versions.
@@Eric.Taylor.1962 yes I'm using the latest firmware, I'll look into Kobie's videos and see if I can fix the errors I e encountered. Thankyou for the information, I mention in my final review if I was able to resolve this.
Just fyi, Ricoh is releasing a new gr4 with a mono sensor in 1st quarter ‘25.👍😀
An AF Lock rate of 50% is as good as it gets for Bifs with any camera, they are the toughest test for any camera's AF IMO.
Dynamic range, low light noise and per pixel sharpness is where monochrome sensors excel at. No surprises here.
Hallo, sehr gutes Video. Bitte mehr davon.
Gruß aus Bayern / Germany.
Gruß Bernd
Danke :D
Your laptop screen looks too blue. That would be expected, if you never calibrated it. I recommend using a hardware calibrator or at least the built-in Windows calibration by eye.
😁