All Pentax DSLRs that I've owned (K-7, K-3, K-3 III) or handled (K-70) have been what I would call full-featured for their respective classes, but the K-3 Mark III simply knocks it out of the park. Of course, you can always niggle about this or that feature which you're missing - have I heard someone whinge about the K-3 III lacking that flippy screen? - but honestly, I've never missed an articulate screen on any of my cameras, not even when legions of RUclipsrs told me about this being another absolutely game-changing feature. How could I possibly have survived and done photography without it? 😁 Thanks indeed for another useful and fun video, Lee. Will come back to it when further exploring what this amazing piece of kit brings to the table.
The reason I picked the K-1 ii over the K-3 iii, was in big part because of the screen. I take many shots where the camera is actually on the ground and looking up. Without a screen that can actually tilt/hinge/flip, I can't compose right, and in many occasions, I would actually have to put my actual face on the ground. Is it a deal killer not to have one? Not at all. I don't think a flippy screen like on the K-70/KF would be good on a K-3, but I do think something real solid like the hinge on the K-1 would be a nice middle ground. But then, it adds a certain thickness that the K-3 might not need.
I prefer a flip screen, or tilt now. When holding waist level you can get a lot of good street shots because you aren’t looking like you’re pointing a camera at people. It’s better for high and low work as well. For video where you’re in front of the camera the flip screens are hard to beat for making sure you’re in frame. Of course you can get shots without them but they’re a pretty big nicety and kind of industry standard at this point.
The k3iii defiantly steps it up in the features department, so many to try out & for all styles of photography. Could easily make 3 or 4 videos about the features alone! I initially wanted a flip screen after owning the K-70 but I must say I haven't missed it, maybe if I shot more macro woodland floor scenes it would come in useful but it's not a deal breaker. Cheers
@@LeeIveson Apart from all those features, it's just an incredibly satisfying photographic tool to hold and operate. Man, that rich, thudding mechanical shutter sound alone keeps sending chills down my spine, or the thrill of putting the camera to my eye and enjoying the gorgeous view through that luxurious OVF. Talk about enjoying the process, huh. People may think it's childish, but who said that photography mustn't be fun?
@Needacreate 💯 If the glove fits your going to enjoy the process! I Love the ergonomics of Pentax DSLRs the K3iii is for me the best feeling camera I've picked up to date. We'll . . . That & the Monochrome 😉
Seriously packed to the brim with customization options. What I like about this is that there is something for pretty much any kind of shooter out there. The more you use your camera, the more it becomes an extension of your mind. This one has more options and modern features compared to my K-1 ii, but even the K-1 ii has so many things that I've yet to actually really get into. I love how little I need to rely on camera menus. I can control most features I like with a knob or button.
I just ordered one of these. Should be here Monday I think. I'm interested in trying out the composition adjustment to see how it works (similar to a shift lens). Watching this vid and the whole thing just seems overwhelming (but in a good way)
Happy new camera day! There is a learning curve with the K3iii as it has so many new features but it still feels familiar if you've shot pentax previously. Lots to play with & learn but worth it. Enjoy your K3iii 👌
ok cool, time to finally check out the user modes on my beloved k5iis and k10d! these cameras (and my amassed pentax lens collection) might be all i ever need: so many features + superb build + image quality 🎉
Something is wrong with my copy - it doesn't have color. Just joking! I love the monochrome version even if it isn't anyone else's cup of tea. Seriously though, Pentax has always offered more features then I've ever used. I'm from the old-school film days and keep my cameras in manual mode most of the time. I do use auto features occasionally, but then have to struggle to remember how to use them - i guess that's what a smartphone is for.
I agree the Monochrome is an absolute pleasure to use! Both variations of the K3iii have so many features, I should probably do a part 2 video . . . maybe part 3 & 4 too! 😂
Are you still enjoying the k3 mono? I’ve been on the fence since I mainly shoot bnw with another brand. However love Pentax colors too. Any favorite lenses for the mono ?
@@sdhute I am still liking it. I've mainly been using it on a microscope, usually with transparent colorless subjects and getting the results I like. I have done some extreme low light test shooting up to about 204800 ISO with my old 50mm 1.4. the shots get grainy as hell out of camera, though I've experimented with the AI denoise tool in ON1 which is unbelievable. The denoised images seem usable to me though there are artifacts if you pixel peep. My whole reason for this kind of testing was to see if I can use the camera for really poorly lit street photography. Having said that, I know this camera was never advertised or intended to be used as a night vision device.
Very good and enjoyable content! I'm having trouble mastering all the functions because there are so many. Ricoh imaging says that in the K-3 Mark III(ver1.7), the performance during diagonal panning in the Shake Reduction SR "Panning" mode has been improved. I've never had the chance to test it out, though.🙃
At first I couldn't tell much difference between the two SR modes, I think its because Auto SR still picks up the panning movement really well. I'll have to see if there's a noticeable difference with the new firmware now 🤔
@@LeeIveson I often see ducks at a nearby river. I've shot panning horizontally several times before with K-3 MKIII, next time I'll practice diagonally.😀
oh.......most systems have it too, it's better to record the next episode, what's missing Pentax K3iiji, that's what stopped most people who have been using Pentax for years, from buying this model, no matter how advertised.
@@LeeIveson simple things, at least for others who implement them all the time. The display, or rather its "moving" capabilities. I know that some people will say that a fixed display is ok... after all, you can use Nokia 3310 phones today, but does it make more sense? and the second one is Video. I don't count on any miracles (because Pentax is light years behind the competition) and the explanation that Pentax is a "state of mind" and for photography only is also a marketing excuse. I'm not counting on miracles here, but on a better recording profile, better optical image stabilization, I know that autoficus is too much to wish for, I can do it manually. This can be done by improving the software. As I said earlier, with so much Pentax equipment, I am not able to record a video on RUclips, even a basic one, without much effort and major compromises. That's not really much, especially for the prices Pentax is now asking us to pay. I can compare it to the K5 era, where Pentax was the golden age, even though it was still behind the competition. He was able to convince us, without the pathetic, far-fetched advertisements and promotions we have today.
@@LeeIveson simple things, at least for others who implement them all the time. The display, or rather its "moving" capabilities. I know that some people will say that a fixed display is ok... after all, you can use Nokia 3310 phones today, but does it make more sense? and the second one is Video. I don't count on any miracles (because Pentax is light years behind the competition) and the explanation that Pentax is a "state of mind" and for photography only is also a marketing excuse. I'm not counting on miracles here, but on a better recording profile, better optical image stabilization, I know that autoficus is too much to wish for, I can do it manually. This can be done by improving the software. As I said earlier, with so much Pentax equipment, I am not able to record a video on RUclips, even a basic one, without much effort and major compromises. That's not really much, especially for the prices Pentax is now asking us to pay. I can compare it to the K5 era, where Pentax was the golden age, even though it was still behind the competition. Pentax was able to convince us then, without the weak, far-fetched advertising and promotion that we have today.
@@LeeIvesonwhy are you deleting my comment? you asked me, so I'm answering you. ...simple things, at least for others who implement them all the time. The display, or rather its "moving" capabilities. I know that some people will say that a fixed display is ok... after all, you can use Nokia 3310 phones today, but does it make more sense? and the second one is Video. I don't count on any miracles (because Pentax is light years behind the competition) and the explanation that Pentax is a "state of mind" and for photography only is also a marketing excuse. I'm not counting on miracles here, but on a better recording profile, better optical image stabilization, I know that autoficus is too much to wish for, I can do it manually. This can be done by improving the software. As I said earlier, with so much Pentax equipment, I am not able to record a video on RUclips, even a basic one, without much effort and major compromises. That's not really much, especially for the prices Pentax is now asking us to pay. I can compare it to the K5 era, where Pentax was the golden age, even though it was still behind the competition. Pentax was able to convince us then, without the weak, far-fetched advertising and promotion that we have today.
All Pentax DSLRs that I've owned (K-7, K-3, K-3 III) or handled (K-70) have been what I would call full-featured for their respective classes, but the K-3 Mark III simply knocks it out of the park. Of course, you can always niggle about this or that feature which you're missing - have I heard someone whinge about the K-3 III lacking that flippy screen? - but honestly, I've never missed an articulate screen on any of my cameras, not even when legions of RUclipsrs told me about this being another absolutely game-changing feature. How could I possibly have survived and done photography without it? 😁 Thanks indeed for another useful and fun video, Lee. Will come back to it when further exploring what this amazing piece of kit brings to the table.
The reason I picked the K-1 ii over the K-3 iii, was in big part because of the screen. I take many shots where the camera is actually on the ground and looking up. Without a screen that can actually tilt/hinge/flip, I can't compose right, and in many occasions, I would actually have to put my actual face on the ground.
Is it a deal killer not to have one? Not at all. I don't think a flippy screen like on the K-70/KF would be good on a K-3, but I do think something real solid like the hinge on the K-1 would be a nice middle ground. But then, it adds a certain thickness that the K-3 might not need.
I prefer a flip screen, or tilt now. When holding waist level you can get a lot of good street shots because you aren’t looking like you’re pointing a camera at people. It’s better for high and low work as well. For video where you’re in front of the camera the flip screens are hard to beat for making sure you’re in frame. Of course you can get shots without them but they’re a pretty big nicety and kind of industry standard at this point.
The k3iii defiantly steps it up in the features department, so many to try out & for all styles of photography. Could easily make 3 or 4 videos about the features alone! I initially wanted a flip screen after owning the K-70 but I must say I haven't missed it, maybe if I shot more macro woodland floor scenes it would come in useful but it's not a deal breaker. Cheers
@@LeeIveson Apart from all those features, it's just an incredibly satisfying photographic tool to hold and operate. Man, that rich, thudding mechanical shutter sound alone keeps sending chills down my spine, or the thrill of putting the camera to my eye and enjoying the gorgeous view through that luxurious OVF. Talk about enjoying the process, huh. People may think it's childish, but who said that photography mustn't be fun?
@Needacreate 💯 If the glove fits your going to enjoy the process! I Love the ergonomics of Pentax DSLRs the K3iii is for me the best feeling camera I've picked up to date. We'll . . . That & the Monochrome 😉
Seriously packed to the brim with customization options. What I like about this is that there is something for pretty much any kind of shooter out there. The more you use your camera, the more it becomes an extension of your mind. This one has more options and modern features compared to my K-1 ii, but even the K-1 ii has so many things that I've yet to actually really get into. I love how little I need to rely on camera menus. I can control most features I like with a knob or button.
That it is, packed full to the brim! I must say I do love all the on body buttons & dials, most of all the joy stick!
Super Video. Schönes Wochenende.
Viele Grüße aus Bavaria Germany ❤
Thanks very much 👍
Great content. Good to know about Face AE
I just ordered one of these. Should be here Monday I think. I'm interested in trying out the composition adjustment to see how it works (similar to a shift lens).
Watching this vid and the whole thing just seems overwhelming (but in a good way)
Happy new camera day! There is a learning curve with the K3iii as it has so many new features but it still feels familiar if you've shot pentax previously. Lots to play with & learn but worth it. Enjoy your K3iii 👌
ok cool, time to finally check out the user modes on my beloved k5iis and k10d! these cameras (and my amassed pentax lens collection) might be all i ever need: so many features + superb build + image quality 🎉
Thanks for the overview, Lee. I’m saving this video.
Great video Lee and thanks for all those tips 👍
No problem 👍
Something is wrong with my copy - it doesn't have color. Just joking! I love the monochrome version even if it isn't anyone else's cup of tea. Seriously though, Pentax has always offered more features then I've ever used. I'm from the old-school film days and keep my cameras in manual mode most of the time. I do use auto features occasionally, but then have to struggle to remember how to use them - i guess that's what a smartphone is for.
I agree the Monochrome is an absolute pleasure to use! Both variations of the K3iii have so many features, I should probably do a part 2 video . . . maybe part 3 & 4 too! 😂
Are you still enjoying the k3 mono? I’ve been on the fence since I mainly shoot bnw with another brand. However love Pentax colors too. Any favorite lenses for the mono ?
@@sdhute I am still liking it. I've mainly been using it on a microscope, usually with transparent colorless subjects and getting the results I like. I have done some extreme low light test shooting up to about 204800 ISO with my old 50mm 1.4. the shots get grainy as hell out of camera, though I've experimented with the AI denoise tool in ON1 which is unbelievable. The denoised images seem usable to me though there are artifacts if you pixel peep. My whole reason for this kind of testing was to see if I can use the camera for really poorly lit street photography. Having said that, I know this camera was never advertised or intended to be used as a night vision device.
Good job Lee.
Cheers Eddy
Awesome 🎉
Interesting video, can I ask what camera bag you are using ?
Thanks.
Sure, here's the links to all the gear I use including my camera bag.
USA - www.amazon.com/shop/leeiveson
UK - www.amazon.co.uk/shop/leeiveson
Very good and enjoyable content! I'm having trouble mastering all the functions because there are so many.
Ricoh imaging says that in the K-3 Mark III(ver1.7), the performance during diagonal panning in the Shake Reduction SR "Panning" mode has been improved. I've never had the chance to test it out, though.🙃
At first I couldn't tell much difference between the two SR modes, I think its because Auto SR still picks up the panning movement really well. I'll have to see if there's a noticeable difference with the new firmware now 🤔
@@LeeIveson I often use the SR mode to capture birds and it works very well, but I rarely have the opportunity to try "diagonal" shake reduction.
@@awajiislander3843 You could try hanging around your local river to try & catch some ducks flying up/down stream. Very good panning practice 👌
@@LeeIveson I often see ducks at a nearby river. I've shot panning horizontally several times before with K-3 MKIII, next time I'll practice diagonally.😀
@@awajiislander3843 Ahh sorry I missed reading the diagonal part! Maybe try find some bungee jumpers haha 😄
Is the catch in focus feature still present for setting up a trap camera?
Yes it is! Great feature also 👌
oh.......most systems have it too, it's better to record the next episode, what's missing Pentax K3iiji, that's what stopped most people who have been using Pentax for years, from buying this model, no matter how advertised.
What would you say is missing from the K3iii that held you back from buying it?
@@LeeIveson simple things, at least for others who implement them all the time. The display, or rather its "moving" capabilities. I know that some people will say that a fixed display is ok... after all, you can use Nokia 3310 phones today, but does it make more sense? and the second one is Video. I don't count on any miracles (because Pentax is light years behind the competition) and the explanation that Pentax is a "state of mind" and for photography only is also a marketing excuse. I'm not counting on miracles here, but on a better recording profile, better optical image stabilization, I know that autoficus is too much to wish for, I can do it manually. This can be done by improving the software. As I said earlier, with so much Pentax equipment, I am not able to record a video on RUclips, even a basic one, without much effort and major compromises. That's not really much, especially for the prices Pentax is now asking us to pay. I can compare it to the K5 era, where Pentax was the golden age, even though it was still behind the competition. He was able to convince us, without the pathetic, far-fetched advertisements and promotions we have today.
@@LeeIveson simple things, at least for others who implement them all the time. The display, or rather its "moving" capabilities. I know that some people will say that a fixed display is ok... after all, you can use Nokia 3310 phones today, but does it make more sense? and the second one is Video. I don't count on any miracles (because Pentax is light years behind the competition) and the explanation that Pentax is a "state of mind" and for photography only is also a marketing excuse. I'm not counting on miracles here, but on a better recording profile, better optical image stabilization, I know that autoficus is too much to wish for, I can do it manually. This can be done by improving the software. As I said earlier, with so much Pentax equipment, I am not able to record a video on RUclips, even a basic one, without much effort and major compromises. That's not really much, especially for the prices Pentax is now asking us to pay. I can compare it to the K5 era, where Pentax was the golden age, even though it was still behind the competition. Pentax was able to convince us then, without the weak, far-fetched advertising and promotion that we have today.
@@LeeIvesonwhy are you deleting my comment? you asked me, so I'm answering you.
...simple things, at least for others who implement them all the time. The display, or rather its "moving" capabilities. I know that some people will say that a fixed display is ok... after all, you can use Nokia 3310 phones today, but does it make more sense? and the second one is Video. I don't count on any miracles (because Pentax is light years behind the competition) and the explanation that Pentax is a "state of mind" and for photography only is also a marketing excuse. I'm not counting on miracles here, but on a better recording profile, better optical image stabilization, I know that autoficus is too much to wish for, I can do it manually. This can be done by improving the software. As I said earlier, with so much Pentax equipment, I am not able to record a video on RUclips, even a basic one, without much effort and major compromises. That's not really much, especially for the prices Pentax is now asking us to pay. I can compare it to the K5 era, where Pentax was the golden age, even though it was still behind the competition. Pentax was able to convince us then, without the weak, far-fetched advertising and promotion that we have today.