What an unusual year this has been for Ricoh Pentax, a photo company that is quite strange in itself. Ricoh Pentax, always marching to the beat of its own drum, did things differently than everyone else in 2024, and that’s overall a good thing.
Seven new cameras, no new DSLR
Ricoh Imaging’s first new camera of the year arrives Two new premium compact cameras, Ricoh GR III HDF and Ricoh GR IIIx HDFCompared to the standard GR III and GR IIIx cameras, the new HDF variant features a newly developed Highlight Diffusion Filter (HDF), which promises softer and dreamier photos. Able to turn on and off in a single action, HDF offers photographers a quick and easy way to capture different-looking images. It has proven popular so far, as demand for the camera is very high.
The GR III HDF is a popular pocketable camera because of how good it is It’s highly efficient and fun to useIts popularity is not only because compact cameras In Now – The GR III series has been a favorite among enthusiast photographers since The original GR III debuted in 2018Although not much has changed with the 24-megapixel APS-C camera since then, the HDF version is a nice refresh.
There are two more small refreshes ahead, WG-1000 and WG-8These rugged underwater cameras are tough. The WG-1000, meant more for casual use, can be used up to 15 meters (49.2 ft) below the water surface.
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The WG-8 is even better and designed for high-end use. This camera can withstand a depth of 20 meters (65.6 feet) and is shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof. This really is a tough camera and great for outdoor adventurers. The 20-megapixel type 1/2.3 sensor isn’t exactly incredible, but it’s one of those compromises that must be made for a robust underwater camera that costs $400.
G900 II and G900SE II announced in August There are also bumps. Both cameras, built mostly for industrial applications, have 20-megapixel sensors and waterproof bodies. They are similar to the WG-8 but are built less for outdoor recreation and more for work sites and disaster relief.
We’ve saved the best for last: pentax 17This is a super-exciting new product, as it is the first brand new film 35mm camera designed by a major camera company in 19 years. With over two years in active development, Ricoh Imaging even brought people out of retirement to work on the Pentax 17. No expense spared, and the result is one Fun, unique analog photography experience At a time when people are desperate for film shooting.
The Pentax 17 doesn’t offer photographers full control, and it’s a half-frame camera, but it strikes an attractive balance between accessibility and performance. It is more than a toy but not a serious analog camera. In the meantime, the Pentax 17 strikes gold. This is certainly not a camera for everyone, but anyone who picks it up will have a hard time putting it down.
“What the Pentax 17 does so well is give first-time moviegoers the real experience of using a classic film camera while also giving the experienced film photographer a sense of the joy they may have lost along the way,” Let’s write. Chris Nicholls.
This is for new Ricoh Pentax cameras in 2024, which means the company will not release a new DSLR this year. There’s no way around it, it’s frustrating. Last year, the K-3 Mark III was monochrome, A fun and unusual DSLRthe year before that came pentax kfA glorious K-70 re-release. In 2021, Pentax launched Original (Color) K-3 IIIAn excellent APS-C DSLR. Then you have to go back to early 2018 for the company’s last full-frame DSLR, K-1 Mark IIA camera that remains popular today due to its excellent image quality and robust design. However, Pentax is running out of time To capture even the most passionate Pentax DSLR shooters.
there was also a flash
Ricoh Imaging also announced Pentax AF180FG Automatic Flash This year. The compact strobe works with all Pentax DSLRs and GR series fixed-lens compact cameras, including the GR III series models. This is a strange new product, which means it’s completely on-brand for Ricoh Pentax.
Ricoh Pentax grading in 2024
Ricoh is pretty excited about Pentax’s 2024 Pentax 17. This is an exciting new film camera, a first in a long time. The GR III HDF is a neat new product but not a significant upgrade to a six-year-old camera series.
As far as the four new stronger cameras are concerned, they are also fine. They’re not as exciting, but each serves a pretty specific audience. Certainly, the WG-8 is a particularly solid choice for adventurers.
Pentax enthusiasts and passionate DSLR shooters had nothing to celebrate in 2024, and that’s really a shame.
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Image Credit: Exclusive image created using assets licensed through gathering photo,
