APS-C prototype focus screen etchings

By looking at the pictures of the prototype available since last year at pentaxforums, I saw reflected in the mirror the finely etched lines delimiting the AF-covered area, the left and right brackets, and also the spot metering area in the center. This could mean that the focus screen will not have an LCD overlay as seen in K-1. Then, the OVF will be possible to use even without a battery in the camera and will make easy to change the focus screen, the same as in K-3.

The margins of the focus screen that are transmitted to the pentaprism are also visible. I obtained these numbers for the etched markings: horizontal coverage about 81%, vertical coverage about 45% (from viewfinder's width and height, respectively).

This looks like a solid improvement over the K-3 II for which I got these numbers: horizontal coverage 65%, vertical coverage in the center 42%, peripherally only 26%.

I wonder what that circle close to right upper corner would be. Maybe the position of outermost AF point etched for demonstration purposes?



And if you look close enough, it seems that there are etched four corners delimiting about this central area (maybe AF cross points):

This is a long shot, but what if that little circle I mentioned above is actually the letter "O" from optical viewfinder? If the EVF in the hybrid viewfinder has a very high quality display, maybe the OVF needs an optical mark to aid knowing which is which?

As several forum members already noticed, I also think the prototype looks very close to production state even at this level.

I honestly hope that the new camera will have a true switchable hybrid OVF/EVF viewfinder. If it doesn't, that won't affect the fact that I still want this camera.

It's only a 1 in a hundred year camera LOL.

MikeyBugs95 said:

I honestly hope that the new camera will have a true switchable hybrid OVF/EVF viewfinder. If it doesn't, that won't affect the fact that I still want this camera.

Click to expand...

Same here. Goldilocks camera (flagship APS-C, not too big, not too small, just right).

bob5050

iso rivolta said:

This is a long shot, but what if that little circle I mentioned above is actually the letter "O" from optical viewfinder? If the EVF in the hybrid viewfinder has a very high quality display, maybe the OVF needs an optical mark to aid knowing which is which?

As several forum members already noticed, I also think the prototype looks very close to production state even at this level.

Click to expand...

I said this more than two years ago, dang I can’t believe how fast time flies.

If Pentax did listened then this could be BIG. When the D850 was rumored to have a hybrid VF people were going crazy for it. Something like that would definitely help Pentax stay alive and a camera like that would draw a lot of attention. I would definitely be interested in a K1 III with that technology.



Having said that, the issue will remain the same and I am going to sound like a scratched record but what Pentax need to speed up is Lens selection. Lighter modern lenses AND a hybrid VF, they could actually rule the world.

In life and in a business sometimes you get an opportunity to do something great, Nikon missed that opportunity by not making the D850 hybrid, but if Pentax grabs this chance it will be big because they will be completely unique by having something really cool and so useful.



I think Sony was doing hybrid but left it. If Pentax gets their act together and makes wise decisions NOW they can actually go far and do much more than just “survive”.

Batdude said:

iso rivolta said:

This is a long shot, but what if that little circle I mentioned above is actually the letter "O" from optical viewfinder? If the EVF in the hybrid viewfinder has a very high quality display, maybe the OVF needs an optical mark to aid knowing which is which?

As several forum members already noticed, I also think the prototype looks very close to production state even at this level.

Click to expand...

I said this more than two years ago, dang I can’t believe how fast time flies.

If Pentax did listened then this could be BIG. When the D850 was rumored to have a hybrid VF people were going crazy for it. Something like that would definitely help Pentax stay alive and a camera like that would draw a lot of attention. I would definitely be interested in a K1 III with that technology.

Having said that, the issue will remain the same and I am going to sound like a scratched record but what Pentax need to speed up is Lens selection. Lighter modern lenses AND a hybrid VF, they could actually rule the world.

In life and in a business sometimes you get an opportunity to do something great, Nikon missed that opportunity by not making the D850 hybrid, but if Pentax grabs this chance it will be big because they will be completely unique by having something really cool and so useful.

I think Sony was doing hybrid but left it. If Pentax gets their act together and makes wise decisions NOW they can actually go far and do much more than just “survive”.

Click to expand...

pentax needs only a capable AF system like competitors or better.

Pentax has many unique features but no one notice it just noticing the weak af system.

Btw what is the serious benefit of getting a hybrid VF?

--
pentaxian .

zakaria said:

pentax needs only a capable AF system like competitors or better.

Click to expand...

And a generally improved performance/responsiveness.

I'm moderately optimistic; I don't expect anything "ground breaking", but we do know there will be a new AF system and we have very good reasons to believe they'll use a new hardware platform, possibly software too (Linux-based like the GR III?).

zakaria said:

Pentax has many unique features but no one notice it just noticing the weak af system.

Click to expand...

Yeah, the idea is to make it harder to find weak spots, as definitely people will look for them (as opposed to looking at what Pentax could do for us).

zakaria said:

Btw what is the serious benefit of getting a hybrid VF?

Click to expand...

I can think of only one, that is to use the viewfinder when shooting video.

Anyway, I'm not expecting it in this camera.

Alex

Alex Sarbu said:

zakaria said:

pentax needs only a capable AF system like competitors or better.

Click to expand...

And a generally improved performance/responsiveness.

I'm moderately optimistic; I don't expect anything "ground breaking", but we do know there will be a new AF system and we have very good reasons to believe they'll use a new hardware platform, possibly software too (Linux-based like the GR III?).

Alex Sarbu said:

Pentax has many unique features but no one notice it just noticing the weak af system.

Click to expand...

Yeah, the idea is to make it harder to find weak spots, as definitely people will look for them (as opposed to looking at what Pentax could do for us).

Alex Sarbu said:

Btw what is the serious benefit of getting a hybrid VF?

Click to expand...

I can think of only one, that is to use the viewfinder when shooting video.

Click to expand...

I never shoot video with any camera MILC or dslr. I even don't know where is video button or don't care!

Regarding the unique features I see how dpr hailing fujifilm for putting IBIS in XT4 which pentax use it for a 10+years beside Astro And PS.

Alex Sarbu said:

Anyway, I'm not expecting it in this camera.

Alex

Click to expand...

zakaria said:

Btw what is the serious benefit of getting a hybrid VF?

Click to expand...

The benefit would be to have practically an EVF on demand, to aid focusing manual lenses (like wide angle lenses) by magnifying the image and offer focus peeking in the VF. Also offer a feedback on exposure like exposure simulation and histogram. Basically the live view feed in the VF. And would put Pentax on the map of modern, mirrorless(-like) cameras.

The most obvious disadvantages would be compromising the OVF and/or needing a larger VF hump. The LCD or OLED image would be projected somehow using a prism or mirror in the VF optical path. This could make for a darker optical image. Hopefully such a system will allow keeping the pentaprism (not switch to pentamirror). I have mixed feelings about a hybrid VF.

First I thought hybrid viewfinder would be a great idea but then I realised I only have focus point visible in the viewfinder. All else is turned off. Mirrorless jet fighter overlay overload is super annoying. The tech overhead I also likely to be great for little practical return.

I trust Pentax though so IF they do hybrid vf they've probably found a good use case and interface.

iso rivolta said:

zakaria said:

Btw what is the serious benefit of getting a hybrid VF?

Click to expand...

The benefit would be to have practically an EVF on demand, to aid focusing manual lenses (like wide angle lenses) by magnifying the image and offer focus peeking in the VF. Also offer a feedback on exposure like exposure simulation and histogram. Basically the live view feed in the VF. And would put Pentax on the map of modern, mirrorless(-like) cameras.

The most obvious disadvantages would be compromising the OVF and/or needing a larger VF hump. The LCD or OLED image would be projected somehow using a prism or mirror in the VF optical path. This could make for a darker optical image. Hopefully such a system will allow keeping the pentaprism (not switch to pentamirror). I have mixed feelings about a hybrid VF.

Click to expand...

Isn't the same as fujifilm XPRO type camera?

I had one and didn't like it.

zakaria said:

Batdude said:

iso rivolta said:

This is a long shot, but what if that little circle I mentioned above is actually the letter "O" from optical viewfinder? If the EVF in the hybrid viewfinder has a very high quality display, maybe the OVF needs an optical mark to aid knowing which is which?

As several forum members already noticed, I also think the prototype looks very close to production state even at this level.

Click to expand...

I said this more than two years ago, dang I can’t believe how fast time flies.

If Pentax did listened then this could be BIG. When the D850 was rumored to have a hybrid VF people were going crazy for it. Something like that would definitely help Pentax stay alive and a camera like that would draw a lot of attention. I would definitely be interested in a K1 III with that technology.

Having said that, the issue will remain the same and I am going to sound like a scratched record but what Pentax need to speed up is Lens selection. Lighter modern lenses AND a hybrid VF, they could actually rule the world.

In life and in a business sometimes you get an opportunity to do something great, Nikon missed that opportunity by not making the D850 hybrid, but if Pentax grabs this chance it will be big because they will be completely unique by having something really cool and so useful.

I think Sony was doing hybrid but left it. If Pentax gets their act together and makes wise decisions NOW they can actually go far and do much more than just “survive”.

Click to expand...

pentax needs only a capable AF system like competitors or better.

Click to expand...

IMHHO they need more then just AF at this point in time. They also need to get rid of that weird tilt LCD function and put something much better. They need a lot of lenses. Lighter smaller prime lenses is what excite people not those humongous Sigma art bricks.

zakaria said:

Pentax has many unique features but no one notice it just noticing the weak af system.

Click to expand...

zakaria said:

Btw what is the serious benefit of getting a hybrid VF?

Click to expand...

Not having to chimp for exposure on the LCD is the main reason for me.

zakaria said:

--
pentaxian .

Click to expand...

Batdude said:

zakaria said:

pentax needs only a capable AF system like competitors or better.

Click to expand...

IMHHO they need more then just AF at this point in time. They also need to get rid of that weird tilt LCD function and put something much better.

Click to expand...

I wouldn't call any standard LCD tilt mechanism "better". Clearly not "much better".

Unless for selfies
Alex

Alex Sarbu said:

Batdude said:

zakaria said:

pentax needs only a capable AF system like competitors or better.

Click to expand...

IMHHO they need more then just AF at this point in time. They also need to get rid of that weird tilt LCD function and put something much better.

Click to expand...

I wouldn't call any standard LCD tilt mechanism "better". Clearly not "much better".

Unless for selfies

Alex

Click to expand...

I like the tilt screen on the K1 - its rock solid and in the freezing cold wind when I'm fumbling it needs to be.

brett nz said:

Alex Sarbu said:

Batdude said:

zakaria said:

pentax needs only a capable AF system like competitors or better.

Click to expand...

IMHHO they need more then just AF at this point in time. They also need to get rid of that weird tilt LCD function and put something much better.

Click to expand...

I wouldn't call any standard LCD tilt mechanism "better". Clearly not "much better".

Unless for selfies

Alex

Click to expand...

I like the tilt screen on the K1 - its rock solid and in the freezing cold wind when I'm fumbling it needs to be.

Click to expand...

It can also double as a carrying handle ;-)

Alex

Batdude said:

IMHHO they need more then just AF at this point in time. They also need to get rid of that weird tilt LCD function and put something much better. They need a lot of lenses. Lighter smaller prime lenses is what excite people not those humongous Sigma art bricks.

Click to expand...

if they can't bring out lenses on their own they should regain 3rd party support. But there a offerings beside Sigma Art. Samyang just offered a 75/1,8 for Sony FE, very small and lightweight, remembers of the FA77 but for much less money. Tamron also makes more and more small and excellent lenses, for example the 70-180 is a very nice and compact lens.

Lothman said:

Batdude said:

IMHHO they need more then just AF at this point in time. They also need to get rid of that weird tilt LCD function and put something much better. They need a lot of lenses. Lighter smaller prime lenses is what excite people not those humongous Sigma art bricks.

Click to expand...

if they can't bring out lenses on their own they should regain 3rd party support. But there a offerings beside Sigma Art. Samyang just offered a 75/1,8 for Sony FE, very small and lightweight, remembers of the FA77 but for much less money. Tamron also makes more and more small and excellent lenses, for example the 70-180 is a very nice and compact lens.

Click to expand...

I just read a B&H article that stated Pentax has the widest selection of pancake primes - then add the 3 limiteds... I often shoot with the 31 on my K1 with my 77 in my pocket - beats most lenses size for size and yes the new 85mm will be fantastic but it wont replace the 77 for a pocket lens.

Alex Sarbu said:

zakaria said:

pentax needs only a capable AF system like competitors or better.

Click to expand...

And a generally improved performance/responsiveness.

I'm moderately optimistic; I don't expect anything "ground breaking", but we do know there will be a new AF system and we have very good reasons to believe they'll use a new hardware platform, possibly software too (Linux-based like the GR III?).

Alex Sarbu said:

Pentax has many unique features but no one notice it just noticing the weak af system.

Click to expand...

Yeah, the idea is to make it harder to find weak spots, as definitely people will look for them (as opposed to looking at what Pentax could do for us).

Alex Sarbu said:

Btw what is the serious benefit of getting a hybrid VF?

Click to expand...

I can think of only one, that is to use the viewfinder when shooting video.

Anyway, I'm not expecting it in this camera.

Alex

Click to expand...

With improved sensor low-light performance, the EVF half of a hybrid viewfinder could improve visibility in that circumstance, especially given the relative limitations of an APS-C optical viewfinder (by comparison with a 35FF viewfinder). Aside from that, even a simple extension of the K-1/ii overlay means that the existing viewfinder information could be cycled through to only include the individual shooter’s requirements.

In a 35FF camera, the latter would be even more useful when in optical mode, because of the larger viewfinder. The present K-1/ii overlay is occasionally difficult to discern from the background, so a choice of colour and/or illumination could be helpful.

Regardless of format, in low-light conditions, shooting through the viewfinder in electronic mode removes mirror shock and viewfinder blackout. In tracking mode irrespective of lighting, using an electronic viewfinder also removes viewfinder blackout and increases the potential for faster frame rates. For long focal length lenses using the electronic viewfinder combined with Sensor Shake Reduction helps maintain a stable image through the eyepiece.

All that, without considering video.