| Ricoh Imaging’s Pentax K-3 Mark III DSLR camera system. |
Update (9:50 am ET June 23, 2022): We removed a few sentences that suggested that these modes would only be available at certain times of the year This does not seem to be the case, although we are confirming with Ricoh imaging.
Ricoh Imaging has announced new firmware updates for its three DSLR camera systems that, quite frankly, add an unusual ‘feature’ that we’ve never seen a company add to the camera. The updated firmware for Ricoh’s Pentax K-1, K-1 Mark II and K-3 Mark III cameras will enable season-specific custom image modes when used with selected Pentax Limited-Series lenses.
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Ricoh describes the process as follows:
‘When a compatible limited series lens is mounted, the camera automatically detects and confirms compatibility with the firmware, allowing the user to select a custom version of a particular version. If selected, the mode allows you to add a unique finishing touch to the image to enhance outdoor, seasonal landscapes. ‘
Ricoh is launching this new style of custom image mode with ‘Ketan’ or ‘Summer Sky’, a preset made in honor of ‘Summer’. Ricoh says Katen ‘is designed to emphasize the rich bluishness of the summer sky and to illustrate the subtle details of the glossy white clouds.’ At launch, this custom image mode will be compatible with HD Pentax-D FA 21mm F2.4 ED Limited DC WR and HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited lenses.
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“Scenes of autumn, winter and spring will be available later this year,” Rico said.
Press Release:
Ricoh PENTAX Announces Function-Expansion Firmware Update with Season-Specified Custom Image Mode for K-1, K-1 Mark II and K-3 Mark III Cameras
Custom image modes provide unique visual effects when used DSLR with PENTAX Limited-Series lenses; The effects improve the outdoor imagery based on the season of the year, the first for summer
Persipani, NJ, June 23, 2022 – Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation today announced the release of new function-expansion firmware for PENTAX K-1, K-1 Mark II and K-3 Mark III digital SLR cameras that enable season-specific custom image modes when using cameras with specific PENTAX. By Limited-series lenses. Throughout the year, a series of season-specific custom image modes will be released, the first being released today – KATEN, in honor of summer. When a compatible limited series lens is mounted, the camera automatically detects and confirms compatibility with the firmware, allowing the user to select special-edition custom image modes. If selected, the mode allows to add a unique finishing touch to the image to enhance the outdoor, seasonal landscape.
The first season-specific mode available today is called KATEN or “Summer Sky”. It is designed to emphasize the rich blues of the summer sky and to illustrate the subtle details of the glossy white clouds. This mode can be selected from a combination of HD PENTAX-D FA 21mmF2.4ED Limited DC WR and HD PENTAX-DA 15mmF4ED AL Limited Lens. Both lenses have an ultra-wide angle of view and the latest high definition (HD) coating, which effectively minimizes ghost images even when taking pictures in the scorching summer sun or when the sun is in the image field. These two lenses have been selected for the KATEN custom image mode because they optimize the mode’s intended visual effects.
Custom image modes specifically designed to capture autumn, winter and spring scenes will be available later this year. The chart below divides the details of the cameras and lenses compatible for each season-specific mode.
| Special-edition custom image mode | Compatible camera body | Partner lens* (Usable on all compatible camera bodies) |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (Caten) | K-1, K1 Mark II, K-3 Mark III | HD PENTAX-D FA 21mm F2.4ED Limited DC WR HD PENTAX-DA 15mm F4ED AL Limited |
| Autumn | HD PENTAX-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited, HD PENTAX-DA 21mm F3.2AL Limited, HD PENTAX-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited, HD PENTAX-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited | |
| Winter | HD PENTAX-FA 31mm F1.8 Limited, HD PENTAX-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited | |
| Spring | HD PENTAX-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited, HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4ED Limited DC WR |
* Autumn, winter and spring lenses compatible with custom image modes can be temporarily selected and changed later.
Note: Special-edition, season-specific custom image modes other than KATEN will be named later and announced with the release for each firmware.
