Are you paying for camera software upgrades?
Best of Pentax Forums Newsletter November 5, 2025
Are you willing to pay for firmware that adds features?
Pentax now adds new features to its cameras via paid firmware updates. You can add AstroPhoto Assist to your K-3 III and K-1 for $79.95. And since last year you can add the Pentax Graduated Neutral Density Simulator to your K-1 and K-3 III for $79.95.
This is partly the result of the growth of camera processing power. It’s possible to add new functionality to a K-3 III by loading software, something that was simply impossible in a K-1000. So we can upgrade cameras by adding new software. Should we? Are you willing to buy software upgrades for your cameras? Vote in this week’s poll, and let us know how you do that voodoo you do so well in the comments!
Elsewhere in this week’s newsletter, Site Supporter acoufap takes us full circle; Forum Member Angus_M89 reviews the SMC Pentax-A 645 80-160mm F4.5; and New Member Egor_N takes a look at the SMC Pentax-A* 645 300mm F4 ED [IF].
If you’ve been forwarded this newsletter, please take a moment to join the more than 1,500 Pentaxians who have subscribed to our free curated compendium of the hundreds of great images and post shared each week in our Pentax community. Please let us know your thoughts here in the comments and on our Pentax Forums, and have a perfect Pentaxian week!
Threads of the Week:
Creating A Full Image Circle Image
November 2, 2025 • Photographic Technique • 6 replies • 294 views
acoufap said — This thread is located within category “Photographic Technique” since the starting point is there. In addition it will cover some important aspects of post processing to get to the target point. INTRODUCTION Yesterday I performed a small pano project Read more »
November 3, 2025 • Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras • 9 replies • 460 views
GeeEmm said — ... and we say ‘so he should’ :) In a recent book ‘The Billion Dollar Spy’, it is reported that Adolf Tolkachev, a Russian spying for the CIA, insisted on a supply of ME SLRs as he preferred them to the super secret miniature cameras that were the CIA’s preference. Read more »
A “Matched” Pair Of Camera & Lenses Is A Beautiful Thing
November 3, 2025 • Pentax DSLR Discussion • 6 replies • 313 views
Fenwoodian said — . We are all aware that when it comes to older cameras and lenses, there can be sample variations. When you put a specific lens on a specific camera, that match can be poor, good, or exceptional. For example, I’ve got multiple Pentax K-01 bodies and multiple Pentax FE 77mm limited lenses. When I put a particular CLA’d 77mm “made in Japan” limited lens on my
“blue” K-01 there’s a synergistic effect, namely I get more keepers and their images’ IQ is better than any other 77mm / K-01 combination. Read more »
Pentaxian User Reviews
Pentax Lenses
SMC Pentax-A 645 80-160mm F4.5
Reviewed by Forum Member Angus_M89
Review Date: October 30, 2025 Recommended | Price: $10.00 | Rating: 9
Pros: Focal length coverage, IQ Cons:
Sharpness: 10 Bokeh: 9 Handling: 8 Value: 10 Camera Used: 645
I found mine on Facebook Marketplace for an absolute steal as the seller said it was damaged. All that was missing was the small white bump where the lens to camera mount alignment is.
The focus ring on mine does feel loose but still holds position. I find this on my 645 to be BIG. That being said, the whole 645 environment is bigger than 35mm SLR. It isn’t the worst handling but the benefits outweigh any issues. IQ is great. This lens I really fell in love with for family photos, candid shots. The zoom range is quite good for that and I haven’t had any issues from an image perspective. If I had to replace my lenses I would definitely consider getting another one of these.
SMC Pentax-A* 645 300mm F4 ED [IF]
Reviewed by New Member Egor_N
Review Date: November 1, 2025 Recommended | Price: $170.00 | Rating: 10
Pros: Image rendering, focusing, sharpness, price Cons: No collar
Sharpness: 9 Aberrations: 9 Bokeh: 7 Handling: 7 Value: 10 Camera Used: Fujifilm GFX 50R
What a fantastic lens this is.
A real powerhouse of a telephoto on a modern medium format camera and it’s a joy to use. It is very heavy and it takes an effort to handle the camera with this lens attached, like many others I wish it had the collar like the newer version but nevertheless it’s still a great tool. It cost me $170 USD including a delivery from Japan to Canada (plus import tax) for a nearly mint condition unit, so I find it an incredible value. Simply unbeatable at this price and anywhere remotely close to it.
Of course, GF telephoto options will be much better, but also 20x the price. This Pentax 645 300mm f4 is highly recommended if you can find it under $300 or so. A no-brainer, really.
SMC Pentax-M 200mm F4
Reviewed by Forum Member Angus_M89
Review Date: October 30, 2025 Recommended | Price: $40.00 | Rating: 10
Pros: Sharp, focus, handling Cons:
Sharpness: 10 Handling: 10 Value: 10 Camera Used: K-1, K-3II
I read Lew Dite’s review and messaged him about it and Astro as I had just picked up a K-3II. Found one for cheap and picked it up.
Really great glass on these for IQ. I find there are no problems using normally or with Astro. Mine focuses perfectly at the infinite end so I am very happy to set it there and stop down to f/5.6.
It isn’t very heavy or cumbersome to hand hold. Everything on mine is smooth and working well. Lenses are clean and I’ve come across two of them now and neither had fungus or haze. Good reach for everything else and I would recommend one.
Comment of the Week:
Loyal Site Supporter robgski on Are you buying a GR IV Monochrome? The Best of Pentax Forums October 21 Poll: I have no doubt that I really enjoy making monochrome images, so I’m using MoNovember to put my K-1ii, and my KP into use this month and likely renting a K-3iii Mono chrome to compare with my 2 DSLRs. This should give me a better idea of whether my desire for a dedicated Mono camera is FOMO or genuine. If I determine a dedicated monochrome camera is what I want I might choose a GRiv Mono over a K3iii Mono. I have to admit a pocketable high quality camera really appeals to me quite a bit.
Are you willing to pay for firmware that adds features?
The Best of Pentax Forums November 5 Poll
Pentax is now adding new features to its cameras via paid firmware updates. You can now add AstroPhoto Assist to your K-3 III and K-1 for $79.95. And for the past year you could add the Pentax Graduated Neutral Density Simulator to your K-1 and K-3 III for $79.95.
This is partly the result of the growth of camera processing power. It’s possible to add new functionality to a K-3 III by loading software, something that was simply impossible in a K-1000. Cameras are following the same path as phones: you couldn’t add software to the rotary landline phones that were K-1000 contemporaries; early candy bar cell phones couldn’t load much more than the Snake game; and now there really isn’t any software you cannot add to modern smartphones.
So we can upgrade cameras by adding new software. Should we? Are you willing to buy software upgrades for your cameras? Vote in this week’s poll, and let us know how you do that voodoo you do so well in the comments!
This poll closes November 11
And here's this week's PentaxForums YouTube video:
And here are the results of last week’s poll:
Weekly Photo Challenges
Point and Shoot Competition #212 - Moving Water: Water, water and more water. But it has to be moving. There is a lot of scope for this subject including creative stuff.
Cameras permitted: Mobile phones, tablets, any camera with a sensor smaller than or equal to 1”; Pentax Q, Nikon 1, Ricoh GRD or Caplio, Ricoh GR. Any so-called small sensor Digicams. Any 110 film cameras (e.g. Pentax Auto 110) or point and shoot cameras that use 35mm film (e.g. Pentax PC35AF and Pentax 17) Cameras you can take with you in a coat pocket. ANY CAMERA BRANDS ALLOWED
Entries will close on November 30, 2025 at Midnight wherever you are.
And here’s the entry from Loyal Site Supporter Andy58: The fountain at Capel Manor Gardens, Enfield UK. Olympus FE5020 1/160sec F4.8 ISO 64
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Pentax Graduated Neutral Density Simulator Review
A software solution for Ansel Adams skies!
By cjfeola in Hands-On Tests on Nov 19, 2024
I’ve always been a fan of Ansel Adams’s skies. You know the look; the big dramatic clouds crowning the landscape streaked with the rays of the sun. It’s a balancing act, getting that pop in the sky while correctly exposing the rest of the photo.
Pentax has just released a Graduated Neutral Density Simulator that makes it easy to capture those dramatic skyscapes. It’s available here as a software upgrade for $79.95 for the K-1, K-1 Mark II, K-3 Mark III, and K-3 Mark III Monochrome.
PentaxForum Front page stories Oct. 29-Nov 4:
Announcing “Insects and Spiders” - Our November 2025 Photo Contest
Win prizes in our official monthly photo contests
By PF Staff in Photo Contests on Nov 1, 2025
We’re herewith announcing our monthly photo contest for November. The theme for this month is Insects and Spiders.
Calling our nature lovers, macro photographers, and curious explorers! We’re thrilled to launch our latest photo competition with the theme “Insects and Spiders” - a celebration of the tiny creatures that crawl, climb, and captivate. Whether it’s the iridescent wings of a dragonfly, the delicate symmetry of a spider’s web, or the vibrant colors of a beetle, we want to see how you capture the beauty, mystery, and diversity of these fascinating arthropods. First prize is a $50 gift card to B&H Photo, second prize is a one year forum account upgrade, and third prize is a box of photo paper form Red River. The official contest rules are found here.
Click here to submit a photo for the contest.
Review: AstroPhoto Assist Add-On for Pentax K-3 III and K-1
Powerful new functionality available through firmware
By bdery in Hands-On Tests on Nov 3, 2025
In recent years, Pentax has started using firmware updates for more than just bug fixes, but to offer additional features to its users. Some of these are available to all, some require specific lenses (such as Satobi and other special custom image profiles), and others require a modest fee to unlock.
The most recent such feature is called the Pentax AstroPhoto Assist Add-On. In this article, we present the add-on, its features, and capabilities.