Originally this was meant to be a review, but as I kept using shooting with the monochrome version of my familiar workhorse, the Pentax K-3 III, I realised that doing a dynamic range and noise comparison would be as dull as watching paint dry (at least for me) and was better explained and compared by other reviewers.
Rather, let’s just take a look at some images accompanied by three-liners about shooting with no colour.
New Pentax to test…
Wrapping my head around a
K-3 sans colour.
THINGS ARE LOOKING UP
Invite for astro,
No light pollution but cold,
Astrotracer 3.
LENBABY’ING THE NEW BABY
Bored of sharpness,
Lens character through mono…
Accentuated.
PEOPLE PLEASING
A portrait subject
was finally arranged…
Omeco Christy.
FINAL MUSINGS
Poetry aside, there’s a lot to unwrap from the experience of shooting the K-3 Mk III Monochrome.
For some people, simply placing their camera to a black and white profile, or converting in post-production may be enough. Some photographers may shoot only in a black and white workflow, and some may chase the incremental gains in low light and dynamic range that a debayered sensor can afford.
The modern photographer can find the best technological assistance in image taking from many other cameras in the market. I don’t believe this is a camera that can be measured by specifications, rather, the same fascination that I had with the Leica M11 Monochrom can be found within the Pentax also.
A camera that is limiting, a camera that creates focus, a camera that inspires.
After editing and reviewing the images, I’m still uncertain whether any of this fascination that remains is a by-product of a placebo effect. But that uncertainty doesn’t take away the charm of the camera, nor does it make me wanting to switch the colour profiles of other cameras to a monochrome mode. I found myself reaching for my non HD Pentax LTD lenses, and even the occasional Lensbaby, to introduce texture and character which a colour image would have otherwise overshadowed.
A sturdy Pentax
Colourless both in and out…
Familiar fun.
ADDITIONAL IMAGES
