Thanks so much for this in-depth review. Was exactly what I needed after buying my first Widelux F7. Very Helpful! I love this camera.

I’m certainly not “SLR man,” but the Pentax definitely has some intriguing features. Besides the weather sealing (essential for any Pacific Northwest photographer), I really like its TAv mode, which allows me to manually set BOTH the shutter speed and aperture, and the camera simply adjusts the ISO — this is the first form of auto-exposure I’ve ever found worthwhile on a camera, since it mirrors the way I often work when doing full manual exposure with digital cameras (that is, I prefer to tweak the ISO as needed, leaving both the shutter speed and aperture unchanged).

I’m really hoping, now that Ricoh owns Pentax, that they consider bringing weather sealing and TAv mode into the next generation of GXR cameras… that would be more than enough to make me sell the K-5. Also, Ricoh has hinted they’ll be adding a Pentax mount sensor to the GXR line, which means my small collection of 40 year old Pentax lenses (which I acquired for the K-5) will make the transition from K-5 to GXR). So, as you see, there is still a touch of logical madness being applied to this seemingly mundane purchase.

Your post has resurrected my interest in Pentax and made me think that maybe I too need to have a waterproof alternative…living in Vancouver and all. I don’t but your post and that linked video (VERY cool!) has got me dreaming and isn’t that what we all come to the blog trough for anyway?

There were actually several 360 degree cameras produced in the 1980′s, many of which were quite expensive. But I suspect the one you might be thinking of is the Spinshot?

The images here are exactly the same ones I provided to Leica. But I hear what you’re saying — I’ve always thought my images looked somewhat soft on the Leica Blog, and I could never quite figure out why. After all, we’re both using WordPress to do the scaling. Maybe it just comes down to the fact that, on ULTRAsomething, WordPress scales a 900 pixel image down to 750 pixels whereas, on the Leica Blog, WordPress scales it down to 600 pixels or so.

I never got the chance to use this lens on the GXR, since I purchased the GXR long after I returned the lens to Leica. But I would really REALLY like to try it out on the GXR. Intuitively, I suspect it would be a winning combination…

… and while I’m busy assuming things I don’t actually know, I also suspect you’re correct about the L39 adapter, though I can’t say for certain. I’ve never really understood what, exactly, the difference is between “L39″ and “M39″ lenses? To me, they’re one and the same but, admittedly I might be wrong. In any event, I’ve used screw mount lenses demarcated both “M39″ and “LTM” on the GXR, and with only a single screw-to-M adapter. And, since you’re looking “through” the lens with the GXR (using either the rear panel LCD or the external electronic viewfinder), you’re correct in assuming frame lines are not a factor.

Going forward, should you read an occasional ULTRAsomething article that reeks of “pandering to the masses,” do not be alarmed. I’m not selling out, but rather just fishing for readers who haven’t yet discovered ULTRAsomething. ULTRAsomething will absolutely not change to conform to the masses. ULTRAsomething will always insist that the masses conform to it. Futile? Of course. But I wouldn’t write this site any other way.

While the internet is teeming with photography blogs and websites offering news, articles on technique, and gear reviews, I am very grateful that ULTRAsomething provides me with a steady diet of philosophical articles, unashamedly subjective reviews, “road-less travelled” commentary, and inspiring photography. In light of the mainstream rush towards sameness and mediocrity, I am daily astounded that you have not been snagged by an enlightened sponsor or corporate advertiser. I abhor the notion that excellent content should be completely free. And so I feel unable to ask for more than what you are already giving, so long as it is free. But were there to be a way for myself and others to support your efforts with currency rather than comments, I’d love to hear you critique photographs you like (your own and those by others, maybe through a weekly post?), learn more about how you stay sharp and motivated, and read your thoughts about your favourite photographers, about photojournalism, publishing, hockey, politics, art history, the music industry, the bands you follow, banking…you get my drift.

I’ll stop here – lest my comments get longer than the post that provoked them. Suffice to say that were you to add another monograph to keep instinct company (which I am very pleased to own and gladly recommend), or to offer an eBook or workshop, SIGN ME UP!