Read this and weep - Pentax GPS + more

[David Kilpatrick]

Sometimes a small bombshell is dropped by a minor company doing something no-one thought of. Pentax clearly thought of something a VERY long time ago and built it into their K-5 and K-r models. Look at the Astrophotography function - mount your camera on a tripod, and this unit together with the camera's anti-shake sensors will move the SENSOR to track celestial motion and image stars sharply without needing a motorised mount. I can see this selling a LOT of Pentax system conversions. - David

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PENTAX is today pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX O-GPS1. Designed for use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras, this versatile GPS unit not only provides basic location data, but also offers an array of original features that allow users to effortless track and record details of their favourite photographic locations.

By simply mounting the O-GPS1 onto the hotshoe of a PENTAX digital SLR camera,* users can record the latitude, longitude, altitude, universal time coordinated (UTC) and aspect of the location they are shooting directly onto each image they capture. Image files carrying GPS location data, can then be used to track shooting locations and review location data on a PC. GPS location data stored on such files also makes it much easier to sort and file recorded images.

By coupling GPS data with the camera’s SR (Shake Reduction) system, the unit offers a range of unique, advanced applications, including ASTROTRACER, Simple Navigation and an Electronic Compass.

* Compatible models are the K-5, K-r and 645D (as of May 2011). Some of the O-GPS1’s functions may not be available when used with the 645D.
Note: The camera’s firmware must be updated to the latest version In order to use the O-GPS1 properly with a compatible PENTAX digital SLR camera body.,.

Major Features

1. GPS function for effortless recording of shooting location data
The O-GPS1 can be mounted on the hotshoe of a compatible camera and will record the latitude, longitude, altitude, universal time coordinated (UTC) and direction of the shooting location onto captured images. Using mapping software such as Google Earth™, the user can then easily recall shooting locations and directions on a map. This function can also make sorting and filing recorded images easier.
Note: When the O-GPS1 is used in locations where it cannot receive signals from GPS satellites, location data may be in error or missing.

2. ASTROTRACER for effortless astronomical photography
When mounted on the PENTAX K-5 or K-r camera body, the O-GPS1 also offers the advanced ASTROTRACER function,** which couples the unit with the camera’s SR (Shake Reduction) system and enables users to photograph celestial bodies. The unit can calculate the movement of stars, planets, and other bodies using the latitude obtained from GPS data and the camera’s alignment data (horizontal and vertical inclinations and aspect) obtained from its magnetic and acceleration sensors, then shifts the camera’s image sensor in synchronization with the movement of the objects.*** As a result, stars and other bodies are captured as solid points rather than blurry streaks, even during extended exposures. This is the ideal tool for those interested in astronomy and it makes taking images much simpler, as it eliminates the need for additional accessories such as equatorial telescopes.
** This function is available only when the O-GPS1 is mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body equipped with a magnet-driven SR system.
*** The duration of ASTROTRACER operation may vary depending on photographic conditions.

3. Simple Navigation to allow photographers to easily find favourite photo locations
The O-GPS1 offers a Simple Navigation function, which calculates the direction and distance to a given destination from the users current position. The user can either locate destinations using location data stored on recorded images, or register and/or assign them by uploading location data created on a PC.****
**** At the time of purchase, the O-GPS1 has nine PENTAX international service centers as preset destinations.

4. Electronic Compass function to indicate and record direction
The O-GPS1 comes equipped with an Electronic Compass function, which displays the direction in which the user’s camera is pointing on its LCD monitor with great precision. This function works by using geomagnetism detected by the unit’s magnetic sensor and combining this with its GPS location data. The unit will then indicate the aspect of the camera in relation to true north. The user can also record directional data on captured images.

5. Other features
1) Simplified weather-resistant construction for use in light rain
2) Independent power source (one AAA-size battery) to eliminate the need to draw power from the camera body
♦ PENTAX, K-5, K-r, and 645D are trademarks of HOYA CORPORATION.
♦ Google and Google Earth are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Google Inc.
♦ All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
♦ Design and Specifications are subject to change without notice.

The PENTAX O-GPS1 will be available mid-June 2011, at the Recommended Retail Price of £229.99.
www.pentax.co.uk/o-gps1
http://www.facebook.com/pentaxuk
http://twitter.com/PentaxUK

[Heidfirst]

Pentax certainly used to make astro scopes (not sure if they still do) so it's obviously an area where they have interest/knowledge.
Can't imagine that astrophotography users are a large % of the market though but definitely a specialist niche which is what I guess Hoya foresee for Pentax - a niche player rather than a mass market brand.

[Javelin]

it's an interesting feature but I wonder if it really works. how long an exposure can it take? most objects are out of the frame completey in a short time and would this really work on a telescope or only on a long pentax zoom?

[Greg Beetham]

My guess is it would work with a few Pentax shortish lenses so the camera would know what lens was employed and thus the transit speed of the starfield across the frame, (the transit speed would vary according to the amount of magnification).
Another complication is any planets in the view would not be speed matched because they travel at differing speeds to the background stars but if the exposure time was shortish and the magnification low it might not matter.
But the biggie is field de-rotation, how do they solve that one? because it’s a variable, the starfield curves across the frame as it travels across the frame, more field rotation or less depending on the direction, North, South, East, West or angle up or down the camera is aimed at.
But there again if the exposure time is shortish it might be taken care of by the Pentax anti-shake system having the ability to move in more directions than the Sony one. It is a bit of a tall order to get clean pinpoint stars in a photo, but it can be done, I’m just a little amazed they have been able to automatically solve all the problems.
Greg

[Dusty]

How long before someone can hack this thing to work on Alpha systems? I hope not long!

Dusty

[KevinBarrett]

Whoa. I'm impressed.

[Dr. Harout]

yes, me too. I immediately called my friend who owns a Pentax. And interesting that at this moment DPR hasn't mentioned it on their site yet.

[Javelin]

looked in the specs and it depends on the declination and focal length but the chart they give indicates 5 minutes at 200mm but i'm not sure if thats a maximum tracking time or what? with their noise preformance is that enough for some of the deep space objects ? but again the specs only mention 200mm max so no deep space?

[bakubo]

This is really cool! It will be interesting to see how well it works and see some photos made using it.

I think some people are missing the point a bit. Is it a complete replacement for a true tracking astronomical mount for very long exposures, especially at high magnification? No, and I don't think Pentax thinks so either. But, it does look very useful for photos that the average person might want to take. Arguing that it does not completely replace a more sophisticated setup is similar to saying IS is not worthwhile because it cannot completely replace a sturdy tripod, IMO.

[bakubo]

looked in the specs and it depends on the declination and focal length but the chart they give indicates 5 minutes at 200mm but i'm not sure if thats a maximum tracking time or what? with their noise preformance is that enough for some of the deep space objects ? but again the specs only mention 200mm max so no deep space?

Where did you see that? Does it say how long for much wider lenses such as 20mm, 24mm, 35mm, etc.? If it can handle 5 minutes at 200mm (300mm fov) then for wide angles it must be able to go much, much longer. That would make it useful for wide angle views of the Milky Way that need long exposures.

[Javelin]

gives 200/100 and under 50mm

http://www.pentax.jp/english/news/2011/201107.html

[Birma]

Cool feature. Clever use of the technology.

[bakubo]

gives 200/100 and under 50mm

http://www.pentax.jp/english/news/2011/201107.html

Okay, the max is 300 seconds (5 minutes) even for wider lenses. Probably 300 seconds for a dark sky, wide angle, ISO 400 or 800 (Pentax K5 has very good Sony 16mp sensor, I think), and f2 would give you a nice detailed night sky. Maybe even less than 300 seconds. I am just guessing though. I will try to find a website that gives exposure info for these sorts of photos.

[Greg Beetham]

There is some helpful exposure time info here http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/threads/ ... tar-trails but no ISO or f-stop listed, so that would be up to you to experiment with. I'd be inclined to use high ISO to get as many stars as possible (including the faint ones) in the shortest time and probably stack a few (if I had stacking software for astrophotography that is).
Greg

[KevinBarrett]

Image stabilization so sophisticated that it compensates for the rotation of the earth. Nice.