Nearly eleven years after Leica stunned the photographic world with a series-production black and white rangefinder, a second manufacturer has entered the market. However, instead of featuring a full-frame sensor, the newcomer features a 25.7 MP sensor specially designed for black-and-white photography.

New monochrome sensor, cosmetic updates
The Pentax K-3 III Monochrome is a DSLR that is based on the existing colour K-3 Mark III. Physically, the Monochrome is similar in design but incorporates cosmetic updates, including white backlight illumination for the screen and a black-and-white visual scheme as default. The word “Monochrome” is displayed above the screen.

Pentax summarises the benefits of a monochrome sensor: “A typical colour image sensor composes a black-and-white image by converting the colour data to monochrome. This new custom sensor does not have to convert any data because it can reflect the brightness obtained by each pixel in the image, thus producing extra-fine sharpness in images that only the monochrome-specific sensor can deliver.”
The camera includes three special customisable image modes for monochrome photography, including a “hard” mode for high-contrast images and a “soft” to record high-key but low-contrast pictures.


The Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome will arrive in Ricoh-authorised retailers later in April. The US price is set at $2,200 (before tax), €2,500 and £2,250 (both including tax).
A cup of coffee works wonders in supporting Macfilos
Did you know that Macfilos is run by a dedicated team of volunteers? We rely on donations to help pay our running costs. And even the cost of a cup of coffee will do wonders for our energy levels.
Ref. my earlier comment today: “There’s likely a good potential market for a mirrorless L-mount monochrom(e) sensor camera …”, I’ve since discovered that in the USA, Llewellyn Data Processing offer both monochrome converted cameras and mono conversions to customers’ own cameras. Accessing LDP’s website reveals all their sensor conversion possibilities (to mono, UV, IR etc.) – made possible by their purchase of specialist but ‘surplus’ sensor modification apparatus. It’s possible to buy from LDP a Sony A6000 APS-C monochrome sensor modified camera for $2300. UK buyers need to factor in shipping, customs duty and VAT which would likely total 30%? additional; thus total cost c. $3000. Could be a cost effective purchase enabling use of Leica M, LTM land R lenses (via adapters) on a pocketable? Sony A6000 24mp APS-C mirrorless monochrome platform – and with very useful ‘live view’. LDP also offer monochrome converted Leica digital compact cameras as listed in their ‘ONLINE STORE’ section. I have not attempted to post actual links to the website as Macfilos’ filtering may not permit same. It’s a very interesting website, particularly regarding how they source their sensor modifcation equipment / apparatus. Potential buyers of LDP’s monochrome modified cameras should check any available reviews of same – which I’ve yet to find / read myself – but there are sample pix on LDP’s website.
Llewellyn Data Processing quoted me $2500 U.S. to convert a Nikon Df. So I said to myself, “You already have two F2 bodies you hung on to. You have a D800E body for film scanning. You can buy a lot of actual B&W film and processing for $2500. In fact you still have a lot of chromogenic B&W film.”
So I took my advice.
The link to the Llewelyn Data Processing website – as mentioned in my 29 January 18.12hrs comment:
https://maxmax.com/shopper/category/9241-monochrome-cameras
A very interesting website which documents their conversions/modifications to digital camera sensors – including conversions to create ‘monochrome’ sensors.
There’s likely a good potential market for a mirrorless L-mount monochrom(e) sensor camera – something that Panasonic or Sigma would be very capable of developing – but Leica Camera AG might object ref its effect on M monochrom sales. A regular mirrorless camera is far better suited to pure monochrome imaging than a rangefinder camera by virtue of better compatibility with wide angle and telephoto lenses. And mirrorless cameras are better suited to ‘live view’ ETTR exposure adjustments than, e.g., the Pentax K-3 III Monochrome. I can imagine that Leica Camera AG’s reaction to an L-mount monochrom(e) body would not be favourable – and existing Leica M Monochrom users might view it as the potential death knell to further M Monochrom development. However, an L-mount monochrom(e) would likely increase L-mount lenses’ sales – including Leica SL lenses – thus furthering the L-mount’s reputation as being “THE” universal lens mount.
I for one would love to see a monochrome S1rII or S5II! My preference would be for an SL3 Monochrom, but I understand any reluctance Leica may have in such a machine.
I quote:
“A regular mirrorless camera is far better suited to pure monochrome imaging than a rangefinder camera by virtue of better compatibility with wide angle and telephoto lenses”
I really disagree with this – all the M lenses play very well with the M sensors with their thin stacks – including the wides – and you can always use an EVF – nothing wrong with having a mirrorless camera and I applaud Pentax, but it almost certainly won’t be good with M lenses (because of a thick sensor stack, which is helpful with telecentric lenses).
As for Leica – I think it would expand the market, and they would benefit from that as well, so I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t sign the end of M-Monochrom development
I do agree that an L mount mono camera would be welcome
Hello Jono, I use e.g., Canon FD 500mm and 800mm tele lenses with my Panasonic S1R and SL 601. Ref using same with an M digital rangefinder, their ‘add-on’ accessory EVFs vary in quality depending on model – and the S1R offers image stabilisation. I also use ancient Novoflex achromat ‘telescope’ lenses (as distinct from telephoto). I would not contemplate using e.g., an M10 with the aforementioned lenses – unless hitching a Zacuto optical finder to the monitor. My Leica R 19mm Mk II gives very good results with the S1R and SL 601 but I have not tried the lens with an M digital rangefinder. I should have omitted ‘wide angle’ from my original comment.
Hi Dunk
Well – the ‘wide angle’ bit was the whole rationale.
If you’d said
“A regular mirrorless camera is far better suited to pure monochrome imaging than a rangefinder camera for use with telephoto lenses” then I wouldn’t have complained!
Actually – if you’d said “M cameras are rubbish with telephotos” I’d agreed with that too!
Noted Jono and thank you. BW, dunk
I agree. It would be a huge success. The referenced article above is apparently only for the matte special edition of the monochrome but I believe the conclusion remains valid. It will be a success for Pentax and a GR IV M would even be more successful. In the meanwhile the GR III continues to surprise me. I have a tendency to underutilize it and most of the time use more “serious” cameras but every time I do use it I am surprised by how good it truly is.
I tend to have the same relationship with the GR. It is a highly competent camera which is good to use and produces excellent-quality images. But it is so discrete and (dare I say) bland that it is easy not to take it too seriously. This is a mistake, as we know. A couple of months ago, I sold my Q2 at a good price to pave the way for the upcoming Q3, so I have been carrying the GRIII where I would otherwise have carried the Q. It is light and fits in a pocket so that I have stopped carrying a camera bag; it is always ready and doesn’t disappoint.
FWIW, Pentax suspends pre-orders because of high demand:
https://pentaxrumors.com/2023/04/16/pentax-k-3-mark-iii-monochrome-camera-orders-suspended-because-of-high-demand/
That’s good ammunition in persuading them to produce a GRIVM
What is even more satisfying to me than a new monochrome camera, is a new DSLR. I wish Nikon would do the same.
But it is an old (i.e., previously released) DSLR. Just a different sensor.
Yes, and I would be ecstatic if Nikon released a Df2 with new sensor. Not gonna happen, though.
I was right. Nikon released the Zf instead.
FWIW, Phase One released the 39MP Achromatic digital back in 2009. As far as I know the Phase One 645 with the Achromatic digital back was the first monochrome camera. It cost $41,990 at the time of release.
Hi There I think the first was the Kodak DCS 760 in ? 2001?
Hi Jono, yes, you are right, I had never heard of the Kodak and it was indeed released in 2001.
On the Kodak DCS 760M:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/news/classic-camera-review-the-kodak-dcs-760m
Most if not all cameras in the Kodak DCS range had a monochrome option. In fact, their 1988 Electro Optic Camera prototype was mono only.
The full DCS story is available here: http://resume.jemcgarvey.com/pdf/dcsstory.pdf
This is mentioned in the PetaPixel article which we linked in the story.
Hi Mike, I didn’t see the article, I have actually not noticed the via functionality up till now, is this a new feature?
Not new, but one of the bits at the bottom of the WordPress editing module. I sometimes use it. But it might have been more useful to put it in as a link. I’ll plead pressure of work today — and did I tell you my desktop Mac packed up and I had to edit a very complicated article, Jono’s review coming later, on the small screen of a MacBook Air. Not recommended.
Now, about that monochrome Ricoh GR…
Odd you should mention that… I thought about it this morning when the Pentax story came in. APS-C, so why can’t it go in the Ricoh? I think a monochrome GRIII or GRIIIx would sell like hot cakes. I made a note to do an article when the dust has settled on today’s rush of activity. Mike
In the meanwhile the GR IV must be close as well… The GR III was released in March 2019.
If they released a mono GR withe the same battery and control layout as the GRii I would buy it instantly, in fact I’d probably buy another as a spare…
One can only dream, Mark
I share the sentiment. The GRIII was a step in the wrong direction on not just losing the pop-up flash but also switching to a less capable battery. however a mono option and all is forgiven. 🙂
Seems like a few articles on the Ricoh GR III could trigger some discussions…
…and what about the new, tomorrow just released, “Leica M11 Mono”…
Embargoed until 14.00! We had details in advance but, of course, can’t release until the appointed time…