Mike, I feel just about the opposite. Probably one angle is that P�l was looking for a savior for Pentax. Something that would put Pentax ON THE MAP so to speak.
Personally, I don't think any single body/lens created by Pentax could do that. Even if they came out with something unique and revolutionary, the same Canon/Nikon mindsets would just wait until it hit their camp. On a side note, what could be introduced by anybody that would be so earthshaking that most of us couldn't wait a year or three before procuring? When you want a clean, simple, easy to understand, easy to operate, small to moderate sized camera, then Pentax is a player. When you are making a living with your camera (not necessarily as fun as a hobbyist), you NEED to create the image time and time again. Every little edge you can get on your competition is worth looking at. Number of lenses, accessories, bodies, support, reliability all factor in way ahead of fun and enjoyable. Pentax is about enjoying the art and craft of photography. Canon and Nikon are about making money through photography. Vastly different philosophies and vastly different users. In the US, much is made of status symbols. Way more than the skills/knowledge of the person is the possessions. Nikon and Canon are much bigger status symbols than Pentax and nothing Pentax could release in the SLR world would change that. A totally off the wall unique P&S oriented thing (Optio S) would get noticed, but not by the same crowd. Since I am not trying to make money with my 35mm gear (Medium Format is a different story), I am very happy with my Pentax stuff. I am excited about their new directions with both the *ist and the *ist D. I think they are still trying to appeal to a place in the market where they can make a difference. An LX with AF would be yawned at by most of the world - it would only appeal to a few die hard Pentaxians. A robocamera is swallowed up by Canon/Nikon offering the same basic thing. Small, light, clean and simple is where the others don't do so well. Bruce Tuesday, March 4, 2003, 9:33:06 AM, you wrote: MJ> Len: >>> For a user's group, we >>> seem to be pretty negative about Pentax's efforts. MJ> P�l: >> I'm realistic about it. MJ> You are NOT!!! MJ> Let me just ask, does ANYONE else on this list feel as negative about the MJ> *ist D as P�l is? Stand up and be counted. MJ> --Mike
