Just over a year ago I was inspired to finally take up photography, something I had always wanted to do but never seemed to have the time or money for. Unfortunately, I still didn't have the money, so I looked exclusively at used manual-focus cameras. I considered Canon FD, Minolta, Nikon and Pentax. The main deciding factor for choosing Pentax was the ability to grow into the system thanks to lens compatibility with relatively affordable new bodies. Since I started, I have accumulated a basic kit of lenses - 3 M's and an A. Near the end of this year, I would like to get an AF body - partly just for TTL flash, but also for AF. I would like to buy the newest technology possible at a price I can afford (likely no more than $400 for the body, and that would even be a little high). Since I won't be able to afford all new lenses, I'd like to get a new FA 50 and keep using my MF lenses until I can afford AF versions of those as well. If I were to buy right now, my choices based on price would be a ZX-L, ZX-5n or an *ist. Of these, the *ist definitely seems to be the best feature-wise, but if it can't use K and M lenses (and it seems like it won't be able to) I'll be stuck without a wide angle lens. Despite some feature limitations, the L and 5n seem like good options, but who's to say that they'll still be available in a few months time? Ideally, Pentax will release a 5n replacement that I'll be able to afford, but if they don't I may as well look at Canon or Nikon since I'll have to buy new lenses anyway. Features like USM and IS aside, C and N are simply easier to find here in the US and new lenses are often more affordable.
So what's the bottom line? If Pentax no longer has an affordable body with K and M compatibility they'll be cutting off users who have older gear that they would like to gradually transition to new, AF lenses and bodies. Some of those thousands (millions?) of people that bought a K1000 for photography class have to be thinking about the same things I am, don't they?
-Matt
On Monday, March 17, 2003, at 11:38 AM, P�l Jensen wrote:
Alin wrote:
If the existing Pentax users are present in their *istD sales projection then I expect them to be very, very scrupulous about the support for K/M lenses. Even the incompatibility of new KAF3 lenses with old cameras will be almost inconsequential compared to the rage the abandon of old lenses will induce.
I think you're overestimating the "value" of K and M lens compatibility. Although the marketing value of compatibility of lenses dating back to the sixties may be significant; like "we make the only DSLR that can use 40 year old lenses", I think the value is mostly symbolic. Being around PDML for awhile now I cannot but notice that those who "collect" K and maybe M lenses are mostly those who haven't bought a new Pentax product in 20 years, if ever. They are happy with photo gear from that particular era and prefer it to modern gear. Very few of them will ever buy a DSLR. Among those who are indeed present Pentax customers and own and use K and M lenses (probably very few), few will actually want to use these lenses with their K and M lenses. I believe that many when buying their first DSLR will buy a camera/system that fit their needs and preferences before a camera that fits their lenses. I simply believe that many with old lenses will use digital as an opportunity to buy !
new lenses.
I'm sure many disagree with this but I'm certain that the numbers of owners of K and M lenses that are going to buy a new DSLR is limited indeed.
P�l
