Hello Tom, Sounds like we are somewhat agreeing. For some, the factor that Canon can be at the head of the development curve and certainly at the breadth of product curve may be important. For others, it may not be so important.
I think that is why my initial reaction to your first post. As I remember, you couldn't recommend Pentax for anybody because the company couldn't keep up and may not survive (your feelings). I have been trying to point out that Pentax, along with all the others, offers plenty for most people (certainly more than they can afford). So it seems that there ought to be some cases where you could justify recommending Pentax. What about a new user who is most likely never going to go beyond the kit lens and the popup flash. Maybe they would buy one of the 70-300 consumer zooms and be done. Couldn't Pentax be a consideration for them? They aren't going to rush out and buy a super zoom with IS & USM and certainly not going to replace a body every 2 years. They are mostly happy with 4X6 prints and an occasional 8X10. Even my P&S digitals can provide that kind of quality. Do you see what I am saying? Certainly for someone who is going to try to do photography professionally, these factors come into play, but then, most of them wouldn't need to ask for advice as to what brands to consider. Believe it or not, there are times when I recommend Canon or Nikon over Pentax to some people, but not in every case. I think that circumstances of the buyer (needs, directions, available money, etc) all play a part in the recommendation. -- Best regards, Bruce Friday, October 28, 2005, 11:35:10 AM, you wrote: TC> Hi Bruce, TC> I'm not trying to belabor the point, seriously. I was miisnterpreted and TC> wanted to clarify. TC> I understand exactly where you're coming from. If I go with Canon in the TC> future I won't be able to afford all the goodies either. Nor can I purchase TC> the $8K variety DSLR body. TC> Tom C. >>From: Bruce Dayton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>Reply-To: [email protected] >>To: Tom C <[email protected]> >>Subject: Re: Sent My Brother to the Dark Side >>Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 11:17:07 -0700 >> >>Yes, Tom you are correct. It is a factor. The question for each of >>us is how much does that figure into our considerations. >> >>When I got my first *istD, I had no 35mm equipment to force my >>decision one way or another. The 'system' factor and the one we are >>describing now were much lower on my scale than the ergonomics of the >>camera. My options at the time were the Canon 10D, Nikon D100 and >>Pentax *istD. Based on how I take pictures and the needs I perceived >>as important, the Pentax was clearly the best body for me. So that is >>the direction I went, fully knowing that Pentax could not be as fast >>and responsive as Canon and probably Nikon. >> >>But you know what, the options to buy things for my cameras are much >>bigger than my pocketbook. To date, I have not hit a roadblock that I >>could afford that has made me regret my direction. I still like >>Pentax ergonomics and handling better than the competitors >>(viewfinder, size and metering techniques are very important to me). >>So if I had gone with Canon, I wouldn't be able to afford all the >>offerings anyway. >> >>Seems that for you, having cameras produced faster than you can afford >>to pay for them, is important, unless you have lots of disposable >>income that you don't know what to do with. Unfortunately for me, I >>don't. If Pentax released the equivalent of the 20D tomorrow, I >>couldn't afford it yet. >> >>-- >>Best regards, >>Bruce >> >> >>Friday, October 28, 2005, 10:11:22 AM, you wrote: >> >>TC> I never said the *ist D was functionally obsolete. I wasn't making a >>case >>TC> for comparing images generated from 6mp vs 8mp sensors. Actually I was >>TC> going down another line of thinking. >> >>TC> I was saying that many seem to express the attitude of "Oh well, this >>is >>TC> what we have come to expect from Pentax. They are a smaller company. >>They >>TC> don't make their own sensors. This makes them dependent on other >>suppliers. >>TC> Therefore they are slow to release new products. Therefore they are >>behind >>TC> the curve.". My question was, in view of the above, "Is that not a >>factor >>TC> to consider when making a purchasing decision?". I think the answer to >>that >>TC> can be nothing but 'Yes'. >> >>TC> It won't be the only factor to consider and it will be more heavily >>weighted >>TC> by some than by others. >> >> >>TC> Tom C. >> >> >> >> >> >>From: graywolf <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> >>Reply-To: [email protected] >> >>To: [email protected] >> >>Subject: Re: Sent My Brother to the Dark Side >> >>Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2005 12:48:09 -0400 >> >> >> >>Not really, first the current camera is hardly functionally obsolete. >> >>Second I doubt anyone is going to be able to tell the difference between >>a >> >>6mp and an 8mp image. Linear magnification is the important spec and >>that >> >>has to double to be a really meaningful improvement (that is 4x >>megapixels, >> >>for the math impaired). >> >> >> >>I find it interesting how many people make a decision based upon >>features >> >>they never have used, and probably would not use if they had them. But >>they >> >>look sooooooo good on that spec sheet. Me, I don't care how much sizzle >> >>that ad has, I want the steak to taste good; but others seem to like the >> >>taste of paper. >> >> >> >>graywolf >> >>http://www.graywolfphoto.com >> >>"Idiot Proof" <==> "Expert Proof" >> >>----------------------------------- >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>Tom C wrote: >> >> >> >>>There seems to be an ongoing defense of Pentax in regards to them being >>a >> >>>smaller firm, not being able to get the sensors, etc. Well when >>comparing >> >>>camera brands, models available, and deciding on purchases, isn't this >>a >> >>>relevant factor? >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>>Tom C. >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>>>From: "William Robb" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> >>>>Reply-To: [email protected] >> >>>>To: <[email protected]> >> >>>>Subject: Re: Sent My Brother to the Dark Side >> >>>>Date: Thu, 27 Oct 2005 06:28:40 -0600 >> >>>> >> >>>> >> >>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Rob Studdert" >> >>>>Subject: Re: Sent My Brother to the Dark Side >> >>>> >> >>>> >> >>>>> >> >>>>>I guess my question is how the heck do other manufacturers manage to >> >>>>>sell one >> >>>>>camera that's higher spec'd than a *ist D if that's all anyone >>actually >> >>>>>needs? >> >>>> >> >>>> >> >>>>I don't think anyone would argue with you on that one Rob. >> >>>>I guess my question is who is making APS-C or larger sensors in the >>10-12 >> >>>>mp range that Pentax can buy from? >> >>>> >> >>>>William Robb >> >>>> >> >>>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >> >> >> >> >>
