Roland wrote:
>If Pentax "lack any long term commitments", then I wonder why backwards >compatibility >is so important for them. And if Canon had such a "long term commitment", >one can >wonder why they abandoned their manual focus >mount, so that loyal Canon users were forced to buy new cameras and new >lenses. Nikon >does no longer support mechanical aperture coupling (so some old autofocus >bodies >can't use the new AF-G lenses in manual exposure >mode nor in aperture-priority). The new Pentax MZ-6 still does. If this >isn't "long >term commitment", then I don't know what the term "long term commitment" >means. Pentax show commitment to the K-mount; at least regarding compatibility. But they do lack commitment and long term strategy for their products and customers. Regardless of what Nikon and Canon are doing they keep their customers happy by replacing their cameras in all classes with sucessor models. Pentax, on the other hand, have a history of almost never keeping consistency in their line-up making many users frustrated; eg. the LX were never replaced just abandoned. Can you imagine the reaction if Nikon did the same with the F3? The Z-1p never got a direct replacement - the MZ-S alienates some Z-1 users fine camera though it is. I've never met any Nikon owner who doesn't think that the F100 is worthy F90 replacement. We could go on like this for ever. Minolta have made "7" models for as long as I can remember with design consistency. Canon likewise; the EOS bodies show consistency and regardless of what body you own and what price segment you're into, you can rest assure that Canon will continue to support your needs. Not so with Pentax. And although Pentax kept their lens compatibility they could almost just as well have ditched the K-mount. Twelve years ago they deleted their whole lens catalogue with out replacements. Try buying new Pentax lenses back in 90-91 and you were at loss with options. Nikon never did such things. The only exception for Pentax is their medium format line that for some reason they do show commitment and consistency. As for Nikon backward compatibility; Firstly, Nikon mount go back to 1957. Pentax abandoned their users back in 1975 when switching from screw mount to K-mount. Nikon have done no such thing. Secondly, Nikon have incorporated several "desireable" features in their lenses like AF motors and VR something Pentax haven't. Canon abandoned their lens mount alright but few would argue that it wasn't a wise move. Pentax main problem is lack of consistency and long term commitment. P�l - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
