"...at this point in the digital era, almost all cameras are highly
competent. At the DSLR level, image quality even with the entry models
surpasses what most people could have gotten from film SLRs (assuming
you understand the camera, what it can actually do, and how to make it
perform optimally). As I've written for a number of years now about
all DSLRs: if you can't get a good-looking image at the largest size a
desktop inkjet printer can create (13x19"), it isn't the camera that's
the problem. Assuming your DSLR is not broken, it will be your
decisions and your handling of the camera that are the gatekeepers on
image quality these days."
I don't disagree with him.
If this is the case why so much talk of switching and other brands?
Is it really all due to the lack of a full frame body? Is the
increased talk of other brands really a trend or my imagination?
Let me chime in, please.
IMHO, brand loyalty is a very strange notion. It sound almost as if, you
know - loyalty to your favorite club of your favorite sport...
I would certainly agree that a big investment in a gear of certain brand
will make you loyal to it, but not loyal by means of emotional
attachment, so to say.
Now, I have never been invested in Pentax as much as some of the folks
on the list been. Though I cannot say that I could switch the systems by
the flick of my finger.
However when the Canon 5D came out and when I handled Sony A850 I
realized that I wanted more... Why? Don't know - couldn't tell even now.
And so I was a bit preoccupied (using this word as mild form of
"obsessed") with the full format. In fact, I wanted something from my
pictures that I couldn't get from my Pentax gear and that I saw in the
pictures published by other people, regardless of gear.
Then Galia grew up and we had two photogs in the family and the matter
of size and weight became more acute. So it became a racing condition in
my "processor" between FF perceived goodness and the fact that I had to
haul two camera bodies, at least two lenses or even more, etc.
Eventually I joined a Russian forum of Ricoh GXR shooters. Why? Because
the pictures they posted were outstanding in terms of that specific kind
of beauty that I was after all this time. Further, they kept claiming
that the processing they applied was minimal. Having reviewed several
DNG files generously provided by Godfrey I finally bought Ricoh GXR and
50mm macro lens module. Since that moment I've shot with my K-5 less
than dozen times, mostly when I had to have flexibility of DSLR and
flash capabilities.
Now - at this very moment I am in the "rangefinder" stage of my path. I
just don't feel like shooting with DSLR. I "infected" Galia with the
same notion and by now we share two AF modules (28mm and 50mm EFL) and I
have Leica-M mount module with Nokton 40/1.4 which is a work of
mechanical art. I keep my Pentax system (2 K-5's, several lenses) for
the times when I will need DSLR power and also I plan to use 50/1.2, 43
and 77 limited on the M-module via adapter. I don't intend to buy any
new Pentax system gear and especially not anything brand new. Current
camera bodies are absolutely satisfactory for all my needs and beyond.
Most recent developments in Pentax land show that it is highly probable
that Pentax and I will part ways. Pentax seems to be searching for
itself, so to say, and it is doing so in the markets that have no value
for me. I don't think that K-01 or Q are valuable cameras for my
personal preferences. For that matter, Ricoh GXR with 2 AF modules is
just fine.
I do feel loyalty to this club though. But that has nothing to do with
brand. It probably had at the start, but not now.
That would be my story. I cannot probably say for others.
Boris
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