True that. Pentax definitely is lower cost at or close to equal quality or performance (except for AF, where it still is behind). And that is the major reason I started with Pentax back in 1979, they were clearly more affordable and had a great reputation. I think where Pentax is lacking is in a system. They last had a complete system back in the LX days. Unless you plan on using only zooms, their prime offerings are mostly still from the film era like the Limited series, or the DA lenses that can sometimes be used in FF. But say I want a very wide prime? The only options are used older film era lenses (15mm 3.5). I would have to settle for a zoom to get a new wide angle. I can't even get third party prime lenses for Pentax, like some of the more lust worthy Sigma Art Series, its not worth the expense of manufacturing to them. Its also true of the long lenses. If I want a 600mm f4.0, or even a 400mm 2.8, I have to get a used film era lens (good luck with that), or I could settle for the DA560mm f5.6 (I hear its useable FF). A Nikon, or Canon user doesn't have this problem. Yes you will pay more, but at least you have the option, with Pentax you have to jump in eyes wide open.
On Thu, May 17, 2018 at 1:37 PM, Paul Stenquist <pnstenqu...@mac.com> wrote: > I see some younger photographers who are making their initial purchase of > pro-level gear going to Pentax. While I agree that Pentax will likely focus > on pro and advanced amateur offerings, I think they can own the lower priced > end of that niche. Pentax is a bargain. The K-1 isn’t quite the equal of > Nikon’s best, but It is almost as capable and far less expenses. With > in-camera shake reduction that price advantage extends to lenses as well. The > Pentax D FA 70-200/2.8 sells for about $1000 less than Nikon’s 70-200/2.8, > and I would be willing to bet the image quality is just as good. > Paul > >> On May 17, 2018, at 2:26 PM, Gonz <rgonzoma...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> I see your point Bill, and you arguments make a certain amount of >> sense as far as Ricoh's direction. But where I diverge in my opinion >> is the survival part. Granted there will always be that cadre of >> Pentax die hards, but as you can see from the average age of pdml >> posters, its only going up, not down. I.e. there is very little new >> Pentax "blood" coming in. So someone who is just coming into the high >> end/pro side of photography will in all likelihood migrate to one of >> the big three i.e. Canon, Nikon, Sony. Well at least as 35mm is >> concerned. I think medium format is a completely different beast and >> I wont even venture an opinion on that. Then there is Leica, but they >> are also on a different league altogether when it comes to high end. >> So where does that leave Pentax? With a reputation of a lower >> cost/amateur manufacturer, they will have a real hard time competing >> in the space with those big boys and all their resources. The market >> is definitely shrinking, and it makes perfect sense to go after the >> only remaining market not eviscerated by phone cameras (though I've >> seen pros starting to move there too and even making full movies with >> them), but whether they will survive or not is a crap shoot. >> >> >> On Thu, May 17, 2018 at 10:05 AM, Bill <anotherdrunken...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> On 5/17/2018 8:33 AM, Gonz wrote: >>>> >>>> Hmmm, I've been lusting over Fuji's stuff for a while now, maybe this >>>> is the push that I need. On the other hand, I read something like >>>> this: >>>> >>>> >>>> https://petapixel.com/2018/05/17/ricohs-new-camera-sdks-open-the-door-to-3rd-party-apps/ >>>> >>>> Which I've been advocating for years now. There are few things that >>>> can create more buzz and excitement than an active third party >>>> ecosystem that gives you applications and features Pentax/Ricoh could >>>> not dream of. This is what made Apple the phone brand that it is, >>>> maybe this will revive the Pentax brand and allow it to survive. >>> >>> >>> I don't think there is much doubt that the Pentax brand will survive. What >>> is in doubt is if it will survive in such a way as to make it desirable for >>> entry level users. The road map is indicating all high end lenses, and as >>> the camera market is shrinking at a rather alarming rate, the high end of >>> the market is the safest place to be positioned. >>> The low end of the market is being eviscerated by the cell phone market. Low >>> end, low cost products have to sell in huge numbers to be profitable. Going >>> forwards, those sales numbers simply won't exist. >>> Witness Ford getting out of the sedan market, essentially abandoning the >>> entry level automobile market to Korean manufacturers as an example. >>> My guess is that the Pentax brand is going to pretty much abandon the >>> beginner market (the Ricoh brand may pick up traction there), and >>> concentrate on high end products that can be profitable at low volumes. >>> >>> As much as forum users who think they know everything disagree because >>> Pentax isn't doing what they want (they must be stupid because of that), the >>> management at Ricoh is made up of some pretty smart cookies who walked into >>> the Pentax brand with their eyes open. We may not be seeing the development >>> speed we would like to see, but we are seeing an ongoing commitment and a >>> steady, albeit slow, pace of development. >>> >>> bill >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >>> PDML@pdml.net >>> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >>> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >>> follow the directions. >> >> >> >> -- >> -- Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding >> it still. Dorothea Lange >> >> -- >> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> PDML@pdml.net >> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >> follow the directions. > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- -- Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still. Dorothea Lange -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
