Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
On Oct 20, 2013, at 4:59 PM, Steve Cottrell wrote: > On 20/10/13, Stan Halpin, discombobulated, unleashed: > >> Does this dress make me look fatter? > > Stan you know it does. I wondered who would jump on that. -- Eric Weir Decatur, GA USA eew...@bellsouth.net "There's something wrong if a Weir doesn't have anything to say." - Rob Meekings -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
On 10/20/2013 9:34 PM, Larry Colen wrote: I'd think the situation would be the same for Ricoh as for Pentax. It is in fact far worse. -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
On Mon, 21 Oct 2013 07:36:03 +0100 Steve Cottrell wrote: > >>That may be so, but a gentleman would have the grace to lie a bit! > >There's a gentleman in here somewhere?! > >Damn it reveal yourself Sorry, won't happen again :) Regards, JvW -- Jan van Wijk; http://www.dfsee.com/gallery -- 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.
RE: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
Gadzooks, sir - you have unmasked me! John Coyle Brisbane, Australia (trying to get in first before the rest of you lot claim the distinction - there are some advantages in being this close to the dateline) -Original Message- From: PDML [mailto:pdml-boun...@pdml.net] On Behalf Of Steve Cottrell Sent: Monday, 21 October 2013 4:36 PM To: pentax list Subject: Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch? On 20/10/13, Stan Halpin, discombobulated, unleashed: >That may be so, but a gentleman would have the grace to lie a bit! There's a gentleman in here somewhere?! Damn it reveal yourself -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production -- _ -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
On 20/10/13, Stan Halpin, discombobulated, unleashed: >That may be so, but a gentleman would have the grace to lie a bit! There's a gentleman in here somewhere?! Damn it reveal yourself -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production -- _ -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
On 10/20/2013 8:49 AM, Steve Cottrell wrote: On 20/10/13, Boris Liberman, discombobulated, unleashed: If I lived in Great Britain, France or United States - then I would certainly give a different answer. Ahhh understood many thanks. I've just checked one of our popular price comparison sites. K-5ii(s) is not offered anywhere! K-01 costs close to USD 1000. Though they do list K-30 and K-50... I think it illustrates my position. Boris -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
The problem for me is that there are items that I need to do what I like to do that are no longer made by Pentax. So, replacement with Pentax may not be an option. I would really want to have a 200mm - ish macro, and getting one would depend entirely on the used market (and probably consume a disproportionate amount of the insurance settlement.) Things like extension tubes with full electrical contacts pretty much can't be found, and for me that is also a must have. While not so high on my priority list, I really like having a decent 400mm lens (better than the Sigma 120-400) and aside from the aforementioned Sigma non are available new. If I could get the few essential things that are no longer made by Pentax I'd probably stick with the brand and use the remaining funds to get a start on investing in some of the newer high end Pentax glass - limiteds and DA* lenses. I like the overall design, interface, performance, IQ, and features of Pentax bodies (especially in body anti shake) but as a system it does not have all the parts and pieces that I'd personally need. If I could not get those few essential things I'd probably have to move on. Mark On 10/19/2013 5:34 PM, Larry Colen wrote: I will change the question somewhat. All of your camera gear has been stolen, but the insurance company has given you a check to replace it with the brand new equivalent, or good quality used for fear that is no longer made. How would you spend your money replacing your kit. Jens wrote: Hello list When I wanted somthing better than my first slr - the Yashica TL Electro-X, I went to a shop the buy an Olympus OM-1. But the guy in the shop convinced my to buy a Pentax MX (which I did), since I remembered, that I had earlier used a Pentax lens for my Yashica. The results from this lens (a 35mm for Spotmatic) came out so nice, that the guy in the shop really had no difficulties in convincing me to buy the MX (still got one). This happened in 1981. I have been using Pentax cameras ever since. But if this happended today, I don't know what would happen. The guy in the shop would probably tell me to get a Canon, Nikon or Sony, like almost everybody else... How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? What would you buy, if you were a beginner? Regards Jens Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
That may be so, but a gentleman would have the grace to lie a bit! stan On Oct 20, 2013, at 4:59 PM, Steve Cottrell wrote: > On 20/10/13, Stan Halpin, discombobulated, unleashed: > >> Does this dress make me look fatter? > > Stan you know it does. > > -- > > > Cheers, > Cotty > -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
On 20/10/13, Stan Halpin, discombobulated, unleashed: >Does this dress make me look fatter? Stan you know it does. -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production -- _ -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
I'd think the situation would be the same for Ricoh as for Pentax. Boris Liberman wrote: >Oh, the reason is pretty simple, Cotty. > >You see, Pentax is all but virtually non-existent in Israel. You have >to >actively want to break barriers to buy Pentax. Newly announced cameras >arrive with months of delay here. The international warranty means >nothing to local service centers. To get your camera serviced by Karat >(the one I've been praising) - you either have to be in close vicinity >of Big Tel Aviv or you even have to pay to messenger service to have it > >delivered there. Or you have to deal with shops with rather gray >reputation(*). > >Ultimately, being a Pentax owner means that from the start you have to >overcome some very serious inconveniences and/or silly logistical >issues. > >In fact, I wouldn't recommend Olympus and/or Panasonic too. I mean I >would, but I would repeat time and again that the person who asked for >my advice would have to start by figuring out who's giving the service >and what do people say about that specific company. > >If I lived in Great Britain, France or United States - then I would >certainly give a different answer. > >(*) A friend of mine bought Canon outfit from one such shop. We went >for >shoot. Focus was all over the place, the exposure was decidedly >over-burned too. I suggested to him that he requests for his gear to be > >serviced. Ultimately they said that the camera and lenses were withing >specified tolerances... Bullshit, if you ask me. > >On 10/19/2013 9:16 PM, Steve Cottrell wrote: >> On 19/10/13, Boris Liberman, discombobulated, unleashed: >> How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? >>> >>> I wouldn't. Sorry. In fact, even a beginner has some idea as to why >they >>> would want to get into photography. So I would probably ask them and >see >>> what kind of result they're after. Because, say, if they're not >going to >>> print bigger than 10x15 cm or if they're going to look at the photos >>> only on their computer screen, I wouldn't suggest a DSLR for them to >>> begin with. >> >> Boris, I find this odd. >> >> Why not recommend Pentax? For a beginner, the product line-up is >ideal. >> >> Something like the MX-1 can give a better experience than just a >> cheapshit point n shoot. >> >> If they want to get into using different lenses, then a Pentax DSLR >is >> ideal. They will get better value for money - even pointing them to >> (say) DP Review reviews (there an echo in here??) will confirm Pentax >> status as such. Sure, some will be swayed by wanting Nikon or Canon >on >> the front - but a lot won't - and in fact you'd be surprised how many >> want to avoid the heard instinct. Pentax still does carry a certain >> charm as a 'cult' following. A lot of people like that. >> >> So what if they don't want to print - even at all? The point is they >can >> be creative and make some amazing pictures using some simple lenses. >> >> In the old days, anyone wanting to do some better photography - >students >> included - would pick up an SLR camera. Why not a DSLR? >> -- Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity. -- 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.
RE: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
Or how about "PDML - without guilt" -Original Message- >From: Bob W >Sent: Oct 20, 2013 6:56 AM >To: 'Pentax-Discuss Mail List' >Subject: RE: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch? > >> And Yes, the mentioned kult status - and the fine forums, >> like the PDML, is quite a uique Pentax thing too :-) > >That could be our new motto "PDML - what a cult!" > >B > >> -Original Message- >> From: PDML [mailto:pdml-boun...@pdml.net] On Behalf Of Jens >> Sent: 20 October 2013 11:30 >> To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> Subject: Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you >> started from scratch? >> >> First - I'm pleased, that so many want to contribute to >> answering my questions. >> >> Secondly: 10 or 15 years ago I'd tell a beginner, that it is >> easy to get excellent second hand lenses for Pentax K-mount. >> But that's not quite true anymore. >> >> ((I've been looking for a Sigma 100-300 EX 4.0 for months - >> impossible to find one for Pentax. >> And some focal lengths, made by Tamron, are not offered for >> Pentax at all :-( I can buy new Pentax lenses, but they seem >> to be quite expensive - and the best ones are hard to find >> second hand)). >> >> So, today I'm not so sure anymore about what to say to beginners. >> >> But I actually have friends and famuily members, that have >> chosen Pentax because of my photographs :-) I guess that the >> best advertising is showing fine photographs. Remember the >> Pentax (67) calendar ?? >> >> >> I geuss the new AA filter is a uniqe feature, not offered by >> other brands. >> And I think Pentax bodies gives me more features/better >> ergonomics and user interface, at lower cost. >> >> >> I guess I own perhaps 50 lenses or more for Pentax K-Mount. >> So, I could never afford to change brand myself, unless I >> have to (Pentax goes belly up - or I win the lottery can >> afford to get Phase One equipment). >> >> And Yes, the mentioned kult status - and the fine forums, >> like the PDML, is quite a uique Pentax thing too :-) >> >> Regards -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
On Sat, Oct 19, 2013 at 6:32 PM, Jens wrote: > When I wanted somthing better than my first slr > [...] > the guy in the shop really had no difficulties in convincing me to buy the MX > (still got one). > This happened in 1981. I have been using Pentax cameras ever since. > > But if this happended today, I don't know what would happen. > The guy in the shop would probably tell me to get a Canon, Nikon or Sony, > like almost everybody else... > > How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? > > What would you buy, if you were a beginner? Because I really qualify as a beginner in photography, I wanted to contribute my view on the topic, especially since I've recently went through such a decision. Although I must note that most of my reasons were already covered by other posters. To give you some context: I've bought my first camera, a "bridge" or "super-zoom" as they're called, a FujiFilm FinePix S5200 / S5600, around 2005 after being recommended by friend-of-a-friend, which I've used (around 15k casual snapshots) until this spring (2013). However later in 2006 I pondered on buying a Pentax K100D / K110D but decided against (mainly due to costs). Since last autumn (2012) (after I've played a little bit with a Nikon D3100) I decided it was about time to get a new camera, a DSLR this time, and maybe get a new hobby -- photography. (I've checked the first item off the list, but not so sure about the second.) :) So how my decision process went? (A) Brands: in late 2012 only Canon, Nikon and Pentax were making DSLR's (or at least available in my country). I've excluded Canon "just because", thus it was Nikon or Pentax. (B) Price limit: the upper limit was D5100 / D3200 for Nikon, and K-30 (and later K-50) for Pentax, although the lower the better. (Didn't even bother to look for Canon.) (C) Features: because even with my Fuji S5600 I've shot mainly in manual mode (JPEG's with non-auto white-balance, but sometimes RAW), and I've never used any other features except the 3-shot burst (as a poor-man's image stabilization), it all boiled down to: * good manual support (i.e. easy access to speed, aperture and ISO); * good RAW support (i.e. usable from software running on Linux); * the more "customization" is available the better; * support for AA batteries; (very important;) Clear winner Pentax. Two dials for a smaller price, DNG which promissed to be more "open" than NEF. (D) Lenses: all I knew about lenses was this: Nikon had two "flavors" with stabilization (more expensive) and without (cheaper); Pentax had stabilization in body and allegedly a larger pool of used lenses. Clear winner Pentax. (E) What I choose to ignore (i.e. "don't care" category): * live-view; (I was tired of composing via an LCD like on my Fuji;) * video capabilities; (i.e. use each tool for what it was designed;) * HDR, filters, and other in-camera processing; (I have a computer for that;) * built-in flash; (I don't use it that much;) * battery capacity; (anyway you'll need two of those, or even better standard AA batteries;) * image quality; (although I've stared at RAW crops between various cameras, for minutes on DPReview and other sites, I still didn't notice anything definitive, thus I've concluded it's all the same;) Final winner --- obviously since I'm on this list :) --- Pentax K-30 (the K-50 wasn't out yet) with 18-55 and 50-200 kit lenses, mainly due to smaller price and more features. Looking in retrospective, some features I now know are important: * viewfinder coverage, size, and brightness; (except for coverage I still don't see a difference between K-30 and D3100;) * the two custom modes on the K-30 which I now use exclusively; (I get my fingers in a twist on D3100;) * weather sealing, which I've used once in the rain and I liked the mood of the photos; * support for AA batteries; (I re-list it again because it's quite important to me;) Some serious drawbacks which I now start to feel: * Pentax bodies, lens and accessory availability in my country which is quite poor (only two on-line stores have it, and no brick-and-mortar store that I know of); * second-hand lens availability, which again doesn't live up to the expectations (again especially in my country); (and on the subject second hand Pentax market;) * (although a small nuisance for me) lack of on-line "tutorials / tips-and-tricks" for Pentax hardware; I mean the same Internet visibility as Nikon has through people like Thom Hogan, Ken Rockwell, etc. (Although I must mention Dale Cotton with his Daystar Visions site which makes a wonderful Pentax (and general photography) introductory material.) Overall I still think I made a good choice especially in terms of cost / quality / features trade offs. But there are some important drawbacks. Hope it helps, Ciprian. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List
RE: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
> -Original Message- > From: PDML [mailto:pdml-boun...@pdml.net] On Behalf Of Alan C > > Goodness gracious. When do you ever find time to use all that stuff? > I don't. B > > -Original Message- > From: Bob W > Sent: Sunday, October 20, 2013 12:49 PM > To: 'Pentax-Discuss Mail List' > Subject: RE: Which camera brand would you choose, if you > started from scratch? > > > From: PDML [mailto:pdml-boun...@pdml.net] On Behalf Of > Steve Cottrell > > > > On 19/10/13, Larry Colen, discombobulated, unleashed: > > > > >All of your camera gear has been stolen, but the insurance > > company has > > >given you a check to replace it with the brand new > > equivalent, or good > > >quality used for fear that is no longer made. How would you > > spend your > > >money replacing your kit. > > > > Buy getting the same stuff again. > > > > When my Pentax stuff was stolen I tried to get all the same > stuff again, but it wasn't available. The insurance policy > was new-for-old, and I didn't like what Pentax had to offer > at that time, so I bought Contax / Zeiss, which was fabulous > film gear. It didn't translate well to digital, though, so I > later traded it in for a Leica M8 and a lens or two. > > My basic requirements in camera equipment haven't changed > much over the > years: > > robust, weather/dust-proof > good, large, bright viewfinder > high quality lenses > simplicity and ease-of-use > > Situations in which I use it: > > casual, flaneur-type of stuff (street photography, I suppose) > travel photography, including cycling and backpacking > > The focal length range I like is uncontroversial, although > it's nice to be able to go outside that from time to time. In > 35mm terms, this means a normal range of about 24mm to 100mm > covers just about everything, and I have a set of prime > lenses as well as zooms that cover that range. I also have a > 21mm prime and a 100-400mm (equivalent) zoom. > > So if I had to replace it all, I would buy a Leica M with > 21mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm & 90mm lenses. I already have all > these, but an M8 rather than an M. I would also replace my M3 > like-for-like if that were stolen. > > I like the Fuji X100, but I would probably replace it with a > Fuji X20 - and I am considering doing just that anyway. > > I really like the Olympus E series, for which I have 3 high > quality zooms covering 22-400mm equivalent. I have an E-3 > with battery grip which is superb, although rather heavy. > It's annoying that they've dropped that line. > There may be better things out there now, some of the > top-end-but-not-very-top full-frame Nikons are appealing, and > I would give a lot of thought to them. When I was replacing > my Pentax gear though I looked at the F3, and it was too much > of a monster. Having become used to lugging 3 LXes around, I > could barely even lift 3 F3s with the equivalent lenses and winders. > > B > > > -- > 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. -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
As many have commented, "what camera do you tell a beginner to buy" is not readily answered - it depends too much on the person and their interests. Larry's variation on the question - "what would you do if you were to replace your entire kit" I'll come back to in a minute. My own variation on the Beginner question is: "what camera would you give your teen-aged son/daughter for Christmas? They have shown an interest in photography and you want to encourage that interest . . ." I'll come back to this in a minute also. 1. What camera should a beginner buy? Which restaurant serves the best food? What university should I go to? Does this dress make me look fatter? All questions that have no good answer other than "it depends." The value a more experienced consumer can provide to a less experienced is to explain what the decision might depend on. I.e., help the newbie think about whether they want to do portraiture or wildlife, product photography or macros, fashion photography or scenics, wedding photography or other self-inflicted torture. Discuss the benefits and limitations of different camera features vis a vis the direction they think they are headed. And then caution patience. A first date does not inevitably lead to marriage, nor does a first camera purchase involve a life-long brand commitment. In short, my recommendation to a beginner is: "Buy something that feels good in your hand. Travel to NYC or wherever you need to go in order to actually see and hold the camera(s) before you make your final decision. Buy something and get started. Spend time in the library and on the internet looking at others' photography. When you are excited by a style or subject matter, read more about how it is done. Try to replicate it yourself. Learn the limitations of your first camera, the ways it gets in your way. Then give the first one away and get your second camera. Repeat the cycle at least 3 times in the first 5 years." 2. What camera would I give a teen-aged child? Pentax of some variety because that is what I have and know; I could answer questions, offer advice, and share equipment in ways that wouldn't be so easy with some other brand. Today, probably a K-5 or K-50 + 18-55 and 50-200 kit lenses. Or whatever in those ranges is currently available. 3. What would I buy if everything were stolen and I had the insurance money adequate to buy whatever I wanted? Probably stick with Pentax DSLR, though I would consider Nikon DSLR as well. Pentax because it is familiar, Nikon because they offer capabilities beyond what I can get with Pentax (and Nikon is quite similar to Pentax in camera-body functionality, control layout, menu layout, etc.). DSLR because I have yet to see an LCD screen or EVF which does not get in my way when I look at a scene. If Pentax, two K-3's. If Nikon, one FF body for wide angle and one APS-C body for longer lenses. If Pentax, a selection of the Limited lenses plus 12-24, 16-50/2.8, 50-135/2.8, 60-250/4.0 and 300/4.0. If I could find another FA*200/4.0 Macro that would definitely be on the list! If the funds were there, I would also toy with the notion of a 645D and a couple of lenses. If Nikon, besides the comparables to the Pentax lenses, I would add 1.4xTC, 2.0xTC, 200-400 and 500mm lenses, and a couple of the tilt/shift lenses. And the availability of tilt/shift, the longer zoom, a 180mm macro, and functional tele-converters would be the primary aspects of the Nikon system that might induce me to switch away from Pentax. stan On Oct 20, 2013, at 10:43 AM, Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote: > It's impossible for me to say what I'd tell a beginner to start with > specifically. It depends on the particular beginner. However, sadly, it would > most likely not be Pentax gear for reasons that have to do with a) lack of > local availability, and b) my own misgivings about their QA and consistency. > > (My personal history in cameras was very diverse, but basically I started > with a Rolleiflex TLR, and mostly had Nikon and Leica gear, although a lot of > Olympus and other makes as well. Always liked the Olympus gear. Pentax was > there for me late in the game and I had a good run with it for a few years, > and I've got a ton of other stuff still, but I'm mostly back to Leica and > Olympus, replacing Nikon, now.) > > But Larry's question—if all my camera gear was stolen, what would I replace > it with—I've given some thought to. I've accreted a lot of equipment now, > both film and digital, and a pleasing bit of it was given to me. If it were > *all* stolen now and the insurance folks handed me a blank check to replace > it ... > > - Leica M digital (M9, M, or MM ... likely MM) with 28, 50, 90 mm lenses. > - Olympus E-M1 with exactly what I have now or maybe the equivalent lenses > all in Micro-FourThirds mount > - Hasselblad SWC + 500CM kit just as I have it now > - Polaroid SX-70 and Spectra Pro > > In other words, I'd want what I have n
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
It's impossible for me to say what I'd tell a beginner to start with specifically. It depends on the particular beginner. However, sadly, it would most likely not be Pentax gear for reasons that have to do with a) lack of local availability, and b) my own misgivings about their QA and consistency. (My personal history in cameras was very diverse, but basically I started with a Rolleiflex TLR, and mostly had Nikon and Leica gear, although a lot of Olympus and other makes as well. Always liked the Olympus gear. Pentax was there for me late in the game and I had a good run with it for a few years, and I've got a ton of other stuff still, but I'm mostly back to Leica and Olympus, replacing Nikon, now.) But Larry's question—if all my camera gear was stolen, what would I replace it with—I've given some thought to. I've accreted a lot of equipment now, both film and digital, and a pleasing bit of it was given to me. If it were *all* stolen now and the insurance folks handed me a blank check to replace it ... - Leica M digital (M9, M, or MM ... likely MM) with 28, 50, 90 mm lenses. - Olympus E-M1 with exactly what I have now or maybe the equivalent lenses all in Micro-FourThirds mount - Hasselblad SWC + 500CM kit just as I have it now - Polaroid SX-70 and Spectra Pro In other words, I'd want what I have now back again. It's the end result of all these years of buying and selling equipment, using equipment, and it does what I want. Even if some of it I use only infrequently. To compensate the rest of what I have now ... uh, I'll keep the cash and use it to go traveling, thank you! ;-) G On Oct 19, 2013, at 2:34 PM, Larry Colen wrote: > I will change the question somewhat. > All of your camera gear has been stolen, but the insurance company has given > you a check to replace it with the brand new equivalent, or good quality used > for fear that is no longer made. How would you spend your money replacing > your kit. -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
Goodness gracious. When do you ever find time to use all that stuff? Alan -Original Message- From: Bob W Sent: Sunday, October 20, 2013 12:49 PM To: 'Pentax-Discuss Mail List' Subject: RE: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch? From: PDML [mailto:pdml-boun...@pdml.net] On Behalf Of Steve Cottrell On 19/10/13, Larry Colen, discombobulated, unleashed: >All of your camera gear has been stolen, but the insurance company has >given you a check to replace it with the brand new equivalent, or good >quality used for fear that is no longer made. How would you spend your >money replacing your kit. Buy getting the same stuff again. When my Pentax stuff was stolen I tried to get all the same stuff again, but it wasn't available. The insurance policy was new-for-old, and I didn't like what Pentax had to offer at that time, so I bought Contax / Zeiss, which was fabulous film gear. It didn't translate well to digital, though, so I later traded it in for a Leica M8 and a lens or two. My basic requirements in camera equipment haven't changed much over the years: robust, weather/dust-proof good, large, bright viewfinder high quality lenses simplicity and ease-of-use Situations in which I use it: casual, flaneur-type of stuff (street photography, I suppose) travel photography, including cycling and backpacking The focal length range I like is uncontroversial, although it's nice to be able to go outside that from time to time. In 35mm terms, this means a normal range of about 24mm to 100mm covers just about everything, and I have a set of prime lenses as well as zooms that cover that range. I also have a 21mm prime and a 100-400mm (equivalent) zoom. So if I had to replace it all, I would buy a Leica M with 21mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm & 90mm lenses. I already have all these, but an M8 rather than an M. I would also replace my M3 like-for-like if that were stolen. I like the Fuji X100, but I would probably replace it with a Fuji X20 - and I am considering doing just that anyway. I really like the Olympus E series, for which I have 3 high quality zooms covering 22-400mm equivalent. I have an E-3 with battery grip which is superb, although rather heavy. It's annoying that they've dropped that line. There may be better things out there now, some of the top-end-but-not-very-top full-frame Nikons are appealing, and I would give a lot of thought to them. When I was replacing my Pentax gear though I looked at the F3, and it was too much of a monster. Having become used to lugging 3 LXes around, I could barely even lift 3 F3s with the equivalent lenses and winders. B -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
Yes, Jens, your question has certainly elicited a lot of very diverse replies. Photography means different things to different people. If money is no object, you can do what you like, but most of us are on tight budgets. Like you, I am a bit of a sentimentalist. Having started out with Pentax & having a fair variety of M42 & PK lenses available, the choice to stay with Pentax was relatively simple. I did make a brief foray into Canon, using the Pentax lenses via adapters - fiddly, but fairly simple with M42 lenses (A/M switch) ; more tricky with PK's. Pentax's Green Button (or AE-L) function makes stop down metering very easy & gives a new lease of life to all those old lenses when used on Pentax digitals. Only two short years ago I was still shooting film & having the negatives digitised but, sadly, the film labs have all but disappeared. On the other hand, my wife & daughter have recently acquired Fuji FinePix Super-Zoom P&S's which do the job remarkably well. Alan -Original Message- From: Jens Sent: Sunday, October 20, 2013 12:29 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch? First - I'm pleased, that so many want to contribute to answering my questions. Secondly: 10 or 15 years ago I'd tell a beginner, that it is easy to get excellent second hand lenses for Pentax K-mount. But that's not quite true anymore. ((I've been looking for a Sigma 100-300 EX 4.0 for months - impossible to find one for Pentax. And some focal lengths, made by Tamron, are not offered for Pentax at all :-( I can buy new Pentax lenses, but they seem to be quite expensive - and the best ones are hard to find second hand)). So, today I'm not so sure anymore about what to say to beginners. But I actually have friends and famuily members, that have chosen Pentax because of my photographs :-) I guess that the best advertising is showing fine photographs. Remember the Pentax (67) calendar ?? I geuss the new AA filter is a uniqe feature, not offered by other brands. And I think Pentax bodies gives me more features/better ergonomics and user interface, at lower cost. I guess I own perhaps 50 lenses or more for Pentax K-Mount. So, I could never afford to change brand myself, unless I have to (Pentax goes belly up - or I win the lottery can afford to get Phase One equipment). And Yes, the mentioned kult status - and the fine forums, like the PDML, is quite a uique Pentax thing too :-) Regards Jens -- Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. On Oct 20, 2013 05:28 "Boris Liberman" wrote: Oh, the reason is pretty simple, Cotty. You see, Pentax is all but virtually non-existent in Israel. You have to actively want to break barriers to buy Pentax. Newly announced cameras arrive with months of delay here. The international warranty means nothing to local service centers. To get your camera serviced by Karat (the one I've been praising) - you either have to be in close vicinity of Big Tel Aviv or you even have to pay to messenger service to have it delivered there. Or you have to deal with shops with rather gray reputation(*). Ultimately, being a Pentax owner means that from the start you have to overcome some very serious inconveniences and/or silly logistical issues. In fact, I wouldn't recommend Olympus and/or Panasonic too. I mean I would, but I would repeat time and again that the person who asked for my advice would have to start by figuring out who's giving the service and what do people say about that specific company. If I lived in Great Britain, France or United States - then I would certainly give a different answer. (*) A friend of mine bought Canon outfit from one such shop. We went for shoot. Focus was all over the place, the exposure was decidedly over-burned too. I suggested to him that he requests for his gear to be serviced. Ultimately they said that the camera and lenses were withing specified tolerances... Bullshit, if you ask me. On 10/19/2013 9:16 PM, Steve Cottrell wrote: > On 19/10/13, Boris Liberman, discombobulated, unleashed: > >>> How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? >> >> I wouldn't. Sorry. In fact, even a beginner has some idea as to why >> they >> would want to get into photography. So I would probably ask them >> and see >> what kind of result they're after. Because, say, if they're not >> going to >> print bigger than 10x15 cm or if they're going to look at the >> photos >> only on their computer screen, I wouldn't suggest a DSLR for them >> to >> begin with. > > Boris, I find this odd. > > Why not recommend Pentax? For a beginner, the product line-up is > ideal. > > Something like the MX-1 can give a better experience than just a > che
RE: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
> And Yes, the mentioned kult status - and the fine forums, > like the PDML, is quite a uique Pentax thing too :-) That could be our new motto "PDML - what a cult!" B > -Original Message- > From: PDML [mailto:pdml-boun...@pdml.net] On Behalf Of Jens > Sent: 20 October 2013 11:30 > To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List > Subject: Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you > started from scratch? > > First - I'm pleased, that so many want to contribute to > answering my questions. > > Secondly: 10 or 15 years ago I'd tell a beginner, that it is > easy to get excellent second hand lenses for Pentax K-mount. > But that's not quite true anymore. > > ((I've been looking for a Sigma 100-300 EX 4.0 for months - > impossible to find one for Pentax. > And some focal lengths, made by Tamron, are not offered for > Pentax at all :-( I can buy new Pentax lenses, but they seem > to be quite expensive - and the best ones are hard to find > second hand)). > > So, today I'm not so sure anymore about what to say to beginners. > > But I actually have friends and famuily members, that have > chosen Pentax because of my photographs :-) I guess that the > best advertising is showing fine photographs. Remember the > Pentax (67) calendar ?? > > > I geuss the new AA filter is a uniqe feature, not offered by > other brands. > And I think Pentax bodies gives me more features/better > ergonomics and user interface, at lower cost. > > > I guess I own perhaps 50 lenses or more for Pentax K-Mount. > So, I could never afford to change brand myself, unless I > have to (Pentax goes belly up - or I win the lottery can > afford to get Phase One equipment). > > And Yes, the mentioned kult status - and the fine forums, > like the PDML, is quite a uique Pentax thing too :-) > > Regards > Jens -- 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.
RE: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
> From: PDML [mailto:pdml-boun...@pdml.net] On Behalf Of Steve Cottrell > > On 19/10/13, Larry Colen, discombobulated, unleashed: > > >All of your camera gear has been stolen, but the insurance > company has > >given you a check to replace it with the brand new > equivalent, or good > >quality used for fear that is no longer made. How would you > spend your > >money replacing your kit. > > Buy getting the same stuff again. > When my Pentax stuff was stolen I tried to get all the same stuff again, but it wasn't available. The insurance policy was new-for-old, and I didn't like what Pentax had to offer at that time, so I bought Contax / Zeiss, which was fabulous film gear. It didn't translate well to digital, though, so I later traded it in for a Leica M8 and a lens or two. My basic requirements in camera equipment haven't changed much over the years: robust, weather/dust-proof good, large, bright viewfinder high quality lenses simplicity and ease-of-use Situations in which I use it: casual, flaneur-type of stuff (street photography, I suppose) travel photography, including cycling and backpacking The focal length range I like is uncontroversial, although it's nice to be able to go outside that from time to time. In 35mm terms, this means a normal range of about 24mm to 100mm covers just about everything, and I have a set of prime lenses as well as zooms that cover that range. I also have a 21mm prime and a 100-400mm (equivalent) zoom. So if I had to replace it all, I would buy a Leica M with 21mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm & 90mm lenses. I already have all these, but an M8 rather than an M. I would also replace my M3 like-for-like if that were stolen. I like the Fuji X100, but I would probably replace it with a Fuji X20 - and I am considering doing just that anyway. I really like the Olympus E series, for which I have 3 high quality zooms covering 22-400mm equivalent. I have an E-3 with battery grip which is superb, although rather heavy. It's annoying that they've dropped that line. There may be better things out there now, some of the top-end-but-not-very-top full-frame Nikons are appealing, and I would give a lot of thought to them. When I was replacing my Pentax gear though I looked at the F3, and it was too much of a monster. Having become used to lugging 3 LXes around, I could barely even lift 3 F3s with the equivalent lenses and winders. B -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
First - I'm pleased, that so many want to contribute to answering my questions. Secondly: 10 or 15 years ago I'd tell a beginner, that it is easy to get excellent second hand lenses for Pentax K-mount. But that's not quite true anymore. ((I've been looking for a Sigma 100-300 EX 4.0 for months - impossible to find one for Pentax. And some focal lengths, made by Tamron, are not offered for Pentax at all :-( I can buy new Pentax lenses, but they seem to be quite expensive - and the best ones are hard to find second hand)). So, today I'm not so sure anymore about what to say to beginners. But I actually have friends and famuily members, that have chosen Pentax because of my photographs :-) I guess that the best advertising is showing fine photographs. Remember the Pentax (67) calendar ?? I geuss the new AA filter is a uniqe feature, not offered by other brands. And I think Pentax bodies gives me more features/better ergonomics and user interface, at lower cost. I guess I own perhaps 50 lenses or more for Pentax K-Mount. So, I could never afford to change brand myself, unless I have to (Pentax goes belly up - or I win the lottery can afford to get Phase One equipment). And Yes, the mentioned kult status - and the fine forums, like the PDML, is quite a uique Pentax thing too :-) Regards Jens -- Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. On Oct 20, 2013 05:28 "Boris Liberman" wrote: > Oh, the reason is pretty simple, Cotty. > You see, Pentax is all but virtually non-existent in Israel. You have > to > actively want to break barriers to buy Pentax. Newly announced cameras > arrive with months of delay here. The international warranty means > nothing to local service centers. To get your camera serviced by Karat > (the one I've been praising) - you either have to be in close vicinity > of Big Tel Aviv or you even have to pay to messenger service to have > it > delivered there. Or you have to deal with shops with rather gray > reputation(*). > > Ultimately, being a Pentax owner means that from the start you have to > overcome some very serious inconveniences and/or silly logistical > issues. > > In fact, I wouldn't recommend Olympus and/or Panasonic too. I mean I > would, but I would repeat time and again that the person who asked for > my advice would have to start by figuring out who's giving the service > and what do people say about that specific company. > > If I lived in Great Britain, France or United States - then I would > certainly give a different answer. > > (*) A friend of mine bought Canon outfit from one such shop. We went > for > shoot. Focus was all over the place, the exposure was decidedly > over-burned too. I suggested to him that he requests for his gear to > be > serviced. Ultimately they said that the camera and lenses were withing > specified tolerances... Bullshit, if you ask me. > > On 10/19/2013 9:16 PM, Steve Cottrell wrote: > > On 19/10/13, Boris Liberman, discombobulated, unleashed: > > > >>> How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? > >> > >> I wouldn't. Sorry. In fact, even a beginner has some idea as to why > >> they > >> would want to get into photography. So I would probably ask them > >> and see > >> what kind of result they're after. Because, say, if they're not > >> going to > >> print bigger than 10x15 cm or if they're going to look at the > >> photos > >> only on their computer screen, I wouldn't suggest a DSLR for them > >> to > >> begin with. > > > > Boris, I find this odd. > > > > Why not recommend Pentax? For a beginner, the product line-up is > > ideal. > > > > Something like the MX-1 can give a better experience than just a > > cheapshit point n shoot. > > > > If they want to get into using different lenses, then a Pentax DSLR > > is > > ideal. They will get better value for money - even pointing them to > > (say) DP Review reviews (there an echo in here??) will confirm > > Pentax > > status as such. Sure, some will be swayed by wanting Nikon or Canon > > on > > the front - but a lot won't - and in fact you'd be surprised how > > many > > want to avoid the heard instinct. Pentax still does carry a certain > > charm as a 'cult' following. A lot of people like that. > > > > So what if they don't want to print - even at all? The point is they > > can > > be creative and make some amazing pictures using some simple > > lenses. > > > > In the old days, anyone wanting to do some better photography - > > students > > included - would pick up an SLR camera. Why not a DSLR? > > > > > -- > 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
On 20/10/13, Boris Liberman, discombobulated, unleashed: >If I lived in Great Britain, France or United States - then I would >certainly give a different answer. Ahhh understood many thanks. -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production -- _ -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
On 19/10/13, Larry Colen, discombobulated, unleashed: >All of your camera gear has been stolen, but the insurance company has >given you a check to replace it with the brand new equivalent, or good >quality used for fear that is no longer made. How would you spend your >money replacing your kit. Buy getting the same stuff again. -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production -- _ -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
Oh, the reason is pretty simple, Cotty. You see, Pentax is all but virtually non-existent in Israel. You have to actively want to break barriers to buy Pentax. Newly announced cameras arrive with months of delay here. The international warranty means nothing to local service centers. To get your camera serviced by Karat (the one I've been praising) - you either have to be in close vicinity of Big Tel Aviv or you even have to pay to messenger service to have it delivered there. Or you have to deal with shops with rather gray reputation(*). Ultimately, being a Pentax owner means that from the start you have to overcome some very serious inconveniences and/or silly logistical issues. In fact, I wouldn't recommend Olympus and/or Panasonic too. I mean I would, but I would repeat time and again that the person who asked for my advice would have to start by figuring out who's giving the service and what do people say about that specific company. If I lived in Great Britain, France or United States - then I would certainly give a different answer. (*) A friend of mine bought Canon outfit from one such shop. We went for shoot. Focus was all over the place, the exposure was decidedly over-burned too. I suggested to him that he requests for his gear to be serviced. Ultimately they said that the camera and lenses were withing specified tolerances... Bullshit, if you ask me. On 10/19/2013 9:16 PM, Steve Cottrell wrote: On 19/10/13, Boris Liberman, discombobulated, unleashed: How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? I wouldn't. Sorry. In fact, even a beginner has some idea as to why they would want to get into photography. So I would probably ask them and see what kind of result they're after. Because, say, if they're not going to print bigger than 10x15 cm or if they're going to look at the photos only on their computer screen, I wouldn't suggest a DSLR for them to begin with. Boris, I find this odd. Why not recommend Pentax? For a beginner, the product line-up is ideal. Something like the MX-1 can give a better experience than just a cheapshit point n shoot. If they want to get into using different lenses, then a Pentax DSLR is ideal. They will get better value for money - even pointing them to (say) DP Review reviews (there an echo in here??) will confirm Pentax status as such. Sure, some will be swayed by wanting Nikon or Canon on the front - but a lot won't - and in fact you'd be surprised how many want to avoid the heard instinct. Pentax still does carry a certain charm as a 'cult' following. A lot of people like that. So what if they don't want to print - even at all? The point is they can be creative and make some amazing pictures using some simple lenses. In the old days, anyone wanting to do some better photography - students included - would pick up an SLR camera. Why not a DSLR? -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
On Sat, Oct 19, 2013, Jens wrote: > > How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? Weather resistance and in-camera IS for prime lenses. It's also a very good UI (though dunno how it compares with Canikon DSLRs, I've only had Canikon P&S). > What would you buy, if you were a beginner? Dunno. Certainly not a DSLR until I had some confidence that I would stick with it; that's actually why I'm still not buying a DSLR... I have discovered that what I shoot is at least partly dependent on the capabilities of my equipment. After getting my first digital camera (Canon A710), I got hooked on "flower porn" (macro photography), something that wasn't really an option when I was doing film shots. So if I were advising someone, I'd ask them to think about what kind of photography they want to do before spending significant thought on what they should purchase. -- Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6http://rule6.info/ <*> <*> <*> Help a hearing-impaired person: http://rule6.info/hearing.html -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
> From: "Jens" > > Hello list > > When I wanted somthing better than my first slr - the Yashica TL Electro-X, I > went to a shop the buy an Olympus OM-1. But the guy in the shop convinced my > to buy a Pentax MX (which I did), since I remembered, that I had earlier used > a Pentax lens for my Yashica. The results from this lens (a 35mm for > Spotmatic) came out so nice, that the guy in the shop really had no > difficulties in convincing me to buy the MX (still got one). > This happened in 1981. I have been using Pentax cameras ever since. > > But if this happended today, I don't know what would happen. > The guy in the shop would probably tell me to get a Canon, Nikon or Sony, > like almost everybody else... > > How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? > > What would you buy, if you were a beginner? > > Regards > Jens Why would you start with a bias? Spock ears on... Define beginner. Tom C. -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
On Sat, Oct 19, 2013 at 05:32:35PM +0200, Jens wrote: > Hello list That's like asking "what brand of car would you buy?". Every brand has different models that do different things well. Also some brands have strengths in some areas that are more useful to some people than others. > > When I wanted somthing better than my first slr - the Yashica TL Electro-X, I > went to a shop the buy an Olympus OM-1. But the guy in the shop convinced my > to buy a Pentax MX (which I did), since I remembered, that I had earlier used > a Pentax lens for my Yashica. The results from this lens (a 35mm for > Spotmatic) came out so nice, that the guy in the shop really had no > difficulties in convincing me to buy the MX (still got one). > This happened in 1981. I have been using Pentax cameras ever since. About six years ago I went into San Jose Camera, pretty much set on the Nikon D40. The guy behind the counter was telling me that Canon service was better, but I hated the feel of the low end Canon. While I was mulling that over, he was talking to someone else about Pentax and his K100. I did some research and concluded that the K100 got me a lot mroe for my money than the D40, especially since the D40 wouldn't work well with my manual Nikon glass. My goal was for the body and a couple of lenses to last me a few years, at which point the camera with the performance I wanted would be available at a price I'd be willing to pay, and I'd reevaluate which system I'd use at that point. It turns out that the camera I was waiting for was the K-5. > > But if this happended today, I don't know what would happen. > The guy in the shop would probably tell me to get a Canon, Nikon or Sony, > like almost everybody else... > > How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? Show them my work. I've had several people ask me about cameras. My advice is to buy the cheapest used DSLR that they can find, shoot with it for at least a few months, don't spend a lot on lenses, and find out what they like to do and what limitations they run into with the camera. At that point they can make a better judgement on what to buy. I've had several friends buy Pentax, based in part on the work that they saw me doing. The Pentax sensor and in body image stabilization is hard to beat for hand held low light work, throw in good weather sealing and a low price, and it's very attractive for certain types of photography. > > What would you buy, if you were a beginner? > > Regards > Jens > > Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. > > > -- > 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. -- Larry Colen l...@red4est.com http://red4est.com/lrc -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
I will change the question somewhat. All of your camera gear has been stolen, but the insurance company has given you a check to replace it with the brand new equivalent, or good quality used for fear that is no longer made. How would you spend your money replacing your kit. Jens wrote: >Hello list > >When I wanted somthing better than my first slr - the Yashica TL >Electro-X, I went to a shop the buy an Olympus OM-1. But the guy in the >shop convinced my to buy a Pentax MX (which I did), since I remembered, >that I had earlier used a Pentax lens for my Yashica. The results from >this lens (a 35mm for Spotmatic) came out so nice, that the guy in the >shop really had no difficulties in convincing me to buy the MX (still >got one). >This happened in 1981. I have been using Pentax cameras ever since. > >But if this happended today, I don't know what would happen. >The guy in the shop would probably tell me to get a Canon, Nikon or >Sony, like almost everybody else... > >How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? > >What would you buy, if you were a beginner? > >Regards >Jens > >Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. -- Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity. -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
Practically speaking, I am a beginner -- especially compared to just about everyone else on the list. My first new DSLR was the K-x after a brief run with a used Olympus E-20n. I tortured myself over what to buy for months and came down to a choice between the K-x and the Canon T2i. The K-x won out because of the features for the price; I actually walked out of the store with the two-lens kit for less than I would have paid for the T2i with a single lens. And, oddly enough, when I was a the shop where I got the K-x, the owner seemed to be steering me toward the Sony entry-level model at the time. Still, I compared the low-light performance, the burst mode frame rate, and the digital filters (yes, I was silly) along with the ability to use a vast array of old lenses that I might luck out and find very cheaply as I learned to shoot. And when I worked out that calculus in my admittedly feeble mind, I went with the Pentax -- and I haven't had a moment's regret. Whenever someone asks me what brand they should use, I point out that they all make great cameras that would help them improve their photography if that's their goal. I also point out that it's easier to get their hands on Nikons and Canons to try out while they're in the stores, and being able to handle a camera prior to putting down the money is a desirable thing; I just happened to be lucky when I started out, as Pentax still had some kind of brick-and-mortar presence. So, essentially, I never try to steer anyone toward one brand or another. I just tell them why I went with Pentax and hope I do a decent job as an ambassador. Also, as Cotty pointed out, I do like the "cult" status as a Pentax shooter. And these little email cult meetings I have on a daily basis here on the PDML have been a huge benefit to my photography over the past few years. I don't think you'd get quite the same experience as a Nikon/Canon shooter. All that said, if I were starting out today -- given the benefit of everything I've learned in the interim -- I'd probably still be a Pentax shooter, with a possible roving eye for Olympus. -- Walt On 10/19/2013 10:32 AM, Jens wrote: Hello list When I wanted somthing better than my first slr - the Yashica TL Electro-X, I went to a shop the buy an Olympus OM-1. But the guy in the shop convinced my to buy a Pentax MX (which I did), since I remembered, that I had earlier used a Pentax lens for my Yashica. The results from this lens (a 35mm for Spotmatic) came out so nice, that the guy in the shop really had no difficulties in convincing me to buy the MX (still got one). This happened in 1981. I have been using Pentax cameras ever since. But if this happended today, I don't know what would happen. The guy in the shop would probably tell me to get a Canon, Nikon or Sony, like almost everybody else... How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? What would you buy, if you were a beginner? Regards Jens Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
My Dad bought a Pentax and then he bought one for me, from my own bank account mind you. Thus i shot Pentax. Had it been my choice or starting out today, i probably would be wrapped up in the Canon Nikon hype and go that way. I went nikon in 2001 as that was my only real choice for digital at the time. Dave On Sat, Oct 19, 2013 at 11:32 AM, Jens wrote: > Hello list > > When I wanted somthing better than my first slr - the Yashica TL Electro-X, I > went to a shop the buy an Olympus OM-1. But the guy in the shop convinced my > to buy a Pentax MX (which I did), since I remembered, that I had earlier used > a Pentax lens for my Yashica. The results from this lens (a 35mm for > Spotmatic) came out so nice, that the guy in the shop really had no > difficulties in convincing me to buy the MX (still got one). > This happened in 1981. I have been using Pentax cameras ever since. > > But if this happended today, I don't know what would happen. > The guy in the shop would probably tell me to get a Canon, Nikon or Sony, > like almost everybody else... > > How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? > > What would you buy, if you were a beginner? > > Regards > Jens > > Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. > > > -- > 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. -- Documenting Life in Rural Ontario. www.caughtinmotion.com http://brooksinthecountry.blogspot.com/ York Region, Ontario, Canada -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
On 19/10/13, Boris Liberman, discombobulated, unleashed: >> How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? > >I wouldn't. Sorry. In fact, even a beginner has some idea as to why they >would want to get into photography. So I would probably ask them and see >what kind of result they're after. Because, say, if they're not going to >print bigger than 10x15 cm or if they're going to look at the photos >only on their computer screen, I wouldn't suggest a DSLR for them to >begin with. Boris, I find this odd. Why not recommend Pentax? For a beginner, the product line-up is ideal. Something like the MX-1 can give a better experience than just a cheapshit point n shoot. If they want to get into using different lenses, then a Pentax DSLR is ideal. They will get better value for money - even pointing them to (say) DP Review reviews (there an echo in here??) will confirm Pentax status as such. Sure, some will be swayed by wanting Nikon or Canon on the front - but a lot won't - and in fact you'd be surprised how many want to avoid the heard instinct. Pentax still does carry a certain charm as a 'cult' following. A lot of people like that. So what if they don't want to print - even at all? The point is they can be creative and make some amazing pictures using some simple lenses. In the old days, anyone wanting to do some better photography - students included - would pick up an SLR camera. Why not a DSLR? -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production -- _ -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
On 10/19/2013 6:32 PM, Jens wrote: But if this happended today, I don't know what would happen. The guy in the shop would probably tell me to get a Canon, Nikon or Sony, like almost everybody else... How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? I wouldn't. Sorry. In fact, even a beginner has some idea as to why they would want to get into photography. So I would probably ask them and see what kind of result they're after. Because, say, if they're not going to print bigger than 10x15 cm or if they're going to look at the photos only on their computer screen, I wouldn't suggest a DSLR for them to begin with. What would you buy, if you were a beginner? It is practically impossible for me to imagine me being a beginner. You see, back to your first question - at the end of the talk, it is the other person's money that has to be invested, so it is their ultimate choice. Here I would make a special mention of the very simple idea - whichever camera they would choose - it would take wonderful pictures, regardless of the brand or this or that number in the spec sheet. Taking into account my situation - I would probably be re-considering which official importer provides the best service and then choose the camera accordingly. Nowadays, regardless of photographic qualities of the gear - the quality of support seems to be the most important thing to me. So, after all, it probably would be Canon, because the same company who provides excellent service to my Pentax gear also is Canon's official representative in Israel. Boris -- 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.
Re: Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
On 19/10/13, Jens, discombobulated, unleashed: (some complex questions!) >How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? That's a tricky one. If the beginner was a person who wanted to make better pictures in an amateur capacity, I would have no trouble recommending Pentax as a brand for them. In fact this happens regularly to me and I regularly do recommend Pentax. Especially for the DSLRs, which obviously have better features for the price points than Nikon and Canon. For a student with the desire to enter photography professionally though, I would urge them to think carefully about what they invest their very hard-earned cash in. The ability to later build on a system that proliferates in the professional environment should be a large consideration, especially where they build a collection of lenses in what would be considered a 'professional' capacity. I'm thinking f/2.8 zooms, advanced flash systems, 36X24 bodies. That said, I have yet to find anyone in the second category who hasn't already decided on a system, and invariably there are either Canon or Nikon. >What would you buy, if you were a beginner? I think that's an impossible question to answer. One already has the knowledge built up over years of hardware experience and making pics so if I had a 'mind wipe' how could I know without asking the advice of a series of people into photography? As an aside, I'm in the market for buying a chainsaw. I have no experience of chainsaws other than borrowing one once a few years ago. All I remember is it was noisy and smelly, spat oil everywhere but reduced a few branches to burnable logs in zero time. Now, I want to do the same on a regular basis in one spot in my garden. Where do I start? Assuming an electric one (which I decided upon due to nature of jobs with it and location). 'Which' recommended several models. I looked at the reviews of those on Amazon. Interesting as a lot of unhappy owners complained of poor mechanical defects like cheap shit adjustment bolts that warp and break. So I looked at reviews for all the types of electric chainsaws on Amazon and was surprised to find a few that didn't have these problems - at least not as reported by reviewers anyway. You'd think brand plays a part here -and it does. The Bosch came recommended by 'Which' but Amazonians thought it pretty rubbish. Well, it's bargain segment of the market, so poor assembly and cheap components are bound to prevail. The Ryobi was recommended too, and Amazonians liked it better. Then I went to where the professional tree cutter hang out and read a few dozen forum posts there. All preferred petrol chainsaws, but then again, they spend there days hanging 40 feet up doing battle for money. They spend hundreds on their equipment, and rightly so. I could shoot video using kit costing just a few thousand quid but to do it properly you need to spend 4 times that. Some useful tidbits though, like if you don't need to cut down mature 400 foot Redwood, then a shorter bar (the bit that holds the chain) is fine and will produce less 'kickback' if things go wrong. I take this to mean there's a better chance of my hands staying attached to my arms. #like So not a 16" bar then - back to the drawing board. More research on (say) 14 inchers. etc. One thing I was surprised about is that branding played so little part in my decision. The pros boasted about their Husqvarnas with impunity but I couldn't care less what's written on the side! I want some reliability at reasonable cost - and of course to cut up tree branches for the fire. Like when I decided to buy some Fuji gear. I really didn't care about what was written on the front - they started making the sort of gear I wanted to buy. I would have loved that gear to have Pentax emblazoned on it, but really I would have bought the same cameras if they had been called Zenits! They are doing exactly what I want. Long answer, sorry. Short answer to 2nd question: DUNNO!!! Hope you're all having (or had) a good saturday evening :) -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__Broadcast, Corporate, || (O) |Web Video Production -- _ -- 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.
Which camera brand would you choose, if you started from scratch?
Hello list When I wanted somthing better than my first slr - the Yashica TL Electro-X, I went to a shop the buy an Olympus OM-1. But the guy in the shop convinced my to buy a Pentax MX (which I did), since I remembered, that I had earlier used a Pentax lens for my Yashica. The results from this lens (a 35mm for Spotmatic) came out so nice, that the guy in the shop really had no difficulties in convincing me to buy the MX (still got one). This happened in 1981. I have been using Pentax cameras ever since. But if this happended today, I don't know what would happen. The guy in the shop would probably tell me to get a Canon, Nikon or Sony, like almost everybody else... How would you convince a beginner to get a Pentax? What would you buy, if you were a beginner? Regards Jens Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. -- 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.
