What made you a Pentaxian?

[artifax1]

...I was required to purchase a 35mm camera for my graphic design major in college and this was in the early 70's, way before anyone knew what "graphic design" was.

I bought a Mamiya Sekor 528 fixed lens camera to get me through the course requirement because it was inexpensive but found I really loved shooting and equally darkroom work. The Mamiya was fortunately stolen and I needed to get a new 35mm.

I very much coveted the Nikon F1 but it was out of my price range. I went to the local camera store and looked at all of the options, remember the Cosina, Contax, Konica, Miranda, Minolta, Praktika, Richo, and Yashica but settled on the Canon FTb and the Honeywell Pentax Spotmatic. The Pentax won for its size (my hands were not very large) its quality and the quality of the lenses, and its metering.

The Spotmatic served me for years until I moved to the K1000 (not a fan of the screw mount lens) and I never regreted the purchase. When the digital age finally dawned I again looked at Canon (maybe the finest digital camera available) and the Pentax *istDL and again went with what brung me plus I had three compatible lenses. I have since moved to the K10 and now the K20 and look toward the FF Pentax in several years?

[Andres]

My dad made me a Pentaxian...

When he was single he had a Spotmatic, after that he got a MX and a bunch of lenses...
One year ago when I started to look for a DSLR he recomended me the Pentax and it's trusty K mount... Nowadays I'm in love with my K10D, my dad's MX and the manual focus lenses.

[ksignorini]

I grew up in a small town, an one of the local doctors, a friend of the family (everyone is a friend of the family in a small town) had one of those "real cameras" that he didn't want anymore. My dad picked up the camera, Viv flash, 50mm lens, and a telephoto lens somewhere around 200mm or 210mm that I remember had max aperture of f/2 (someone tell me what this lens was? PM me if you know.)--all for a few hundred dollars.

It was a K1000. The lenses were name brand Pentax.

My dad tried to use the camera but finally gave up on manual-everything as he was not a photographer, so it sat in the bag for years. Somewhere around 10 years after he bought it, I pulled it out and started playing with it. I fell in love with photography and ended up buying an MZ-5N, more lenses, etc., etc., etc. (The MZ-5N is the Canadian name for the ZX-5N.) My sister ended up taking the K1000 from me for a while and then, without telling me, sold it with the lenses. Whatever that f/2 tele was, I wish she would have kept it.

When I switched to digital, I stuck with what and who I knew--Pentax.

I must admit, Nikon has tempted me...but every time I get tempted, I read a review comparing the K20D to the D300 or an article about Nikon's and Canon's issue with fast auto focus, or what have you, and feel confident that Pentax is where I need to be. Owning both the DA* 16-50 and the DA* 50-135, I know that Pentax makes incredible glass.

(That said, both my DA* 16-50 and DA* 50-135 are out for repair--however, the 50-135 repair is my fault...I tripped and broke one of the threads the lens hood screws onto...I sure hope it can be fixed.)

So that's my story. Now I own a sideline wedding photography business primarily using Pentax gear (have a couple non-Pentax lenses, too). Oh, and just a few months ago I helped my father-in-law and his wife buy a point-and-shoot. For helping them out, they gave me their old "film camera"...A K1000! They also gave me a few Takumar lenses (50mm, 24mm I think...haven't used it) and a 200mm f/4 Pentax M lens.

Kent!

[rodneyy]

I am a Canon user last time, but now with Pentax K20D I'm is really satisfactory...

[troywhite]

You know.... I really don't know how I got into Pentax.
I *think* my first 35mm film non SLR camera back in the late 80's was a Pentax, maybe?

I then bought an MZ-50 with kit lens somewhere in the early 90's. I assume it was based on that older camera being a Pentax, but I'm not sure if it even was a Pentax (darn my memory).

Anyway, in 2003 after having used a number of different P&S cameras, non of which were Pentax, I decided to leap into the DSLR world.

I did lots of homework and at that time the *istDS was the ducks nuts for my price range. I actually tried all the brands at the time but the *istDS felt the best in my hands. Rock solid construction. I figured that I'd get a benefit by being able to use the old kit lens from my MZ-50 and that was that.

I wish I could say that my history was peppered with all these glorious old Pentax SLR's like the K1000, Spotmatic etc, but alas it is boring :-)

I doubt I would ever change now though. I have the K20D and it feels just as good in my hands as the *istDS. I played with a Canon 40D on the weekend and that felt too bulky for my liking.

[gamgee]

I remember when I was a child, my dad had Zorki 4 - SSSR copy of the Leica. It was most treasured possesion in the house, beautifully made (I think Leica would not be ashamed if it was manufactured by them). I remember playing with it (more investigating in awe than playing). My dad used it as a "family camera" and taught me the "sunny 16" and basic camera operating (it was much simpler those days - no menus and buttons, just one knob and two lens rings). This camera is still in familiy, absolute mint condition and working flawlessly! So, sometimes I took photos and affection slowly started to grow. Then, much later, in highschool, I took photography course - things started to intensify - first darkroom session. In college (industrial design), eagerly took photography course and although not my principal, it was my favorite and most dear course of all my education. At this time, things really took off. I got Minolta X700 with 28-70 and later 70-200, shot lots of slides (profesor insisted for educational purposes - no darkroom croping afterwards). Used few other cameras (for example Zenit - now that is a TANK - more titanium inside than any other SLR), learned to use darkroom properly - boy, how I miss that feeling when photo starts to emerge in developer in my improvised student flat bathroom/darkroom or in the hot college attic, and learned to use basic studio lighting. Weekly sessions of slides evaluating and critique with professor and other students that took place in inadequately small room always left me with dizzy head but helped me learn almost everything I know about photography...

Year or two after the college my camera died, got repaired, died again right after repair guarantee expired. By this time I also got married, became a father, started design bussines and my photography just got pushed out. Lucky twist in the story happened some time later when my wife's grandma heard that my camera is broken, remembered her late husband photo equipment and donated it to me.

Pentax ME, Pentax Me Super, SMC 50/f1.7, SMC 50/f1.4, SMC 28/f2.8, SMC 100/f2.8, various filters (polarizer, UV, BW filters, closeup lenses..), hoods, two flashes (old Pentax flash works on K20 and high voltage Braun that I today use as remote flash), few old tripods, hundreds of grandpa's slides and slide projector with screen.
At this point I was really unaware of Pentax and did not know what I have on my hands, but nevertheless...I was one happy puppy! I started to research Pentax and use the gear - it was different from my Minolta+zoom setup. Different soon became familiar but alas - cameras broke down one after another! I supose that many years without use and without proper long term storage had something to do with that.
Meanwhile, digital age was in full swing for quite some time but DSLRs were still prohibitively expensive, so I was again cameraless!
At last I managed to buy prosumer OLY 5060WZ wich is really fine camera with good lens, but, but, but I came from SLR world! Shutter lag? What's shutter lag? Viewfinder in the size of the cell phone button? Framing photos looking at the backscreen at arms length? No focusing ring?
I realized what I got myself into, but there was no alternative.
Patience. When (too much later, at least to me) K10 showed up, I was ready - almost. A bit more patience and I was now desperate - K20 it will be no matter what cost - News and Rumors threads just poured salt on my wound.
And so it was. I'm still paying for K20 but that's my best buy ever, period.
The beauty of images that old lenses capture has visible/tangible difference in quality compared to zoomkit 18-55 which is good lens on it's own, more so when compared to what other's manufacturers offer.
Not small (understatement) part in the whole story/picture takes this place where we meet to help each other, to socialize, share and enjoy.
Pentax should also be comended as the only global company that I know of that managed to develop and retain honest aproach to their customers. Shure, nothing is perfect and primary reason for existence for any company is making profit, but rare examples show that you can do things honest way and prosper in the market which resembles gladiator arena from old Rome.

Thank you people, after reading first page of your stories I had to start my own, it felt warm around my heart. I realize now that it got out of hand and became a bit longish in the process, but that's what happens when I get emotional...

If I may borrow somebody elses words, monochrome said it exactly as I feel it:

Why I am a Pentaxian.

I like being different whenit is right to be so, and thinking about why I own what I own.
I like great glass.
I like (but can't explain why) holding and looking at Pentax stuff in a way no other system pleases me (except the original F1).
I like the K-mount and the loyalty of Pentax to its historical installed base.
I like the POTENTIAL to make great images, when I luck into them.

It is the sense that Pentax designs for users, not for consumers.
It is the feel of a Pentax body in the hand and a metal helicoid.
It is the innovative spirit that returned with the K10D and is extended with the K20D.
It is the quality of the second-hand glass.

It is the community of enthusiasts.

[Serpiente]

I remember....


Well last friday I went to the camera shop and made the choice between the Olympus E-520 and the Pentax K10D.. I went home with the Pentax K10D.. I fell in love with it.. it has great grip and good controls.. I dont have to go into the menus all the time.. I already made some great pics My next camera will be a Pentax K40d or K50d

[sluggo913]

My ex-wife, when we got together I had a Yashica TL-Electro with a 50mm lens and she said I have a real camera. Pentax whatever it was but she also had a selection of lenses (due to the K Mount) and I had a hard time finding the screw mount ones for mine. Now some sixteen or so years later I look to buy a DSLR and Yashica/Contax gone what to do? Lots of reasearch later found that Pentax had the best value for the money could use every lens made from screw mount to 6x7 and they were a CAMERA company not a company making a little of this and a little of that. That is why I'm now proud to call myself a Pentaxian.

[eelhc]

Howdy... I just joined PentaxForums and this looks like the ideal thread to introduce myself.

Hmmm... what made me a Pentaxian? Value!

Like many others in may generation (Gex X), I have absolutely no brand loyalty. Here's my full Photography bio.

Nikon FT2
Contax 167MT
Minox EL
Fuji DL Super Mini
Fuji MX-1700
Nikon Coolpix 775
Sony DSC-F717
Olympus E-500 2 Lens Kit
Panasonic FX01
Pentax K100D
Pentax K200D

So.... aside from the Fuji which was my first digital camera, the only time that I actually stayed with a brand is with the Pentax DSLRs. Why? Value. IMO (and many others too appaently), good glass is much less expensive for Pentax bodies (vs CaNikon, Sony, Oly....) and Pentax bodiesm especially the entry K200D is an absolute bargain in terms of price/features/performance.

To be honest... I've seen amazing photos from all brands and types of cameras. Pretty is as pretty does... So would I be as happy with photos from a Nikon, Canon a Sony... actually, yes... but my wallet wouldn't be as happy.

So long as Pentax continues to be the price/features/performance leader.... I'll be a Pentaxian. n short.... because I'm a cheapskate.

[RioRico]

I R A PENTAXIAN now 'cause... a couple months ago I was a DSLR virgin, and hadn't even done film for many years. So I had no batch of legacy lenses to find a home for. It's time to move on from 5mpx digicams. My goal: find the best possible affordable expandable DSLR system!

When I did a price/performance analysis of the leading DSLR makers offering a WIDE zoom lens, Pentax won. The only other affordable wide zooms are Zuikos, and current Olympus bodies just aren't as advanced as the K20D. My criteria were: 1) gotta have a WIDE zoom; 2) gotta have the best hi-res sensor; 3) gotta be able to pay for the kit. The only DSLR bodies I could find with better resolution cost MUCH more. I'm on full-time vacation (jubilado) so budget is important. (Nevermind that I'm on an eBay spree, buying old lenses -- many of those will be resold to pay for the winners.)

In my film years I owned many: 1934 Kodak Retina; Graflex 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 press cam; Olympus Pen-FT 1/2-frame SLR; various Canon 1/2-frame VFs; Yashica & Minolta TLRs; and an assortment of folders, boxes, etc. But no Pentaxes.

In my digicam years I got mostly Sonys, including the fab DSC-V1; but the newest are a Minolta (converted to IR) and an Olympus (submergable). I got add-on tele & wide & macro adapters, IR filters, effects adapters, etc. But no Pentaxes.

Sure, I'd fondled various Pentaxes over the years, even kissed a couple, but I just never got really serious. But the K20D has me hooked. I started off with a lightweight kit: K20D; DA 10-17; DA 18-250; FA 50/1.4; AF360FGZ flash. Nothing more. I'd expected to spend several months daypacking around Central America, and I didn't want to be overloaded. But my travel was cut short, and I found myself at home with an inheritance and an eBay account. (And it's been too hot ansd smoky here to go outside.) So I've been buying old PK- and screw-mount lenses, getting ready for a shoot-out to separate winners and losers. My lug-around camera kit keeps getting heavier. But I just can't stop, not as long as more PK and M42 lenses jump up in front of me.

I R A PENTAXIAN now 'cause... it's just right.

[melander]

Because you can say "this is pentastic!" hard to do with other brands, nikowned dont sound good and canon I coudnt come up with anything.

[LittleSkink]

like many here my arrival with Pentax has a few influences but the end of line K10 prices (£360 in UK a few months back!) and new 35 mm macro limited as my (near) perfect walkabout outfit (f2 would have been nice). Plus potential to put interesting glass on via PK or M42

Our digital compact is only couple of years old but is just too slow in AF, little useable control and no bokeh - to misquote a great record label of the 80's "if it aint got bokeh it aint worth a . . . " DSLR quality and prices have got to the point where a compact isnt even worth considering for proper photography

For now the K10/macro pairing gives me a great package for the pics I take (wide open lens, natural viewing angle, some close up). It still rather bulky compared to the OM kit I have in the attic though (did promise my wife would sell it to buy Pentax, ooops). Not sure how to fund the DA70 purchase next . . .

Ultimately I guess though, for me it is about Pentax spirit (plough their own furrow and deliver useful innovation; let photographers influence design more than marketing; a sense of history and users with a sense of community) and good glass.

In a few years the K10 body will be well out of date, the latest Pentax will probably have telepathic AF, dynamic range will be near HDR and the P-TTL flash will be predictable most of the time (you can hope) but my 35mm limited and the others lenses I hope to get will be like old friends and the pictures they took of my kids growing up will be priceless

[ChrisPlatt]

I was in college and a proud Canon AE-1 owner when my friend Howie bought a Pentax KX.
"Why would anyone ever want one of those?" I naively thought.

I was a Nikon user when I met my future wife. Her beloved K1000 had just been stolen, so I replaced it.
I was at first a bit amused by its barebones design but gradually began to grudgingly admire
the consistently good images she was able to churn out with the simple camera and A 50/2 lens.
Later I picked up a good deal on a nice M 200/4 lens for her. Again, more great images.

Later I met a guy named Bob Hickey who was among other things a former professional photographer.
His choice in 35mm was Pentax. Gradually I learned more about Pentax and decided to take the plunge.
I sold my noisy old FM2n and bought my first Pentax, a nice used chrome KX...

Chris