The story behind the switch...

*hwblanks* · 08-01-2009, 07:05 PM

I know that many of you have noticed that I'm selling all of my Pentax gear to switch to Canon and are quite curious to know what the deal is

I'll tell it to you like I told another forum member (warning: it's a bit long):

The 40D vs. the K20D--in a nutshell, I have to say OH MY GOODNESS!!

What really got this going was that on Monday of this week, my husband and I were in a small local camera store looking for some old extension tubes for the Pentax among the store's used gear for sale. As it turns out, the salesguy and I got into a conversation about how hard it is to find accessories for Pentax (either OEM or 3rd party). He mentioned that he had a very gently used (maybe 100 shots) 40D and asked if I would like to take a look at it. Out of curiosity, I opted to. He mounted a EFS18-200 onto it, let me have it to play with and it was then that I was hooked. What hooked me was the much faster AF speed (I used it indoors, under so-so lighting), how quiet the AF was (even though 18-200 isn't a USM lens), and how quiet the shutter was. Even though I really haven't had a real need for it thus far, I was really impressed by the burst mode (6.5fps) Other than messing a little bit with my dad's XSi (since replaced with a T1i), I really hadn't played with a Canon DSLR before, so it wasn't like I really had anything else to compare my Pentax to before then. The salesguy wanted to sell it to me right then, but it wasn't like I had the $629 they wanted for it lying around. I went home with a copy of Canon's Spring/Summer catalog and started doing some serious thinking, including figuring up how much I could get for all of my Pentax gear. Tuesday evening, I had a conversation with my dad (in Tennessee), sharing my excitement about my experience with the 40D and hashing over my plans to possibly switch. Needless to say, he was very excited about the whole prospect.

I've had fleeting thoughts about switching before the, but a couple of weeks ago or so I got the latest issue of PopPhoto and was perusing through it and found out that Nikon had just come out with a dedicated hot-shoe mounted GPS system for under $250. That got me to at least give a little more thought about switching then. Even though Canon doesn't have anything equivalent at this point, I'd be surprised if they don't eventually come out with their own dedicated GPS to keep up with Nikon. Besides OEM accessories, there is so much greater choice in 3rd party accessories with either Canon or Nikon than with Pentax and it's been frustrating to get all excited about a new gadget that I read or hear about, but discover that they don't make it for Pentax.

The story gets even better. Wednesday, after getting home from work and eating dinner, I get a phone call from my parents, as I'm doing the dishes. They called me to inform me that they called down to that local camera store I was at on Monday and bought that 40D for me!! It was so unexpected and so generous of them. I'm planning on going back to the camera store tomorrow afternoon to pick up the camera. It doesn't come with any lenses, so that's why I'm pushing to get my Pentax gear sold, so I can buy some great lenses for it.

Another reason that prompted me to consider switching is that there's more of an upgrade path with Canon than with Pentax. I have a long term goal of eventually going FF and most of the lenses that I'm planning on buying for the 40D are also FF-compatible. Pentax has basically more or less said that they don't intend to produce a FF body and I know I won't be able to afford the 645D when it does eventually come out + I'd have to buy a whole new set of lenses for it even if I could afford it. For the long term, it really does make more sense for me to switch to Canon.

Originally, I was thinking of making the switch starting around Christmastime, but Mom and Dad's unexpected gift threw that whole idea out the window. I've got another photography workshop in Tennessee in October that I've signed up for, so I need to get going on building my Canon kit and getting familiar with it before then. There's also an advanced photography class through the Continuing Education program at the local college that's supposed to be starting towards the end of August and that'll be a good opportunity for me to get to know my new gear better, as well.

In a way, switching does make a lot of sense, but at the same time, I've come to regard you folks like an extension of my family and that's the hard part about it. You've been so helpful and I've learned so much from you over the over 1.5 years that I've been reading and posting here. Once everything is sold, I still plan on stopping by every once in a while to see how everybody's doing.

Even though I feel that Canon will be a better path for me in the long run, I will still continue to be a cheerleader for Pentax. I really do hope that Hoya can really make something of Pentax and attract even more attention to it and the great value that it really is in the DSLR world. To people who come to me and ask about buying their first DSLR, I will still continue to recommend Pentax as a viable option.

Peace!
Heather

*graphicgr8s* · 08-01-2009, 07:11 PM

Good luck with your Canon Heather. I have usually found however the grass is never as green as it appears. You know your cameras shortcomings. You will soon find out Canon's. There isn't a perfect anything out there. But...enjoy.

Short tale. I know a guy spent 10 large on a Nikon lens. Had to go to Japan since it wasn't available in the states. Can't say the pictures area any better though. At least not 10 grand worth.

**Damn Brit** · 08-01-2009, 07:20 PM

Good luck with the change of brand and I hope all works out well.
And I'm glad you are going to stay in touch with us.

*pingflood* · 08-01-2009, 07:36 PM

Again, congratulations, and don't be a stranger. They still put up with me here even six months after switching to brand C.

And I too recommend Pentax to many; it's simply the best bang for the buck for 95% of budding photographers. Some of us just have different needs and have to go elsewhere, but there is no doubt we leave a lot behind (e.g. the Limiteds).

stevebrot · 08-01-2009, 10:49 PM

Heather,
Good luck with your new system. I have handled the 40D and concur with your first impressions. It is a very solid and quick-acting unit.

I have generally been happy with my Pentax dSLR and will defend it vigorously to anyone that would dismiss it as anything other than a serious tool. On the other hand, I will be the first to admit that the AF is merely adequate and that I truly wish that I had a FF option available as an upgrade path.

My feeling has been and continues to be that a person should get the tools that fit their needs best within the amount they wish to spend. With any luck, the Canon will allow you to consistently capture the images you see in your mind's eye so that you can share your vision and your art!

Steve

(Shoot mostly with manual focus gear. AF? Humbug!)

little laker · 08-01-2009, 11:28 PM

Lots of luck Heather,
Remember, things like Pentax straps and flashes are compatible with Canon, although you'll loose TTL with the flashes.

The shutter noise that you mentioned is the thing I dislike most with Pentax. That plus the service from Pentax Canada

You wouldn't think it was possible to fall in love with noise until you hear it with a Sigma.

octavmandru · 08-01-2009, 11:40 PM

Sorry to "loose" you, Heather. Well, good luck and I'm sure I'll see your posts in the future.
This forum will not be the same otherwise.

I tested myself a 40D just before buying my K20. The shutter sound and the quietness of the AF almost did it for me.

song_hm · 08-02-2009, 12:04 AM

Enjoy your new system Heather. I saw your for sale post of your Acratech plate moments after I took delivery from Photo Clam, I would have bought it from you if I knew earlier.

*pxpaulx* · 08-02-2009, 08:05 AM

Enjoy the new camera! I noticed your comments regarding the hotshoe gps tracker nikon has. I just started tagging my photos with a $150 gps, it is ridiculously easy and I just turn it on, hang it on my bag and dont worry about it. Perhaps the hotshoe version tags directly, that would be nice. But adding it via software only takes a few mouseclicks - it does take awhile for the program to add the data to exif, but doesnt require you to be sitting at your computer while it is being processed. PM me if you are interested in more info!

little laker · 08-02-2009, 08:51 AM

I'd rather not tag my location, I've had a few people attempting to steal my ideas lately and it would just make it easier for them

*reeftool* · 08-02-2009, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by little laker

I'd rather not tag my location, I've had a few people attempting to steal my ideas lately and it would just make it easier for them

The thought is a little disturbing. THEY will know where we are.......

*emr* · 08-02-2009, 10:32 AM

Aluminium foil has always worked great for me.

little laker · 08-02-2009, 11:43 AM

emr,
I know someone whom tracked down a womans address after she posted a few cell phone images on Flicker, then punching the cordinates into Google Earth

In his case he didn't want to do anything wrong, but what's stopping those people that do want to.

*emr* · 08-02-2009, 11:48 AM

Yeah, sorry little laker. I just couldn't resist being a wise-a$$.

stevebrot · 08-02-2009, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by little laker

emr,
I know someone whom tracked down a womans address after she posted a few cell phone images on Flicker, then punching the cordinates into Google Earth

In his case he didn't want to do anything wrong, but what's stopping those people that do want to.

This little sub-thread is way off topic, but I have to chime in my agreement with Stu. It is bad enough that my cell phone updates my approximate location to the phone company every couple of minutes. Having my camera record it to a precision of plus/minus a few yards to be published along with the photo is something I generally do not desire.

Steve