[jstevewhite]

When I look at your lenses you have some impressive lensline.

Ask yourself the question how a modern company can survive on customers using only legacy lenses?

For much of photographic history, every manufacturer faced this problem. If we make quality cameras and quality lenses, at some point, who will buy them? Then many manufacturers discovered "rampant featurism" as a way to drive new sales, and others developed "planned obsolescence". Some just make their prices so high that there are always more who want them than can afford them.

Really, every manufacturer of *everything* durable faces this conundrum. If we make quality stuff, that lasts, and does everything it needs to do, how do we sell more of them?

[RonHendriks1966]

Really, every manufacturer of *everything* durable faces this conundrum. If we make quality stuff, that lasts, and does everything it needs to do, how do we sell more of them?

This is very thrue. When yhe userbase is expanding there is no problem. But for Pentax in digital life the usergroup was getting smaller. And then there is this usergroup buying lenses from other manufacturers like Sigma and they have to think of when Sigma is going to produce a camerabody for your lenses to work with.

So to think about for everyone is: what are your spendings on Pentax gear that is contributing to long lasting use of Pentax brand camera's?

[jstevewhite]

This is very thrue. When yhe userbase is expanding there is no problem. But for Pentax in digital life the usergroup was getting smaller. And then there is this usergroup buying lenses from other manufacturers like Sigma and they have to think of when Sigma is going to produce a camerabody for your lenses to work with.

So to think about for everyone is: what are your spendings on Pentax gear that is contributing to long lasting use of Pentax brand camera's?

Oh, I'm so concerned about Pentax's financial security that I purchased a SECOND FA50 f1.4 ( which I sold, then missed too much ), and will be buying a SECOND DA* 16-50 (which I sold, but now miss too much). I bought a DA35 and sold it; bought a DA70 and sold it.

From what I can see, *here*, at least, in PF, there are MANY folks who are *very* concerned about Pentax's future, and continue to support them by purchasing lenses they don't even really need. It's not LBA, it's investment in the future of the manufacturer...

[Blue]

For much of photographic history, every manufacturer faced this problem. If we make quality cameras and quality lenses, at some point, who will buy them? Then many manufacturers discovered "rampant featurism" as a way to drive new sales, and others developed "planned obsolescence". Some just make their prices so high that there are always more who want them than can afford them.

Really, every manufacturer of *everything* durable faces this conundrum. If we make quality stuff, that lasts, and does everything it needs to do, how do we sell more of them?

That is where a sustainability model comes in. For example GM got into a treadmill when the over-expanded cranking at as many cars as they could and built there infrastructure and workforce to try to maintain at the peaks. They should have asked themselves how many vehicles should they try to sell. Those clowns are also the ones the pioneer obsolescence and failure at a certain point in a vehicles life.

[Blue]

Oh dear, I can't play in this game as I have none of these lenses.

[RioRico]

Ask yourself the question how a modern company can survive on customers using only legacy lenses?

That's a very good question, eh? I bought new Pentax lenses with my K20D, and none since -- just much old Pentax and non-Pentax glass, and a couple new and NIB non-Pentax lenses. I came to Pentax because of a specific lens, the DA10-17. I got my utility walkaround, the DA18-250, and my fast starter, the FA50/1.4. Beyond those, Pentax hasn't produced lenses I've found necessary at prices I can afford.

So, how CAN Pentax survive? With 645D and Q lenses? With a "cheapie" 35/2.4? With a few Ltd's? By shifting production to Haiti? Probably not. How about superior optics at rock-bottom prices? Sure, I'll just wave my magic wand... Or of course, PenHoya could actually MARKET what they have more aggressively. That'll take yet another shake of my wand. Bother.

PenHoya: Ignore me. Don't cater to me. I'm not your target demographic. You need to get younger users ADDICTED to Pentax gear. Maybe hypnotic mind-control patterns in viewfinders, something like that.

[mikemike]

Some times to save space and weight I will leave the DA21 Ltd and DA 70 Ltd at home.

Those two are a couple of back breakers. Don't forget the hand truck whenever you need to lug them around.

[Digitalis]

Maybe hypnotic mind-control patterns in viewfinders, something like that.

they should employ the services of the hypnotoad..

You Tube

You Tube

[LeFanch]

Only the DA* 300/4 for me...

[eastman]

Count me in for an FA 50 1.4 if it's still made.

me too

(one advantage of my camera "bag" being a large Pelican case is it holds a lot of stuff (2 bodies, 7 lenses, radio remotes, flashmeter), the obvious disadvantage is it weighs ~50 lbs loaded with gear )