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Ploki · 01-07-2014, 07:05 PM

Lack of FF DSLR?

just a pointless discussion.

ElJamoquio · 01-07-2014, 07:08 PM

Lack of sales overall. Zeiss doesn't care whether you put their lens on a FF camera or use it as a paperweight.

Ploki · 01-07-2014, 07:11 PM

Pentax people don't like Zeiss lenses? I've read such nice things about the f/1.4 50mm

Adam · 01-07-2014, 07:19 PM

Originally posted by Ploki

Pentax people don't like Zeiss lenses? I've read such nice things about the f/1.4 50mm

It's most likely a question of price- Zeiss lenses are expensive and Pentax currently caters to an audience more interested in value than the best that money can buy.

Adam
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**nater** · 01-07-2014, 07:58 PM

Another issue is Pentax has a good back catalog of primes, some of which have an 'A' setting on their aperture, so new Zeiss lenses don't offer as much on Pentax as they do on other bodies, i.e. if Zeiss lenses have the necessary microchips for Nikon/Canon/Sony lens-body communication, that's something of more value on those platforms.

wildman · 01-07-2014, 08:14 PM

Originally posted by Ploki

How come Zeiss isn't doing any new lenses for K-mount?

Not a big enough market?

BTW I have the zeiss planar 50mm zk. Great lens but other than the difference in FL no better, if as good, as my FA 35 in my opinion.

lytrytyr · 01-07-2014, 08:47 PM

Originally posted by nater

Another issue is Pentax has a good back catalog of primes, some of which have an 'A' setting on their aperture, so new Zeiss lenses don't offer as much on Pentax as they do on other bodies.

When I was looking for an 85/1.4, I ended up with the Zeiss ZK Planar.
It was way cheaper than what the A* 85/1.4 was going for,
and has now become one of my favorite lenses.
It does many jobs really well, in good light or bad.

stevebrot · 01-07-2014, 09:31 PM

Originally posted by wildman

Not a big enough market?

That would be the most concise way of putting it.

Steve

Ploki · 01-08-2014, 04:24 AM

I don't really understand why Pentax has such a small market share. I, coming from no-photography background (although we do have a few pentax cameras in the extended family circles) did a comparison on dpreview and figured that K-30 is clearly superior against its competition. Especially high-iso! You can see that in comparison photos with your eyes.

If I wasn't getting a Pentax I'd probably get either a Nikon or a Sony. No idea where Canon gets its market share

**Odinz** · 01-08-2014, 05:41 AM

Advertising.......I know this has been beaten to death in other threads, but I've met people that don't even realize that Pentax (Ricoh) still makes cameras, or believe that they aren't a legitimate camera platform. I've even had people ask me to recommend a camera to them and when I've brought up Pentax I usually get a response like "I was looking for a good (or real) camera like a Nikon or Canon". I point out the features that you get with Pentax and the more "bang for your buck" that you get with their cameras and still I get "Well I've never seen an ad for them" or " they don't have them at Best Buy so they must not be that good". I will admit that in the last two years I have run across more people shooting Pentax than I have since the beginning of the digital era, but it's no where near the amount you would see back in the film era. These people are still few and far between and until the general public starts shooting Pentax in larger numbers companies like Zeiss probably don't see enough potential sales to warrant it.

Ploki · 01-08-2014, 06:12 AM

Makes sense.

I hope Pentax will jump on the MILC bandwagon while its still fresh; and with a K-mount at that. That would give it a sweet edge compared to other platforms. And at video especially. Most of people I know use either 5Dmk2 or Lumix GH2, and they all use manual mode, and having access to plenty of cheap fast primes would be very appealing to video makers.

A more video oriented K-02 with proper advertising would in my opinion get Pentax a lot of new customers, especially because they know how to make compact and durable bodies.

More video oriented I mean that it would allow higher bit-rates for h.264 and ProRes 4:2:2. RAW video is nice and all, but in reality its not feasible on compact bodies with SD cards. Too expensive.

It would be a shame if K-mount disappears just because low-end DSLR market is going to vanish, i know it doesn't allow faster (f/1, f/0.95) primes, but most of those are unavailable to video makers anyway, since they usually jump on the dedicated camera system when the budget gets that high.

ElJamoquio · 01-08-2014, 06:45 AM

Originally posted by Ploki

If I wasn't getting a Pentax I'd probably get either a Nikon or a Sony. No idea where Canon gets its market share

Canon used to be good, and they have cheap entry-level offerings, too. Ubiquitous... I was once at a popular landscape photography spot ~6 years ago and everybody there had a Canon, several pros had the 1DIII or whatever was the top model then.

Azzy · 01-08-2014, 09:41 AM

Originally posted by Ploki

I don't really understand why Pentax has such a small market share. I, coming from no-photography background (although we do have a few pentax cameras in the extended family circles) did a comparison on dpreview and figured that K-30 is clearly superior against its competition. Especially high-iso! You can see that in comparison photos with your eyes.

If I wasn't getting a Pentax I'd probably get either a Nikon or a Sony. No idea where Canon gets its market share

Canon wins with their bigger lens selection and their pro bodies are currently the best if money is no concern.

ElJamoquio · 01-08-2014, 09:51 AM

Originally posted by Azzy

Canon wins with their bigger lens selection and their pro bodies are currently the best if money is no concern.

I'd still rather have Nikon myself. But if money was absolutely no object Canon might have better tilt-shift, etc lenses.

**clackers** · 01-08-2014, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by ElJamoquio

Lack of sales overall. Zeiss doesn't care whether you put their lens on a FF camera or use it as a paperweight.

Yes, certainly not brand snobbery.

Iirc, Zeiss provide the lenses for Samsung Galaxies and iPhones.

01-07-2014, 07:05 PM	#1
Ploki Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 31	How come Zeiss isn't doing any new lenses for K-mount? Lack of FF DSLR? just a pointless discussion.

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01-07-2014, 07:08 PM	#2
ElJamoquio Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,873	Lack of sales overall. Zeiss doesn't care whether you put their lens on a FF camera or use it as a paperweight.

01-07-2014, 07:11 PM	#3
Ploki Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 31 Original Poster	Pentax people don't like Zeiss lenses? I've read such nice things about the f/1.4 50mm

01-07-2014, 07:19 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	Originally posted by Ploki Pentax people don't like Zeiss lenses? I've read such nice things about the f/1.4 50mm It's most likely a question of price- Zeiss lenses are expensive and Pentax currently caters to an audience more interested in value than the best that money can buy. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

01-07-2014, 07:58 PM	#5
nater Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New England Photos: Albums Posts: 706	Another issue is Pentax has a good back catalog of primes, some of which have an 'A' setting on their aperture, so new Zeiss lenses don't offer as much on Pentax as they do on other bodies, i.e. if Zeiss lenses have the necessary microchips for Nikon/Canon/Sony lens-body communication, that's something of more value on those platforms.

01-07-2014, 08:14 PM	#6
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Originally posted by Ploki How come Zeiss isn't doing any new lenses for K-mount? Not a big enough market? BTW I have the zeiss planar 50mm zk. Great lens but other than the difference in FL no better, if as good, as my FA 35 in my opinion.

01-07-2014, 08:47 PM	#7
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by nater Another issue is Pentax has a good back catalog of primes, some of which have an 'A' setting on their aperture, so new Zeiss lenses don't offer as much on Pentax as they do on other bodies. When I was looking for an 85/1.4, I ended up with the Zeiss ZK Planar. It was way cheaper than what the A* 85/1.4 was going for, and has now become one of my favorite lenses. It does many jobs really well, in good light or bad.

01-07-2014, 09:31 PM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by wildman Not a big enough market? That would be the most concise way of putting it. Steve

01-08-2014, 04:24 AM	#9
Ploki Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 31 Original Poster	I don't really understand why Pentax has such a small market share. I, coming from no-photography background (although we do have a few pentax cameras in the extended family circles) did a comparison on dpreview and figured that K-30 is clearly superior against its competition. Especially high-iso! You can see that in comparison photos with your eyes. If I wasn't getting a Pentax I'd probably get either a Nikon or a Sony. No idea where Canon gets its market share

01-08-2014, 05:41 AM	#10
Odinz Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 259	Advertising.......I know this has been beaten to death in other threads, but I've met people that don't even realize that Pentax (Ricoh) still makes cameras, or believe that they aren't a legitimate camera platform. I've even had people ask me to recommend a camera to them and when I've brought up Pentax I usually get a response like "I was looking for a good (or real) camera like a Nikon or Canon". I point out the features that you get with Pentax and the more "bang for your buck" that you get with their cameras and still I get "Well I've never seen an ad for them" or " they don't have them at Best Buy so they must not be that good". I will admit that in the last two years I have run across more people shooting Pentax than I have since the beginning of the digital era, but it's no where near the amount you would see back in the film era. These people are still few and far between and until the general public starts shooting Pentax in larger numbers companies like Zeiss probably don't see enough potential sales to warrant it.

01-08-2014, 06:12 AM	#11
Ploki Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 31 Original Poster	Makes sense. I hope Pentax will jump on the MILC bandwagon while its still fresh; and with a K-mount at that. That would give it a sweet edge compared to other platforms. And at video especially. Most of people I know use either 5Dmk2 or Lumix GH2, and they all use manual mode, and having access to plenty of cheap fast primes would be very appealing to video makers. A more video oriented K-02 with proper advertising would in my opinion get Pentax a lot of new customers, especially because they know how to make compact and durable bodies. More video oriented I mean that it would allow higher bit-rates for h.264 and ProRes 4:2:2. RAW video is nice and all, but in reality its not feasible on compact bodies with SD cards. Too expensive. It would be a shame if K-mount disappears just because low-end DSLR market is going to vanish, i know it doesn't allow faster (f/1, f/0.95) primes, but most of those are unavailable to video makers anyway, since they usually jump on the dedicated camera system when the budget gets that high.

01-08-2014, 06:45 AM	#12
ElJamoquio Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,873	Originally posted by Ploki If I wasn't getting a Pentax I'd probably get either a Nikon or a Sony. No idea where Canon gets its market share Canon used to be good, and they have cheap entry-level offerings, too. Ubiquitous... I was once at a popular landscape photography spot ~6 years ago and everybody there had a Canon, several pros had the 1DIII or whatever was the top model then.

01-08-2014, 09:41 AM	#13
Azzy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 201	Originally posted by Ploki I don't really understand why Pentax has such a small market share. I, coming from no-photography background (although we do have a few pentax cameras in the extended family circles) did a comparison on dpreview and figured that K-30 is clearly superior against its competition. Especially high-iso! You can see that in comparison photos with your eyes. If I wasn't getting a Pentax I'd probably get either a Nikon or a Sony. No idea where Canon gets its market share Canon wins with their bigger lens selection and their pro bodies are currently the best if money is no concern.

01-08-2014, 09:51 AM	#14
ElJamoquio Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,873	Originally posted by Azzy Canon wins with their bigger lens selection and their pro bodies are currently the best if money is no concern. I'd still rather have Nikon myself. But if money was absolutely no object Canon might have better tilt-shift, etc lenses.

01-08-2014, 04:04 PM	#15
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by ElJamoquio Lack of sales overall. Zeiss doesn't care whether you put their lens on a FF camera or use it as a paperweight. Yes, certainly not brand snobbery. Iirc, Zeiss provide the lenses for Samsung Galaxies and iPhones.