Originally posted by jimH What do you all think? Should Hoya/Pentax be courting the Pro side of the business? I'm saying this because it seems that the consumer is buying Nikon and Canon, because of the idea that they are buying the cameras that the pros use. Even though what they are buying are usually dumbed down versions of what the pros use, but it has the same brand name as what the pros use. I'm not saying that Hoya/Pentax's K-x and K-r models are dumbed down versions of their pro/enthusiast line, but rather the consumer version of the pro/enthusiast K10, K20, K7 and K5. I think that if consumers saw Pentax cameras in the hands of more pros and serious armatures, then the average consumer might have their consciousness raised when it came to considering a K-x or a K-r. What do you all think?
Pros will use whatever gear that can get the job done. If they can get it sponsored or free all the better, seriously speaking. That's because photography is first and foremost a livelihood and a business and getting gear sponsored or free means they are spared the capital expenditure that they would have to fork out themselves.
Nikon and Canon have long adopted the pyramid of influence marketing model by getting working pros to use their cameras. That gives the implication that the cameras are rugged and able to withstand the rigours of use in different conditions and environments. It also helps to let the masses think and believe (naively I might add) that the cameras they buy have a pro heritage and that they could somehow achieve results like that of professionals using the said cameras. Much like buying Nike golf clubs because somehow I can miraculously hit and shape the golf ball like Tiger Woods does with his Nike golf clubs. Heck if Tiger uses it, it must be good..., nevermind all the endorsement money that Nike gives to him to use
their clubs as opposed to other brands
For a pro they want an extensive and flexible camera system and pro support. Currently Pentax cannot offer as wide a range of lenses as its competitors, though that might change in the future. Same for pro support. One major area that needs improvement that Pentax lags behind is its flash system, which doesn't make it the automatic choice for pros shooting events, weddings and portraiture and other forms of shooting requiring flash photography. I'll hazard to say a lot of working shooters who do use Pentax use it as a second system.
Pentax of old has long lost the opportunity of capitalizing its position as a market leader in the consumer segment in 35mm film cameras to develop professional grade models and attract pros to use the brand. Historically speaking we all know the LX was hopelessly late and never as rugged compared to the uber reliable Nikon F3. The rot started a long time ago but the old Pentax management were oblivious to it.
Frankly I'm not worried because Pentax (under Hoya) knows it cannot hope to go head-to head to match the offerings from Canikon but has picked it's spots in producing cameras that capitalize gaps in the overall camera market. It must first and foremost regain the mass market first to increase the user base. With such a base it will have the financial means to develop new products and a user base to buy them. Servicing the pros can come later.