The Pentax Paradox

BNBPhoto · 04-14-2012, 09:41 AM

Hi everybody,

I have been thinking lately about something odd to say the least. Pentax is a company which releases some of the best no-nonsense APS-C DSLRs on the market today.

As everybody knows APS-C size sensors are at an advantage vs. FF sensors in disciplines requiring telephoto lenses, such as sports, wildlife, etc..

However ! Here comes the paradox, Pentax does not develop a lot into telephoto lenses and releases more and more wide angle lenses, a field where FF sensors excel because of depth of field and bokeh.

Why ? I think it is an interesting observation.

Patajac · 04-14-2012, 10:03 AM

dont see majority of APS-C users shooting sports, wildlife, etc.. so i guess developing what sells isnt paradoxal

SpecialK · 04-14-2012, 10:07 AM - **2 Likes**

The 560mm is coming. It will be something like $48,000 MSRP. Can't wait.

aurele · 04-14-2012, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by SpecialK

The 560mm is coming. It will be something like $48,000 MSRP. Can't wait.

ROFL

but indeed, i don't expect this 560 to be cheap.

Jean Poitiers · 04-14-2012, 02:05 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

The 560mm is coming. It will be something like $48,000 MSRP. Can't wait.

Can't wait either ... take out a second mortgage? J Frog

philbaum · 04-14-2012, 02:32 PM

Originally posted by BNBPhoto

Hi everybody,

I have been thinking lately about something odd to say the least. Pentax is a company which releases some of the best no-nonsense APS-C DSLRs on the market today.
I
As everybody knows APS-C size sensors are at an advantage vs. FF sensors in disciplines requiring telephoto lenses, such as sports, wildlife, etc..

However ! Here comes the paradox, Pentax does not develop a lot into telephoto lenses and releases more and more wide angle lenses, a field where FF sensors excel because of depth of field and bokeh.

Why ? I think it is an interesting observation.

I think its because Pentax is more into the smaller form factor DSLR with smaller pancakes, primes and a few smaller lenses. If you want a camera like Pentax, you are likely to be into street shooting, walkaround travel shooting, landscapes, you're probably not going to be an NFL shooter.

With Ricoh, they want a bigger share of the market. One strategy i think they'll take is to broaden Pentax's appeal, thus adding the DA-560 tele is one way to bring in more folks.

Now that i think about it, the newer type of mirrorless cameras (with larger sensors than PS) are competing to some degree in Pentax's marketing space. Pentax can still compete where they are at, but they need to broaden out a bit too. I'm still believe that Ricoh will make thoughtful decisions on where to take Pentax.

Blue · 04-14-2012, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by Patajac

dont see majority of APS-C users shooting sports, wildlife, etc.. so i guess developing what sells isnt paradoxal

I think he listed that as an advantage, not that that was what most are used for. Many of do use them for wildlife and macro. That is another area where they have a plus side.

Edit: As far as the FA* 600/4 that Pentax discontinued 2 years ago, I couldn't afford it or its Nikon/Canon counterpart.

Davidw0815 · 04-14-2012, 03:15 PM

Originally posted by BNBPhoto

As everybody knows APS-C size sensors are at an advantage vs. FF sensors in disciplines requiring telephoto lenses, such as sports, wildlife, etc..

Well, I think the biggest advantage of APS-C sensors is their price. Most people want an affordable camera for 'normal' purposes. I don't think that there's a big market for very expansive, long lenses (otherwise Pentax probably wouldn't have discontinued the FA* 600).

BNBPhoto · 04-14-2012, 03:31 PM

The purpose of my post was to point out a fact. I am a sports shooter and I love Pentax, What is disturbing is that for telephoto lenses I am obliged to look a third party manufacturers because Pentax's offering is very limited. With wide angle shooting FF sensors are at an obvious advantage. So why doesn't Pentax produce an FF camera ?

**boriscleto** · 04-14-2012, 03:40 PM

Originally posted by BNBPhoto

The purpose of my post was to point out a fact. I am a sports shooter and I love Pentax, What is disturbing is that for telephoto lenses I am obliged to look a third party manufacturers because Pentax's offering is very limited. With wide angle shooting FF sensors are at an obvious advantage. So why doesn't Pentax produce an FF camera ?

Most of the wide angle lineup is not compatible with FF. in fact, Pentax only makes 1 wide angle lens for FF.

The advantage APS-C has over 135 FF is not the formatfaktor, it is the number of sensors per wafer in the manufacturing process.

04-14-2012, 09:41 AM	#1
BNBPhoto Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 68	The Pentax Paradox Hi everybody, I have been thinking lately about something odd to say the least. Pentax is a company which releases some of the best no-nonsense APS-C DSLRs on the market today. As everybody knows APS-C size sensors are at an advantage vs. FF sensors in disciplines requiring telephoto lenses, such as sports, wildlife, etc.. However ! Here comes the paradox, Pentax does not develop a lot into telephoto lenses and releases more and more wide angle lenses, a field where FF sensors excel because of depth of field and bokeh. Why ? I think it is an interesting observation.

04-14-2012, 02:05 PM	#5
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Add another zero or two ... Originally posted by SpecialK The 560mm is coming. It will be something like $48,000 MSRP. Can't wait. Can't wait either ... take out a second mortgage? J Frog

04-14-2012, 10:03 AM	#2
Patajac Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 241	dont see majority of APS-C users shooting sports, wildlife, etc.. so i guess developing what sells isnt paradoxal

04-14-2012, 10:07 AM - 2 Likes	#3
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	The 560mm is coming. It will be something like $48,000 MSRP. Can't wait.

04-14-2012, 10:50 AM	#4
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by SpecialK The 560mm is coming. It will be something like $48,000 MSRP. Can't wait. ROFL but indeed, i don't expect this 560 to be cheap.

04-14-2012, 02:32 PM	#6
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	Originally posted by BNBPhoto Hi everybody, I have been thinking lately about something odd to say the least. Pentax is a company which releases some of the best no-nonsense APS-C DSLRs on the market today. I As everybody knows APS-C size sensors are at an advantage vs. FF sensors in disciplines requiring telephoto lenses, such as sports, wildlife, etc.. However ! Here comes the paradox, Pentax does not develop a lot into telephoto lenses and releases more and more wide angle lenses, a field where FF sensors excel because of depth of field and bokeh. Why ? I think it is an interesting observation. I think its because Pentax is more into the smaller form factor DSLR with smaller pancakes, primes and a few smaller lenses. If you want a camera like Pentax, you are likely to be into street shooting, walkaround travel shooting, landscapes, you're probably not going to be an NFL shooter. With Ricoh, they want a bigger share of the market. One strategy i think they'll take is to broaden Pentax's appeal, thus adding the DA-560 tele is one way to bring in more folks. Now that i think about it, the newer type of mirrorless cameras (with larger sensors than PS) are competing to some degree in Pentax's marketing space. Pentax can still compete where they are at, but they need to broaden out a bit too. I'm still believe that Ricoh will make thoughtful decisions on where to take Pentax.

04-14-2012, 02:43 PM	#7
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Patajac dont see majority of APS-C users shooting sports, wildlife, etc.. so i guess developing what sells isnt paradoxal I think he listed that as an advantage, not that that was what most are used for. Many of do use them for wildlife and macro. That is another area where they have a plus side. Edit: As far as the FA* 600/4 that Pentax discontinued 2 years ago, I couldn't afford it or its Nikon/Canon counterpart.

04-14-2012, 03:15 PM	#8
Davidw0815 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 437	Originally posted by BNBPhoto As everybody knows APS-C size sensors are at an advantage vs. FF sensors in disciplines requiring telephoto lenses, such as sports, wildlife, etc.. Well, I think the biggest advantage of APS-C sensors is their price. Most people want an affordable camera for 'normal' purposes. I don't think that there's a big market for very expansive, long lenses (otherwise Pentax probably wouldn't have discontinued the FA* 600).

04-14-2012, 03:31 PM	#9
BNBPhoto Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 68 Original Poster	The purpose of my post was to point out a fact. I am a sports shooter and I love Pentax, What is disturbing is that for telephoto lenses I am obliged to look a third party manufacturers because Pentax's offering is very limited. With wide angle shooting FF sensors are at an obvious advantage. So why doesn't Pentax produce an FF camera ?

04-14-2012, 03:40 PM	#10
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by BNBPhoto The purpose of my post was to point out a fact. I am a sports shooter and I love Pentax, What is disturbing is that for telephoto lenses I am obliged to look a third party manufacturers because Pentax's offering is very limited. With wide angle shooting FF sensors are at an obvious advantage. So why doesn't Pentax produce an FF camera ? Most of the wide angle lineup is not compatible with FF. in fact, Pentax only makes 1 wide angle lens for FF. The advantage APS-C has over 135 FF is not the formatfaktor, it is the number of sensors per wafer in the manufacturing process.