How is Pentax so popular in Australia?

lesmore49 · 11-28-2013, 04:08 PM

Originally posted by kerrowdown

A cargo vessel full of Pentax gear got shipwrecked there, a bit like the S.S. Politician did here (Whisky Galore fame).

Good one....

I remember Whiskey Galore....excellent movie.

p38arover · 11-28-2013, 04:17 PM

Originally posted by bibz

Absolutely. The action bit is true too. Two camps there, if it doesn't amplify through the marshalls it isn't buzz

I find myself wanting some decent height for tone/clarity nowdays, but my latest Jackson V has stainless frets which sound kinda buzzy regardless, so it's moderately slammed. Nuance makes it all worth while imo!

Umm, yep.

(What the heck does all that mean?

)

bossa · 11-29-2013, 01:09 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by p38arover

Umm, yep.

(What the heck does all that mean?

)

Action (when applied to guitars instead of sex) means height of strings above frets

Low "action" causes fret "buzz", which, when not too low, is mitigated by amplification and the guitar sounds "funky" (compressed) instead of buzzy

Higher "action" gets the best sustain and "tone" and the guitar/amp combo has more DR.

PS: The term Slam comes from Stereo Limiting Amplifier (ie Manley Slam) but tends to be used these days to describe really compressed DR.. i.e. pegged or pinned (needle of the VU meter).

PS2: A dynamic description of the word "funky" in terms of ADSR (attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) would be a natural attack (low action string slap against fret) followed by a highly compressed sustain with a long release time.

bibz · 11-29-2013, 02:40 AM

Great post! I didn't even know the slam thing.

Transit · 11-29-2013, 02:47 AM

Originally posted by wombat2go

I think this is the real reason, quoting from the "About us" page

"Founded in 1934, C.R. Kennedy is Australia's largest independent importer and distributor of photographic equipment..........

yep...so good even Kiwis buy from them

Tsuken · 12-01-2013, 01:29 AM

Originally posted by bibz

Absolutely. The action bit is true too. Two camps there, if it doesn't amplify through the marshalls it isn't buzz

I find myself wanting some decent height for tone/clarity nowdays, but my latest Jackson V has stainless frets which sound kinda buzzy regardless, so it's moderately slammed. Nuance makes it all worth while imo!

Ha! I like that: not buzz if it doesn't get thru the Marshalls.

I like fairly low action, and will tolerate a smidgen of buzz.

NotSteve · 12-01-2013, 04:14 PM

Well Fat Albert, I'd say you raise two different points, 1) that there are a lot of Aussies on this forum and 2) that Pentax is very popular in Australia. I think the two are not mutually inclusive.

One issue is of course sampling -- PF is a primarily an Anglophone forum, so if you're coming here to post then your English has to be at a certain level. So, obviously you're gonna get a preponderance of people who live in a country where English is an official language, i.e., Yanks, Canucks/Hosers, POMs and Aussies.

Secondly, Australia while being culturally a "western" country, is however more in the economic sphere of Asia. My understanding is that when kids take language classes in school, they're learning Chinese and Japanese since these are the big economic powerhouses of the region. So, assuming that Pentax is by whatever measure more popular in Australia than the U.S., it might be because it is physically closer to Pentax's biggest market, i.e., Japan.

Given that this thread is already off an some wild tangets, I'll add my own.

I'm curious as to why Australia has such great public radio programming compared to Canada and the U.S. Triple J, tons of great shows on science (Dr. Karl) and culture. I assume it is partly because of how sparsely the country is populated (though Canada is too). Public broadcasting in Canada (TV and radio) has been really gutted in the last 20 years and the content is being very Americanized. In the U.S., I think if you listen to NPR people think you're some kind of left-wing/socialist/communist (despite the fact NPR broadcasts some pretty stupid reactionary stuff from time to time).

Originally posted by Fat Albert

There seem to be a disproportionately high amount of Oz Pentaxians on this forum. What is it about Pentax that makes it such a popular brand? Are Pentax cameras readily available in brick-and-mortar retailers? Is there a marketing presence? It'd be great to see that kind of market presence in the US, but I'm not holding my breath...

**wizofoz** · 12-01-2013, 04:17 PM

Originally posted by bossa

The election result belies that fantasy.

+ a culpla million

**wizofoz** · 12-01-2013, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by Fat Albert

After doing some more research on the endemic fauna of Oz, I've discovered a creature named "Tommy Emmanuel". This 'thing'--clearly not a human being--is extraordinary.

The Tall Fiddler - Tommy Emmanuel - YouTube

Tommy Emmanuel - Classical Gas (by Mason Williams) - YouTube

Seriously, holy effing crap!

Yep, He's good. Nice humble bloke too.

And as they say in local footy parlance, he's got a brother who's even better.

Mike L · 12-02-2013, 08:26 PM

I'm definitely seeing more Pentax users in the wild of late, there was even a Pentaxian taking macros of flowers on my nature strip a couple of days ago.

Originally posted by NotSteve

I'm curious as to why Australia has such great public radio programming compared to Canada and the U.S. Triple J, tons of great shows on science (Dr. Karl) and culture. I assume it is partly because of how sparsely the country is populated (though Canada is too). Public broadcasting in Canada (TV and radio) has been really gutted in the last 20 years and the content is being very Americanized. In the U.S., I think if you listen to NPR people think you're some kind of left-wing/socialist/communist (despite the fact NPR broadcasts some pretty stupid reactionary stuff from time to time).

Don't worry in Australia there is an enduring myth amongst conservatives that the ABC has a left wing bias (numerous studies/analysis have debunked it) but then compared to our Murdoch owned media anything seems like yoghurt eating, tree hugging, pinko propaganda.

11-29-2013, 01:09 AM - 1 Like	#63
bossa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,546	Originally posted by p38arover Umm, yep. (What the heck does all that mean? ) Action (when applied to guitars instead of sex) means height of strings above frets Low "action" causes fret "buzz", which, when not too low, is mitigated by amplification and the guitar sounds "funky" (compressed) instead of buzzy Higher "action" gets the best sustain and "tone" and the guitar/amp combo has more DR. PS: The term Slam comes from Stereo Limiting Amplifier (ie Manley Slam) but tends to be used these days to describe really compressed DR.. i.e. pegged or pinned (needle of the VU meter). PS2: A dynamic description of the word "funky" in terms of ADSR (attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) would be a natural attack (low action string slap against fret) followed by a highly compressed sustain with a long release time. Last edited by bossa; 11-29-2013 at 03:24 AM.

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11-28-2013, 04:08 PM	#61
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,344	Originally posted by kerrowdown A cargo vessel full of Pentax gear got shipwrecked there, a bit like the S.S. Politician did here (Whisky Galore fame). Good one.... I remember Whiskey Galore....excellent movie.

11-28-2013, 04:17 PM	#62
p38arover Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Western Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,084	Originally posted by bibz Absolutely. The action bit is true too. Two camps there, if it doesn't amplify through the marshalls it isn't buzz I find myself wanting some decent height for tone/clarity nowdays, but my latest Jackson V has stainless frets which sound kinda buzzy regardless, so it's moderately slammed. Nuance makes it all worth while imo! Umm, yep. (What the heck does all that mean? )

11-29-2013, 02:40 AM	#64
bibz Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Newcastle, AU! Posts: 276	Great post! I didn't even know the slam thing.

11-29-2013, 02:47 AM	#65
Transit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whanganui NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,624	Originally posted by wombat2go I think this is the real reason, quoting from the "About us" page "Founded in 1934, C.R. Kennedy is Australia's largest independent importer and distributor of photographic equipment.......... yep...so good even Kiwis buy from them

12-01-2013, 01:29 AM	#66
Tsuken Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,420	Originally posted by bibz Absolutely. The action bit is true too. Two camps there, if it doesn't amplify through the marshalls it isn't buzz I find myself wanting some decent height for tone/clarity nowdays, but my latest Jackson V has stainless frets which sound kinda buzzy regardless, so it's moderately slammed. Nuance makes it all worth while imo! Ha! I like that: not buzz if it doesn't get thru the Marshalls. I like fairly low action, and will tolerate a smidgen of buzz.

12-01-2013, 04:14 PM	#67
NotSteve Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Toronto Photos: Albums Posts: 200	Well Fat Albert, I'd say you raise two different points, 1) that there are a lot of Aussies on this forum and 2) that Pentax is very popular in Australia. I think the two are not mutually inclusive. One issue is of course sampling -- PF is a primarily an Anglophone forum, so if you're coming here to post then your English has to be at a certain level. So, obviously you're gonna get a preponderance of people who live in a country where English is an official language, i.e., Yanks, Canucks/Hosers, POMs and Aussies. Secondly, Australia while being culturally a "western" country, is however more in the economic sphere of Asia. My understanding is that when kids take language classes in school, they're learning Chinese and Japanese since these are the big economic powerhouses of the region. So, assuming that Pentax is by whatever measure more popular in Australia than the U.S., it might be because it is physically closer to Pentax's biggest market, i.e., Japan. Given that this thread is already off an some wild tangets, I'll add my own. I'm curious as to why Australia has such great public radio programming compared to Canada and the U.S. Triple J, tons of great shows on science (Dr. Karl) and culture. I assume it is partly because of how sparsely the country is populated (though Canada is too). Public broadcasting in Canada (TV and radio) has been really gutted in the last 20 years and the content is being very Americanized. In the U.S., I think if you listen to NPR people think you're some kind of left-wing/socialist/communist (despite the fact NPR broadcasts some pretty stupid reactionary stuff from time to time). Originally posted by Fat Albert There seem to be a disproportionately high amount of Oz Pentaxians on this forum. What is it about Pentax that makes it such a popular brand? Are Pentax cameras readily available in brick-and-mortar retailers? Is there a marketing presence? It'd be great to see that kind of market presence in the US, but I'm not holding my breath...

12-01-2013, 04:17 PM	#68
wizofoz Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Outer east. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,695	Originally posted by bossa The election result belies that fantasy. + a culpla million

12-01-2013, 04:43 PM	#69
wizofoz Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Outer east. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,695	Originally posted by Fat Albert After doing some more research on the endemic fauna of Oz, I've discovered a creature named "Tommy Emmanuel". This 'thing'--clearly not a human being--is extraordinary. The Tall Fiddler - Tommy Emmanuel - YouTube Tommy Emmanuel - Classical Gas (by Mason Williams) - YouTube Seriously, holy effing crap! Yep, He's good. Nice humble bloke too. And as they say in local footy parlance, he's got a brother who's even better.

12-02-2013, 08:26 PM	#70
Mike L Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canberra, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,472	I'm definitely seeing more Pentax users in the wild of late, there was even a Pentaxian taking macros of flowers on my nature strip a couple of days ago. Originally posted by NotSteve I'm curious as to why Australia has such great public radio programming compared to Canada and the U.S. Triple J, tons of great shows on science (Dr. Karl) and culture. I assume it is partly because of how sparsely the country is populated (though Canada is too). Public broadcasting in Canada (TV and radio) has been really gutted in the last 20 years and the content is being very Americanized. In the U.S., I think if you listen to NPR people think you're some kind of left-wing/socialist/communist (despite the fact NPR broadcasts some pretty stupid reactionary stuff from time to time). Don't worry in Australia there is an enduring myth amongst conservatives that the ABC has a left wing bias (numerous studies/analysis have debunked it) but then compared to our Murdoch owned media anything seems like yoghurt eating, tree hugging, pinko propaganda.