Originally posted by illdefined Then why is Pentax in a distant 3rd place in SLRs. some people are content, but the critical mass obviously aren't and buying other brands instead.
Of course you're assuming the "critical mass" actually knows how to use the cameras that they are buying as something more than a P&S accessory to their wardrobes. There are a few people in my local photo groups who actually manage take their DSLR off the programed settings but you'd be amazed at how many people there have a $1200 camera and who haven't the faintest idea of how to use it properly. They go to the store here. They get offered a bunch of Canon and Nikon cameras, and not much else, they buy what the sales person says to buy. They take it home and use it like it was a $40 pocket camera that just happens to be able to change out a lens.
It's the same with professional software. I'm currently teaching 3 different people in that group how to use Photoshop who bought it because they absolutely thought they needed it but who never did really figure out how to use it. I'll give those guys credit because at least they want to learn. I'm one of about a dozen females with a DSLR in said groups and FYI, only two of us know how to actually use them. Again, you have people shooting with DSLR's like they were pocket cams. There are at least half a dozen people in our groups who are working semi-pro taking paid wedding shots and the like with absolutely no knowledge of what they are doing beyond using portrait mode. It's absurd.
My personal experience is that most people who go out of their way to own a Pentax have darned good reasons for owning one. They've done some homework to decide which camera and which lenses are best for them, and generally speaking they at least attempt to use the camera off full auto once in a while. If I had a dollar for every person I've met with a Nikon or a Canon in their hand who hasn't even read the manual to their camera even once I'd have enough to buy myself a brand new K30, no problem. Me, even with my apprenticeship officially done I'm sitting here still busting my arse to learn everything I can about my craft so I can deliver the best quality work I am capable of. Even if I didn't despise the very idea of doing one, I wouldn't touch doing a wedding right now because technically speaking that's a darned tough job to do well and I don't feel I'm experienced enough yet to go there. I only take jobs so far where I know I can take my time, where there's no pressure of time and lousy lighting situations, so I can get it right. These people out there advertising their services at $500-1000 a pop doing an entire wedding on auto they just stun me with their brazen audacity.
I was at a wedding a while back and the so called photographer was doing exactly that. Using a camera on full auto mode with the on board flash to take shots of the happy couple. I didn't know the couple very well. They're the kids of some friends from our park and I basically got roped into going because the parents are pretty close to my parents. But I expressed my surprise to the groom's Mom. She made a face. Turns out they used the woman because the bride's family knows her and she offered as a wedding present. They jumped at it because it was free. But normally this woman she does shoot these events for pay. I saw the book after? I'd have cried my eyes out had I been the bride, seriously, they were that bad, and she's charging $500-1000 normally for that. FYI, that bride and groom and I are actually doing some portrait work in studio soon so at least they'll have something decent to display in their picture frames. The groom's Mom asked me to help them out because they are definitely having some remorse now about going cheap for the event. The woman who shot the wedding isn't exactly happy about that fact from what I hear but whatever.
The way I see it if you're going to attempt to do something like shoot a wedding you should at least know the basics of the photographic holy trinity, how to use your camera in full manual mode, how to use a larger bounce flash, and where to aim that camera when it's important. If you can't? Then you probably have no business even owning a DSLR let alone setting yourself up as a photographer for pay, and if the logo on your DSLR camera is merely something you think about in terms of which designer shoes you'd wear? Then you need to put that DSLR down and stick to using a cell phone or pocket cam until you're ready to read a basic book on photography at least.
There are way too many people out there picking up a DSLR who haven't a CLUE as to how to use one and they don't intend upon learning either. Canon and Nikon, they're just designer labels, the most popular brand, the one they "have" to own for that reason. Add to that the fact that Pentax isn't exactly available all over the place and it's no wonder they have such a low market share compared to the other two. I believe that can change. If they can get into stores like Target and Walmart, Best Buy in a major way, if they can give these people a chance to see their cameras in person they will sell more. A camera like the K30 with it's "sexy" styling and the metallic sports colors? That will actually appeal to the "masses" or would if they ever got to see it.