Nice Design Comeback by Pentax

KungPOW · 05-22-2012, 08:26 PM

Originally posted by Tom Woj

Yes but the AE-L button, which I presume is used for back button focus on the k-5 (don't own one), is top right. Same place it is for a multitude of DSLRs. Sorry for any confusion.

The AF button on the K-5 IS the back button focus.

The AE-L button is the exposure lock.

My point is that the focus button is more or less in the same place for the K10D, K20D, K-7, K-5 and now the K-30.

I understand that as a left eye shooter, this could be an issue, all I'm saying is that the position is nothing really new for Pentax.

Tom Woj · 05-22-2012, 08:32 PM

Aye, edited my other post, my mistake.

Smeggypants · 05-23-2012, 05:39 AM - **1 Like**

I agree with this thread. I love the design of the K-30. I was beginning to think Pentax was losing the plot with that hideous looking K-01

Class A · 05-23-2012, 06:35 AM

Originally posted by KungPOW

The K-01 is very much a niche camera, it was never intended to appeal to everyone.

Releasing a camera that is specifically meant to appeal to certain people only, is a bold move by a company that struggles to gain more market share.

But I agree in principle with your viewpoint and regard the K-01 as an attempt by Pentax to expand their market by appealing to people who are somewhat "fashion forward" and are not concerned when function is compromised by looks. There is nothing wrong with that in principle, but it just rubbed me the wrong way that it is Pentax ("my company"

) that has this strategy.

However, now that Pentax demonstrated that they are not choosing the "K-01 way" for all their products, but still know how to design a DSLR, I'm a happy Pentax camper again.

(I'm sure Pentax held their breath, NOT

)

The K-30's awesomeness and what it promises for the future flagship, overshadows my gripes I had with the K-01 by a big margin.

creampuff · 05-23-2012, 07:53 AM

So after your lengthy discourse, bottomline is are your going to buy it? All talk and no action ain't gonna help "your company."

riff · 05-23-2012, 10:40 AM

I don't see this as a design comeback at all. There are two designs, one you like and one you don't like. That is your opinion, nothing more. It may well be correct for you but that doesn't make it absolute.

Originally posted by Class A

Releasing a camera that is specifically meant to appeal to certain people only, is a bold move by a company that struggles to gain more market share

Hardly, that is what product design and development is all about. No product appeals to everyone. No doubt you've heard the trusim "Try to please everyone and you fail to please anyone.

Originally posted by Class A

However, now that Pentax demonstrated that they are not choosing the "K-01 way" for all their products, but still know how to design a DSLR,

I honestly can not understand why you would ever think Pentax would choose the K-01 way for all their product or that Pentax suddenly forgot how to design a DSLR.

Smeggypants · 05-23-2012, 05:29 PM

Originally posted by Class A

Releasing a camera that is specifically meant to appeal to certain people only, is a bold move by a company that struggles to gain more market share.

But I agree in principle with your viewpoint and regard the K-01 as an attempt by Pentax to expand their market by appealing to people who are somewhat "fashion forward" and are not concerned when function is compromised by looks. There is nothing wrong with that in principle, but it just rubbed me the wrong way that it is Pentax ("my company"

) that has this strategy.

However, now that Pentax demonstrated that they are not choosing the "K-01 way" for all their products, but still know how to design a DSLR, I'm a happy Pentax camper again.

(I'm sure Pentax held their breath, NOT

)

The K-30's awesomeness and what it promises for the future flagship, overshadows my gripes I had with the K-01 by a big margin.

Is "fashion forward" a politically correct way of saying 'bad taste'

Smeggypants · 05-23-2012, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by KungPOW

The K-01 is very much a niche camera, it was never intended to appeal to everyone.

That's just a pointless and irrelevant statement. Even though products are aimed at a certain market no one deliberately releases a product to have limitations in it's appeal.

Class A · 05-23-2012, 06:36 PM

I don't want to respond to everything someone (e.g., creampuff) states in this thread, so if I don't, this should be interpreted as consent or that I don't have a good answer. I just don't want to enter certain discussions which have no promise of getting anywhere.

I think the following two points deserve clarification, though:

Originally posted by riff

It may well be correct for you but that doesn't make it absolute.

And where did I say that everyone must be of the same opinion? Unless I'm missing something, you didn't start your post with "In my humble opinion" either. Is it not a given that every post to this forum expresses a personal viewpoint? There are posts that claim or have more generality, but I don't see how this thread could be regarded as anything else but a statement of a personal viewpoint.

Originally posted by riff

I honestly can not understand why you would ever think Pentax would choose the K-01 way for all their product or that Pentax suddenly forgot how to design a DSLR.

I was concerned because there are many companies doing things I don't subscribe to. I was concerned because Pentax is under pressure. I was concerned that Pentax may have seen the "appeal to the hipster" route as a general way forward.

I cannot see myself buying a pink camera ever, but it doesn't concern me much that Pentax provides this option. It does, however, concern me when Pentax launches a product where looks came first and function second. Not only "looks" but "I need to prove my status as a star designer"-looks.

The thing is that the K-01 could have appealed to more people by avoiding a few mistakes. I like many aspects about the K-01 but hate the few mistakes that were made. It appeared, however, that Pentax did not care about those mistakes. That got me concerned. What crystal ball could have told me that Pentax wouldn't try the K-01 recipe for a DSLR as well?

Anyhow, the K-30 let's me forget about the K-01 mistakes and I'm looking forward to the forthcoming flagship which I will buy unless it is severely flawed in some way.

Alizarine · 05-23-2012, 07:34 PM

Originally posted by Class A

But I agree in principle with your viewpoint and regard the K-01 as an attempt by Pentax to expand their market by appealing to people who are somewhat "fashion forward" and are not concerned when function is compromised by looks.

If Lady Gaga gets a K-01 for herself, then Pentax has got its "niche" market really pinned down I think

Guakala · 05-23-2012, 07:56 PM

Thank god Marc didn't get a hold of the K-30.

KungPOW · 05-23-2012, 11:02 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Smeggypants

That's just a pointless and irrelevant statement. Even though products are aimed at a certain market no one deliberately releases a product to have limitations in it's appeal.

Not pointless. That is my opinion. You don't need to agree.

Irrelevant? The discussion is on latest Pentax designs. K-01 is recent, and thus relevant.

Yes companies will design products that are limited in appeal to a group because they know it will have even greater appeal to their target group.

Think fashion, music, beer, cars. Anything that people buy not for the function, but for symbols of personal expression.

Smeggypants · 05-24-2012, 06:55 AM

Originally posted by KungPOW

Not pointless. That is my opinion. You don't need to agree.

Irrelevant? The discussion is on latest Pentax designs. K-01 is recent, and thus relevant.

Yes companies will design products that are limited in appeal to a group because they know it will have even greater appeal to their target group.

Think fashion, music, beer, cars. Anything that people buy not for the function, but for symbols of personal expression.

My opinion is this:

Pentax wanted a 'cool' design for a camera. so they contracted out the job to a designed who has designed a few cool things before. I bet when he unveilied his design to them, they thought "Hmmmmmm, not sure about this, but hey, this guy is cool so it must be cool"

Whoops.

Anyway history is littered with ugly cameras, the K-01 asn't the first and it won't be the last

eddie1960 · 05-24-2012, 07:07 AM

Originally posted by Smeggypants

Anyway history is littered with ugly cameras, the K-01 asn't the first and it won't be the last

The K-01 isn't even the first ugly Pentax by any stretch

Argus bricks are pretty damn ugly as well but many people seem to love em (I'm mixed on it)

**monochrome** · 05-24-2012, 08:31 AM

Maybe I need to miove to a cool Forum. I like my K-01 - the way it looks and the way it works.

Then again, I drive a Subaru Outback.

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05-22-2012, 08:26 PM	#16
KungPOW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,699	Originally posted by Tom Woj Yes but the AE-L button, which I presume is used for back button focus on the k-5 (don't own one), is top right. Same place it is for a multitude of DSLRs. Sorry for any confusion. The AF button on the K-5 IS the back button focus. The AE-L button is the exposure lock. My point is that the focus button is more or less in the same place for the K10D, K20D, K-7, K-5 and now the K-30. I understand that as a left eye shooter, this could be an issue, all I'm saying is that the position is nothing really new for Pentax.

05-22-2012, 08:32 PM	#17
Tom Woj Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Stafford, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 163	Aye, edited my other post, my mistake.

05-23-2012, 05:39 AM - 1 Like	#18
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	I agree with this thread. I love the design of the K-30. I was beginning to think Pentax was losing the plot with that hideous looking K-01

05-23-2012, 06:35 AM	#19
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251 Original Poster	Originally posted by KungPOW The K-01 is very much a niche camera, it was never intended to appeal to everyone. Releasing a camera that is specifically meant to appeal to certain people only, is a bold move by a company that struggles to gain more market share. But I agree in principle with your viewpoint and regard the K-01 as an attempt by Pentax to expand their market by appealing to people who are somewhat "fashion forward" and are not concerned when function is compromised by looks. There is nothing wrong with that in principle, but it just rubbed me the wrong way that it is Pentax ("my company" ) that has this strategy. However, now that Pentax demonstrated that they are not choosing the "K-01 way" for all their products, but still know how to design a DSLR, I'm a happy Pentax camper again. (I'm sure Pentax held their breath, NOT ) The K-30's awesomeness and what it promises for the future flagship, overshadows my gripes I had with the K-01 by a big margin.

05-23-2012, 07:53 AM	#20
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	So after your lengthy discourse, bottomline is are your going to buy it? All talk and no action ain't gonna help "your company."

05-23-2012, 10:40 AM	#21
riff Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,408	I don't see this as a design comeback at all. There are two designs, one you like and one you don't like. That is your opinion, nothing more. It may well be correct for you but that doesn't make it absolute. Originally posted by Class A Releasing a camera that is specifically meant to appeal to certain people only, is a bold move by a company that struggles to gain more market share Hardly, that is what product design and development is all about. No product appeals to everyone. No doubt you've heard the trusim "Try to please everyone and you fail to please anyone. Originally posted by Class A However, now that Pentax demonstrated that they are not choosing the "K-01 way" for all their products, but still know how to design a DSLR, I honestly can not understand why you would ever think Pentax would choose the K-01 way for all their product or that Pentax suddenly forgot how to design a DSLR.

05-23-2012, 05:29 PM	#22
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	Originally posted by Class A Releasing a camera that is specifically meant to appeal to certain people only, is a bold move by a company that struggles to gain more market share. But I agree in principle with your viewpoint and regard the K-01 as an attempt by Pentax to expand their market by appealing to people who are somewhat "fashion forward" and are not concerned when function is compromised by looks. There is nothing wrong with that in principle, but it just rubbed me the wrong way that it is Pentax ("my company" ) that has this strategy. However, now that Pentax demonstrated that they are not choosing the "K-01 way" for all their products, but still know how to design a DSLR, I'm a happy Pentax camper again. (I'm sure Pentax held their breath, NOT ) The K-30's awesomeness and what it promises for the future flagship, overshadows my gripes I had with the K-01 by a big margin. Is "fashion forward" a politically correct way of saying 'bad taste'

05-23-2012, 05:32 PM	#23
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	Originally posted by KungPOW The K-01 is very much a niche camera, it was never intended to appeal to everyone. That's just a pointless and irrelevant statement. Even though products are aimed at a certain market no one deliberately releases a product to have limitations in it's appeal.

05-23-2012, 06:36 PM	#24
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251 Original Poster	I don't want to respond to everything someone (e.g., creampuff) states in this thread, so if I don't, this should be interpreted as consent or that I don't have a good answer. I just don't want to enter certain discussions which have no promise of getting anywhere. I think the following two points deserve clarification, though: Originally posted by riff It may well be correct for you but that doesn't make it absolute. And where did I say that everyone must be of the same opinion? Unless I'm missing something, you didn't start your post with "In my humble opinion" either. Is it not a given that every post to this forum expresses a personal viewpoint? There are posts that claim or have more generality, but I don't see how this thread could be regarded as anything else but a statement of a personal viewpoint. Originally posted by riff I honestly can not understand why you would ever think Pentax would choose the K-01 way for all their product or that Pentax suddenly forgot how to design a DSLR. I was concerned because there are many companies doing things I don't subscribe to. I was concerned because Pentax is under pressure. I was concerned that Pentax may have seen the "appeal to the hipster" route as a general way forward. I cannot see myself buying a pink camera ever, but it doesn't concern me much that Pentax provides this option. It does, however, concern me when Pentax launches a product where looks came first and function second. Not only "looks" but "I need to prove my status as a star designer"-looks. The thing is that the K-01 could have appealed to more people by avoiding a few mistakes. I like many aspects about the K-01 but hate the few mistakes that were made. It appeared, however, that Pentax did not care about those mistakes. That got me concerned. What crystal ball could have told me that Pentax wouldn't try the K-01 recipe for a DSLR as well? Anyhow, the K-30 let's me forget about the K-01 mistakes and I'm looking forward to the forthcoming flagship which I will buy unless it is severely flawed in some way.

05-23-2012, 07:34 PM	#25
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	Originally posted by Class A But I agree in principle with your viewpoint and regard the K-01 as an attempt by Pentax to expand their market by appealing to people who are somewhat "fashion forward" and are not concerned when function is compromised by looks. If Lady Gaga gets a K-01 for herself, then Pentax has got its "niche" market really pinned down I think

05-23-2012, 07:56 PM	#26
Guakala Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 158	Thank god Marc didn't get a hold of the K-30.

05-23-2012, 11:02 PM - 1 Like	#27
KungPOW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,699	Originally posted by Smeggypants That's just a pointless and irrelevant statement. Even though products are aimed at a certain market no one deliberately releases a product to have limitations in it's appeal. Not pointless. That is my opinion. You don't need to agree. Irrelevant? The discussion is on latest Pentax designs. K-01 is recent, and thus relevant. Yes companies will design products that are limited in appeal to a group because they know it will have even greater appeal to their target group. Think fashion, music, beer, cars. Anything that people buy not for the function, but for symbols of personal expression.

05-24-2012, 06:55 AM	#28
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	Originally posted by KungPOW Not pointless. That is my opinion. You don't need to agree. Irrelevant? The discussion is on latest Pentax designs. K-01 is recent, and thus relevant. Yes companies will design products that are limited in appeal to a group because they know it will have even greater appeal to their target group. Think fashion, music, beer, cars. Anything that people buy not for the function, but for symbols of personal expression. My opinion is this: Pentax wanted a 'cool' design for a camera. so they contracted out the job to a designed who has designed a few cool things before. I bet when he unveilied his design to them, they thought "Hmmmmmm, not sure about this, but hey, this guy is cool so it must be cool" Whoops. Anyway history is littered with ugly cameras, the K-01 asn't the first and it won't be the last

05-24-2012, 07:07 AM	#29
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by Smeggypants Anyway history is littered with ugly cameras, the K-01 asn't the first and it won't be the last The K-01 isn't even the first ugly Pentax by any stretch Argus bricks are pretty damn ugly as well but many people seem to love em (I'm mixed on it)

05-24-2012, 08:31 AM	#30
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Maybe I need to miove to a cool Forum. I like my K-01 - the way it looks and the way it works. Then again, I drive a Subaru Outback.