Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Arkansas |
In reading all our comments and more, there is still one underlying issue that isn't being addressed, IMO, enough. The FF issue is significant to owners of Pentax. But, how are you going to attract non owners of Pentax? What are they doing? Advertising on Amazon, or if you are camera literate, in some of the larger B&M facilities such as B&H, Adorama, etc? I can go to any electronics retail outlet and pick up the competition. Nikon, Canon, Sony....are all in abundance and in plain sight. I can handle them, feel their differences, ask questions re: their capabilities, etc. But if I want a Pentax......good luck! They aren't out there where Joe Blow can compare, see the reasons why we are so adamant about our product. See the different and fantastic colors that are available. So what if I can see it on Amazon. If I can't see one in person, talk to a salesperson who knows the good, bad, and ugly of the product, am I going to fork over $900 for an unknown? Don't think so when I have the Canikons staring at me in the face, they are everywhere, and everybody uses them so obviously they must be the best. Pentax has to get these out in front of the public. They are not going to gain market share with non-users by just advertising on the internet. I am not a current owner of a Pentax camera but had a 35mm for 30 years. I know Pentax makes a great product, but my neighbor probably doesn't. Even if I still had it and showed it to my neighbor who may be looking to get a camera, he can't find one in a store to put his hands on it and compare with. He just sees the Canokons!!! FF may be something of interest to you current owners, but I feel, and this is my opinion only, that unless Pentax finds a way to get their products back out in front of the general public we are all just spinning our wheels. This is an environment where only the strong are going to survive. Pentax along with the other 3rd tier companies are all vying for the same new user market. My daughter purchased the Sony A37 I believe. I mentioned to her to ask the store where she bought it about Pentax and she was told Pentax wouldn't/couldn't hold a candle to the A37, and this is Sony's entry level DSLR. Now if she is told that, even if she had interest, she wouldn't pursue it. Plus, there was or isn't anything there for her to hold and compare to. i know I'm beating a dead horse, but FF isn't the lifejacket of Pentax. It is new users or converts from the "dark side" who have had a chance to actually see and handle what Pentax has to offer. We need visibility. The Tours Pentax was putting didn't touch any small market locations, only went to about a half dozen states, and in some cases were cancelled. Get the product out in front of real people, show them real product, show and talk about the history, and show then what we have to offer and I can reasonably guarantee sales are going to be there. It will take time but it is more optimistic going that route than bringing out a FF camera. Most people don't know or care what a FF is. They want something new and fresh and Pentax, with their 3 colors in the US and a myriad of them overseas, can compete against any of the other manufacturers out there. They have the ability, they have the technology, they have the name, and the features that will sell. Can they do better? Of course they can! But not if noone knows who they are or what they have to offer.
I know, I may not be right in all my assumptions. I'm new to the forum. But I've been reading all that has been put in front of us and for me, someone who is seriously pondering purchasing the K-30, by not having it available to see and handle, is a major drawback.Everyone says it feels this way or that way, the buttons are this and that......means nothing to me. I'll consider Pentax because I've used them in the past. I want to use them in the future. But if I have a Canon and a Nikon sitting in front of me and all I have is verbage about the good things of Pentax but I can't hold it, it makes my decision, right or wrong, very difficult. I'm leaning with my heart, but my gut may actually win out. I hope not. Get it out to the public. You sure don't have anything to lose.
I hope I haven't made too many upset for not caring about all this FF stuff, but you aren't the only ones who want to come to Pentax. Newbies are out here....listen to us! We may be the ones who can keep this thing going but not if we don't have anything to compare with. Enjoy and let's keep the faith.
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