Originally posted by Pål Jensen 1. Pentax had 50% of the world largest MF market; Japan, and strong presense globally. They where also No.1 brand for outdoor MF photography.
2. The Pentax 645's are the world most sold MF SLR camera.
3. The Pentax MF base much be pretty big then...
4. The idea that someone using something else can never agin use something different is ludicrous. How did this people switch to something else when switching to something else is improsible because they already using something? I've never understood this argument and never will.
Your post makes no sense.
Sorry but I'm not sure Pentax ever had the market share percentages you've mentioned. I've used medium format cameras for quite a long while and I know the local reps of a few of the MF camera makers where I am and the Pentax 645 certainly didn't sell nearly as much as Mamiya, Bronica or Hasselblad. Most people I know used the 3 brands and some carried Rolleis.
Instead of saying that my post makes no sense, perhaps you should stop and think beforehand. Nobody is saying that people cannot switch back to digital medium format. However you need to understand the context of my assertion.
Professional portrait photographers who I know personally and who used to shoot MF and 35mm film have for the most part switched to Canon and Nikon DSLRs almost entirely, with the decline of film and the onset of the digital workflow.
They switched because even with some loss of image quality, the high end DSLRs were significantly cheaper to buy compared to the few and very expensive options to continue using MF. Using a MF camera with a digital back or dedicated digital MF camera were expensive options then as they are now. Aside from the cost issue, a digital workflow offers a quicker turnaround jobs wise, and more time means more opportunities for more jobs.
Now any investment in high end DSLRs needs to be recouped and obviously photo gear do wear out and get replaced. Most pro jobs can and are shot with the current crop of DSLRs but when it comes down to digital MF, most will take a long hard look before making a commitment to buy simply because digital medium format remains an expensive proposition. Simply put, lots of pro shooters I have dealt with made the switch and are happy to continue using their DSLRs for the bulk of their assignments. Now that isn't to say they won't use MF (digital or otherwise) but the proportion using it now is certainly lower than it was in the days of film.
Time doesn't stand still. Whatever loyal or sizable user base the Pentax 645 had isn't there anymore because most pro shooters have certainly moved on to other gear. Perhaps the only die hard holdouts are the enthusiasts who still shoot MF film and cling on to their old gear.