Originally posted by BigMackCam The vast majority of folks still shoot with either Nikon or Canon. There's a huge choice of AF lenses, flashes and other accessories, with something for every application and budget. If you book a workshop or attend a local evening class, chances are the tutor - and most of the attendees - are shooting one of those two brands, and fully able to cover both. There's no brand snobbery, smirking and ribbing, no chance of having someone look down their nose at your choice, if you shoot with Nikon or Canon. Both brands do all of the fundamental things well.
There's quite some responsibility in recommending a camera system to someone, as it can be pretty expensive. Recommending Nikon or Canon is low-risk. The beginner is highly unlikely to be disappointed with their purchase. If they are, they'd probably be disappointed with any ILC, and might be better off sticking with their phone. There are good reasons why I prefer to shoot with Pentax, but they're unique to me and probably don't matter to most beginners. By the time they do, those folks should be perfectly capable of making their own decisions, and switching to Pentax if and when they feel it's suitable. If they do, I'd rather that decision lies with them rather than me.
There used to be a saying in business, way back when, "
Nobody got fired for buying IBM". This is similar. You'll never go far wrong in buying Nikon or Canon. Pentax might be better for some, but I think folks need some experience to understand if it's the right system for them
From the perspective of someone who has been into photography for less than two years: for a beginner, the brand doesn't matter too much. If someone goes into photography knowing
what they want to do it's one thing but then they will probably be already equipped to do the research themselves - and if they don't (like myself) then the initial investment for a second-hand system with some cheap lenses won't be a lot of money and it won't be a huge hassle to change later. I turned out to like landscapes and city/travel photography which don't require a gajillion AF points, while ergonomics are a
huge point for me and Pentaxes are the best there bar none (for my hands at least). The loads of second hand vintage lenses at very reasonable prices to try out also played a part, since I like tinkering with stuff
.
Honestly, for most "beginner" budgets a Pentax is IMO one of -if not
the- best bangs for buck. If I hadn't moved to FF* I'd have bought the 55-300 in addition to the Tamron 17-50/2.8, at some point I'd have added a DA 15 and I'd have been a super happy camper. I would probably have been happy with a Canon or a Nikon in the same price range, but honestly I regret nothing.
*For which starting out with a K-7 was a major point - if I had a K-5 I wouldn't have been nearly as disappointed with the noise and would have spent the money on lenses