Originally posted by Kunzite Few points:
* claiming that we are obsessed is dismissive and (for most of us, at least) incorrect
* talking about "Pentax users" in the 3rd person... should I assume you're not one of us?
* the K-3 can give very similar results as some full frame cameras, in certain conditions. It cannot surpass all full frame cameras, in all conditions.
* Ricoh Imaging launching a full frame K-mount product line is very important, not only to buyers but to APS-C users, too:
- it proves they're serious about Pentax/K-mount
- it provides an "upgrade path" for people who want something "more" than what is offered by APS-C, effectively keeping the best spenders instead of making them jump ship
- it provides Ricoh Imaging with a higher margin product line; because of which all sorts of good things will happen (including better R&D capacity, the ability to tackle more ambitious projects etc.)
And so on. In the end, all Pentaxians should be happy - by various degrees.
Dylan has been shooting with Nikon for many years. I think his last Pentax camera was the K10. When he upgraded from his D7000 to a D750, he posted his experiences in a thread awhile back. Suffice to say that he likes the 750 better.
Obviously there are plenty of reasons for Ricoh to go ahead with the full frame camera -- the biggest one being that it is basically done. Even if it isn't a huge seller, I have no doubt that they can make money on it over the next several years.
I think many people mistake the "APS-C is good enough," comments in various threads as being indicative of a feeling that full frame is unnecessary. The reality is that if a hobby/snap shot photographer approaches me and asks my advice for what camera to move to from, say, a point and shoot or bridge camera, I will recommend an APS-C SLR. Cost-wise they are really cheap at this point and they give really good image quality. Starting with full frame, unless you have a lot of money to spend, is probably overkill for most people.
I think some people think that a larger sensor will fix the flaws in their shooting. If you have trouble with composition or other aspects of photography, it would be a mistake to think that moving from crop sensors to full frame sensors will fix those things. You'll likely have the same images, but with a little more detail.
For a lot of people that will be enough and they will never buy any more lenses or be interested in a larger sensored camera. For a certain number of people, they will be bitten by the bug and will have to get more and more lenses and will look to move up. Those are the folks that full frame is going to target.