Originally posted by slip what is it? passion? lack of experience with different brands? different user experience?
just want you 2 cents
no arguments please
Randy
Passion for me. I've used and had the Pentax brand...in its many iterations since 1968. I've found Pentax equipment to be reliable, durable and the quality more than competitive with other brands. So I've stayed with the brand.
Lack of experience with other brands ? I dunno, don't think it's easy to generalize on that one. I've noted that a number of Canon or Nikon users only have experience with the brand of their choice. Others, have lots of experience with a variety of brands...others are somewhere in between the two aforementioned groups. Pentax users/owners would be not too much different in my opinion. Me, I have/use Leica. Mamiya and Yashica medium format, Canon, Olympus, Zeiss...even Petri. These are a mix of film/digital.
How many know what Petri is...without immediately going to the internet ?
I've stayed with Pentax as my main system since the 1960's and continue to do so...in these modern digital times.
I have a good chunk of digital Pentax equipment, but I'm thinking seriously of getting a full frame. Whether it will be a K-1 is up in the air. I think the K-1 body from reviews and reports I've read, is an excellent piece of equipment. It seems to punch well above its weight when I compare it to similarly priced Canon or Nikon full framers. It fact it's a strong heavy weight among middle weights...in features... to use a boxing analogy. My opinion.
But around here more camera stores are not handling Pentax anymore, except on a special order basis. It does give me pause, is Pentax going to be here in 5-10 years. I don't know.
But then around here, the number of dedicated camera stores has gone from 7 to 4...and 2 of the remaining are on very thin ice. In 5-10 years it may well be...around here...that if one wants a middle to top anything...Nikon, Canon, Pentax, etc....then it will be a special order from Toronto or NYC. Camera stores are closing down...here and elsewhere I'm guessing... mostly due to the improvements in phone cameras, which seem to be effectively closing down sales of point and shoot dedicated cameras.
Also the novelty factor of owning /using a DSLR for some newbies...seems to be fading quickly when it's so easy just to use your phone camera, which isn't too bad, photographically...judging by some of the prints I've seen from these pesky little phone cameras. One can't under rate the value of carrying ease, convenience...carry a competent phone camera in your pocket or purse...compared to lugging around a bag with relatively heavy and awkward DSLR/lens, etc. in a dedicated bag. I'm talking about thise new to DSLRs or to semi enthusiastic photography, not regualr users on this forum. We're generally enthusiasts..or we wouldn't gather here, for the most part.
Hmmmnnn....now which one will I take on a regular basis.
So far now...I'm holding out on deciding whether to get a full frame or possibly medium format (I'm still kicking myself re; 645D close out sales)....cameras...till I see how everything shakes down over the next while.
Last edited by lesmore49; 11-26-2016 at 11:53 AM.