[ramseybuckeye]

I have never paid a lot of attention to it, but it seems like there are a lot of new members on the forum recently. It seems like there have been many Pentax users that just haven't joined the forum, film users that are ready to also try digital, many first timers and those coming from other brands, and some that use Pentax lenses on mirrorless. It's probably just my imagination, what do you think?

[sergysergy]

Not saying that it is the only reason but it also happens around the time there is a raffle coming

[automorphism]

Not saying that it is the only reason but it also happens around the time there is a raffle coming

I certainly started posting a little more regularly in order to get a 1% of winning, haha. But actually, I think it was good for me because actually I don't think I get enough socialization

[rjbrett]

I thought I noticed this before the raffle was announced, and had put it down to a lot more people round the world with more time on their hands as they were under coronavirus lockdowns.

[Michail_P]

I certainly started posting a little more regularly in order to get a 1% of winning, haha. But actually, I think it was good for me because actually I don't think I get enough socialization

Well, we don’t get to socialize much, lately. This whole COVID thing is keeping me indoors. I also seek ways to interesting discussions. Not all my friends like photography anyway, so it’s seldom a thing to talk about.

[UncleVanya]

Covid-19, K-70 raffle.
Full stop.

[Benz3ne]

Covid-19, K-70 raffle.
Full stop.

+1. Or older users who have reignited their spark.
CoV almost certainly has something to do with it, I'm sure.

There are not that many camera shops left where you can get information about any Ricoh/Pentax product. Usually you have to travel to a big city where there is a large camera shop, but with most of them the language is limited to Canonikon and Sony. And some specialist shops are taken over by box shovers so expertise is diminished. So if you want specialist information...

[Gidiondeha]

I joint because I just bought into the Pentax system. I dislike the whole movement towards EVF. So when I saw the promotional material where they are proud of the old school pentaprism I was on board. Plus I wanted to try the limited lenses

So totally new to Pentax and I am probably one of the few that jumped because of their latest promotion / newsletter

[RobSpain]

I have never paid a lot of attention to it, but it seems like there are a lot of new members on the forum recently. It seems like there have been many Pentax users that just haven't joined the forum, film users that are ready to also try digital, many first timers and those coming from other brands, and some that use Pentax lenses on mirrorless. It's probably just my imagination, what do you think?

My thoughts entirely! But not just new members, but posts too!

[rod_grant]

It is definitely not the K70 comp.
I have noticed a lot of new members over several months.
Perhaps a moderator would be able to enlighten us.
Covid might have helped the membership; time on hands due to restrictions, less opportunities to get out and use cameras.

[robgski]

The raffle might be part of it. and some are lurkers who finally register. In any case, it's more interesting to me to see who introduces themselves and then proves to be a regularly active participant, if only as frequently as 1 post a week, 90 days later.

[microlight]

Whatever the reasoning, the new members are most certainly welcomed into the community.

[BigMackCam]

I definitely see an increase in membership and posting tallying with the K-70 raffle - but that's a good thing, and part of the reason for such events... encouraging those that rarely (if ever) post to take a more active role, and those who haven't yet registered to come and join in the discussions. It's also nudged some of us longer-established members into posting more often and regularly... I see valuable comments in threads from active members who wouldn't normally join in a conversation on a particular subject, and my own posting has become more regular rather than in fits and spurts. Of course, a lot of this activity will subside once the raffle has been drawn, but some of it will stick - and that's great for our community

[Rondec]

I do think every time there is a big contest activity jumps. As to whether or not it continues after the raffle is over, hard to say.

The K3 III is coming soon and every time there is a new release, there are also more comments on that.