[mee]

But if someone gifted me three of the nice new Pentax full-frame lenses (the 15-30, the 24-70 and the 70-200), that would cover just about everything I need, so you would never hear me complain about Pentax lens options again.

Agreed... getting gifted 4000 USD worth of lenses would help the attitude for sure.... especially if they never need a trip to Precision Camera repair.

[wildman]

Just a thought:

With the declining market and mirrorless coming on, perhaps in the future,the industry, just to survive, might in long run, be moving towards an industry standard lens mount?
The only difference might be according to sensor size.

Another thought: perhaps "camera" companies will become just that - camera body companies and you go to specialist optics firms for your glass?

I personally think all these different "systems" is pretty much a marketing humbug from another era when the industry, in an expanding market, could get away with it. But in five years?

[surfar]

The era of the universal mount has passed....but perhaps thru economic necessity it will come again!

[Digitalis]

With the declining market and mirrorless coming on, perhaps in the future,the industry, just to survive, might in long run, be moving towards an industry standard lens mount?

...Or the third party lens makers get assimilated into larger brands, and in a failed attempt to become dominant over the evaporating user base, the camera companies cease to innovate, their product lines stagnate and the companies themselves falter.

[emsee]

Hello All,
In the past 4 months, I have brought into the Pentax K-1, after having been firmly in the Canon camp for several years, mainly for the FF offering of the K1 and the improved low light performance / dynamic range its sensor has over any Canon solutions to date. However, with each passing week, I'm becoming more and more aware and concerned that there seems to be a dying lens ecosystem for the K mount, especially from traditional 3rd party manufacturers. ala (Tamron/Sigma) is anyone else a little concerned about the future lens offering on the K mount for the otherwise amazing K-1?

I appreciate there is a massive back catalogue of lenses that are available and this is great, but time does change and optics and manufacturing processes do improve. I'm surprised the latest offerings from Sigma / Tamron et al are not available in the K mount. With Pentax's roadmap seeming very limited for 2017, I fear maybe forced back into Cannon land in search of a compromised K-1 Substitute.

Regards
Geoff

Having used Canon systems with a number of the best 'L' lenses and currently own a K-1 with Pentax latest zooms and FA Limited lenses, I can give some comments:

Yes, Pentax lacks the same level of 3rd party support or an ecosystem supported by third party manufactures. For lenses, now there are no choices for Autofocus lenses (Sigma and Tamson stopped making new lenses for Pentax). For flash, we only have Metz. Even the latest Metz is crippled as it cannot autozoom past 105mm with Pentax (Metz 64 AF-1 is 24-200mm range).The Sigma EF610 flashes might be available as "new old stock", but no options like Nissin, or Phottix or even the recent Sigma EF630 flashes.

In terms of newer lenses, your choice is limited as a number of Pentax lenses are still screw-driven ones. They are optically great/good, but may not be fast focusing. With a focus system on Pentax K-1, this may not be at the same level of performance of Canon 5D Mark IV with some of the L lenses. However, we are talking almost double or more than double the total cost for the equipment.

Pentax autofocus is just fine. Depending on your usage, it might be just adequate. Do not expect it to perform the same level as high speed shooting cameras from Canon and Nikon

I used Canon 5D Mark IV with Canon 70-200mm F2.8 IS II and and I enjoyed it. Last weekend, I used my new acquired Pentax K-1 and Pentax 70-200 F2.8 and based on my experience, it is as good as Canon combo. I would even rate Pentax 70-200mm slightly ahead of Canon 70-200mm F2.8 IS II. The only drawback is the increased weight compared to Canon. I am about to share my observations and a number of shots from my recent use in another thread.

Pentax is coming up with some prime lenses. I assume that they will be in the same or similar quality as the 70-200mm F2.8 lens. I can also see that Pentax is changing the mount (already changed) so that there is no mechanical linkage (only electronic communication). This might prompt Sigma to change their approach as one of the main complaint from them was they do not like the mechanical linkage.

Yes, we all want increased attention from Ricoh on Pentax cameras and lenses. We all want new Pentax lenses released more often. In fact I would like to see a full range of F4 zooms (smaller size). However, I do not know which direction Ricoh is taking Pentax. Ricoh is financially strong, are they going to make a huge investment in Pentax to compete with Canon, Nikon or Sony? - I am not sure.


-Emsee

[E-man]

The era of the universal mount has passed....but perhaps thru economic necessity it will come again!

Ironically, that's what Pentax originally envisioned for the K-mount when it was first introduced. They wanted it to be a universal mount and thus licensed it to all comers. And what did they get for their troubles? The dreaded Ricoh pin, which further compounds the irony, since Ricoh now owns Pentax.

[wildman]

...Or the third party lens makers get assimilated into larger brands, and in a failed attempt to become dominant over the evaporating user base, the camera companies cease to innovate, their product lines stagnate and the companies themselves falter.

...


... to be replaced by specialized new companies optimized to compete in the new market reality? It's happened before.

I can imagine the primary female body mount. Not necessarily a lens mount but also a adapter mount. Buy the body and include in the order which system adapters, Pentax, Sony, Canon and the body becomes a fully functional Pentax, Sony, or Canon body so far as the lens is concerned. And they could be smaller and lighter adapters than present ones. The body becomes just a another module within the total system.. This doesn't rule out a new generic "X" mount line of glass which would become dominate over time because it interfaces natively with the body mount directly.

---

Last edited by wildman; 04-06-2017 at 10:49 PM.

[Digitalis]

such cameras have existed in the past but in all instances they failed to catch much attention.

[ccc_]

Hello All,
In the past 4 months, I have brought into the Pentax K-1, after having been firmly in the Canon camp for several years, mainly for the FF offering of the K1 and the improved low light performance / dynamic range its sensor has over any Canon solutions to date. However, with each passing week, I'm becoming more and more aware and concerned that there seems to be a dying lens ecosystem for the K mount, especially from traditional 3rd party manufacturers. ala (Tamron/Sigma) is anyone else a little concerned about the future lens offering on the K mount for the otherwise amazing K-1?

I appreciate there is a massive back catalogue of lenses that are available and this is great, but time does change and optics and manufacturing processes do improve. I'm surprised the latest offerings from Sigma / Tamron et al are not available in the K mount. With Pentax's roadmap seeming very limited for 2017, I fear maybe forced back into Cannon land in search of a compromised K-1 Substitute.

Regards
Geoff

hi Geoff-

the dogs are clawing at the door to get at some raccoons
i'm reading this and the generally kind and thoughtful responses to your question...as this forum almost always do

my take is little different

your relationship with pentax is not satisfying
it's full of unrealized promises or more accurately expectations
you didn't meet the in-laws and she's a vegan even though she ate at mcdonald's that time

just like any relationship this one has it's pitfalls but at least you don't have to pay your camera alimony
get over it or move on

regards

[loveisageless]

I have owned Pentax cameras since high school 40+ years ago. I started with a rangefinder camera (brand unremembered), moved to the Pentax MX, Pentax Z-7, K-10D, K7, etc., etc. up to my present K-1. I have experienced GAS and LAS and "the system over the fence" is always greener syndrome. The result is that I have a camera body and several amazing lenses, half of which I really do not need, but wanted. I really don't care about third party lens support. It is the character of Pentax lenses that continues to delight me when used with the K-1. Pentax has every focal length covered in old and newer glass. I doubt Ansel Adams spent a fraction of a second worrying about what lenses he couldn't find for his camera. I generally take Ken Rockwell with a grain of salt (and aspirin), but he did once point out that it is really unnecessary to have as many lens options as we do given that focal length can frequently (but not always) be changed by moving forward or stepping back. Which system offers what lenses, for many folks is more about GAS and LAS which offer a real distraction from what all those lenses were meant for in the first place i.e. going out and taking pictures.

[rawr]

For flash, we only have Metz.

And Yongnuo (YN 585 EX P-TTL), plus Shanny (SN600 FGZ P-TTL HSS), plus Priolite (MBX 500, MBX 1000). And several radio triggers with Pentax flash support (Acon R930, Cactus v6 and v6II, Priolite of course). Pentax flash support is getting better all the time.

[Rondec]

I think the big thing about Pentax's survival is whether or not Ricoh is going to continue to support them and that seems to be a clear "yes." Tamron, Tokina, and Sigma have little to do with Pentax sales, which by all accounts are adequate to support new developments, but not on the level of any Nikon or Canon cameras. But Ricoh doesn't need a K-1 to sell at D610 levels either for them to make money.

Currently, focal lengths from 15 to 450mm are covered with zooms and there are primes of 31, 43, 50, 77, 100, 200, 300, and 560 with many older primes out there that help cover focal lengths as well. New lens development will be slow, but I think it is clear that it is going to by high quality and well engineered and that is probably more important than speed in this environment.

Anyway, good luck!

[pathdoc]

you didn't meet the in-laws and she's a vegan even though she ate at mcdonald's that time

LOLOL But only the salad, and she picked out the grilled chicken.

[banep]

Hello All,
In the past 4 months, I have brought into the Pentax K-1, after having been firmly in the Canon camp for several years, mainly for the FF offering of the K1 and the improved low light performance / dynamic range its sensor has over any Canon solutions to date. However, with each passing week, I'm becoming more and more aware and concerned that there seems to be a dying lens ecosystem for the K mount, especially from traditional 3rd party manufacturers. ala (Tamron/Sigma) is anyone else a little concerned about the future lens offering on the K mount for the otherwise amazing K-1?

I appreciate there is a massive back catalogue of lenses that are available and this is great, but time does change and optics and manufacturing processes do improve. I'm surprised the latest offerings from Sigma / Tamron et al are not available in the K mount. With Pentax's roadmap seeming very limited for 2017, I fear maybe forced back into Cannon land in search of a compromised K-1 Substitute.

Regards
Geoff

K is not a dying but I am currently pretty much pissed off with the current situation.
No consumer/enthusiast AF lenses in next few years for K mount.
Only "pro" lenses which are big, heavy and very expensive.
Yes we got consumer 28-105 which is unfortunately not wide enough for landscape photographers.
It is not easy to find old lenses 24mm or wider, and also longer than 300mm, but 28-105 range already had a very good coverage.
We need compact wide angle prime lenses for landscape like 20mm f/2.8 or even f/4.
We also need consumer telephoto lens in 100-400 range (not 70-300 because we already have 28-105 and 300 is not long enough on full frame) alternatively we need Tamron 150-600 which is lighter and much cheaper than Pentax 150-450.

I think that Ricoh "PRO" strategy is not giving good results because K-1 user base is probably more than 90% enthusiasts.
Number of PRO users stagnates and since K-1 release there is literally 0 new "famous" PROs which could help in camera and brand promotion by using K-1 on a daily basis.

[Winder]

No Sigma, Tamron, Zeiss lenses for Fuji ... no YongNuo TTL flashes or radio triggers for Fuji, limited Metz support for Fuji ... the list goes on. .

Third party support for stuff like Sony flash and full-frame lenses is evolving and improving, but FE mount support by Sigma and Tamron is still lacking.

3rd party primarily fills voids in the manufacturers. Zeiss stopped making glass for Fuji because the Fuji glass was as good or better. There are not a lot of voids in Fuji's lens line-up. K-mount users would love to have the 3rd party lens support that Sony gets from Zeiss. Sigma has announced that they are developing glass for the Sony FE. That is surprising because Sigma has relatively limited manufacturing capacity. They can't keep up with demand for Canon and Nikon glass so obviously they see a lot of opportunity with the Sony FE system that they don't see with K-mount. Nissin makes TTL for Fuji and Metz is working on one. Metz has had some financial issues. RoboSHOOT makes TTL triggers for Fuji. Who makes them for Pentax?
RoboSHOOT MX-20 / RX-20 Flash Trigger Kit RBSMX20RX20 B&H Photo
You can name specific brands that don't make products that support Fuji or Sony, but there are many other brands that do.

Fuji and Sony don't have the 3rd party support of Canon and Nikon, but they are way ahead of Pentax. Sony and Fuji also do a better job of filling voids faster than Ricoh. Sony FA-WRC1M Wireless Radio Commander FA-WRC1M B&H Photo Video. When will Ricoh launch a line of wireless TTL products?

Ricoh makes great stuff, but at a trickle.