Are Pentaxians and their Pentax cameras rare ?
Yep, but nowadays with so many people, many of whom are former slr/dslr users/owners not using them anymore and using and enjoying their cell phone cameras instead...I would say it's not so much a question of noting the rarity of Pentax DSLR's ...but the increasing rarity of those using... any... DSLR, including the most 'popular' Canikon variety.
I like to go to outdoor summer events,car shows, local fairs, etc...and over the past few years I have noted that DSLR's are becoming less common and people using their phones much more common.
When you look at the photos some get with their cell phones...even enlarged and printed to the 8 X 10 level, I must say I'm not surprised. I have to say some of these cell phones are capable of really good quality...I mean reaaaallly good ! Not all cell phones (ie; burners...as they say in detective potboilers)
are excellent, but some of the higher end jobs are very capable.
Do I think DSLR's are on the way out ? Not sure, as long as there are guys like me, who like using relatively large, sophisticated equipment like the K-1, D800...something, 5D...something...no. But our numbers will be greatly culled over the next number of years by increasing improved cell phone cameras. The entry level DSLR from all makes I think, is next on the chopping block. Back in around 2005- 2012 or so...everybody and their dog seemed to have and use an entry level DSLR...not any more.
Right now when I'm out and about with my camera equipment, it reminds me what it was like in the '50's and '60's. Occasionally you would see someone with what was termed an expensive, good camera back then, but that was an unusual sighting...a novelty...as it were. That's where things are getting to ...at this point, in my opinion, which is based on long term observations.
By the way I also include all manner of modern day expensive cameras...the 4/3 jobs, the Fuji, Olympics, etc....as subject to this general downward trend in the average consumer buying the good and the pricey.
Face it, you can get really good video and really good still photography from your top of the line Apple and Samsung, et al camera phones. My daughter and her partner just welcomed their first new born and they live a long distance from us, but send excellent photos and video of their little darling to us on a regular basis. They're just interested in getting good photography of their child...and frankly their top of the line Apple cell phone camera delivers.
Back around 2008, they probably would be looking at basic DSLR and/or video camera to fulfill these parental documentary requirements. But no need now, what with their completely capable cell phone camera.
I'm sure many people regard me, as I walk around with my K5 or K1 mit battery grips as an older individual with 'affectation'....ie; my penchant for carrying both these antediluvian devices...when if I had any common sense at all...I'd just use my phone...for heaven's sake.
---------- Post added 02-03-18 at 01:09 PM ----------
Further to my post...# 5049...my wife says that maybe it's a question of what goes around comes around and maybe the dslr..Pentax included...will experience a resurgence...kind of like vinyl, record players, etc.
Both of us being rapidly aging baby boomers and never completely sure if we're on the right current jargony path...think it's something to do with the 'hipster' movement. We're pretty sure many of them like what's old is cool again...although being old ourselves...we still don't think young hipsters regard us as being cool again...if even, we ever were. They may think our 'stuff' is cool, even if we are not.
I think you get the gist of what I'm saying.... although I'm not sure if I do.