Are we really THAT rare?

**jva59** · 10-13-2013, 07:39 AM

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Originally posted by GibbyTheMole

DJ'ed a wedding last night & there was a pro photographer there with softboxes, Alien Bees, the whole works. She came up to the vicinity where I was located and I thought: "That doesn't look like a Canon or Nikon". It turned out to be a Pentax K-5II. I chatted with her a bit & she was using an FA 77 / 1.8 Limited on it.

So there ya go.

Hurrah! Now I have to find out what Alien Bees are.

Gian Carlo · 10-13-2013, 08:15 AM

Alien Bees: Cameras & Photo | eBay

richmondthefish · 10-13-2013, 08:24 AM

I was out on a date a couple weeks ago and a girl mentioned she is currently taking photography class at night. I ask if there was any gear snobbery there and she said a bit, the instructor was a huge Nikon fan and said holding the Nikon body was perfect and sexy, like a woman's body. I was like "Okaaayyyeee"

Anyway I had asked her what camera she had and she said "It's a Canon, i think it's a Rebel Ti or Ti2......something like that". She then asked what I had and I said Pentax. She giggled and said "I've never even heard of that brand before".

**gaweidert** · 10-13-2013, 08:42 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by richmondthefish

She then asked what I had and I said Pentax. She giggled and said "I've never even heard of that brand before".

I would eject.............................

But then again finding a girl who is into photography isn't all that easy. So I change my recommendation to educate and correct.

Lucky-Luc · 10-13-2013, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by richmondthefish

I was out on a date a couple weeks ago and a girl mentioned she is currently taking photography class at night. I ask if there was any gear snobbery there and she said a bit, the instructor was a huge Nikon fan and said holding the Nikon body was perfect and sexy, like a woman's body. I was like "Okaaayyyeee"

Anyway I had asked her what camera she had and she said "It's a Canon, i think it's a Rebel Ti or Ti2......something like that". She then asked what I had and I said Pentax. She giggled and said "I've never even heard of that brand before".

She had a REBEL and giggle over a Pentax, I repeat a rebel

dtmateojr · 10-13-2013, 02:54 PM

We have a small group of photographers here in Brisbane Australia. Would you believe that there are 3 of us Pentaxians? We are into landscapes. I even invited one to join me in a dawn shoot session and guess what, we even have the same lens!

Anyway, I went for a holiday to the Philippines and visited several camera shops. There were a few who offered Pentax and their main selling point was that "we have a local service center here, sir". And there was this shop though that did not offer Pentax. One of the sales people asked what camera I had so she could offer me some accessories. I said Pentax and she replied "what is that?!". The other sales person commented, "they are for pros."

Such a mix of different experiences.

richmondthefish · 10-13-2013, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by gaweidert

I would eject.............................

But then again finding a girl who is into photography isn't all that easy. So I change my recommendation to educate and correct.

I did eject exactly 1 hour in. It was the shortest date i've ever been on. The conversation was lacking big time despite the fact we had a lot of misc things in common(photography, odd ball movies). Without saying a word I just took my credit card out and slide it on the bar as a sign to end the date, then she reaches for her credit card without saying a word either and puts hers on the bar as well. I laughed and told her to put it back.

richmondthefish · 10-13-2013, 03:42 PM

Originally posted by Lucky-Luc

She had a REBEL and giggle over a Pentax, I repeat a rebel

Brace yourself, it was a Rebel with a kit zoom lens. When I mentioned if there was gear snobbery her in the class, I made a self deprecating joke about "Oh good thing I wasn't in the class, everyone would make fun of my camera". I was saying it in a joking manner. So I think I may have set up her mind frame that whatever I had was a crappy no name brand so that might have been why she giggled. But she did giggled in the "Oh what a crappy brand" manner when I said Pentax. I actually thought she would have at heard of it, it was at least her second photography class. But I couldn't talk much photography with her, she didn't know if her Rebel was FF or not so pretty much a novice. I'm a novice as well but know a little more advance lingo at least.

kadajawi · 10-13-2013, 10:33 PM

Originally posted by mythguy9

Good for you kadajawi. Pentax second-hand items are really friendly to new comers because they are cheap and allow us to explore different equipment, but sadly the money does not go into Pentax's pocket and will not help the company to develop. Unless the second hand buyer eventually expands his collection by buying new items.

No offence, I'm also a second hand user and always hope to have more money to buy new stuff while helping the company to grow...

It helps the seller buy new gear... which hopefully be also by Pentax. Besides, I did end up buying new gear from Pentax... I bought a new K-5 and a new DA 50 1.8 (also a new old Tokina lens, but that doesn't help Pentax).

I recently saw the FB profile of a photographer in Malaysia, his company was all Pentax. Seeing 3 guys shooting an event, and everyone of them carrying a Pentax...

And other photos of a couple of Pentaxes, with the odd Canon or Nikon added to the mix

That being said, the Pentax distributor in Malaysia is doing a pretty good job... still hard to find, but people are using it.

When I was in Singapore few days ago I was at a Fuji showroom (they don't sell cameras there, just all their mid to high end gear, and a sales rep who actually knew a lot about cameras, even though he wasn't a photographer). Very impressed by the place, well worth a visit (it's in Funan DigitaLife Mall, the one with the big Fujifilm logo and a man sized lens mount behind the sales reps desk). Anyway, he mentioned that there's a professional, published photog going on a trip soon, carrying a few Fujis and a Pentax or two, who held Pentax in high esteem. And then a man entered the place, looking at the X-Pro1 and their other similar models, as he wanted something digital for his Leica lenses. He too spoke in high regard of Pentax, I think he used to have a Spotmatic.

So I think for those in the know they still know and remember the brand. If Pentax were to create more brand awareness (hey, we're still around!) and are more easily available they could improve sales quite a bit. The problem I see is that Ricoh seems keen on rebranding it Ricoh... and who has fond memories of Ricoh? "I'm shooting a Ricoh..." - "Oh, that's hardcore. Aren't copying machines a bit heavy?". I understand that they want to copy Sony's success, but Sony is a popular consumer electronics brand, with a ton of brand recognition. THEY can pull it off. Ricoh is more known for office equipment, if at all.

It's probably more the beginners who don't know Pentax, or those who only started in recent years.

eastofeden · 10-13-2013, 11:26 PM

I was at Mission San Juan Bautista yesterday and saw a gentleman with a K-7, He was there for a wedding and was taking portraits of his wife while waiting for the wedding party and guests to arrive. The wedding photographers had Cannons....

EarlVonTapia · 10-14-2013, 06:56 AM

I crossed into Burma other week. There's a small market right at the border. In that market I saw three Pentax cameras: a white K01, a K30, and another camera I couldn't identify (it had a top LCD, so maybe it was a K5?).

**grhazelton** · 10-14-2013, 08:14 AM

We went to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Sunday afternoon with the grandkids. Gorgeous weather, many shots taken, nothing killed. Saw the usual herd of folk snapping away with tablets, cell phones, and god knows which Canikons, most without lens hoods! Do those things ship without hoods?? I did see one guy with the little Olympus whatever it is, interchangeable lenses, but no EVF. Saw a Leica film SLR, probably their R 4 or whatever. And one older guy (probably about my age) was sporting a Lumix and a screwmount (I think, based on size since it was in a pristine everready case) Leica. Other than that, my K 5 seemed to be the only Pentax in the park. Hmmm. Pentax in the Park. Has a nice sound, don't you agree?

stevebrot · 10-14-2013, 08:20 AM

Originally posted by kadajawi

... and who has fond memories of Ricoh?

Quite a few of us, actually. Many users on this site are former and current owners of Ricoh film cameras and I think it is safe to say that most have fond memories associated with the brand. Ricoh was a camera company long before they branched into office machines.

Steve

Cynog Ap Brychan · 10-14-2013, 08:32 AM

My second ever SLR was a Prinzflex, (the first was a Zenit E) which was a brand name used by the now defunct Dixon chain in the UK. It was, I believe, a Ricoh Singlex in light disguise, and had an M42 screw mount. Great value, and I always thought the shutter dial on the front of the camera made a lot of sense, as it was easy to change speeds without altering one's grip on the camera. Even at that early stage in my photographic endeavours, I lusted over Pentax lenses and cameras. But the Prinzflex/Ricoh did the job nicely.

zekewhipper · 10-14-2013, 02:11 PM

Originally posted by Cynog Ap Brychan

My second ever SLR was a Prinzflex, (the first was a Zenit E) which was a brand name used by the now defunct Dixon chain in the UK. It was, I believe, a Ricoh Singlex in light disguise, and had an M42 screw mount. Great value, and I always thought the shutter dial on the front of the camera made a lot of sense, as it was easy to change speeds without altering one's grip on the camera. Even at that early stage in my photographic endeavours, I lusted over Pentax lenses and cameras. But the Prinzflex/Ricoh did the job nicely.

My 35mm f2.8 lens is an old M42-mount Prinzflex, and it is great!

10-14-2013, 08:14 AM	#2472
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Sunday, with Pentax in the Park We went to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Sunday afternoon with the grandkids. Gorgeous weather, many shots taken, nothing killed. Saw the usual herd of folk snapping away with tablets, cell phones, and god knows which Canikons, most without lens hoods! Do those things ship without hoods?? I did see one guy with the little Olympus whatever it is, interchangeable lenses, but no EVF. Saw a Leica film SLR, probably their R 4 or whatever. And one older guy (probably about my age) was sporting a Lumix and a screwmount (I think, based on size since it was in a pristine everready case) Leica. Other than that, my K 5 seemed to be the only Pentax in the park. Hmmm. Pentax in the Park. Has a nice sound, don't you agree?

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10-13-2013, 07:39 AM	#2461
jva59 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,409	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Originally posted by GibbyTheMole DJ'ed a wedding last night & there was a pro photographer there with softboxes, Alien Bees, the whole works. She came up to the vicinity where I was located and I thought: "That doesn't look like a Canon or Nikon". It turned out to be a Pentax K-5II. I chatted with her a bit & she was using an FA 77 / 1.8 Limited on it. So there ya go. Hurrah! Now I have to find out what Alien Bees are.

10-13-2013, 08:15 AM	#2462
Gian Carlo Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 25	Alien Bees: Cameras & Photo \| eBay

10-13-2013, 08:24 AM	#2463
richmondthefish Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 221	I was out on a date a couple weeks ago and a girl mentioned she is currently taking photography class at night. I ask if there was any gear snobbery there and she said a bit, the instructor was a huge Nikon fan and said holding the Nikon body was perfect and sexy, like a woman's body. I was like "Okaaayyyeee" Anyway I had asked her what camera she had and she said "It's a Canon, i think it's a Rebel Ti or Ti2......something like that". She then asked what I had and I said Pentax. She giggled and said "I've never even heard of that brand before".

10-13-2013, 08:42 AM - 1 Like	#2464
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	Originally posted by richmondthefish She then asked what I had and I said Pentax. She giggled and said "I've never even heard of that brand before". I would eject............................. But then again finding a girl who is into photography isn't all that easy. So I change my recommendation to educate and correct.

10-13-2013, 08:43 AM	#2465
Lucky-Luc Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Montreal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 330	Originally posted by richmondthefish I was out on a date a couple weeks ago and a girl mentioned she is currently taking photography class at night. I ask if there was any gear snobbery there and she said a bit, the instructor was a huge Nikon fan and said holding the Nikon body was perfect and sexy, like a woman's body. I was like "Okaaayyyeee" Anyway I had asked her what camera she had and she said "It's a Canon, i think it's a Rebel Ti or Ti2......something like that". She then asked what I had and I said Pentax. She giggled and said "I've never even heard of that brand before". She had a REBEL and giggle over a Pentax, I repeat a rebel

10-13-2013, 02:54 PM	#2466
dtmateojr Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 604	We have a small group of photographers here in Brisbane Australia. Would you believe that there are 3 of us Pentaxians? We are into landscapes. I even invited one to join me in a dawn shoot session and guess what, we even have the same lens! Anyway, I went for a holiday to the Philippines and visited several camera shops. There were a few who offered Pentax and their main selling point was that "we have a local service center here, sir". And there was this shop though that did not offer Pentax. One of the sales people asked what camera I had so she could offer me some accessories. I said Pentax and she replied "what is that?!". The other sales person commented, "they are for pros." Such a mix of different experiences.

10-13-2013, 03:31 PM	#2467
richmondthefish Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 221	Originally posted by gaweidert I would eject............................. But then again finding a girl who is into photography isn't all that easy. So I change my recommendation to educate and correct. I did eject exactly 1 hour in. It was the shortest date i've ever been on. The conversation was lacking big time despite the fact we had a lot of misc things in common(photography, odd ball movies). Without saying a word I just took my credit card out and slide it on the bar as a sign to end the date, then she reaches for her credit card without saying a word either and puts hers on the bar as well. I laughed and told her to put it back.

10-13-2013, 03:42 PM	#2468
richmondthefish Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 221	Originally posted by Lucky-Luc She had a REBEL and giggle over a Pentax, I repeat a rebel Brace yourself, it was a Rebel with a kit zoom lens. When I mentioned if there was gear snobbery her in the class, I made a self deprecating joke about "Oh good thing I wasn't in the class, everyone would make fun of my camera". I was saying it in a joking manner. So I think I may have set up her mind frame that whatever I had was a crappy no name brand so that might have been why she giggled. But she did giggled in the "Oh what a crappy brand" manner when I said Pentax. I actually thought she would have at heard of it, it was at least her second photography class. But I couldn't talk much photography with her, she didn't know if her Rebel was FF or not so pretty much a novice. I'm a novice as well but know a little more advance lingo at least.

10-13-2013, 10:33 PM	#2469
kadajawi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 2,799	Originally posted by mythguy9 Good for you kadajawi. Pentax second-hand items are really friendly to new comers because they are cheap and allow us to explore different equipment, but sadly the money does not go into Pentax's pocket and will not help the company to develop. Unless the second hand buyer eventually expands his collection by buying new items. No offence, I'm also a second hand user and always hope to have more money to buy new stuff while helping the company to grow... It helps the seller buy new gear... which hopefully be also by Pentax. Besides, I did end up buying new gear from Pentax... I bought a new K-5 and a new DA 50 1.8 (also a new old Tokina lens, but that doesn't help Pentax). I recently saw the FB profile of a photographer in Malaysia, his company was all Pentax. Seeing 3 guys shooting an event, and everyone of them carrying a Pentax... And other photos of a couple of Pentaxes, with the odd Canon or Nikon added to the mix That being said, the Pentax distributor in Malaysia is doing a pretty good job... still hard to find, but people are using it. When I was in Singapore few days ago I was at a Fuji showroom (they don't sell cameras there, just all their mid to high end gear, and a sales rep who actually knew a lot about cameras, even though he wasn't a photographer). Very impressed by the place, well worth a visit (it's in Funan DigitaLife Mall, the one with the big Fujifilm logo and a man sized lens mount behind the sales reps desk). Anyway, he mentioned that there's a professional, published photog going on a trip soon, carrying a few Fujis and a Pentax or two, who held Pentax in high esteem. And then a man entered the place, looking at the X-Pro1 and their other similar models, as he wanted something digital for his Leica lenses. He too spoke in high regard of Pentax, I think he used to have a Spotmatic. So I think for those in the know they still know and remember the brand. If Pentax were to create more brand awareness (hey, we're still around!) and are more easily available they could improve sales quite a bit. The problem I see is that Ricoh seems keen on rebranding it Ricoh... and who has fond memories of Ricoh? "I'm shooting a Ricoh..." - "Oh, that's hardcore. Aren't copying machines a bit heavy?". I understand that they want to copy Sony's success, but Sony is a popular consumer electronics brand, with a ton of brand recognition. THEY can pull it off. Ricoh is more known for office equipment, if at all. It's probably more the beginners who don't know Pentax, or those who only started in recent years.

10-13-2013, 11:26 PM	#2470
eastofeden New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 9	I was at Mission San Juan Bautista yesterday and saw a gentleman with a K-7, He was there for a wedding and was taking portraits of his wife while waiting for the wedding party and guests to arrive. The wedding photographers had Cannons....

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10-14-2013, 06:56 AM	#2471
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207	I crossed into Burma other week. There's a small market right at the border. In that market I saw three Pentax cameras: a white K01, a K30, and another camera I couldn't identify (it had a top LCD, so maybe it was a K5?).

10-14-2013, 08:20 AM	#2473
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by kadajawi ... and who has fond memories of Ricoh? Quite a few of us, actually. Many users on this site are former and current owners of Ricoh film cameras and I think it is safe to say that most have fond memories associated with the brand. Ricoh was a camera company long before they branched into office machines. Steve

10-14-2013, 08:32 AM	#2474
Cynog Ap Brychan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Gloucester Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	My second ever SLR was a Prinzflex, (the first was a Zenit E) which was a brand name used by the now defunct Dixon chain in the UK. It was, I believe, a Ricoh Singlex in light disguise, and had an M42 screw mount. Great value, and I always thought the shutter dial on the front of the camera made a lot of sense, as it was easy to change speeds without altering one's grip on the camera. Even at that early stage in my photographic endeavours, I lusted over Pentax lenses and cameras. But the Prinzflex/Ricoh did the job nicely.

10-14-2013, 02:11 PM	#2475
zekewhipper Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 307	Originally posted by Cynog Ap Brychan My second ever SLR was a Prinzflex, (the first was a Zenit E) which was a brand name used by the now defunct Dixon chain in the UK. It was, I believe, a Ricoh Singlex in light disguise, and had an M42 screw mount. Great value, and I always thought the shutter dial on the front of the camera made a lot of sense, as it was easy to change speeds without altering one's grip on the camera. Even at that early stage in my photographic endeavours, I lusted over Pentax lenses and cameras. But the Prinzflex/Ricoh did the job nicely. My 35mm f2.8 lens is an old M42-mount Prinzflex, and it is great!