[labnut]

My gues is that the 645D fits into the last category:

All medium format backs (i.e. Phase One and Leaf) produce sufficiently high quality images to fall within Getty Images’ standard submission requirements.

Pentax describe the 645D as being intended for serious photographers
So I would suggest there are really three categories

1. amateur
2. serious
3. professional

where the term 'serious' straddles the amateur and professional fields. I would suggest the K7 is also intended for serious photographers.
Peter

[icywarm]

I like that... I could use that.... I should add that to a business card...

Jordan Anderson
Serious Photographer

Smile and Die!

No seriously... I do like that term... vs pro... pro/sumer... etc...

[audiobomber]

the term 'serious' straddles the amateur and professional fields. I would suggest the K7 is also intended for serious photographers.
Peter

"Serious" and "Pro-sumer" are appropriate designations for the K-7, E-5, D300S, 7D, etc.

[Ash]

This has been covered before a few times:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-talk/32238-photography-professional.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/general-photography/60641-%92s-official-k...al-camera.html (whatever that means...)

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/professional-photography-publications/634...ke-living.html

The continual debate about top gear being necessary to be considered a professional or for a professional to get the results he/she wants is not a black & white concept. If the camera is a reliable tool that reproduces an intended result for a trained pro photographer and can be used efficiently in the field, then it's good enough to be called pro. Otherwise, they're all marketing claims...

[benjikan]

The person using it...

[jbinpg]

Agree, Ben. HCB probably could have made a living out of a box Brownie.

Jack

[audiobomber]

The person using it...

I think I know what you mean; a pro will get professional results from a humble box. But just because a pro uses a camera doesn't make it a pro camera. I don't see where Olympus is justified in calling their top camera a pro camera. I doubt there's any great number of professional users compared to the various full-frame DSLR's, 50D, D300S, or even K-7.

[johnmflores]

...the opinions of people on the Internet!

[Clicker]

"pro" should describe the photographer and not the tool he uses for the moment.

same as a painter, do you call certain brushes "pro" brushes?

[gnaztee]

I like that... I could use that.... I should add that to a business card...

Jordan Anderson
Serious Photographer

Smile and Die!

No seriously... I do like that term... vs pro... pro/sumer... etc...

How about just:

Jordan Anderson
Photographer

Why qualify it?

[mikemike]

AFAIK, what makes a camera a pro model is the skill of the person looking through the viewfinder.

[icywarm]

How about just:

Jordan Anderson
Photographer

Why qualify it?

Same reason we are debating what makes a pro camera.. because we have nothing interesting to shoot at the moment

I don't know why people like to put things on their cards...

----------------
Bob 'I am handing my card to you' Smith
Professional, Trained, Certified Photographer Pro
"The pro the pros goto for pro shots with his pro camera!"
-----------


Kinda sounds good

[Reportage]

"pro" should describe the photographer and not the tool he uses for the moment.

same as a painter, do you call certain brushes "pro" brushes?

is there such a thing as professional grade canvas for painters or even "Master" grade paper for prints?

to me Pro is someone who does something for a living, and is so good that all bill are paid and yet have enough for a end of year family holiday.

for gear, i suppose anything that are used by Pros can be considered pro gear like kneepads and possibly thermal underwear.

[Lowell Goudge]

what makes a camera a pro camera, only the idiots that think that way

[icywarm]

is there such a thing as professional grade canvas for painters or even "Master" grade paper for prints?

to me Pro is someone who does something for a living, and is so good that all bill are paid and yet have enough for a end of year family holiday.

well yes... in a sense there is... high fiber count... archieve grade... acid free...etc... vs HP photo paper...