How good are things going for Pentax? Will they still exist in say 50 years?

Student · 02-16-2011, 12:50 PM

The reason I am asking is because I'd like to know whether it is worth it to invest in more Pentax lenses in the long run. If they keep making bodies then fine I will be able to use my lenses but if they go bankrupt... Then I will be stuck with wonderful lenses that I can no longer use.

psychdoc · 02-16-2011, 12:58 PM

In 50 years time, we will have cellphone cameras that better todays DSLR's. Just keep buying the newer versions of iPhones. You will be 'fool' proof...

I take that back.

In 50 years time, we will have camera sensors implanted in our eyeballs. Might as well sell your gear.

As for me, If I am alive then, I would have had a good enough experience today to have made it worthwhile.

ryan s · 02-16-2011, 01:19 PM - **1 Like**

Yes.

No.

Maybe.

Probably not.

Most likely.

Doubt it.

The K mount will live forever.

Cameras will be outdated by then.

That about covers it...

**Ash** · 02-16-2011, 01:20 PM

Mate, we get these questions all the time here, but if you want a serious answer then it's simply yes - they've been doing well for over 30 years despite the prevalence naysayers through the years and there's nothing to suggest either of these are going to change in the next 30 years...

piesforyou · 02-16-2011, 01:21 PM

Wow, in the tech industry no one knows what will be happening in 10 years let alone 50. Sensors in our eyeballs, haha, yeah that would be great!

I don't think going with Pentax offers any disadvantage over Canikon in this regard. Possibly Advantages though, since Pentax have a history of offering backwards compatibility.

séamuis · 02-16-2011, 01:26 PM

Originally posted by Student

The reason I am asking is because I'd like to know whether it is worth it to invest in more Pentax lenses in the long run. If they keep making bodies then fine I will be able to use my lenses but if they go bankrupt... Then I will be stuck with wonderful lenses that I can no longer use.

you don’t have any more risk with Pentax (Hoya) going bankrupt than you do canon or nikon… seriously, you are worried about 50 years into the future? do you not realize that what you are worried about is really just quite ridiculous? I don’t mean to be harsh or anything but, wow. honestly if you are worried about 50 years and not the next 5-10, then I think you kind of answered your own questions and fears don’t you? 50 years is a very long time, for any company so if thats the earliest your worries come into play, then you have no worries.

Student · 02-16-2011, 01:39 PM

I like security! Ah, well thanks everyone.

ryan s · 02-16-2011, 01:54 PM

To add one more thing, "we" aren't actually using the first "Pentax" mount lenses today. They were 37mm(?) screw mounts. Those cameras were made up until the "Spotmatic era" when M42 was used.

M42 lenses are technically crippled, usable in only Av or M.

K, M, and A lenses offer better usability the newer they are (in that rough order).

Still no AF till you get to the F series of the mid-80s.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have an M39 SLR mount lens to go test...made in 1967

sjwaldron · 02-16-2011, 02:00 PM

Student, this is not a good topic to bring up. Do a search. It's asking for trouble and many people will consider it trolling. Pentax has existed in some form since 1919, which is around the same time as Nikon and quite a few years before Canon came on the scene. Many SLR innovations can be credited to Pentax, so there is a strong history with the brand as well.

Don't expect any company to exist 50 years from now, but given that Pentax is 92, I'd say there is a good chance.

ajoe · 02-16-2011, 02:02 PM

If they don't improve their quality control and customer relations, they may not be around in 5 years.

causey · 02-16-2011, 02:17 PM

My magic ball says they'll take over Canon by 2032, which will make Nikon quite nervous.

normhead · 02-16-2011, 02:26 PM - **1 Like**

I thought the world was ending in 2013?

séamuis · 02-16-2011, 02:36 PM

Originally posted by ryan s

To add one more thing, "we" aren't actually using the first "Pentax" mount lenses today. They were 37mm(?) screw mounts. Those cameras were made up until the "Spotmatic era" when M42 was used.

Asahi Optical had a whole ‘era’ of meterless pentaprism cameras based on the Asahiflex body that used m42, so your statement is misleading at best. the spotmatic didn’t begin the use of M42 lenses for Asahi Optical, the ‘Asahi Pentax’ did. the Asahiflex production ended with the introduction of the ‘Pentax' in 1957. the Spotmatic wasn’t introduced until 1964. Asahi Optical had been using m42 lenses for 7 years by that time. and yes, the Asahiflex lenses were 37mm.

séamuis · 02-16-2011, 02:37 PM

Originally posted by ajoe

If they don't improve their quality control and customer relations, they may not be around in 5 years.

canon and nikon users are saying the same thing about canon and nikon.

ajoe · 02-16-2011, 02:49 PM

Originally posted by séamuis

canon and nikon users are saying the same thing about canon and nikon.

That doesn't make it wrong.

02-16-2011, 12:50 PM	#1
Student Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 234	How good are things going for Pentax? Will they still exist in say 50 years? The reason I am asking is because I'd like to know whether it is worth it to invest in more Pentax lenses in the long run. If they keep making bodies then fine I will be able to use my lenses but if they go bankrupt... Then I will be stuck with wonderful lenses that I can no longer use.

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02-16-2011, 12:58 PM	#2
psychdoc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bham Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 949	In 50 years time, we will have cellphone cameras that better todays DSLR's. Just keep buying the newer versions of iPhones. You will be 'fool' proof... I take that back. In 50 years time, we will have camera sensors implanted in our eyeballs. Might as well sell your gear. As for me, If I am alive then, I would have had a good enough experience today to have made it worthwhile.

02-16-2011, 01:19 PM - 1 Like	#3
ryan s Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,383	Yes. No. Maybe. Probably not. Most likely. Doubt it. The K mount will live forever. Cameras will be outdated by then. That about covers it...

02-16-2011, 01:20 PM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Mate, we get these questions all the time here, but if you want a serious answer then it's simply yes - they've been doing well for over 30 years despite the prevalence naysayers through the years and there's nothing to suggest either of these are going to change in the next 30 years...

02-16-2011, 01:21 PM	#5
piesforyou Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 129	Wow, in the tech industry no one knows what will be happening in 10 years let alone 50. Sensors in our eyeballs, haha, yeah that would be great! I don't think going with Pentax offers any disadvantage over Canikon in this regard. Possibly Advantages though, since Pentax have a history of offering backwards compatibility.

02-16-2011, 01:26 PM	#6
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by Student The reason I am asking is because I'd like to know whether it is worth it to invest in more Pentax lenses in the long run. If they keep making bodies then fine I will be able to use my lenses but if they go bankrupt... Then I will be stuck with wonderful lenses that I can no longer use. you don’t have any more risk with Pentax (Hoya) going bankrupt than you do canon or nikon… seriously, you are worried about 50 years into the future? do you not realize that what you are worried about is really just quite ridiculous? I don’t mean to be harsh or anything but, wow. honestly if you are worried about 50 years and not the next 5-10, then I think you kind of answered your own questions and fears don’t you? 50 years is a very long time, for any company so if thats the earliest your worries come into play, then you have no worries.

02-16-2011, 01:39 PM	#7
Student Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 234 Original Poster	I like security! Ah, well thanks everyone.

02-16-2011, 01:54 PM	#8
ryan s Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,383	To add one more thing, "we" aren't actually using the first "Pentax" mount lenses today. They were 37mm(?) screw mounts. Those cameras were made up until the "Spotmatic era" when M42 was used. M42 lenses are technically crippled, usable in only Av or M. K, M, and A lenses offer better usability the newer they are (in that rough order). Still no AF till you get to the F series of the mid-80s. Now if you'll excuse me, I have an M39 SLR mount lens to go test...made in 1967

02-16-2011, 02:00 PM	#9
sjwaldron Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,235	Student, this is not a good topic to bring up. Do a search. It's asking for trouble and many people will consider it trolling. Pentax has existed in some form since 1919, which is around the same time as Nikon and quite a few years before Canon came on the scene. Many SLR innovations can be credited to Pentax, so there is a strong history with the brand as well. Don't expect any company to exist 50 years from now, but given that Pentax is 92, I'd say there is a good chance.

02-16-2011, 02:02 PM	#10
ajoe Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: PA Posts: 89	If they don't improve their quality control and customer relations, they may not be around in 5 years.

02-16-2011, 02:17 PM	#11
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	My magic ball says they'll take over Canon by 2032, which will make Nikon quite nervous.

02-16-2011, 02:26 PM - 1 Like	#12
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I thought the world was ending in 2013?

02-16-2011, 02:36 PM	#13
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by ryan s To add one more thing, "we" aren't actually using the first "Pentax" mount lenses today. They were 37mm(?) screw mounts. Those cameras were made up until the "Spotmatic era" when M42 was used. Asahi Optical had a whole ‘era’ of meterless pentaprism cameras based on the Asahiflex body that used m42, so your statement is misleading at best. the spotmatic didn’t begin the use of M42 lenses for Asahi Optical, the ‘Asahi Pentax’ did. the Asahiflex production ended with the introduction of the ‘Pentax' in 1957. the Spotmatic wasn’t introduced until 1964. Asahi Optical had been using m42 lenses for 7 years by that time. and yes, the Asahiflex lenses were 37mm.

02-16-2011, 02:37 PM	#14
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by ajoe If they don't improve their quality control and customer relations, they may not be around in 5 years. canon and nikon users are saying the same thing about canon and nikon.

02-16-2011, 02:49 PM	#15
ajoe Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: PA Posts: 89	Originally posted by séamuis canon and nikon users are saying the same thing about canon and nikon. That doesn't make it wrong.