In regards to the original post, while I respect Thom Hogan I am reminded that he makes his living increasingly off a Web site dedicated to mirrorless cameras. Before that he was mostly a Nikon guy and Leica guy. Notice where the lines are drawn.
Originally posted by LaurenOE "Stay" is an interesting word
I agree. For example:
- I don't remember ever "leaving" 35mm rangefinder photography (Yashica Lynx 1000) when I bought my first SLR in 1971. I liked it then and I like it now and yes, I do own a Yashica Lynx.
- I don't remember "leaving" manual technique when I bought an aperture priority auto exposure camera in 1982. For some stupid reason, I remembered and continued to use manual technique. Go figure.
- I don't remember leaving primes when I bought my first zoom
- I DO remember leaving flash bulbs behind and have no sense of nostalgia regarding burnt finger tips. Again, I strangely remember how to calculate manual flash. Go figure.
- Digital was a "WOW, where has this been all my life" experience and the K10D in 2007 doubly so. Why is it that I started shooting film again in 2009. Again, go figure.
- I do remember trading wet darkroom printing for a figital workflow, though I still have the full kit to print up through 6x7. I am not sure I left anything there either. The two processes are quite analogous as is computer PP to darkroom printing.
- I also remember using my snapshot cameras a whole lot less once my phone did as good a job
- I don't remember leaving my good sense by the way regarding the relationship between gear choices, creative process, and practical production of images. Real need has a way of presenting itself in a forceful manner.
Now back to the original question as to why I "stay" with Pentax. The short answer may sound sort of asinine, but here goes...
Quote: Because I am old enough to realize that obsolescence only starts when either the task changes or when economics kick in or when you can't get what you have been using anymore because it doesn't make sense to sell it.
I use the term obsolescence because it's bigger than where/how Ricoh makes money or whether the K-mound is wide enough for telecentric lens designs or any number of things. I will continue being didactic...
- I will likely stay with Pentax in one form or another until I die, mostly because I own vintage gear that bears that name that seems to be quite durable. It is likely that film will continue to be available for at least the next decade or so, so I am set.
- I am unlikely to change brands of digital camera anytime soon mostly because my stuff ain't broke. I see little wisdom in cultivating angst regarding whether one's $2000 zoom will be supported by a new model body in 2019 or whether the company is keeping pace adequately to dominate market segment. Not my job.
- I am aware of other brand's offerings, but have yet to find any that are compelling enough to warrant an outlay of funds. In other words, I need a firm guarantee of greater ease and/or better results before following some piper. There is some good product out there, but I don't see my current work as indication that I have substandard gear or that I might get better results with a shift in brand.
Translation? I spent my money and mostly quit shopping. Making "art" with a camera is my hobby. Spending money is not my hobby. When I can't fulfill my vision with tools at hand and Pentax does not make what might work, then I might look elsewhere, assuming I have the funds. - I don't get worried about lack of future product I can't afford
I do wander as I get older, now where was I...
Why do I "stay" with Pentax. Who said I was "with" Pentax? Its a brand of tool that I have some familiarity with. I guess I am also "with" Ricoh, Minolta, Chamonix, Vivitar, Yongnuo, Sigma, Yashica, Rodenstock, Giottos, Voigtlander, KMZ, LZOS, Arsenal, Canon, Gossen, Sekonic, Mamiya, Komura, Kodak, Nikon, and Zeiss. Who knows, perhaps I may add Sony, Nikon, or Fuji to the list so I can be "with" them too.
Addendum: I used Lauren's post as a jump-off point, but her points there were well-made. She has drifted towards gear that better meets the needs of her craft and in at least one case a tool (the A7S) that is pretty much without competition for what it does. It makes perfect sense, particularly since the gear, in theory, is a required capital investment.
Steve