Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

View Poll Results: Why a Pentax DSLR?
Price 52750.62%
Better Options 41039.39%
Loyal Follower 24423.44%
Good Optics 40038.42%
Hate the main stream big brands like canon and nikon 19118.35%
Just do, that's all 625.96%
Other.. please specify 23722.77%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 1041. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
10-31-2006, 03:42 PM   #1
Veteran Member
slip's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,535
Why did you buy a Pentax DSLR?

Out of all the manufactures of digital cameras, why did you choose pentax?
I have to admit, before I saw a preview for the K10D, Canon EOS 30 was what I really wanted to get.
Also, I like going off the "beaten track" meaning, if I can find something that is just as good as the "big boys" I will buy it.

And you?

Was it price?

A loyal follower?

Had lots of lenses from older SLR's?

Just wanted something different?

thanks

10-31-2006, 04:12 PM   #2
Administrator
Site Webmaster
Adam's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arizona
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 51,584
First of all, I've greatly enjoyed using the classic Pentax bodies and lenses, and they displayed superior quality than those of Canon.

The reason I chose Pentax DSLRs, though, was that they were more compact that all the others- both the lenses and the bodies were smaller and lighter. I also found everything to be sharper, and since I already had a plethora of lenses, I decided to try Pentax.

Personally, I now think that Pentax DSLRs beat all others in their class

BTW, I think you should add a few more options to the poll

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:
10-31-2006, 04:34 PM   #3
Veteran Member




Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Kaunas
Posts: 1,458
Other reasons.

Before my trip to Australia I had two weeks to get digital camera. I used Nikon SLR until that, so I discarded P&S as an option. I wanted DSLR.

I didn't like Canon 350D at all: cheap plastic, uncomfortable to hold in hand.

Canon 20D was too expensive for me.

Nikon D50 had not enough features for me (no DOF preview, no mirror lock-up)

Nikod D70s: I wanted to get this, but they were out of stock at the moment in Lithuania.

So, I bought Pentax *ist DS.

After all it seems not a bad choice at all.
10-31-2006, 04:49 PM   #4
Veteran Member
xfraser's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Ohio
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 828
I was torn between loyal Pentax follower and other, but I picked other since I have other non-Pentax cameras (including the dreaded Canon, which I also love). The main reason I picked Pentax is because it just feels "right" in my hand.

10-31-2006, 05:11 PM   #5
Veteran Member
Sluggo's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Ames, Iowa
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 774
1. A friend had one and liked it.

2. There's a local dealer who stocks Pentax, takes the product seriously, and has salesfolk who know what they are talking about.

3. I liked the prospect of finding nice old glass all sorts of places for not tons of money, ebay etc.

4. Price matters, sure.

5. I friggin' hate feeling like a sheep. Nikon/Canon are like the Windows/Mac of the DSLR world, and as a Linux user there's hardly anything I hate more than the widespread and rather ignorant notion that those are the only things worth using, so the "rebel" in me (sorry Canon for appropriating your trademark) was strongly drawn to alternatives, of which Pentax seemed the best move. That's a dubious reason, but we all have our hangups, and I gotta be me.

I've no regrets, for what it's worth.
10-31-2006, 05:11 PM   #6
Senior Member
jsundin's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon, USA
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 276
Canon felt too small in my hands. The screen was too small.

Nikon D50 was great, but I wanted SR. (Otherwise, this was a very close second on my list)

Sony was too expensive for me.

Olympus - it seemed expensive for what I would be getting in return.

Minolta - who? I looked and then discovered they were gone.

Pentax - I had no collection of lenses, but knew that the SR feature and a supply of lenses out there would suit my needs for time to come.
10-31-2006, 06:14 PM   #7
Junior Member




Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 36
1. Price
2. Shake reduction
3. AA battery, SD card slots
4. (found out after i bought it ) backwards compat & semi-automation of vintage lenses with features like SR & focus confirm...

10-31-2006, 06:57 PM   #8
Senior Member
Dana G's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Masachusetts
Posts: 243
I've been very happy with my two MX bdies with winders, and I have lenses that I'd hate to give up. The *st D takes my old lenses, and there are some very good new lenses coming up.

It was a no-brainer.
10-31-2006, 07:06 PM   #9
Ed in GA
Guest




My previous experience with Pentax cameras was the greatest reason to buy a Pentax DSLR.

When it became evident that the Fuji S3000 was not adequate for my photography needs, I went shopping. Pentax was at the top of my list.
10-31-2006, 07:22 PM   #10
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: midwest, United States
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 5,711
logical layout

I had tried many digital cameras, both P&S and DSLR. All made me want to keep shooting my film cameras. I have Olympus Om, Pentax LX, Pentax 6X7, Leica rangefinders, and Canon 10S. I don't need many features on my cameras.
1. Spot meter
2. cable release
3. Manual and aperture priority
4. TTL flash
5. Depth of field preview
6. Interchangable lenses
7. Mirror lock up
8. Exposure compensation
With digital you get a few other extras that I wouldn't want to be without.
1. Lcd review of pic
2. Histogram & blinking highlight
3. Ability to adjust white balance
4. Ability to magnify pic on review
5. Ability to delete
Of the first 8 features the Pentax DS was the only one that had them all. It was also the only camera I was comfortable with. Both ergonomically and ease of use. Pentax menus make the other cameras pale in comparision. The menus are straight forward and easy to use. They are arranged like people think. I teach photo classes and see all the brands people are shooting. The Pentax users usually have an easier time of it than the others. They don't have to dive into the IB every 5 min.
The Pentax was the first digital that I actually wanted to buy. I taught the digital camera class a year before actually buying a digital camera. The camera just gets out of the way and lets you take pictures. I also own the Olympus E300 with 14-45 and 40-150 lens. It is still harder to use.
thanks
barondla
10-31-2006, 07:23 PM   #11
Inactive Account




Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 135
the shake reduction was the real dealbreaker. I also started with a k1000 so I had that brand loyalty defect. Plus I am always one to take the road less traveled.
10-31-2006, 08:02 PM   #12
Senior Member
Izzy's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Kansas
Posts: 112
The number one reason I bought a K100D? Best color and clarity right out of the box. Trust me, I shopped Used SD cards, which I had. Was light weight and had image stabilization in the body, rather than paying for it lens by lens. Was leery of the battery system, but I get an astounding number of shots out of them. Very happy camper who is totally new to Pentax anything.
10-31-2006, 08:25 PM   #13
Veteran Member
Scott Rylance's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Australia/Geelong, Vic
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 420
It felt great in my hand the first time I picked one up. It is easy to use, layout of controls was where I wanted them to be. Overall I'm very happy with my choice, and wouldn't change...just look forward to better thing ahead.
Long live Pentax. ;>)
10-31-2006, 09:34 PM   #14
Senior Member




Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 198
When I look at digital cameras, I thought of changing brands to Nikon but found that the Nikon d70 had the same electronics as the Pentax ds.
So I bought the ds as I could use some of the other pentax lens with this camera. I can say that during the past 14 months I produced some great shots. I have also bought some sigma ex lens now which makes life very interesting.

I'm thinking of updating and buy the k10d,
11-01-2006, 02:01 AM   #15
ooh
New Member




Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Shang Hai-China
Posts: 5
excellent color and high C/P valuu
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
camera, dslr, pentax, photography
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
About to buy my first DSLR (K-7), some lens advice please? Loren E Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 10 10-08-2010 09:21 PM
Newbie looking to buy used pentax dslr + everyday use lens for under $500 US demondias Welcomes and Introductions 7 08-09-2010 12:29 PM
Should I buy a Pentax DSLR? yotam Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 13 07-20-2010 08:22 PM
a Vietnamese newbie wonders where to buy pentax dslr in USA? hdsilver Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 12 02-02-2010 06:14 PM
What would urge you to buy a new Pentax DSLR? froeschle Pentax DSLR Discussion 39 12-09-2008 09:22 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:21 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top