[asahi]

My first 35mm was an Agfa, the next a used Miranda F (which some might remember had an external bayonet to take Exakta lenses, and an internal screw mount for...Pentax). I remember seeing all the lenses I couldn't afford and being amazed at the wonders that opened before me. Nonetheless, my first new SLR was a Minolta SRT 101,and that camera lasted a while--about 30 years! I never owned a Pentax till I got my K20D, but I always liked them from a distance. Guys like Herbert Keppler wrote about them all the time...But I know it was that feeling I first had with my Miranda, that worlds were opening for me with that wonderful lens mount and history of great glass. And great old glass loves in-body SR! Oh yeah, and the weatherproofing was big, too. Plus the real pentaprism (not some Porroprism!) and the big bright view for us unfortunate eyeglass wearers. And how about lens hoods coming with the lenses instead of being another expense? Even a nice logo camera strap with the camera? I'm still sold!!!!

[chris48]

My first Pentax dslr was the DS. At that time, I already had the Nikon D70. I felt the DS was better in most areas except AF. Overtime, I also got the K10 and the K20.

Looking back, I think it is (1) the rich and lively colors (in raw) (2) the quality of the Pentax lenses and (3) reasonable size and weight that have kept me with Pentax. The colors from the K20 (with some help from Silkypix) is just amazing.

[RadamFG]

For me it was simple,

Around the time the K10D came out I was finally ready to go DSLR.

I tried 4 cameras, the Canon 30D, Nikon D80, Sony A100 and the Pentax K10D.

The Canon and Sony felt awful in my hands and the interface made no sense to me.

The Nikon was somewhat better.

However, the K10D just made intuitive sense to me. It took me no time to figure out where settings were and it felt absolutely natural in my hand. Being accustomed to the Hyper Program feature of the PZ-1p I wanted that in my DSLR as well.

Pentax fit the bill for a me as a tool I would enjoy using. A few years later I can say that I don't regret my decision one bit.

[opiedog]

I wanted to get a DSLR after having used a Ricoh (k mount) and Nikon SLR's.
At that time, the best price to feature ratio was the *ist DL and that's where i went with pentax.

Then came the natural progression of K10, K200 and K2000.

[jimboberella]

I chose price but I also had access to a whole bunch of older lenses that would just work on the Pentax and that was a big factor.

[rei_vilo]

I choose price and better options.

My first Pentax dSLR was an *ist DL, a great deal with two lenses. The bundle was priced close to competition body only !

Then, the K10D provided the best bang per buck in the market .

Now, the DA* lenses bring terrific value and excellent IQ .

[felixkh]

I bought into the system as my first camera was a K-mount Cosina CT1-S and moved on to a Chinon CP-7m and on to a Pentax Z-20 and my 1st DSLR was a K10D I bought over from a good friend. Now i own the K20D.

Best part is having the manual lenses to help me relearn photography which was left on the shelf for the last 20 years.

[Barnster]

I brought a Pentax on shear quality build.

[jptreen]

Pentax K10D because I had owned a Digital Rebel and it felt like a toy.

Before that I had a Ricoh K-mount with an A-50/1.7 and a Vivitar 135/2.8. I wanted back in to the K-mount and I've never really regretted it.

[MooiKabaal]

More bang for your buck

In my case I really appreciated the build quality and lens options that are available. I know that lens prices are on the up, but it's more or less the same for every brand, so I still think there's a lot of value in the Pentax system

[blind-bat]

Because they sell em at Home Depot & like any other card carryin redneck I buy all my electronics at home depot.



Seriously though, it's about the IS in the body and the ability to use older lenses making this a more cost effective system to own as an hobbyist.

[johnsherwood]

Ability to use legendary Pentax optics such as the old Taks and Super Taks

Build quality

SR

I now own both a K100 and a K20, but when I bought the K100 I really wanted to learn about SLR photography and the cost of lenses for C & N and a new lens mount ( no back compatibility! ) with every new body ( not really but nothing like Pentax ) really bothered me....I know it sounds a little hippie, but I think there is an abundance of good karma in the Pentax brand and I like the way they respect the people who buy their products.

Bottom line though is image quality, when they're at their best I'd put the IQ from my bodies up against almost anything else. ( My composition may leave a little to be desired but the cameras are sweet )

JS

[Wildnsyko]

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...

This is the same for me except for #4. I would put there: the weather proof body.

5. Still be able to use older lenses.

[Ramomar]

Mainly price but I wanted to use a Pentax camera just for the heck of it!

[Prairie Dog]

Simple reason: Limited Lenses.