Originally posted by Damn Brit Welcome to the forum.
First, he IS a salesman and I think it's probably safe to say that his store doesn't sell Pentax. If they do, they probably don't actively push Pentax.
His comments are not surprising actually. I have yet to find a camera shop anywhere that pushes Pentax over Canon or Nikon. His comments are not entirely inaccurate either... especially for someone who doesn't pay a whole lot of attention to a minor player in DSLRs.
Originally posted by Damn Brit Whichever system you decide on is going to be good quality.
Depends on the model. Pentax, Canon, and Nikon all have made dud cameras that should be avoided. Generally speaking, however, if you ignore the ~ sub $500 cameras... your statement is probably correct.
Originally posted by Damn Brit In lens stabilisation supposedly works better for longer lenses.
Not supposedly... it does work better in the lens. Why? B/c it is impossible to move the sensor enough distance and fast enough to compensate for the greater movements of a longer lens. The In-lens SR lens only has to move a fraction of the difference that the In-Camera SR mechanism has to move. I'm grossly simplifying this but hopefully you get the idea.
However, it is not really a question of which one is better but rather, which system do you want to 'marry' yourself to and can you afford the Canon/Nikon methodology?
Pentax's idea is great b/c it is relatively effective (re: noticeably better than no SR), it is inexpensive, and it works on any lens.
Originally posted by Damn Brit with any lens and in the case of Pentax, it'll work with forty year old lenses that you can pick up for a few bucks at a thrift store.
Oh my, you are sounding like a Pentax ad.
Chances are, those 'thrift store' lenses are crap anyway!
Originally posted by Damn Brit Pentax probably has the best value for money.
Quite true BUT is this something to brag about? I hear this often in the Pentax forum and quite frankly, I am embarrassed by this statement.
Walmart also offers the best value... but that is not something worthy of being proud of if that is where I do all my shopping.
Originally posted by Damn Brit Pentax are also renowned for lens quality, that's something no self respecting Canon or Nikon owner will deny.
Hmm..... you are almost implying that Pentax lenses are BETTER than Canon and Nikon. I've heard this before in this forum and it never ceases to amaze me.
Yes, Pentax does make good glass for their premium lenses, just as Canon and Nikon ALSO make good glass for their premium lenses. There is little to no difference. If this wasn't the case, you would see a heck of a lot more pro photographers using Pentax products.
Originally posted by Damn Brit In fact many of them use the old Pentax lenses on their cameras with the aid of adapters or modifications.
With all due respect..... ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?
Okay, perhaps your statement MIGHT be true for the occasional hobbyist but it is likely untrue amongst the pros. I certainly don't know a single Canon photographer that would even entertain the idea of using a non-Canon (with the exception of the occasional Sigma) lens. Not b/c Pentax lenses are inferior but simply b/c it makes no sense when Canon has equally good lenses that don't require an adaptor and are designed for the right camera.
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So, in conclusion to the OP.....
Be careful when listening to advice from a camera shop salesperson or a Pentax photographer in this forum. Both animals have something in common... a bias! :-)
Read 'independent' (if such a thing exists) reviews, look at the features, the costs, pay attention to the issues with each camera, its limitations, etc.
Before you begin, ask yourself what type of photography do you want to do, what are the most important features you need in a camera, and finally, how much are you willing to pay?
For example, if shake reduction is important to you and you're on a budget, clearly Pentax may be the right choice. If you're not on a budget, both Canon and Nikon do offer you much greater choices in bodies, future upgrades... up to pro models. Pentax doesn't offer any pro cameras and likely never will. But perhaps the pro features are not important to you.
I hope I have helped a little bit.
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