Why no Pentax K-5 at Olympics?

Babbs · 08-07-2012, 11:10 AM

http://www.petapixel.com/2012/07/31/canons-drool-worthy-gear-room-at-the-london-olympics/

Last edited by Babbs; 08-07-2012 at 11:15 AM.

JinDesu · 08-07-2012, 11:12 AM

How do you know there isn't someone shooting a k-5 there?

eddie1960 · 08-07-2012, 11:22 AM

there is a guy shooting 4x5 (David Burnett) , judging by his past output some of the best shots at the games will be his

Large Format Sports Photographer Seen at Olympic Gymnastics

Galleries: David Burnett | Photographer

So it altogether possible there is someone shooting a K5

RyanW · 08-07-2012, 02:12 PM

Flickr: rc-soar's Photostream There you are.

**LaurenOE** · 08-07-2012, 02:24 PM - **1 Like**

Pentax; The Jamaican Bobsled team of the photographer Olympics.

**boriscleto** · 08-07-2012, 02:33 PM

Originally posted by LaurenOE

Pentax; The Jamaican Bobsled team of the photographer Olympics.

Even the Jamaican Bobsled team had a movie. Pentax is the Synchronized swimming of the photographer Olympics.

Tom S. · 08-07-2012, 02:37 PM - **1 Like**

I believe some of you are missing the point. If Pentax supplied professional users like the Canon (and Nikon) factories do, we might see many more Pentax cameras at the Olympics, and other major events too.

roentarre · 08-07-2012, 03:11 PM

A lot of pentax users are serious amateurs who are after certain qualities in the lens line up or just a loyal follower of the brand. The use of camera gear in these events are limited since it requires media pass to do anything close up and personal in this precious world event. After all, normal day to day snapshots can be done by smart phones these days with reasonable quality.

eddie1960 · 08-08-2012, 05:21 AM

Originally posted by Tom S.

I believe some of you are missing the point. If Pentax supplied professional users like the Canon (and Nikon) factories do, we might see many more Pentax cameras at the Olympics, and other major events too.

Pentax hasn't really ever to my mind pursued the pro sports market. never really been their niche. Canon and Nikon have long done exactly what they are doing this time, huge equipment rooms for accredited pros to draw on. you are still expected to bring your own kit, those rooms are supplementary and as backups
Even when pentax had the lenses needed in the 90's it was a rare person who shot sports with the brand.

Tom S. · 08-08-2012, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by eddie1960

Pentax hasn't really ever to my mind pursued the pro sports market. never really been their niche. Canon and Nikon have long done exactly what they are doing this time, huge equipment rooms for accredited pros to draw on. you are still expected to bring your own kit, those rooms are supplementary and as backups
Even when pentax had the lenses needed in the 90's it was a rare person who shot sports with the brand.

But (IMHO) that's why Pentax's market share is so low. People mimic what professionals do. That's how Nike built it's legendary status, by making sure no matter what sporting event you went to, you always see their product. Will buying a Nikon/Canon make you a professional photographer? Nope, neither will buying Nike shoes make you triathlon champion, but it's the public perception that if the pro uses it, it must be good, so that's what the public wants. Just imagine the lenses and bodies we might have available if Pentax had 30 or 40 percent of the market! Remember, market share directly effects research and development funding.

eddie1960 · 08-08-2012, 08:32 AM

Originally posted by Tom S.

But (IMHO) that's why Pentax's market share is so low. People mimic what professionals do. That's how Nike built it's legendary status, by making sure no matter what sporting event you went to, you always see their product. Will buying a Nikon/Canon make you a professional photographer? Nope, neither will buying Nike shoes make you triathlon champion, but it's the public perception that if the pro uses it, it must be good, so that's what the public wants. Just imagine the lenses and bodies we might have available if Pentax had 30 or 40 percent of the market! Remember, market share directly effects research and development funding.

I agree that as a marketing tool it is excellent. Unfortunately there is not the needed assortment in the line to really pursue it at the moment. It's an expensive game to pursue for Ricoh, Sony is closer having Ff cameras and that silly expensive special order lens, but they too are not ready to compete at that level.
At some point they may get there but they need to build the core line first.

john5100 · 08-09-2012, 07:57 AM

I spoke with a marketing person with pentax and they have no budget for anything like that.

I do agree though and they should supply a few pros.

JinDesu · 08-09-2012, 08:01 AM

Originally posted by john5100

I spoke with a marketing person with pentax and they have no budget for anything like that.

I do agree though and they should supply a few pros.

Pentax does have a professional response service - and from what I hear, it's quite fast and friendly.

eddie1960 · 08-09-2012, 08:28 AM

Originally posted by JinDesu

Pentax does have a professional response service - and from what I hear, it's quite fast and friendly.

there is a big difference between having Pro service (which was reintroduced with the 645D BTW) and being able to budget to do the Olympics. Maybe next summer games in 4 years the system will again be complete enough to move in that direction, but there are lot's of holes to fill first

Clicker · 08-09-2012, 09:11 AM

I believe Pentax does ~~not~~ have a CPS or NPS in place, PPS but it's not as organized for huge events just on a one to one basis.

PENTAX - PENTAX ANNOUNCES PRO PROGRAM: BENEFITS INCLUDE EQUIPMENT LOANS AND EXPEDITED REPAIRS

08-07-2012, 11:10 AM	#1
Babbs Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton Posts: 47	Why no Pentax K-5 at Olympics? http://www.petapixel.com/2012/07/31/canons-drool-worthy-gear-room-at-the-london-olympics/ Last edited by Babbs; 08-07-2012 at 11:15 AM.

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08-07-2012, 11:12 AM	#2
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	How do you know there isn't someone shooting a k-5 there?

08-07-2012, 11:22 AM	#3
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	there is a guy shooting 4x5 (David Burnett) , judging by his past output some of the best shots at the games will be his Large Format Sports Photographer Seen at Olympic Gymnastics Galleries: David Burnett \| Photographer So it altogether possible there is someone shooting a K5

08-07-2012, 02:12 PM	#4
RyanW Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 583	Flickr: rc-soar's Photostream There you are.

08-07-2012, 02:24 PM - 1 Like	#5
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	Pentax; The Jamaican Bobsled team of the photographer Olympics.

08-07-2012, 02:33 PM	#6
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by LaurenOE Pentax; The Jamaican Bobsled team of the photographer Olympics. Even the Jamaican Bobsled team had a movie. Pentax is the Synchronized swimming of the photographer Olympics.

08-07-2012, 02:37 PM - 1 Like	#7
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317	I believe some of you are missing the point. If Pentax supplied professional users like the Canon (and Nikon) factories do, we might see many more Pentax cameras at the Olympics, and other major events too.

08-07-2012, 03:11 PM	#8
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	A lot of pentax users are serious amateurs who are after certain qualities in the lens line up or just a loyal follower of the brand. The use of camera gear in these events are limited since it requires media pass to do anything close up and personal in this precious world event. After all, normal day to day snapshots can be done by smart phones these days with reasonable quality.

08-08-2012, 05:21 AM	#9
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by Tom S. I believe some of you are missing the point. If Pentax supplied professional users like the Canon (and Nikon) factories do, we might see many more Pentax cameras at the Olympics, and other major events too. Pentax hasn't really ever to my mind pursued the pro sports market. never really been their niche. Canon and Nikon have long done exactly what they are doing this time, huge equipment rooms for accredited pros to draw on. you are still expected to bring your own kit, those rooms are supplementary and as backups Even when pentax had the lenses needed in the 90's it was a rare person who shot sports with the brand.

08-08-2012, 07:56 AM	#10
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317	Originally posted by eddie1960 Pentax hasn't really ever to my mind pursued the pro sports market. never really been their niche. Canon and Nikon have long done exactly what they are doing this time, huge equipment rooms for accredited pros to draw on. you are still expected to bring your own kit, those rooms are supplementary and as backups Even when pentax had the lenses needed in the 90's it was a rare person who shot sports with the brand. But (IMHO) that's why Pentax's market share is so low. People mimic what professionals do. That's how Nike built it's legendary status, by making sure no matter what sporting event you went to, you always see their product. Will buying a Nikon/Canon make you a professional photographer? Nope, neither will buying Nike shoes make you triathlon champion, but it's the public perception that if the pro uses it, it must be good, so that's what the public wants. Just imagine the lenses and bodies we might have available if Pentax had 30 or 40 percent of the market! Remember, market share directly effects research and development funding.

08-08-2012, 08:32 AM	#11
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by Tom S. But (IMHO) that's why Pentax's market share is so low. People mimic what professionals do. That's how Nike built it's legendary status, by making sure no matter what sporting event you went to, you always see their product. Will buying a Nikon/Canon make you a professional photographer? Nope, neither will buying Nike shoes make you triathlon champion, but it's the public perception that if the pro uses it, it must be good, so that's what the public wants. Just imagine the lenses and bodies we might have available if Pentax had 30 or 40 percent of the market! Remember, market share directly effects research and development funding. I agree that as a marketing tool it is excellent. Unfortunately there is not the needed assortment in the line to really pursue it at the moment. It's an expensive game to pursue for Ricoh, Sony is closer having Ff cameras and that silly expensive special order lens, but they too are not ready to compete at that level. At some point they may get there but they need to build the core line first.

08-09-2012, 07:57 AM	#12
john5100 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,725	I spoke with a marketing person with pentax and they have no budget for anything like that. I do agree though and they should supply a few pros.

08-09-2012, 08:01 AM	#13
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by john5100 I spoke with a marketing person with pentax and they have no budget for anything like that. I do agree though and they should supply a few pros. Pentax does have a professional response service - and from what I hear, it's quite fast and friendly.

08-09-2012, 08:28 AM	#14
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by JinDesu Pentax does have a professional response service - and from what I hear, it's quite fast and friendly. there is a big difference between having Pro service (which was reintroduced with the 645D BTW) and being able to budget to do the Olympics. Maybe next summer games in 4 years the system will again be complete enough to move in that direction, but there are lot's of holes to fill first

08-09-2012, 09:11 AM	#15
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	I believe Pentax does ~~not~~ have a CPS or NPS in place, PPS but it's not as organized for huge events just on a one to one basis. PENTAX - PENTAX ANNOUNCES PRO PROGRAM: BENEFITS INCLUDE EQUIPMENT LOANS AND EXPEDITED REPAIRS