[Nesster]

[Mike Cash]

Fast-forward 27 years: "Yes, we're still in business. Yes, we still make cameras. Yes, we make DSLRs."

[k100d]

thanks for posting ... even in the 80s, wasn't pentax starting to fall behind to nikon and canon

[Blue]

thanks for posting ... even in the 80s, wasn't pentax starting to fall behind to nikon and canon

I think what really boosted Canon was the shift from the FD to EOS (EF) allowed them to exploit the AF systems by developing lenses that would work. The FD system had some nice lenses, but that system would have never allowed the evolution needed.

The k-mount on the other hand is a very adaptable mount and there are several variations out there. For what ever reason, Pentax didn't set the lead in the 90s because they lost their mojo in the very late 80s. Pentax also lost their retail arrangements with K-mart and Sears & Roebuck around 1991 and that hurt them also.

[Nesster]

Not to mention, Pentax was probably exploiting their pioneering of the p&s zoom camera market, making money hand over fist in that area.

[Blue]

Not to mention, Pentax was probably exploiting their pioneering of the p&s zoom camera market, making money hand over fist in that area.

A lot of the entry-level 35mm and soccer mom crowd had the p&s cameras.

[deadwolfbones]

...and now you see them going 10 for $20 on eBay.

[Blue]

...and now you see them going 10 for $20 on eBay.

I've never seen a 6x7 or LX go for $20 on fleabay. Those MXs hold there own most of the time as well.

[Nesster]

I think that meant the P&S cameras -- and now I understand the (misguided) SLR strategy followed by Pentax in the late 80s into the 90s.

Asahi Pentax and Pentax SLR 35mm ... - Google Books

Those plastic SLRs with their terrible kit zooms go for about what those P&S cameras do now.

Goes to show: quality and support are lasting. A quick buck is just that.

[deadwolfbones]

I think that meant the P&S cameras

Yes indeed.

[ryan s]

...and now you see them going 10 for $20 on eBay.

Try thrift shops instead...the most expensive Pentax PnS I've seen was probably $9.99, most are around $3.50. Of course, the "bigger" ones fetch a little more

I think that meant the P&S cameras -- and now I understand the (misguided) SLR strategy followed by Pentax in the late 80s into the 90s.

Asahi Pentax and Pentax SLR 35mm ... - Google Books

Those plastic SLRs with their terrible kit zooms go for about what those P&S cameras do now.

Goes to show: quality and support are lasting. A quick buck is just that.

I'd take a full-manual, "ancient" MX over any of the plastic cameras...I don't even care about the features they have :ugh:

[Blue]

My point and shoot was the Auto 110 and K1000.

[mickey]

"win the hearts, minds, praise and loyalty of photographers".
I like that quote.

Something similar about loyalty was in the Japanese ad for the K-7.

[titrisol]

Well, I never caught on Pentax from the M series onwards due to those clumsy buttons to change speeds, and after the spotamtic the K1000 was not my style

Just recentyl have I redisciovered Pentax while looking for lenses for my father-in-law K100D which is excellent.

[lithos]

I think what really boosted Canon was the shift from the FD to EOS (EF) allowed them to exploit the AF systems by developing lenses that would work. The FD system had some nice lenses, but that system would have never allowed the evolution needed.

Another was Canon's massive loss-leader campaign. They handed out EOSes for virtually nothing to major newspapers and photo agencies, and thus set themselves up a customer base near-fully reliant on Canon. Of course, when the organisations wanted to buy something else for their EOSes...then they got the full price.