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Forum: Sold Items
07-31-2014, 03:18 AM
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And... GONE, Thanks! Hopefully it will serve me well once in the Arctic and to the North pole.
Cheers!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
12-06-2013, 10:40 AM
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Hopefully it lives on for a lot longer, why let a great camera die out, based on ergonomics alone. One can still purchase a Nikon D3100 or even a now 5 year old designed D90 brand new filling the intro low priced gap due to older technology but the fact is they sell and continue to do so.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
10-08-2013, 12:27 AM
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Which is exactly what PENTAX needs! You can spot a Nikon shooter from a few hundred feet away based on that signature yellow. Everyone I talk to that has a DSLR, mostly friends, know of PENTAX and say they hear they make very high quality cameras but it ends there. Personally I use a PENTAX leather hand grip/strap which is pretty generic and unrecognizable yet comfortable. Still, I like to show off the name among local photogs and tourists when they have out ther longer lenses while I sport my 50-135 with hood attached to make it that much more awesome and head turning, sometimes sparking the rare compliment. I blend in when I take photos with the iPhone, which is the majority of the time. The more wide brand PENTAX straps out there the better. People buy what they know and see. I would safely bet the majority of us passing another photographer will try to distinguish what camera model and lens he/she is using, regardless if we would buy it or not. While I may not use a neck strap it's free advertising that they're missing out on by not including bold, wide band straps with every camera. Seems to be working for Canon, Nikon and Sony.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
10-07-2013, 09:39 PM
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Personally I wouldn't waste the extra on WR lenses as the sealing is pretty poor. It's really only good under light drizzle or an infrequent/accidential splash. I had my 18-55 WR out in the rain for only a few minutes and the front laminated elements hazed inside. The front seal is nothing more than a cheap piece of felt pushed in place covered by plastic finishing ring. There's no special rubberized o-rings to keep water out except on the mount. WR lenses are mostly insurance to the body, IMO. I e-mailed PENTAX Canada with photos and asked how to resolve yet never received a reply. I just put the front element in a vacuum sealed container with silica gel bags overnight and it was fine. The DA* line has better sealing yet high priced and limited selection.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 & K-3 II
10-07-2013, 09:17 PM
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Finally, what looks to be a quality strap. I assume that's not included as standard. Would be nice compared to the hard, narrow black swede backed nylon. Makes those Nikon and Canon shooters stand out, why not PENTAX.
K3_9.jpg Photo by fengwei2005 | Photobucket |
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
10-07-2013, 04:09 PM
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A great overview, Adam. A lot of new and neat features and a few nagging ones not addressed as you pointed out. The buffer capacity is impressive though I'd like to know how long after full it takes to wake up and start working again after it writes to the card. Long exposure recovery and general write/preview times, even on my current K-5, are lackluster which is a main reason I upgraded. That said, going back to my K100D in comparison now feels dreadfully slow and feature lacking.
While I'd buy a K-3 or more likely a K-3II I don't see this camera appealing to the average consumer based on screen resolution, additional cost for wifi-gps or lack of touch screen. Features that are mostly insignificant but will take people's money even if they have to pay more. The sync speed may deter portrait/wedding photogs. Overall, a solid camera at a fantastic price.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-27-2013, 07:52 AM
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That's a lot of PENTAX red in one place! My local Henry's has less than 1/4 of that on display. :\
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Forum: Pentax Forums Giveaways
07-08-2013, 06:28 PM
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Forum: Post Your Photos!
07-08-2013, 06:24 PM
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A hungry polar bear in search of food. Photo taken in the Canadian Arctic from the deck of the Louis S. St. Laurent during the Summer of 2012.
PENTAX K100D
PENTAX SMCP-DA 50-135mm f/2.8 ED (IF) SDM Lens
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/800s
Aperture: f/9.0
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Forum: Sold Items
07-04-2013, 08:40 AM
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K-5 + 18-55 WR is SOLD. Thanks Zach! :cool:
I guess 6 years is long enough to wait to upgrade my K100D, something to fill the gap until bigger and better things from PENTAX hit the market. Was tempted to get a Black K50 with yellow or aqua grip though.
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
02-01-2013, 09:49 PM
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Any confirmed rumor to feed the needs and desires of their consumers should be good for everyone, you'd think. It improves customer loyalty resulting in increased revenue from repeat purchases; increases brand awareness through exposure so you hear more comments like "Cool, you have a PENTAX, I heard they make quality gear!" rather than "I've never heard of PENTAX", which is often the case now. Mind you, I have had the rare comment of the former but I never recommend the brand unless they're looking for weatherproofing, too many quirks, how sad. =/
I don't understand why they haven't made an official press release a year ago saying FF was in development, here's what else we have in the works. They're trying to be secretive like Apple yet aren't forthcoming in saying "Something big is coming!" unless you pin them down at a trade show and ask them direct and attempt to decipher what it all means. An entry level FF is better than no FF, especially for those looking to build a kit for professional reasons; otherwise happy shopping in the other camps.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
01-03-2013, 10:02 PM
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PENTAX Canada still doesn't have the K-5II or Q10 on their site. I wrote them on my disgust about product availability at Henry's, Canada's largest photography store. While they do have PENTAX in stock there was nothing new to hold. The sales rep never even heard of the K-01 or Q10 and while it's listed on their website they didn't even have one available Canada wide. Disgraceful, marketing blunder at its finest. They should have reps ensuring products are available to hold and use any any location they're sold. I told PENTAX in my e-mail, if I wasn't an educated shopper already looking for PENTAX products I wouldn't consider the brand due to my recent experience.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
11-25-2011, 11:24 PM
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The K-5, body only as in the case here, has been available in Canada for $999-$1099 for over a month or more now from many camera stores. Buy with your VISA/Mastercard and you get 1 extra year on your warranty at no cost.
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
10-31-2011, 10:07 PM
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I've read this multiple times in this thread thus far and I don't buy it. PENTAX has a different customer base/following than other brands. Many grew up with and had a PENTAX as their first camera and have followed their progression while shooting with the current offerings or other brands. Reading through this 50+ page thread and multiple others on the forum and elsewhere I always see people saying they'll switch back; would love to come back to their roots if such a camera came to fruition or buy into a second system based on IQ, body features or lens line up not available with their current gear.
From Hoya's 2011 Annual Report
 Quote: "...the PENTAX 645D, the company's first-ever medium-format digital SLR, an internationally acclaimed model that won two prestigious camera awards in Japan and Europe, and the PENTAX K-5, a digital SLR for advanced amateur photographers, both continued to be well received as serious, technology-rich cameras, even by longtime PENTAX enthusiasts." Since PENTAX Imaging is now a stand alone division, assuming $150,000,000 in revenue for 2010, 5% for FF results in $7.5Million or 2500 FF cameras if priced at $3000 a piece. That's not a lot of cameras. The 645D has surpassed 10,000 units since release at $10,000 a piece and the global market for MF is a lot less than 1% for total camera sales yet it is a huge payoff from brand recognition, consumer choice/selection and a big shot in the arm of revenue.
Due to the limited PENTAX product range in the DSLR and P&S class a FF addition would easily turn a profit for the company and sell well over 2500 bodies, if all the current limitations were remedied. The 645D is easily doing so, otherwise they would have discontinued it.
Nissan, for example, has invested millions into it's Leaf electric car, a gap in their lineup for only a small group of potential customers. The same company a decade ago was reporting huge losses, actually in the red for multiple years. So far for 2011 they've made over 4 billion in total profit. The Leaf didn't save the company, but designing vehicles with features and styling that people want did. They're not outselling Honda or Toyota and the Maxima may not be the best selling vehicle they have but it still sells alongside the Accord or Camry despite offering similarities with other vehicles in its class.
For now, it's all up to Ricoh.
...on with the thread.
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
10-23-2011, 12:10 AM
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My thoughts exactly. A lot of people here have upgraded with every new flagship APS-C released by PENTAX, in a quest for better IQ and ISO, faster AF, near silent shutter, the list goes on. Follow any Official PENTAX release thread and reviews for the last 4-5 years it's apparent the next latest and greatest offering just doesn't cut it for some so they either sit tight or move to other brands. As such, there is a demand for a substantially better advanced amateur or professional product still below what MF offers. Perhaps it's the allure of what FF offers or that we hope PENTAX will answer all our technological woes they're not packing into the current line of APS-C's. The D700 is still in demand 3 years later, same goes for the D300 at 4 years of age; aside from better ISO performance, most owners don't see much need to upgrade. That's the type of camera I want from PENTAX, one that can take me into the next 4-5 years of shooting to fulfill all my needs. After that I can focus on or rekindle my LBA with a Limited primes. :cool:
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Forum: Pentax Full Frame
10-21-2011, 12:29 AM
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To want one or not, this needs to happen. PENTAX will never grow beyond what it already is and will continue to lose loyal customers otherwise. While I welcome the latest news and optimism what have all the head officials, R&D and marketing departments been doing for the past 4 years since I bought my K100D if they appear completely unaware of problems in the current lineup? We shouldn't have to be giving PENTAX forced feedback on their shortcomings although it's great they'll take it into serious consideration.
I've always held off in anticipation for next latest and greatest body; I even purchased a used K20D but was less impressed with the IQ and speed I shelfed it and resold a few months later, despite the solid construction. The K-5 is no exception albeit with slower AF vs Canikon, flash sync, lack of tethering, SDM lens upgrade, etc. If my photographic ambitions haven't waned over the past few years I would have switched camps long ago. Cameras like the Nikon D90 and D300 now D300s are still in demand years later as they've been a workhorse for so many, friends included, and are still available for purchase; the Canon Rebel XS can even be had going on 4 years later.
Perhaps I'm just a PENTAX fanboy, holding onto nice things like my DA* 50-135 or FA 50 1.4, that has kept me around. :cool: I just really hope they can deliver on the next release in all aspects in relation to lacking features and performance issues, otherwise a Nikon D700/D800 may be in my future and like a Honda they have a good resell value.
To quote the movie, Field of Dreams "If you build it, they will come" as many have already said.
As you can see, we're really limited to two, count them, two(2) models in comparison:
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
11-21-2010, 07:58 AM
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I'm left wondering why you're suggesting to set the EV Steps to 1/2 instead of 1/3? I personally like 1/3 much better as it allows for more fine tuning. It took me almost 2 years to discover that on my K100D. :lol:
Also, I can't see what's appealing about setting +2 for saturation and contrast, and +1 for sharpness based on the image comparison used for the review. The second with no adjustments looks more 'real' although still flat, lacking warmth that I feel I can rarely capture myself. Perhaps it's a Pentax Firmware thing or that my WB is never dead on. That said, the DR doesn't seem that great either. Maybe all cameras struggle in lighting like this, I don't know.
+2 Saturation/Contrast, +1 sharpness
No adjustments
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
10-15-2010, 11:02 AM
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Sigh, can't win around here. Ah well.
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Forum: Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands
10-15-2010, 10:40 AM
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Yes, another Hitler video! The best yet I think! :lol: I searched, couldn't find this posted yet but it's a must watch.
Enjoy! :cool:
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
10-03-2010, 08:53 PM
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While it's a good idea to get the PENTAX name out there I don't think it would fly.
I cut my teeth on a K1000, like many here, back in 2002 with countless hours of reading on which body to get. Everything pointed back to the K1000 as it was touted as the best beginners camera being completely manual, recommended more than any other especially for photo classes. I was sold! I learned a lot. A few months after I bought a Canon AV-1, lol.
5 years later in 2007 shopping for a digital body I was immediately drawn to PENTAX again only for the fact they carried over the K-mount. It was cool to think I could use all my K-mount glass of which I never use anymore due to less than stellar optical quality, either bad CA, low resolution, poor contrast. If it wasn't for that or being seduced by all these stunning primes, which I never did buy, I'd probably be shooting Canon or maybe Nikon.
While it's a good idea to get the PENTAX name out there I don't think it would fly. A lot of people jumped ship back in film days after putting the K1000 on the shelf, perhaps due to what wasn't available sticking with the brand. The same holds true now. You start with a K-r, the only real upgrade choice is a K-5 and you're always on the precipice of anticipation of what new lens they may pump out next. What a horrible addiction, damn you PENTAX, I want my K-5. :lol:
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-30-2010, 08:04 AM
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Ogl, as Asahiflex said, you seemed to have missed the reasoning of my post. It's obvious you're completely unsatisfied with the K-5. I've seen the same reaction from others when the K20D and K-7 hit the market causing a lot of people to 'wait for the next model'. The K-5 is enough for most, myself included, to upgrade.
For the spec's you mentioned "it's the same in K-7" are prominent selling features of PENTAX. How or why should they upgrade the WR, SR, HDR and 77 segment metering system, lightweight magnesium alloy + stainless steel chassis and the PRIME II imaging engine that seems to deliver results, even in the 645D.
So, I'm left scratching my head to what you dislike so much...
- Same Sensor CHECK. So far from beta firmware photos it's a winner.
- 51200 ISO. Might have bad IQ but it's there and can be cleaned up. If the K-5 can pull off better IQ and noise control at similar ISO to the D7000 then +1 for PENTAX. If the K-5 never had that option and the D7000 did I'm sure we'd see a lot of haters in this camp, "Wow, looks like Nikon was able to push that sensor further... another PENTAX sucks moment" but that didn't happen.
- 39 vs 11 focus points may certainly be a sway feature but most would wait until a review to see which delivers and if there's really much of a difference. 7000 is larger than 5 so it must be better.
- The 3D tracking and more so tethering focus or lack there of, if confirmed in the final release, seems to be the biggest downfall. Can't say I've used it but would be nice to know it's there in case.
- As for the shutter, it was only tested to 100,000, the D7000 150,000 cycle tested. Big deal. Your warranty will probably be long gone if either fail. It's not a 100,000 shutter powertrain warranty. I may have hit 50,000 on my K100D but most of that is preview shots. Most would have upgraded long before seeing 100,000+
The only thing you didn't comment on was the 7 FPS. If the D7000 trumped it we'd see another PENTAX bashing thread for sure but thankfully that's not the case. I guess pointing out the same ol' boring features the K-7 was well endowed with that you certainly wouldn't use was better noting.
Neither camera will be perfect, you just need to pick the lesser of two evils. I used to be a hater, always thinking "Why, why, why", when are we going to see some decent change. Then I gave up. It's just a camera, piece of electronics. In 12-18months all the bad talk won't matter as something new will hit the streets. If the K-5 was less progressive in what it is so far I'd be buying into another system. Thankfully, I'll be sticking around.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-28-2010, 10:13 PM
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Those that are going to buy Nikon are going to buy Nikon just because it's Nikon and because their friend who is a photographer shoots with nothing but Nikon. If anyone going in buying a camera with 1/2 a brain would have to decifer that dribble and compare actual spec's. I wouldn't scoff at what PENTAX has laid down either, not with such a solid lineup of specs to command attention. PENTAX is confident in what it has released, they just need to step it up with creative, in your face marketing.
• Pentax steps up and delivers a top-of-the-line APS-C camera--the K-5 Digital SLR Camera Body
• Featuring a low-noise 16.3MP CMOS high resolution sensor
• Sensitivity up to a best-in-class ISO 51200
• 7 frames-per-second shooting capability
• A responsive, high-precision 11-point auto-focus system.
• A high performing PRIME II imaging engine produces rich-gradation, very high resolution digital images.
• An upgraded High Dynamic Range (HDR) function that can even be used without a tripod.
• Secure in the knowledge that the highly accurate 77-segment metering system will deliver the goods every time.
• Shake Reduction image stabilization makes it possible to shoot at 2.5 to 4 shutter speeds slower without seeing camera shake in your photos. A lens is not included!
• And all of this photo goodness is packed into a body of sturdy, lightweight magnesium alloy on a chassis of stainless steel.
• The 77 special seals in the body give you a dustproof, weather-resistant and cold-resistant camera, for reliable operation in harsh conditions, at temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C).
• An extremely reliable shutter unit provides a top shutter speed of 1/8000 second and is tested to 100,000 shutter releases.
• A stellar performer! |
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-27-2010, 10:56 AM
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I like this! :cool:
Now, just knock another $100 off that and I'd be even happier!
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-26-2010, 07:03 AM
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Sure, the WR in a K-r body would attract entry level buyers. I have friends saying they've considered buying a PENTAX as a second body for that alone. The key difference is that they'd generally use it to shoot in the rain while walking city streets, in the park, camping, road trip, etc. rather then someone who's planning a several week trek through a jungle or mountain climbing where a magnesium alloy body, higher FPS and more MP's would be welcome for a once in a lifetime trip.
I'll admit, I have no idea on the GPS features included in any camera. My understanding on how GPS works in a DSLR is that it would simply tag the location on the EXIF data, which is all I would want. If it's actually a fully fledged GPS unit then that's a different beast. Like I said, it's icing on the cake for SOME. It would be nice to tell people exactly where you were standing when a photo was taken or be able to find the same location if you decided to visit again in the future, nothing more, nothing less.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-25-2010, 10:15 PM
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Nope, no experience at all but it would probably be a selling feature for the potential target market. Me, I could care less if it was there or not. If it eats batteries and there's no option to disable then definitely not.
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