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Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 05-25-2013, 05:13 AM

Big Balls
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 23
Views: 6,736

I'm not quite sure what exactly you are looking for. Your post is confusing.

Anyway, I have used a Kirk BH1 for many years. I don't treat it well as a lot of my time is also sent in the woods. I have used it extensively with a Sigma 150 - 500 lens as well. I don't use a sidekick or any gimbal as these lenses are not really big enough to warrant one in my opinion. It's just added weight to lug around and one more thing to break or malfunction. But to each his own.

To address some of what I think you are looking for. The panning base on the Kirk BH1 is very smooth and can be locked down solid. Once you tighten it down, and it takes very little force to do this, it isn't going to creep or move on you. Period.

As for the actual ball itself, it has a tension control that is easy to set up. If done correctly, you have full smooth movement of the camera and lens in all directions until you turn the main control to tighten it down. Once you do that, it is not going to move. It takes about a quarter or less of a turn to lock, and I mean LOCK it down. Balance your camera and lens on the head (moving it back and forth in the clamp) tighten the tension until it stays put but you still have free range of movement, and the camera and lens will just sit there until you move them, and you will have smooth and full range of movement. Once locked down, you wont be able to move the camera.

All in all, it is a very easy ball head to use, is rock solid, and unless you beat it against a rock, it will keep on working. As I said, I have had mine since before my first Pentax (K200 K20) cameras. I used to use it with a Mamiya 645 system. In reality, unless you have something really big, and the Sigma 50 500 is not really big, it is overkill. I often thought I could have gotten by with the BH3 or the RRS BH40 for digital cameras, even with a grip on them.

The issue of an Acra Swiss mounting plate with screw attachment is a non issue. You can buy replacements from many manufacturers. You mentioned Sunway - I have one of their screw mount plates on a small travel tripod, and it is every bit as well machined as anything I own from RRS and better than Kirk. They make some quality gear. I've not used their ball heads, but then, if you buy a good, and I mean a REALLY good ball head, you should never have to buy another unless you damage it or it is stolen.

The big difference I see between RRS and Kirk is that the RRS ball heads are works of functional art. The machining and anodizing is amazing. The Kirk BH1 on the other hand is more of a work horse ball head. It is nicely done, the fit is as good as RRS but the finish and little things like rounded corners, engravings, and other little things on the RRS heads is a cut above. Probably a pretty good cut above. I also like the lower center of gravity, but I'm not really sure how much this matters in the long run.

If given the opportunity, would I switch to a RRS head over my Kirk? Probably not. There is obviously more Ego Gratification using a RRS head, but as I have said, the Kirk BH1 is a work horse and I'm comfortable with it's movements for the type of shooting I do. I don't worry about it breaking down or giving me trouble in the field. I am sure the RRS would instill the same confidence over time. These are both quality heads that should last you a life time. You'll probably never need a larger one, but a smaller one might be in the cards if you use a travel tripod. They are quite large.

If you are wondering, it has been attached to an Induro C213 carbon fiber tripod for about 5 years? Maybe a bit more. It used to be on a Manfrotto Wilderness tripod in years past.

You mentioned clearing brush with your tripod. I might suggest you look into a small collapsible baton like the police use. You can buy them from many on line sources. They are light, small, and extend with a flip of the wrist and work well for moving brush out of the way, fending off critters, two or four legged, and you can use them hold brush out of the way if you are doing close up shots. A lot less wear on your tripod and head.

Hope that helps some. If you need anything more, let me know at wild_images at comcast dot net I don't visit the site too often this time of year and would hate to make it look like I am ignoring you if you have a question.

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 05-13-2013, 08:20 AM

Pentax Lens Price Hike - Here we go again!
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 412
Views: 48,750

I'll second that "Damn you, Hoya" comment.

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 05-13-2013, 05:33 AM

Pentax Lens Price Hike - Here we go again!
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 412
Views: 48,750

One of the key benefits of in body shake reduction is that you only have to pay for it once. That should make the lenses less expensive than their VR or IS compatible counterparts shouldn't it? It has nothing to do with being cheap, but rather understanding the VALUE of the SR system. Once lens prices become comparable between the two types of lenses (VR/IS and Non VR/IS) that benefit is negated, when you would think, it would be exploited by Pentax.

It, like other things, is on the road map, but instead of releasing a simple TC, which might have increased sales of the DA*300, (which I agree is a stellar lens) but would have also probably sold thousands of copies, they release a mediocre 560mm lens which they don't plan on selling a lot of. We really needed the TC more than we needed a 560mm lens that is out of reach of most Pentax shooters.

For a bird shooter, with the spring migration in full swing, what good does a TC that is still on the road map do for you? This is the question I had to ask myself. I wanted something better than the Sigma 150 500 I had and sold, and somewhat less than the $7,000 bucks or $5,000 bucks Pentax and Sigma are asking for their 500mm lenses. I'm not a pro, and I'm not going to recoup the cost of a long lens by selling photos, so I have to be able to justify the cost to value. $1800 bucks is a lot easier to swallow than $7000 or even $5000.

In the long run though, I suppose that does make me a cheapskate............

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 05-11-2013, 04:07 AM

Pentax Lens Price Hike - Here we go again!
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 412
Views: 48,750

Well Doc, you're right, lenses are not cheap anywhere. But - (you knew that was coming didn't you LOL)

When I buy a lens for my Nikon, I buy a FF capable lens. That lens will work on both my d7000 and any full frame Nikon camera I might buy in the future (and as of today, they have FOUR to choose from).

In comparison, if I buy a Pentax lens GENERALLY SPEAKING it is useful only on ASP-C cameras. So should Pentax release a FF camera, I will have to buy lenses that - again - GENERALLY SPEAKING - will work on it.

But please consider other factors. The Nikon 300 f4 at 1369, vs the Pentax DA* 300 f4 at 1396 seem to be about on par with each other. However, the Nikon lens can be coupled with the stellar 1.4 TC or even the 1.7 TC which you can not do with Pentax at any price (unless you buy used of course - and can find one).

So while the prices may be on par, the VALUE, is far exceeded by other manufactures, FOR SOME PHOTOGRAPHERS - depending on the type of photography they do. Additionally, while I might not like to pay 8 grand for a 500mm lens from Nikon, the new 80 400 zoom is pretty nice, even if it is 2600 bucks - a lens well within the reach of many non pro photographers that Pentax doesn't even make.

Combine that with the third party options that are much more numerous for other manufactures than they are for Pentax and again, while the prices may be on par, the VALUE is not. At one time. Pentax had the value angle going for it with their lower prices, but they have squandered that advantage.

As to the lead free issue - I have to agree it is an issue - and since it is a common industry standard today - I also have to wonder if Pentax is not doing the same. If they are not, this might be an excellent point for them to make in their marketing, but I suspect, they are, and, with the current SDM fiasco, it really isn't going to matter because the lenses wont last that long anyway.

Disclaimer - there are a HOST of problems with every camera company today. Nikon has their share, not only with dirty sensors, but other things too. No company is immune and a consumer has to know what he or she is getting into when choosing or switching systems. Pentax is no better or worse than anyone else in this respect.

Forum: Homepage & Official Pentax News 05-06-2013, 03:52 PM

Pentax enhances its competitive offerings with a host of price reductions and instant
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 109
Views: 12,087

I'm not sure the retailers would stand for a company telling them to raise their prices to keep items they have bought and paid for on the shelf so it looks like there is more inventory available than there actually is? Maybe that's the case, but it sure doesn't seem to be a good way to build a solid relationship with your distributors (or customers as we have been told they actually are)

It'd be like saying, "we know we sold you this stuff, but now you can't sell it because if you try to, we'll not sell you any more stuff in the future". It'd be corporate blackmail. Well, in a way, what they are doing to their distributors (or customers) IS corporate blackmail. And you have to wonder how Jimbo's customers (the distributors) are taking it right about now. I run a business, and I know first hand, unless you run a grocery store, you can't eat inventory, and you can't pay expenses with it either if it doesn't sell.

Anyway, Monochrome, I'm sorry you find my tone abrasive, but I have to wonder, what exactly is your agenda? Are you just showing off, trying to let us know how much you know about business? Do you have a million bucks in Pentax or Richo stock? (and if so, what are you doing here? LOL ) I stated my business with about 6 grand in savings and 8 grand in credit cards. If I ran my shop the way Jimbo is running his, I would be working for Walmart right now because there is no way I would have succeeded. Customers care about what you can do for them right now, and that you can do it for them better, faster, and at at least a competitive price. If you can do that, they'll stick with you. That's how you grow a business. You don't need an MBA from Wharton to know that. Zig Ziglar said it best when he said, "You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." But I guess when you're the 248th or whatever largest business in the world, you can do pretty much what you want. You can take a company, dismantle it, and then rebuild it the way you think it should have been in the first place. Which is what they are doing right now, and that's their right. Their money, their company. Nothing, no one, no law no rule, absolutely nothing, however, says anyone has to like it or even go along with it. I hope they do build Pentax into Leica Lite in a few years as someone said. Pentax is a great brand and deserves a lot better than Hoya did for it. Maybe Richo has the answer. If they do, it might be worth looking at again in the future. But blind loyalty is just that. Blind. No matter how much Capt Smith loved the Titanic, if he could have got off, I'm betting he would have.

Forum: Homepage & Official Pentax News 05-06-2013, 07:30 AM

Pentax enhances its competitive offerings with a host of price reductions and instant
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 109
Views: 12,087

No, you're wrong Monochrome.

Jimbo doesn't care if he alienates the entire current Pentax customer base because there isn't one. Look at the market share.

If he cared about keeping what little customer base he has, he would make incremental changes. But incremental changes will not get him where you say he wants/needs to go, so, he is making big drastic changes in the hopes that in three to five years, as you say, he will have repositioned the company here in America to where he envisions it should/could be.

Oh I know, his phone calls and the Pentax Wants To Hear What You Think program contradicts that, but in reality, it was just a ploy. Kind of like sticking your finger in the dike. It'll stem the flow for a bit, but we all know what happens in the long term.

Additionally, raising the prices of lenses right now doesn't benefit anyone but the retailer who will make a bigger profit on his current inventory, which is already bought and paid for. Until current inventory runs out and new product is ordered, Jimbo wont benefit from the increased prices he is going to charge for new stock. But the current inventory has to sell first. The current customer base knows too much and isn't going to buy them at these increased prices, so the only people who will buy them are new users who will equate price with quality and not know any better.

As I said in a post on the lens price increase thread, Pentax is trying to reposition itself as a high end niche camera company, which idea many here have begun to accept by the way, at the expense of it's current customer base.

So the way I see it, is current Pentax customers have one of two options. First, get over it, switch systems and go take photos. Second, hang in there for the upcoming prestige of owning and shooting a perceived high end niche camera system like Pentax down the road.

If you already have a stash of nice Pentax glass, you are positioned nicely to parade around with your Pentax gear in the coming years when/if Jimbo's plan comes to fruition. If not, you have to decide if you want to ride the tide or give up.

Personally, I don't owe Pentax anything, and they don't owe me anything either. I'm a photographer/consumer and will base my decision on where I spend my disposable income with the company that offers me the best value, the most choices, and the opportunity to grow right now. That leaves Pentax, and their current plan out. Come talk to me about switching back in 3 to 5 years when they get their stuff together. But again, none of us owes them a thing, and to suggest we "hang in there" for the next 3 to 5 years, or 20 years, until they are where THEY want to be is just plain nuts.

30 years ago, we all bought American cars because they were better. Not too many bought Japanese cars with the understanding that their dollars and their support for the next 20 or 30 years were going to make someone Japanese company successful in the future and bring to market a better product while we suffered with an inferior product. Today we buy Japanese cars because they are perceived as being better. But none of us were obligated to stick it out until that happened. It was up to them to sink or swim on their own. We started giving them our dollars when they made a better product that suited our needs.

Yup - I'm an American, and it IS all about me. I choose to spend my dollars where they are going to do me the most good today, not tomorrow or in 3 or 5 or even 20 years. I honestly could care less if Jimbo has a job next week, and I highly doubt he would care if I did either. And I really don't care what his plan for Pentax is if it doesn't support what I want to do and how I want to allocate my disposable income right now either. He knows that. Which is why I stand by saying you are wrong, Jimbo doesn't care about the current Pentax customer base. He wants to build a new one, based on his plan of how he wants Pentax to be perceived in the market place 3 to 5 years from now. Good luck with that.

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 05-01-2013, 03:51 PM

Pentax Lens Price Hike - Here we go again!
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 412
Views: 48,750

What if..........

Pentax America didn't care about you? You the current Pentax shooter that is.

They know they will never be able to compete against Canon and Nikon in the mass camera market. Nikon has as many current Full Frame model cameras alone as Pentax has cameras period.

So what if their strategy was to position themselves as a high end, exclusive, niche camera company that caters to the young, hip, outdoorsy, educated, moderately affluent and uppwardly mobile NEW customer?

In America, higher cost generally equates to higher quality. Right or wrong, that's a pretty common perception. As well, anything that's "Limited" is seen as having more value than something that isn't.

Is Pentax playing to the only strength they have? Anyone can buy a Nikon or a Canon. But to shoot a Pentax, with LIMITED lenses......to be Different.......to have that aura that comes from the Pentax brand......

It'll never happen if they sell their lenses at bargain basement prices. I think this is the beginning of a new marketing strategy for Pentax America, and they would just as soon get rid of their current user base and replace them with new customers who believe in the perception that shooting an exclusive high end camera like Pentax makes them not only different, but special too.

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 04-07-2013, 07:52 AM

An interview with Pentax Executive Vice President Jim Malcolm
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 308
Views: 33,114

"The next phase, he says, is to "find people who have abandoned the brand" and figure out why that happened."

In 1977 while on military duty in Japan I bought a K 1000, some Tri X film, took a couple of on base photography courses and started a lifelong hobby that Pentax was a huge part of. I’ve never owned any other SLR or DSLR other than Pentax until a month ago. Even when I was shooting a Mamiya 645 system from 1984 until 2007 I still had an ME Super and then ZX-L with me almost every day. I moved to Digital with a K200d and then shortly thereafter a K20d in 2009. That adds up to 36 years of shooting Pentax cameras.

These are the reasons I left Pentax for Nikon last month.

The first is MAP.

You instituted this program, at least in part, to help Brick and Mortar camera shops compete with on line retailers.

Below is a photo taken this morning of the store front of the Hunts Photo and Video store in my home town of Manchester NH. Hunts is one of the largest camera retailers in New England, with 8 stores in Mass, RI, Conn, Maine, and NH. As you can clearly see from the photo, more than a year after MAP, there isn’t even a Pentax sign in the window. Up until about a week ago, they did not even stock the K5II.. They still don’t have the K5IIs but at least it is now on their web site (as unavailable however). They have 6 lenses available on their web site, 10-17 fisheye, 35 2.4, 50 1.4, 50-200, 17-55, and 12-24. None of these are available in their store. Neither is the K5II. I have to either order them on line, or order them in the store and then go in to pick them up when they come in. I cannot touch, look at, try or drool over anything but a K30 in my local camera shop. (and some point and shoots)

If I want any new Pentax lens, now that MAP is has been instituted, I STILL HAVE TO BUY IT ON LINE. To add insult to injury, I have to now pay a premium for doing so, and, I still have to pay shipping or make arrangements to go pick it up at my local camera shop. So please tell me, one year later, how MAP is benefiting me.

The next reason is that my photography needs and goals have changed and Pentax simply can no longer support them.

Until a couple months ago, I could not buy any new Pentax lens over 300mm. Today, I have the option of buying the 560, but the gap between buying what once was an $1,100.00 and now is a &1400.00 lens and the new 560 at $7,000.00 is huge. There isn’t even a TC available from Pentax today. (Yes, I understand there is one on the Road Map, but again, how does that help me now?) and there is nothing in between. There isn't any macro longer than 105mm either, not from Pentax or anyone else, and this is something I really wanted. There are simply too many gaps in the system for the kind of photography that interest me, and no hope of those gaps being filled in the near future. This includes both cameras and lenses.

I was still shooting a K20. I wanted to upgrade to the new K5II or IIs. After much thought, I bought a D7000 for 900.00 I could have bought a K5 for $750.00 or a K5IIs for $1,200.00, same price as the new D7100. No big difference here. I added to this a 300 f4 AF-s for $1,280.00, the DA* 300 that I wanted had gone up to $1,400.00), with a 1.4 TC for $500.00, not currently available from Pentax at any price, a Tamron 180 Macro for $740.00, which again is a focal length not even supported by Pentax or any of the third party manufactures in a K mount and a 16 35 for $1,260.00, which might seem like a lot of money for a 16-35, but Pre MAP, I think I paid around $540.00 for my 15 Limited and the 35 limited I wanted was running about the same price back then, about $540.00. Post MAP, those two lenses total $1,350.00 from B&H. $90.00 more than the Nikon zoom that covers both focal lengths. In addition, the three lenses I purchased are all FF lenses, so if and when I move to a FF camera, that Pentax doesn’t seem to think anyone wants, I wont incur any additional cost replacing them. If you add it up, with what is currently available from Pentax, the cameras are a wash, but the lenses are $210.00 less, and come with a 5 year vs 1 year warranty. In addition, I was able to get two other items I felt I needed for my type of shooting that Pentax does not offer.

In reality, it boiled down to this........

You say in your interview, and in others posted on this forum that 1) you don’t have the data to support that there is an SDM issue. 2) people on Facebook tell you they don’t want a FF camera, 3) you don’t want to compete on price.

The data on this forum supports that there is at least a PERCEPTION that there is an SDM problem, and yet you still offer a 1 year warranty on your best glass, doing nothing to counter that perception. You ask 20 and 30 somethings that use Facebook about FF cameras, and take their word as gospel when there is a wealth of information right on this forum that you ignore. I suggest you peruse some of the other photography sites on the internet and look at the number of advanced matures, (many over the age of 40 who do not use Facebook) as well as semi professional and professional photographers who use and are interested in FF cameras, that same question. Also realize that many of these photographers have moved away from Facebook because of the problems with imaging rights for photos posted there, and so are not apt to even see your Facebook poles. In short, the people you want to reach, do not use the medium you are asking the question on, and your are ignoring the largest group of dedicated Pentax users in the world. Therefore, any conclusion you come to will be grossly misrepresented. Last but not least, there is no real worry about Pentax now competing on price in the US market because, as I have shown above, you have priced yourself right out of it. It is now actually cheaper to build a system with other manufactures offerings. It is also still easier, at least in my neck of the woods, as I can walk into a B&M camera shop and walk out with the lens or camera I want, vs a sales slip and the hope that UPS doesn't play soccer with my new treasure.

There are no hard feelings. I am disappointed, but I harbor no ill will against Pentax. If I were a street photographer, or doing a lot of travel type photography, Pentax would be my first choice. But the options are too limited, and the number of days to shoot too short to keep dreaming about what might come from Pentax when it is already offered by someone else, and, at a better price.

Disclaimer: I understand the current QC and Customer Service problems with Nikon, but I much more confident that they will work through them and correct them than I am that Pentax will ever address the SDM, FF or MAP issues that caused me to move to Nikon.

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-17-2013, 03:04 PM

Pentax wants to hear what you think?
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 376
Views: 52,210

Monochorme

If I told my customers that I was going to make some immediate business decisions to make my company stronger, and while those decisions were going to cost them money,without any immediate benefits to them, if they would just hang in there, things would get better for me in a couple of years and I would then be able to provide them with better service, value and products, this is what they would tell me.....

"Let us know when you've got your act together, and maybe we'll consider doing business with you again"

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-15-2013, 08:42 PM

Pentax wants to hear what you think?
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 376
Views: 52,210

Originally posted by monochrome
... The restructuring plan is supposed to be complete in about 12 months - which is about when I expect James Malcolm will have completed his survey and business plan for PRI Americas. We've heard whispers here that Pentax National Account Reps are saying good things are coming - I believe them. The pace of this just feels right to me (of course it is much slower than we want!!)..

So they introduce UPP, then they do the survey, then they plan how they are going to implement it? Is that what you're saying?

Forum: Pentax Full Frame 03-15-2013, 02:00 PM

Creative financing on the Pentax Full Frame
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 12
Views: 4,178

That's just wrong. Funny as heck but wrong :D

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-15-2013, 10:35 AM

Pentax wants to hear what you think?
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 376
Views: 52,210

Well here in the US, the warranty is only one year on Pentax glass. To be perfectly honest, 2 years would really tip me in the direction of at least one SDM lens.

I understand what you are saying about Zero Defects, and again, that is why they really need to increase the warranty on SDM glass. I know things happen, but with the reputation that SDM glass has, I have this sinking feeling it's not if, but when the motor will fail. A bit more protection would certainly ease that fear, real or imagined.

As for OS lenses, since I do most of my shooting from a tripod, OS is not something I care much about. Nor is SR for that matter. But with some Sigma lenses, you can only get them in OS so.....I suppose I would if I needed (wanted really) that lens. But again, the warranty period for Sigma lenses here in the US is much greater than that for Pentax glass.

I don't know if Pentax needs the money more than Sigma, or anyone else for that matter. I do know that 15 days shy of 1 year into UPP, I cannot buy a Pentax lens from my local camera store, and they don't even carry the K5II or K5IIs. As a matter of fact, they don't even have a Pentax sign in their window. Which, when considering they are the largest camera store chain in New England, doesn't speak well of Pentax's marketing ability or the new guys ability to get things rolling here in the US. So if they need money, they don't seem to be doing much or at least having much success in trying to generate it here.

Like you, I love the limited lenses, and my old M 50 1.7 too. I am not much of a Zoom Fan, though I do carry a 16 45 attached to my K20 in my everyday carry bag. But I prefer the primes. I would love to put them to work in your beautiful country one day.

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-15-2013, 09:02 AM

Pentax wants to hear what you think?
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 376
Views: 52,210

I guess I am missing the post where someone compared the 16 50 to a lens baby?

On the other hand, I wouldn't know because the 16 50 is an SDM lens, and, I wont buy one until Pentax offers something more than a 1 year warranty on lenses with SDM (back on topic, they want to know what I think, well, there it is) I know that some have said they have solved the issue with SDM, and I know that Pentax claims they don't have the statistics to prove there is a problem with SDM, but there was a post on this forum not more than a month ago where a member received a brand new DA* 200 that was DOA.

Even if Sigma has a problem with their HSM, their warranty makes me feel safer buying their product instead of a Pentax version, all else being equal. In that one circumstance alone, Sigma wins hands down in my opinion. If their lens fails in 13 months, I can get it fixed at no or little cost to me. Can Pentax say the same?

On the flip side, I am not a huge Sigma fan because they have given the cold shoulder to Pentax shooters by not offering some of their better lenses in the K mount, and discontinuing others. But I would buy a Sigma HSM lens way before I would ever buy a Pentax SDM lens.

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-15-2013, 04:04 AM

Pentax wants to hear what you think?
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 376
Views: 52,210

I'm not sure I would equate the failures that Lens Rentals has with actual lens problems. When you constantly turn over a fine piece of gear to UPS or USPS it's only a matter of time before something happens. No matter how well something is packed, the risk of damage, either internal or external, is increased substantially. Both my 70 and 105 macro lenses from Sigma are well built. Much better than my DA lenses, probably not quite as good as my limited, though they are a bit less expensive as well. As with Pentax glass, it's pick and choose. There are some very good ones, and there are some mediocre ones.

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-14-2013, 09:05 AM

Pentax wants to hear what you think?
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 376
Views: 52,210

Once again, Thank You for clearing it up for me.

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-14-2013, 08:28 AM

Pentax wants to hear what you think?
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 376
Views: 52,210

I understood that from his post, I was just wondering why you took the time to point it out? I thought for a minute there, that perhaps, this was 1984 - and I had gone backwards (or forwards as the case may be) in time to some Orwellian Universe. Thank You for clearing it up for me. It's much appreciated.

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-14-2013, 07:13 AM

Pentax wants to hear what you think?
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 376
Views: 52,210

And is he not entitled to it? Or must we only make post here that laud the Pentax brand? The title of the thread is Pentax Wants To Hear What You Think, isn't it? If we think outside the box, are we wrong? If we have different opinions are we wrong? Are we banished from posting for actually letting Pentax know what we think? Or should this thread be titled, Pentax Wants To Hear What You Think As Long As You Drink The Koolaid And Agree With Them? If everyone on this forum agreed with everything Pentax did, there wouldn't be a need for this thread at all. The mere fact that Pentax asked what we think, means they know there are differing opinions out there and they are seeking to find ways to make the product better. At least, that's the way I see it, but as you say.....That's only my (your) opinion.

Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion 03-10-2013, 07:41 AM

Hypothetical: yes or no
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 62
Views: 6,270

No I wouldn't because as a nature shooter, there isn't a system to support it. They barely have one to support APS C systems.

As for the comment about the 560 and no one buying it, that's not really fair and the reason the sales are low right now falls directly on Pentax's shoulders. All they did was release a shiny new lens. No test photos, no MTF charts, nothing. Prove this baby is worth 2000 bucks more than the Sigma 500 and then we can talk. Just because it says Pentax on it doesn't mean it's worth 7000 bucks.

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-08-2013, 07:01 AM

Pentax wants to hear what you think?
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 376
Views: 52,210

My post was probably harsher than it should have been. I apologize to those who read it.

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-07-2013, 12:13 PM

Pentax wants to hear what you think?
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 376
Views: 52,210

Very clear and very gracious of you to spell it out. Thank You.

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-07-2013, 10:48 AM

Pentax wants to hear what you think?
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 376
Views: 52,210

Your language aside, I gave you a simple answer. You're an intelligent person Monochrome, and trying to bait a poster by twisting his words is, or should be, beneath you. Why beat the poster up for expressing an opinion? His reference to "innovative products" is more than obvious if one follows the releases of new equipment from other manufacturers. When the K5 II and K5 IIs were released, I think the owner of this forum stated something to the effect of "great, now we have three cameras with the same sensor." I could go find the post, but the point is, frustration is setting in amongst Pentax users, and that cannot be good for the company OR the end user. Me and you and the other Pentax shooters who are looking, waiting, and longing for Pentax to step up to the plate and do something exciting. Waiting for them to be "different" instead of being the same old same old. In political speak, it's high time they energized the base. Otherwise, they might end up like Mitt, sitting on the sidle lines watching the world go by.

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-07-2013, 08:32 AM

Pentax wants to hear what you think?
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 376
Views: 52,210

He didn't say Innovations, he said "innovative products". Please don't twist words to make a point.

One doesn't have to go much further than the newly released consumer priced FF cameras to see his point.

But user wants and opinions aside, the position of the rest of the industry, specifically the 3rd party lens manufactures seem to be asking the same questions and apparently have the same concerns. Otherwise, they might be offering more of their new products in a Pentax mount.

We all want to see Pentax succeed, but you have to admit, they have done some pretty inane things over the past 5 years or so. I know that Richo has a plan, and we will all be happy once that plan comes to fruition, but how long are we to wait? Have they even started yet? Pentax isn't communicating to it's user base what exactly that plan is or what they plan to do. They aren't giving us any reason to remain loyal. Pentax users are a unique breed, which is something Richo should be capitalizing on. Wanting to know what "WE" think is one thing, telling us where THEY see the company in 1, 3, 5, and 10 years is quite another. This isn't a Nikon or Cannon user group of sheeple, it is a dedicated and loyal to a fault cadre of Pentax shooters who really want to be different, but are starting to feel like being different means remaining stationary while everyone else moves forward.

There's a difference between Innovative and Innovations.....and I think you know that.

Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 03-06-2013, 11:05 AM

Adorama Lens Prices??
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 6
Views: 1,262

Quote:

I think you are correct here as B&H has had that policy for a while where you must call for any possible discount.

In this thread https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/ask-b-h-photo/210266-any-word-about-unila...ng-policy.html

they deny that. I know B&H is a site supporter here, but I don't get a warm fuzzy feeling from them on this kind of stuff. I wonder if anyone really knows what's going on with Pentax lens prices. I would have thought they would have figured it out by now.....seems not....

But the DA 15 and especially for me, the DA 35 Macro did last week. Snooze you lose I suppose :)

Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 03-06-2013, 06:58 AM

Adorama Lens Prices??
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 6
Views: 1,262

Anyone bought a new lens from Adorama recently? They used to show one price on their page and then a different one in the cart. Now the prices are both the same and, insanely high again. If my stock portfolio went up like Pentax Lens prices, I would buy a 645d.

Forum: Pentax News and Rumors 03-01-2013, 05:57 AM

Pentax wants to hear what you think?
Posted By wildimages

Replies: 376
Views: 52,210

People often have a hard time with the difference between Price and Cost.

Price, is what I have to pay for something right this minute. It is a one time thing.

Cost, is what I will end up paying for that item (or service) over the lifetime of ownership of the product or service.

As a small business owner, I will jump at the opportunity to make my customers happy, keep them loyal, and ensure their repeat business.

The price I pay for doing this up front, outweighs the cost of not doing it in the long term.

Monochrome's statement

If true, when applied to Pentax Management, shows they too, have a hard time determining the difference between Cost and Price. I submit that if they expended the "marginal capital" to extend the warranties of SDM lenses., they would not have to worry about expending other "marginal capital" in the future because they would have more resources to work with.

If Pentax is convinced the SDM issue is simply a "perception" with no basis in fact, another option for them, most likely much cheaper than the already nothing it would ultimately cost them to extend the warranties of SDM lenses, would be to simply extend the warranties of the SDM Motors. Leave the basic warranty in place, at 1 year, but extend a 5 year warranty that would only apply to SDM failures.

Sometimes it is hard to see the forest for the trees, but as photographers, we are trained to look. Pentax is a Photography Company isn't it? Isn't it time for them to SEE what is happening and to LOOK for ways to capitalize on the situation? Someone once said "Problems, are opportunities in work cloths" The trick, is admitting there is a problem, real or perceived, and having the courage and foresight to do something about it. A great place to start, is understanding the difference between Price and Cost.........

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