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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
09-02-2011, 06:47 PM
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New to the thread so I hope I don't bore you folks to tears.
I learned photgraphy on the venerable Pentax tank knows as the K1000. Luckily, the copy I got back then (1980) came with the 50mm f/1.2 K prime. That was a sweet sweet lens for learning photojournalism and that glass earned me many kudos. When I dropped out of journalism after a serious burnout, I got rid of everything journalism-related in a fit of "never again", including all my photo gear (BIG mistake). I had worked on Canon equipment at a newspaper in the Maritimes (Canada) and never liked the ergo, and the glass paled in comparison to the K glass.
Years later, I walked into a pawn shop while waiting for my wife, and saw an old K1000 witha 50mm A lens attached to it. I picked it up and it felt like an old friend in my hands, and I immediately had to buy it. The A lens wasn't as good as the K lens, but what the hell.
The kicker was that I had been out of photography so long that I didn't realize that film was well on its way out. Oh sure, I had a small digital point-and-shoot (an excellent Olympus), but when it came to SLRs, I thought film still ruled. You have to understand that during my journalism days, I did my own processing and darkroom work. When I realized I would have to move to digital, it was quite a shock.
I did a lot of comparison and for my dollar, the K10D was the best bet for features, functionality and weather sealing. That is still the body I use. Many of my co-workers look at me strangely when we compare notes. One is a Canon enthusiast (but not at the proselytizing level), and the other is a Nikon gearhead (who did try to convert me to his religion). When people ask "Why Pentax?", I wink and say "Because I know something you don't..."
I had not spotted another Pentaxian until recently. My current job is in the IT field and I recently had to hire a consultant to work alongside me to customize a software package to my company's needs. During one of our convos, we realized we both enjoyed photography and I mentioned I was going to take pics of the swans on the river the following weekend and it would be great to meet there. The consultant did come out with a film camera and a DSLR: a K1000 and a K10D. We had a good laugh and I accused the consultant of "sucking up to the boss". I spent a great afternoon talking about our Pentax fixation and why we will one day rule the world. :D
Sorry for the long post but after reading pages and pages of Pentax stories, it feels like family in here. :)
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