Pentaxian dilemma

[Patrick_Brodeur]

Hi everyone,

I am a fairly new member of D.P.S (although I've been a reader for quite some time) and like everyone else here I like taking pictures!

My "problem" is the following:

I currently own a Pentax k-x with the stock 18-55mm, the stock 50-200mm and an older SMC-A 50mm f/2. I take what I consider to be very nice pictures, but I wish to soon upgrade for multiple reasons, and I need to decide whether I'll stick to Pentax or I'll move to Canikon.

First: I have a feeling that every time I get a contract or any event, people look me down because I do not have a "bigger" camera. I always deliver in terms of picture quality, but since people have the bad habit of judging a photographer by the size of it's camera, I feel self-conscious.

Second: I'm primarily a film-maker. I am therefor more used to video cameras and lens but since I'm on a tight budget I'd love a dSLR that does it all. Now, I know the Pentax k-5 is 1080p, but the fact that it's 25p, AVI codec and that there is no manual settings in the video mode is really holding me back.

Third: I live in Canada, (Montreal to be specific), and I have to say that Pentax retailers are very rare here. They already have a smaller ranger of lens and accessories to start with, but the fact that I need to dig every time I need something is a pain.

Fourth: I'm slowly starting to shoot wildlife and I love it. Problem is, I have no idea what lens to get from Pentax. I was told to stay away from the Sigma's (on every system) but I cannot seem to find a Pentax lens between 300-500mm, or at least, one that is available at a consumer price.

My question is: Should I sell everything I have, while it's still worth something, and reinvest in another system from a different company, or do you think that sticking with Pentax and investing in a higher quality lens would make a bigger difference?

Thank you for your input kind people of D.P.S !

[zona5101]

Sounds like you have already made up your mind...you just need to act on it.

[Patrick_Brodeur]

Yeah while I read my post I realize that I sound almost ANTI-Pentax, but let me correct myself: I LOVE Pentax and this is my dilemma, I don't feel like going mainstream... I just wonder if there are any other photographers making a living using Pentax's equipment...

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by Patrick_Brodeur

Yeah while I read my post I realize that I sound almost ANTI-Pentax, but let me correct myself: I LOVE Pentax and this is my dilemma, I don't feel like going mainstream... I just wonder if there are any other photographers making a living using Pentax's equipment...

Steve Bowman on this site. http://digital-photography-school.co...iresangwa.html Killer photographer!

And http://digital-photography-school.co...k-in-math.html
I don't know if he does it for a living, but he is hardcore Pentax. He's pretty awesome too!

[Patrick_Brodeur]

Thank you Lucas, this is very inspiring considering that a lot of shots are done with the SMC 50mm f/1.4 that only costs a few hundred bucks, nowhere near the thousands. I guess I really should NOT care what people think of your gear... but it's such a shame that you get judged by people that don't even know photography, but think that bigger cameras by bigger manufacturers = better photographer.

[ula]

Hi,

regarding pentax films, have you seen this on utube? fantastic quality and entirely done with pentax kx.
YouTube - Pentax K-x: Summer in the UK

and about the size of camera: seriously? doesnt have a smaller and lighter camera lots of advantages: easier to handle, doesnt obscure the view in the church at a wedding to actual visitors ( i was once at a wedding the photographer looked as if he would tip over and unfortunatly he was making pics in front of me, all I saw was the bl... lens instead of the bride)...

I m not a professional, so most likely my needs of a good camera are different from yours, but your arguments against pentax sound off to me: just ignore what other people say, the quality of your camera is good , you know how to handle it and you are happy with it - then keep it.

Have fun

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by RLucas

Steve Bowman on this site. http://digital-photography-school.co...iresangwa.html Killer photographer!

And http://digital-photography-school.co...k-in-math.html
I don't know if he does it for a living, but he is hardcore Pentax. He's pretty awesome too!

woah, i just saw this... shucks Luke, thanks.

As to the OP, if you're still around after almost 2 weeks, I'd say don't feel too pressured to switch systems.

Be clear however, that Pentax as adorable as it is to those of us beholden to it's charms, has it's limitations, as do all platforms.

As far as you have outlined, you're hitting some of those limitations pretty early.

The video, I can't speak to much. The lack of AF on the k5 has been decried, but then again, it isn't meant to be a major feature. Sure, some wonderful stuff can be made with it, but thats the exception that proves the rule in this case.

Glass-wise, you won't find anything decent over 300mm, again, it's just not something that Pentax has ever done. As for why you thin kyou have to stay away from Sigma, I'm not sure where you heard that...as far as third party glass goes, I haven't heard much bad about them.. like all lens lineups by any manufacturer, its going to have it's gems, and its lemons... but the Bigma, especially for the serious enthusiast, is generally considered to be decent as far as I know.

Pentax certainly doesn;t limit me at all, especially since the release of the k5, which is a helluva camera when paired with DA* and Ltd glass.. especially in relation to the cost. That is if the range suits your needs.

Another drawback is the lighting system..nowhere near as well developed as the CLS of Nikon... but again, I, and plenty of others, get around that by using third party systems and knowing how to use them.

Availability on the line, well, i couldn;t tell you where I could buy pentax equipment anywhere within a few hundred miles of me... but I buy everything online, so its no big deal.

Honestly, the k-x isn't suitable for paid work. Great (possibly the best) entry-level dslr, but an upgrade to something special like the k5 isn't a big jump financially, or in terms of the learning curve.