Why did you pick Pentax?

[Garlic City Grandpa]

I picked it because after having been turned down for two jobs I wanted because I had had no photography experience or training in crime scene photography, it behooved me to not only to learn about photography, but also to use the equipment that was being used in the field. Two cops in different parts of the country told me that Pentax K-1000s were sturdy and easy to learn to use. I bought a used K-1000 and I was very happy with it. When I decided it was time for a dSLR, my better half saw a deal on QVC for a K-2000 kit with 2 lenses. When the Pentax rep said "backwards compatible", I said okay, I want it. I think now what I have is brand loyalty. I've seen ads for Hasselblad backs that are in the 10K and up bracket, but that would only be a reality for me if I developed the talent to be a professional photographer. Until then, Pentax.

[Sonofagunner]

I choose Pentax in 1980 when I purchased an K1000 for myself as a graduation prsent. Then while in the service upgrade to the ME Super. When I decided to go digital I was able to get an *ist D on sale. I have always enjoyed my Pentax cameras and have never had any problems with them. I would never purchase another brand as long as Pentax is around.

[navcom]

Why am I a Pentax user? Many reasons...

- Durability. My Pentax bodies have outlasted any other brand I've owned. They are built to last and that's important when you are a landscape photographer out and about in all kinds of weather.

- Lenses. As was already pointed out, the Pentax DA primes are fantastic. They blow the socks of the Nikor equivalents....and not only in quality, but in price as well. Plus, my K20D can use any lens ever produced for a Pentax camera...and there are tons to choose from.

- Ease of use. Especially on the K10D and forward. I love the easy access to all the features I need (on external buttons for the most part) without having to wade through miles of menus.

- Because I'm a contrarian! Pentax is every bit as good (if not better in some areas) than the expensive Canon's and Nikon's. I'm proud to display my Pentax gear to "Canikon" owners.

I remember running into a "snotty" kid with a Nikon strapped around his neck in the park about a year ago. He asked what I was shooting and I showed him. He literally turned his nose up at me. Then he displayed his ignorance of the Pentax brand when he said, "that's not a real camera. How many pro's use a Pentax?" I asked him how many photos he sold from his Nikon? He said he wasn't a professional. I gave him my business card. He didn't say much more after that.

[samhail]

I'm so happy I saw this thread. I have seen all the Canon and Nikon shooters and I was got worried about my use of Pentax. I worried that I may have made a mistake so many years ago when I started with the ZX-7 and the switched to the K100D a few years ago. I'm saving up to purchase a K20 and I can't wait to get it. You all made me feel better about be a Pentax owner. I'm thinking of going pro (small business) and I was worried I couldn't compete in this Canon world. But you all made me feel better about that. Now all I have stopping me is my lack of confidence in my photos. Thanks for the great tread.

[navcom]

Originally Posted by samhail

I'm so happy I saw this thread. I have seen all the Canon and Nikon shooters and I was got worried about my use of Pentax. I worried that I may have made a mistake so many years ago when I started with the ZX-7 and the switched to the K100D a few years ago. I'm saving up to purchase a K20 and I can't wait to get it. You all made me feel better about be a Pentax owner. I'm thinking of going pro (small business) and I was worried I couldn't compete in this Canon world. But you all made me feel better about that. Now all I have stopping me is my lack of confidence in my photos. Thanks for the great tread.

No worries samhail! Quite honestly, there is very little difference now-days in image quality from DSLR to DSLR. The differences are mostly in the feature content and the build quality of the camera and lenses. Pentax has it wrapped up in it's price range...especially the latter category.

The K20D you are looking at getting is a fantastic camera. You will love it! It is the best in it's price range and category (mid-range DSLR). In reality, it even gives some of the high-end cameras Canikon offers a run for their money.

Nikon and Canon have big marketing budgets, and it is reflected in their higher costs and lower build quality. Don't get me wrong, they are not bad cameras. But if you get more features like built-in shake reduction and a much better build quality for a bit less, why wouldn't you do it? Most of the reason people don't go with Pentax is pure marketing hype....seriously.

[RubyT]

I was given a K1000 for my 18th birthday in 1986. Within 6 months it was stolen.

In the meantime I used my then-husband's camera, and eventually a digital P&S.

When I was finally ready for a DSLR (when my youngest, twins, would let me breathe for a minute), I saw an ad for the K100DS and I never looked back. Now I have a K20D and I just can't think of anything I need in a camera that it doesn't have.

[navcom]

Originally Posted by RubyT

Now I have a K20D and I just can't think of anything I need in a camera that it doesn't have.

Couldn't agree more. I've used the Nikon's and Canon's...they just seem cheap compared to my K20D (and K10D). A friend of mine who has been a Nikon user for some time is actually thinking of switching to Pentax. This after several years of egging and criticizing my camera brand. Of course everything he critized, I proved him wrong...usually with the end result that I showed up his camera. What finally did it for him was the cost of his lenses. Pentax has some of the best glass out there and compared to Nikon, they are cheaper as well. It just frosted him that my 1968 manual prime that I picked up for $45 was every bit as good (if not better) than his $600 prime.

As I said, Nikon's are not bad camera's. I just can't see spending the extra when you aren't getting anything for the money except a logo...and are even taking a step backwards in build quality.

[MattG]

My first SLR was a secondhand Pentax P30, saved after a summer delivering papers, washing cars, etc. at age 16. Bought a couple of new lenses and spent a happy few years learning and reeling off film shots. The rise in processing costs reduced my use and it wasn't until the release of the K10d that I became interested again - value, features and backwards lens compatibility all attracted me.

I still use my K10d regularly and love it - the flaws as mentioned by other brand users are nothing more than idiosycrancies to me now. High speed ISO performance isn't an issue generally - shooting RAW and then applying noise reduction software in post processing sees good enough results for me, plus I love the performance at low ISO.

Value wise, it seems Pentax have an excellent product range and I expect to keep on being loyal for a while to come yet. My wife has become more interested in photography, so I am persuading her to look at a K-m as a first DSLR. After all, she can use some of my current lenses and if I buy another lens, then she will benefit too...reckon that sounds convincing?!

[Bighug]

After 55 years of film photography, and a couple of cheap digitals, I decided to treat myself to a birthday gift of a good digital SLR. Pentax was the choice because I had several Pentax-mount lens, and about 20 years ago I bought a K1000 for my son who was in college taking photo courses as a part of his journalism curriculum. It proved to be an excellent camera. The complexity of my K20D is unexpected, but I will conquer it! One problem is using the old lens I have. Only one will work, although they all fit. All suggestions appreciated.

[navcom]

One thing that might be the problem is your aperture ring setting. There is a menu setting that allows or prohibits the use of a lens with an aperture ring.

If you click the menu button, then click the left arrow, you will be in the custom setting menu screen. Next hit the up arrow twice. You should be over the "Using aperture ring" choice. Click the right arrow. Set this setting to #2 (permitted) and click the OK button twice.

Shut off the camera, mount one of the older lenses, and turn the camera back on. You should get a prompt on the LCD display for the focal length of the lens if it's a prime lens (not sure what happens with a manual zoom lens). Select the focal length.

Couple other things to remember....obviously auto focus will not work so turn the button on the left side of the camera near where the lens mounts to MF. And finally, depending on the lens, you may need to be in manual mode, or limited to manual and shutter priority mode. The old M-style lenses will most likely be manual only. I believe the A-styles you have some auto features but can't remember which ones.

Hope that helps get you going in the right direction!

I have several manual lenses for my K20D. I have a really old one that needs an adapter ring to mount, but works absolutely splendid! It really is nice to be able to look on Ebay or at the local camera store's used gear and pick up and excellent prime lens for $50! And Pentax made some of the best quality primes ever.