Why did you pick Pentax?

[M@ddog]

Originally Posted by navcom

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.

I totally agree with you...I have also used a Nikon D90, then a Canon 50D and upgraded that to a Canon 7D...and used 'L' series lens only...but you know what...the funny thing was that a friend of mine who shot with the K20D got the same quality images and sometimes even better. Images shot with the Pentax K20D and Pentax lenses just seemed a wee bit sharper...in my opinion, anyway.

I have recently sold all my Canon gear and have bought myself a K5 with a couple of DA lenses (one zoom and one prime)...and I am very happy with the gear. The color reproduction is what made me defect from Nikon to Canon...and the Pentax K5 in combo with a DA prime is right up there with the Canon color reproduction from L series lens...without any post processing coming into play!

Still very much an amateur...so I have a long way to go yet and lots to learn.

[penguinsoda]

I didn't come to Pentax, Pentax came to me.

I've been a Nikon user for years, going back to a Nikon SLR film camera I got back in the 80's, through two different Nikon P&S digitals. But I was ready to start to go to the next level, and had started looking at prosumer level cameras. Sadly, nothing Nikon had to offer excited me and I was actually looking at Canon.

I also belong to a Disney based website, and we have a LOT of amazing photographers there who share their pictures of the resort. Someone had posted some pictures, and I asked what camera they used since I was thinking about upgrading to a prosumer level this fall, since I wasn't sure if I was ready to go full DSLR yet.

The next thing I know, I got a PM from a fellow member, who I had met briefly at one of our meets back in January. He had an older camera he had upgraded from that was just sitting on a shelf collecting dust, and would I like to have it.



Whoa... uh, heck yeah??

It was a Pentax *ist D, with a 28-105mm and a 55-300mm lens. He also threw in a card reader, new batteries and some other misc stuff.

It doesn't have the bells and whistles that the newer ones do, but it works great and I think its going to be a wonderful little camera to relearn photography on, and learn the world of DSLR. I haven't had a lot of time to take pics with it yet or learn everything about it, but I'm very happy with its performance with what things I've done with it so far.

And... the price was right.

[ejones]

Ended up changing brands...Sorry (former) Pentaxians...decided to upgrade, and found that Pentax wasn't innovating at a price point that I could afford, so I ended up becoming a Nikonian...

Originally Posted by ejones

Several reasons...some of which you pointed out...

Bought my first new SLR (35mm film) a little more than 7 years ago, just before the birth of my first daughter. It was a Pentax ZX-30. Very pleased with it - it let me down once while it was still under warranty, but was fine after it was repaired.

The quality was very good - very rugged - could take a beating, and still produce great shots (minus the operator error).

So, the primary reason was the brand had treated me well...I tend to be loyal when I find a good performing brand. Other reasons:

1. Ability to use older Pentax lenses. I only had 1, but $150 is $150...if you can spare $150, I'll gladly take it

2. I like the ability to use AA batteries if needed

3. I like having a brand that not too many other people have

4. I don't think you can beat the combination of price and performance...

Overall, still thrilled with the brand. Unless something crazy happens, whenever I upgrade, it will be to another Pentax.