Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
I have used Pentax for ages now, and I really like thier cameras. However it would seem that I am in the minority as most people seem to go Canon or Nikon, is there any reason why?
I use a ME super- which is now ancient, however it has still prodced some fantastic results, therefore I was curious as to why Nikon and Canon have so much success, are they really that much better.
I did think that it was perhaps because they weren't as good with autofocus etc, howvever the new *ist DS has gotten some very good reviews, that praise the noise controll and fast responsive autofocus.
Any comments welcome, thanks in advance.
Andy
For the same people will buy a Ford instead of a Vauxhall, however Pentax were left behind when it came to autofocus, which Canon lead and still do. I also think that with Canon and Nikon targeting the pro market like they do and have done, it creates an association with the non pro equipment, where I use Canon equipment I am associated with the pro market and subsequently am associated with a pro level of skill. My tuppence on the reasons anyway.
Stephen
I can't comment directly on current Pentax cameras, but the ME Super is a brilliant camera. I used to use one myself and was very happy with it. I only changed to another manufacturer (Minolta) when I opted for autofocus, because the Pentax AF cameras at the time (SFX?) weren't particularly impressive.
So far as I know, current Pentax SLRs are very good cameras and can certainly hold their own with the others.
Canon and Nikon have come to dominate the market to the extent that I would think they're easily the best known names. That in itself feeds through in more sales, since being well known people will choose them simply because they're the best known.
Before I get set upon by a horde of Canon/Nikon fans, that isn't to imply that their preeminence is unmerited, as they do make excellent cameras and lenses and are often at the cutting edge. All I mean is that Pentax (for example) may not be seen as such a "safe" choice as Canon and Nikon, simply because more people have heard of Canon and Nikon.
Doug
I bought the *st DS a couple of weeks ago, because the Rebel looked too plasticky and the D70 was way too big, and a bit too expensive for me.
I expected the DS to be a good camera, but I was surprised how good it was. It's small, fast, the menus and controls are very logically set, and the pictures are just GREAT. The only issue I found is with the built-in flash, which produces blue-ish pictures.
Why is Pentax so under-rated ?
You could say that the difference between Pentax and Canon is marketing - every amateur digital photographer I know personaly has a Canon (Rebel, 20D).
Practically, I believe there is also a technical difference: Canon make their own image sensors (they're not dependent on Sony - which gives them a greater ability to differentiate from Nikon, Minolta and Pentax). They also have lenses that Pentax don't have: very wide angle ultra sonic motorized zooms, or lenses with image stabilizer, for instance.
But i just needed a basic digital SLR, and I tought that Pentax would be good enough for me...
XT
Totally agree with Ceri. I used to run a pair of LX's with a Billingham full of fixed focal-length lens' back in my 'Journo' days. They immensely tough too... Out on a job years ago, 400mm f2.8 on one body and a 85mm f1.8 on the other. Something happened at the shoot, I set off at a run and the 400mm unit fell off my shoulder and hit the ground. Ripped the lens right off the camera. Ran it into Harrow the next day, new mount on the camera and one on the lens - all o.k. Don't ask what the bill was!!! 
Mike
Pentax are fist class cameras, its just that we as owners dont shout about it. I have several of them including two LX, one needing a service, its second one after 25 years of use.. I also have the K1000, a heavy brick built job that is as basic as you can get. Just a pound or so now and then for a battery. Thousands of lenses to choose from that even the 1stDS will accept. Pentax have always made SLR`s that are backwards compatible.
It is all to do with aiming at a particular market where Pentax have opted to stick with the non pro. The LX was their only venture into a full pro system outfit that is a dream to handle. They are now showing the `sticky mirror syndrome that a good servoce will cure. An old ad says "Just hold a Pentax" and they were right.
I find it strange that `good results` is often attibuted to the camera and not the person using it, although ease of use makes things comfortable. They are good tools for the job.
It gives one a jolt if you go out with a simple camera and single fixed focal length lens and see what you come back with.
Ken
I thought that the MZ-M was a great little camera, but with eyesight not so good now, no built in dioptric adjustment, the Canon autofocus persuaded me to go EOS300V. Now having 3 Canon USM lenses, the digital choice was logically the 300D.
However, 'just hold a Pentax'!
jas
Quote: dashbox - Pentax have always made SLRs that are backwards compatible
How the hell do I fit a PK-AF lens onto my Pentax Auto 110? 
>
Now that is a great "little" SLR. Yes, I know you meant that they're compatible with cameras of the same film format.
Nikons are also backwards compatible (and Minolta?), it's just Canon that diddled their FD mount owners, innit?
Quote: How the hell do I fit a PK-AF lens onto my Pentax Auto 110? >
Now that is a great "little" SLR. Yes, I know you meant that they're compatible with cameras of the same film format.
Well, you'd have trouble fitting it on a Spotmatic II - which unless I'm mistaken was also a 35mm film SLR camera
I'd forgotten about the Praktica M42 mount equipped Pentaxs, does that put Nikon top of backwards compatibility? Pentax did make a M42-PK adapter (to fit old lenses on new bodies) though.
What is always interesting to me is that no-one ever looks at an image and says "oh yes that was taken with a Pentax or a Nikon, or a Canon, or a Minolta or a Ricoh camera body!". In the final result no one can tell what type of camera held the film or memory card.
To be fair most people would be able to pick the approximate lense used e.g. a 17mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm etc. But no-one has ever even attempted to say that was taken with Pentax, Nikon, Minolta or Canon glass.
It is always the nut behind the wheel that causes the accident!!! When I started out in photography last century a camera was just a light proof box that held light sensitive material.
I use to run Nikons back when the 801s was considered cutting edge technology (well by Nikon anyway). When all of my gear got stollen it allowed me to take stock of what I wanted in cameras and lenses and that was my change to Pentax and I have never looked back!!! What can I say they either suit me or I suit them.
Brand snobbery was started by Nikon users because they couldn't afford Lieca... lol.
I have just made my move to digital photography with the fantastic Pentax IST-D. The choices I faced where:
-Was it the right time to make the move?
-Which was the right camera? (the choice being Pentax, Fuji or Nikon).
Pentax won on feel in the hand, control layout and I could still use my much loved lenses. Pentax may have lost their way a little at the start of Auto Focus but they are now up with the others if not leading the way.
I am a Pentax user and proud of it!!!
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
Login or Join Now
New to ePHOTOzine? Join ePHOTOzine for free!
Related Content
Join Our Free Newsletter
Awards
Current Competitions
foliopic 'Movement' Competition
1st May 2012 - 31st May 2012
This month's competition theme is 'Movement' which can be interpreted in a number of ways. You could photograph an animal running, a person walking or a car speeding...
Featured Directory Listing
May's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
Interact
Photography Gallery Photography Forums Recent Forum Activity Members' Meetings Members' BlogsSearch ePHOTOzine
Having trouble or would like to make a suggestion? Create a report
Calibrate your monitor so you can see 16 different shades.
ePHOTOzine © 2001 - 2012 Magezine Publishing | Contact Us | Site Map | Top