That's probably true, Mark. The problem seems to be, that those who can afford/need FA* glass, could also afford a pro spec'ed camera body, which unfortunately is not available with a K-mount. It seems like Pentax have chosen to discontinue the pro level lenses, rather than indtroducing a pro-level body!
For less spec-demanding shooting, like portrait and lansdcape, the *ist DSLR's are OK. So will the awaited 10 MP SAMSUNG/PENTAX body, probably be. Pro level lenses can be purchased from Sigma, Tamron and Tokina, though. So, Pentax could actually have offered a pro level body. Those who did or tried to (Contax, Leica, Olympus, Minolta) don't seem to have been very successful, though! Regards Jens Bladt http://www.jensbladt.dk -----Oprindelig meddelelse----- Fra: Mark Erickson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sendt: 28. februar 2006 18:29 Til: pentax-discuss Emne: Poor FA* lens sales Here are my reasons why FA* lenses might have been poor. First off, the FA* lenses were intended to hit "professional grade" specs such as the F2.8 28-70 and 80-200 zooms, big fast telephotos, etc. Pentax never shipped a body that matched them and met similar "professional grade" specs. Their top body was the (P)Z-1p, which did not match the EOS-1 or F-4. When the EOS-1 was replaced with the EOS-1n and later the EOS-1v and the F-4 was replaced with the F-5, Pentax had no answer. Canon and Nikon also added IS/VR and USM/AFS features to their lenses to improve their performance. In addition, Canon and Nikon provide professional level services at, for example, sporting events. The result is that Canon and Nikon are viewed as having "professional grade systems" while Pentax does not. Regarding total sales, I have to believe that most "professional grade" lenses are sold to pros, "wanna-be" pros, and rich folk who want to look like pros. Compared to their numbers, how many dedicated Pentax enthusiasts are there with enough money to buy FA* glass? My guess is not many. --Mark -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 268.1.1/271 - Release Date: 02/28/2006 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 268.1.1/271 - Release Date: 02/28/2006
