Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
It took me 8 weeks to get one, and that was direct from the distributor. Feroze - Original Message - From: Rob Brigham [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2003 5:37 PM Subject: RE: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS) Yeah, whenever I go into the big photo stores in my town (Jessops or LCE) they wonder at my MZ-S and complain that they never get to see them because all deliveries are taken up by pre-orders from the central mail order system. They never get enough to go as far as sending them out to the stores. This is a shame, because it would sell even better if people could see it and feel it, but is good news because they are selling all the units they can make. -Original Message- From: T Rittenhouse [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] A comment about the MZ-S not selling well. Most of the stores I have been in that carry them sell them about as fast as they can get them. That is, it seems more a supply problem than a buyer problem.
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
Jim Apilado wrote: How many look at your cameras when you are out? I've had more attention from my 6x7 in the last 4 months than I have had from any other camera in 20 years. Almost invariably if I set up the beast on the tripod some wag pops up with variations of 'Are you taking a photograph then?' that usually leads to questions about what sort of camera it is, etc, etc. I was pointing the camera towards a mist-shrouded part of the Peak District(*) last month and one guy even wanted to know if I was going to be in National Geographic (yeah, right!). Chris (*) For people who don't know, but might want to know, the Peak District is a very hilly National Park that runs along the upper middle of the UK.
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
Oh yes, I do own a Pentax that I think is beautiful but a bit tacky in design. It's a transparent SF1 with a transparent zoom lens. Everything works on it but I can't take pictures with film because the film would be fogged. The camera and lens is on prominent display in my home. I get lots of interesting comments about it. Jim. I am eternally envious. A friend of mine collects colored cameras - not wishing to be outdone, I decided to collect no color cameras. To date of course, I have collected..none. No color cutaways, if I had the cash to spare. Kind regards Peter
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
Cameron wrote: The MZ-S was beautiful, but flawed; the *ist D is way too late, and it better be cheap because it's last years' technology, and the *ist has some nice features but is extremely tacky looking. REPLY: Mostly right on. However, the MZ-S was basically the right camera but should have been released much earlier. If not exactly the same camera then at least a camera with the same general outline. The *ist D won't be cheap. It will probably cost slightly more than the Canon D10. A Pentax rep told me that the estimated price here in Norway was about 20.000Nkr (~£1700), about twice as much as it needed to cost in order to sell. I agree that the *ist's are tacky looking. I expect the *ist to look better in flesh due to the fact that its small size will add cuteness factor. I believe looks are extremely important for Pentax in particular as they need people to litterally take a look at their producst. Nikon and Canon get the attention regardless on how they look (or even perform!). Pål
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
From: Pål Jensen [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 13:46:39 +0100 The *ist D won't be cheap. It will probably cost slightly more than the Canon D10. A Pentax rep told me that the estimated price here in Norway was about 20.000Nkr (~£1700), about twice as much as it needed to cost in order to sell. Pentax has said that the pricing is going to be competetive. Costing more than the D10 isn't competetive. Anyway, it's far too early to say anything about the price. CCD prices are likely to drop, it's still 3-4 months left to the release. Regarding looks - Canon has the ugliest cameras in the world, and they sell... :-) Best wishes, Roland _ Hitta rätt på nätet med MSN Sök http://search.msn.se/
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
On Mon, 17 Mar 2003 14:51:33 +0100, Boz wrote: Best wishes to all and thanks for all I've learned from you! To all KMP contributors most sincere thanks! Bojidar Dimitrov If I may add my small voice to the chorus, thanks for something that's pulled back many, many veils over the few short years I've been serious about photography. Invaluable resource doesn't even begin to describe what you've built. Best regards, Stephen Moore
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
Can't say that I blame you, Boz. Funny thing is most of us on this list are 'serious' photographers. Pentax has pretty much abandoned that segment of the market. That may be a sound marketing decision on their part, but it really means that the enthusiastic Pentax user has been abandoned. Camera companies that don't cater to that segment of the market soon become commodity vendors or go out of business. A comment about the MZ-S not selling well. Most of the stores I have been in that carry them sell them about as fast as they can get them. That is, it seems more a supply problem than a buyer problem. Ciao, Graywolf http://pages.prodigy.net/graywolfphoto - Original Message - From: Bojidar Dimitrov [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, March 17, 2003 8:51 AM
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
Hear! Hear! Ciao, Graywolf http://pages.prodigy.net/graywolfphoto - Original Message - From: Greene [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, March 17, 2003 11:21 AM Subject: Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS) --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Bojidar: Interesting approach and conclusion. I can see your reasons for leaving... But don't ever forget that it is the photographs that make the difference not the camera, not even really the lenses. If you want the latest and greatest USM, IS etc, go out and get it, but it really won't make you a better photographer. As I have said before, IS is fine for lazy photographer and special applications like shooting from a boat or something) but I use a tripod almost all the time and IS lenses would add nothing but cost to my outfit... I'm not saying that if Pentx came out with an IS lens I wouldn't buy one, but I certainly wouldn't change systems because of it. My suggestion would be to invest in film rather than the latest equipment vic _ What I know about Boz in the very few weeks I've been here is 1. He knows who makes the photographs and 2. He most certainly is not lazy, not if we jedge him by his herculean efforts building and housekeeping his site, a technical masterpiece he assiduously maintianed for legions of Pentax photographers/collectors. For you to condescnd to such a man shows a degree of contempt for his being that I find astonishing. = I get it done with YAHOO! DSL!
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
Hi! Boz, I am sorry I am a little late with reply. It seems that there were no virus on my computer after all, but hotpop is indeed behaving strangely. Anyway, I am sorry to see you go. With all honesty I realize that you might as well disappear from PDML, since this is mainly technical list. I hope though that you'd keep coming in every now and then and saying a word or two. In fact, I hope you'd keep submitting your work for PUG... As for you choice, I find it perfectly logical that when one sees a reason to make a step, one just makes it. I hope you'd enjoy the novelty of Canon. Even if you decide to stop updating your KMP pages it would be appreciated not only by me but by many others if you kept them accessible. Wishing you all the best. --- Boris Liberman www.geocities.com/dunno57 www.photosig.com/viewuser.php?id=38625
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
This point was discussed years ago by Canon nature and wildlife shooters on photo.net and there was no problem with ultra sonic lens noise. BR [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Rob brings up a good point abou the frequency of USM lenses, now how are these suppposed to be good for wild life if your running around the forest with the equivalent of a dog whislte making a racket?
RE: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
--- Brendan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Rob brings up a good point abou the frequency of USM lenses, now how are these suppposed to be good for wild life if your running around the forest with the equivalent of a dog whislte making a racket? He just may have been talking about his own Rottweiler. Canon USM lenses of any length work more or less silently. But those with an EOS camera /might/ hear them in a quiet room. Working along a noisy river bank with an EOS body sans booster is very quiet. It's when you hang a Booster on that you get motor/winder noise. But then, we (photographers) too often equate the physicality of the shot itself (that visceral, very noticeable (to the shooter) viewfinder black-out) with whatever slight noise the shutter or mirror might make. To us, because of our immediate vicinity, the noise is noticeable. But hold a modern (post PZ1p) Pentax body cradled in your hands and shoot normally. Nearly any noise you hear will still be more the product of your /foreknowledge/ of the shutter's or mirror action than any shutter shshst or mirror slap the shooter senses more than hears. In a quiet place, like a conert hall, our body movement as we move our heads and shoulders with the (a) camera disturbs people more than any slight noise the modern shutter/mirror makes. The real trouble arises when you rewind. That high-pitched noise /is/ very noticeable. = I get it done with YAHOO! DSL!
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
At 14:51 17.3.2003 +0100, Bojidar Dimitrov wrote: ... I bought an EOS 30 (Elan 7e) and the top-rated lenses EF 70-200/4 USM L and 28-105/3.5-4.5 USM. What can I say, I wasn't feeling sick anymore. USM may be seen just as a gimmick by some on this list, but USM lenses have full-time manual and allow the photographer to reach in and readjust the focus at any time, without having to switch or slide levers. The build quality is absolutely fantastic, and the manual focus feel is at least as good as that of an A-series lens. I have not spent the money on an IS lens yet, but I have the option, if I ever have the money. So I was not feeling sick any more... Have fun with your new toys and thanks for all the KMP data you have collected over the years ! It would be nice to have you pop-in and let us know how things go from time to time. All the best, Antti-Pekka --- * Antti-Pekka Virjonen * Fiskarsinkatu 7 D * GSM: +358 500 789 753 * * Computec Oy Turku* FIN-20750 Turku Finland * Fax: +358 10 264 0777 *
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
Hi Bojidar, I understand your decision - but I feel that Pentax are moving towards USM and IS. And I believe that the *ist D has support for this technology. But, the question is always - how long will it take? New bodies and lenses with USM and IS. I believe that some might be released this fall, but the PMA show next year will probably be the place where Pentax releases it's new technology, a new FA* serie and a new flagship, and probably a more high-end digital SLR. Because they must do it, if they want to survive (and I'm sure they want this). I'm not worried, at least not know. But if Pentax has nothing at next years PMA, then I might reconsider my decision. To be honest, I want the MZ-5n/3 replacement *now*, I wish that Pentax had showned it at the PMA show. But I understand, Pentax is a small company and releasing two new filmbased SLR's would be too much for them. But I hope, I pray, I beg - that the MZ-5n/3 replacement will be released this fall. With the looks of the *ist D, I am standing ready with my credit card. :-) Best wishes, Roland From: Bojidar Dimitrov [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 14:51:33 +0100 Hi Roland, hi all, Roland Mabo wrote: Choosing SLR, is choosing a system. Those who wish to use the SLR primarly for ps photography doesn't bother, but those who are serious about learning photography - who sees photography as an art, as a hobby or as an income - thinks about SLR as a system. I certainly do, and as much as I like Pentax bodies (LX, superProgram, ZX-5n), I am not convinced by Pentax's system. I chose a superProgram with a couple of A lenses when I was a student, and I still believe that for a limited budget Pentax is a great solution. There is plenty of second-hand gear and it is good, small, light, and inexpensive. BUT... when I started getting serious and ready to spend some more cash, I started watching with great envy those Canon and Nikon users. Now, I am a technical head more than an artist, so I was fascinated by things like USM, IS, AF eye-control, etc. Still, this was not enough to make me switch. I am a cost-conscious person, so I like to buy second-hand, and I do not go for the big profi items. But recently I started wanting a longer lens as well as a reasonable 70-200 lens, and found that I cannot really buy them from Pentax. Yes, they do have the FA* 300/2.8, FA* 400/5.6 and FA* 80-200/2.8, but I was not willing to buy them new, and I could not find them used. At the same time I wondered if I have confidence to even spend that money on a company that since 1984 has steadily but surely been falling behind the competition. A company whose most recent big-ticket item (the MZ-S) has been a flop (at least in my eyes and from a sales point-of-view), and a company that in the end of Feb 2003 still had no DSLR. So I started looking at Canon and Nikon more and more seriously. After I edjucated myself a bit about new names, series, compatibility, etc., I started having a rather sick feeling that I will be leaving Pentax soon. I bought an EOS 30 (Elan 7e) and the top-rated lenses EF 70-200/4 USM L and 28-105/3.5-4.5 USM. What can I say, I wasn't feeling sick anymore. USM may be seen just as a gimmick by some on this list, but USM lenses have full-time manual and allow the photographer to reach in and readjust the focus at any time, without having to switch or slide levers. The build quality is absolutely fantastic, and the manual focus feel is at least as good as that of an A-series lens. I have not spent the money on an IS lens yet, but I have the option, if I ever have the money. So I was not feeling sick any more... Just at that time the first news of the *ist and *ist D came out, and I was almost ready to abandon my plans to switch. After all, Pentax showed some new products, and they looked good! But after the euphory settled down, I took a critical look and had a sick feeling once again. I wasn't sure if my good old K and M lenses will work with the *ist, and the new Pentax lenses wern't itneresting at all. After all, I am happy with 2 bodies, but I want LENSES. And the Pentax's AF offerings are either too expensive for me (I must buy them new) or they are not there. At the same time they represent late 1980's and early 1990's technology. Add to that Canon's news about the 10D DSLR along with a (theoretically) perfect wide-angle zoom (17-40/4 USM), and I felt certain that my choice of a new system was the right one. I wish Pentax all the best, and I hope they stay in the game. That way Canon will have one more competitor, and may some day learn how to make smaller and lighter bodies and lenses. Now, back to reality. I will go on working on the KMP, and will try to improve it and make it more complete and more informative. I will also hang around on the PDML for few more weeks, at least. Best wishes to all and thanks for all I've learned from you! To all KMP contributors most sincere thanks! Bojidar Dimitrov
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
Bojidar: Interesting approach and conclusion. I can see your reasons for leaving... But don't ever forget that it is the photographs that make the difference not the camera, not even really the lenses. If you want the latest and greatest USM, IS etc, go out and get it, but it really won't make you a better photographer. As I have said before, IS is fine for lazy photographer and special applications like shooting from a boat or something) but I use a tripod almost all the time and IS lenses would add nothing but cost to my outfit... I'm not saying that if Pentx came out with an IS lens I wouldn't buy one, but I certainly wouldn't change systems because of it. My suggestion would be to invest in film rather than the latest equipment vic
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Bojidar: Interesting approach and conclusion. I can see your reasons for leaving... But don't ever forget that it is the photographs that make the difference not the camera, not even really the lenses. If you want the latest and greatest USM, IS etc, go out and get it, but it really won't make you a better photographer. As I have said before, IS is fine for lazy photographer and special applications like shooting from a boat or something) but I use a tripod almost all the time and IS lenses would add nothing but cost to my outfit... I'm not saying that if Pentx came out with an IS lens I wouldn't buy one, but I certainly wouldn't change systems because of it. My suggestion would be to invest in film rather than the latest equipment vic _ What I know about Boz in the very few weeks I've been here is 1. He knows who makes the photographs and 2. He most certainly is not lazy, not if we jedge him by his herculean efforts building and housekeeping his site, a technical masterpiece he assiduously maintianed for legions of Pentax photographers/collectors. For you to condescnd to such a man shows a degree of contempt for his being that I find astonishing. = I get it done with YAHOO! DSL!
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you want the latest and greatest USM, IS etc, go out and get it, but it really won't make you a better photographer. Boz clearly stated that he is a technical head more than an artist, and I can understand his reasoning. It's his money, and he's free to spend it as he sees fit. And I bet that whatever he does, he won't post here Pentax s***s, Canon rules, you are all a bunch of morons messages, like some distinguished pdml subscribers are doing. cheers, caveman
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
It is indeed a sad day for Pentax and the PDML that the great Bojidar Dimitrov is leaving. His fabulous K mount page is world class, and this is a sad indication of the state that Pentax has left it's advanced users. It is not offering any support or encouragement in the top echelons of SLRdom, and in spite of years and years of rumours, there has been no concrete offerings by them. The MZ-S was beautiful, but flawed; the *ist D is way too late, and it better be cheap because it's last years' technology, and the *ist has some nice features but is extremely tacky looking. There has been no improvements of the high end lenses in living memory, and the Limited Lenses, while beautiful, have no camera to match them either in performance or cosmetics. They don't even offer autofocus teleconverters for high end autofocus lenses that have been out for over a decade! I think Pentax was seriously hurt by the disasterous MZ-D; whether or not they have the fortitude to recover and to listen to their core customers is another story. We will definitely miss Bojidar's insiteful comments and his wonderful addition to the Pentax family, disfunctional though it may be. Best wishes to him from a long time (since '96) PDML member. Cameron Hood On Monday, March 17, 2003, at 06:30 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 14:51:33 +0100 From: Bojidar Dimitrov [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS) Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi Roland, hi all, Roland Mabo wrote: Choosing SLR, is choosing a system. Those who wish to use the SLR primarly for ps photography doesn't bother, but those who are serious about learning photography - who sees photography as an art, as a hobby or as an income - thinks about SLR as a system. I certainly do, and as much as I like Pentax bodies (LX, superProgram, ZX-5n), I am not convinced by Pentax's system. I chose a superProgram with a couple of A lenses when I was a student, and I still believe that for a limited budget Pentax is a great solution. There is plenty of second-hand gear and it is good, small, light, and inexpensive. BUT... when I started getting serious and ready to spend some more cash, I started watching with great envy those Canon and Nikon users. Now, I am a technical head more than an artist, so I was fascinated by things like USM, IS, AF eye-control, etc. Still, this was not enough to make me switch. I am a cost-conscious person, so I like to buy second-hand, and I do not go for the big profi items. But recently I started wanting a longer lens as well as a reasonable 70-200 lens, and found that I cannot really buy them from Pentax. Yes, they do have the FA* 300/2.8, FA* 400/5.6 and FA* 80-200/2.8, but I was not willing to buy them new, and I could not find them used. At the same time I wondered if I have confidence to even spend that money on a company that since 1984 has steadily but surely been falling behind the competition. A company whose most recent big-ticket item (the MZ-S) has been a flop (at least in my eyes and from a sales point-of-view), and a company that in the end of Feb 2003 still had no DSLR. So I started looking at Canon and Nikon more and more seriously. After I edjucated myself a bit about new names, series, compatibility, etc., I started having a rather sick feeling that I will be leaving Pentax soon. I bought an EOS 30 (Elan 7e) and the top-rated lenses EF 70-200/4 USM L and 28-105/3.5-4.5 USM. What can I say, I wasn't feeling sick anymore. USM may be seen just as a gimmick by some on this list, but USM lenses have full-time manual and allow the photographer to reach in and readjust the focus at any time, without having to switch or slide levers. The build quality is absolutely fantastic, and the manual focus feel is at least as good as that of an A-series lens. I have not spent the money on an IS lens yet, but I have the option, if I ever have the money. So I was not feeling sick any more... Just at that time the first news of the *ist and *ist D came out, and I was almost ready to abandon my plans to switch. After all, Pentax showed some new products, and they looked good! But after the euphory settled down, I took a critical look and had a sick feeling once again. I wasn't sure if my good old K and M lenses will work with the *ist, and the new Pentax lenses wern't itneresting at all. After all, I am happy with 2 bodies, but I want LENSES. And the Pentax's AF offerings are either too expensive for me (I must buy them new) or they are not there. At the same time they represent late 1980's and early 1990's technology. Add to that Canon's news about the 10D DSLR along with a (theoretically) perfect wide-angle zoom (17-40/4 USM), and I felt certain that my choice of a new system was the right one. I wish Pentax all the best, and I hope they stay
RE: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
Hi Boz, Any system is not the be all and end all, just like with many other things, when you feel it doesn't perform then you are free to change. What is more important is that you are still a photographer. Many thanks for the KMP site, which has given me and many others an invaluable source of Pentax information. I'm glad to hear that you will keep it going. Just keep on taking those pictures. Good Luck. Ziggy
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
From: Cameron Hood [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 09:13:07 -0800 the *ist D is way too late, and it better be cheap because it's last years' technology last years' technology? Why are you saying that? What's last year in it? We haven't seen the complete specification yet, but from what is known - it seems to be very updated. Because... * It uses a tweaked, updated, version of the Sony CCD chip (so this is this years' technology) * It has the most advanced and modern autofocus system in it's class. * It probably has some tricks - unknown for everyone except the clever people at the rd department. (I suspect that it will have USM and IS support) * And, it's not late. It's perfect timing. Prices was to high last year. No one would have bought it. and the *ist has some nice features but is extremely tacky looking. I don't agree with you here. It has the best specification in it's class, it even gives F80 and EOS 30/33 a run for the money. And about the design, I like it a lot. It has style, it has class. I like it. Limited Lenses, while beautiful, have no camera to match them either in performance or cosmetics. The MZ-S match them, trouble is that the silver-black version is only available in Japan. Best wishes, Roland _ Hitta rätt på nätet med MSN Sök http://search.msn.se/
RE: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
Boz, I want to thank you for all of the effort that you put into the KMP. It's a really great resource. I hope that, if you decide to stop maintaining it, you'll consider finding another serious Pentax head to take over the maintenance. If you make the switch to Canon completely, perhaps you'll consider opening a new page for Canon equipment. Please don't just disappear from the PDML. Len ---
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
Roland wrote: I understand your decision - but I feel that Pentax are moving towards USM and IS. And I believe that the *ist D has support for this technology. But, the question is always - how long will it take? New bodies and lenses with USM and IS. I believe that some might be released this fall, but the PMA show next year will probably be the place where Pentax releases it's new technology, a new FA* serie and a new flagship, and probably a more high-end digital SLR. REPLY: I wouldn't hold my breath on that. It may be that all Pentax wants is to keep their market share. The new lenses for fall may just as well be additions to the present FA* line in the form of super wide angle and a supe wide angle zoom. Pentax main problem isn't their ability of releasing new technology. The problem is that a shrinking number of people are willing to financially commit to such new up-to-date Pentax technology as they have no faith in the fact that Pentax will continue to support this technology. Personally I'm happy with the Pentax 645 system. This system they have developed in the direction I wanted. In 1999 or 2000 I suggested they should release compact F:5.6 zoom lenses for the 645 for us landscape shooters. This they have done with the 33-55, 55-110 and the 150-300, making it possible to make a 645NII and pro grade zoom lens set covering the 35mm system equivalent focal lengths from 20-200 at a weight weight point you have to increase by 50% in order to reach the weight of a Nikon F5 with pro zooms covering the same focal lenght range. The day I go digital, I'll buy the camera that suit my needs. Not neccessarily the camera that suit my lenses. Pål
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
For a lot of types of photography, it may not make you a better photographer, but you will get better photographs. Most of this misty-eyed, romantic, manual drivel comes from people with little of no experience using current high-end equipment. BR [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you want the latest and greatest USM, IS etc, go out and get it, but it really won't make you a better photographer.
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
Thanks Fred: You are exactly right. I was not in any way suggesting Boj was lazy ... I was, in fact, trying to convince him not to leave Pentax for the bells and whistles that Canon and Nikon offer. As photographers, collectors and gadget freaks (which most of us are including myself) I think it is wise to keep reminding ourselves of the importance of taking pictures rather than trying to buy them with the latest and greatest gadgetsGreat photographs have been made for hundreds of years with a lot more basic equipment than Pentx's latest offerings. What I know about Boz in the very few weeks I've been here is 1. He knows who makes the photographs and 2. He most certainly is not lazy, not if we jedge him by his herculean efforts building and housekeeping his site, a technical masterpiece he assiduously maintianed for legions of Pentax photographers/collectors. For you to condescnd to such a man shows a degree of contempt for his being that I find astonishing. Well, Greene, I also have the highest respect both for Boz as a person and for Boz's truly herculean efforts with the K-mount Page. However, I really do think that Vic meant Boz no disrespect in his reply. Rather (it seemed to me) that Vic was politely (and respectfully) offering some countering wisdom, which would seem to be very appropriate here on the PDML (and which I suspect that Boz, as a long-time PDML-er, would invite). Fred
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
How many look at your cameras when you are out? I never had anyone come out and tell me how beautiful my equipment is. Never had anyone come up to me and say how tacky my LX, 645, or ESII are. I am happy that Pentax is still in the medium format business. I would be interested if a digital insert is made for my old 645. I wouldn't care if it isn't beautiful or looked tacky. As long as its function is to help me record an image that's what I want. Oh yes, I do own a Pentax that I think is beautiful but a bit tacky in design. It's a transparent SF1 with a transparent zoom lens. Everything works on it but I can't take pictures with film because the film would be fogged. The camera and lens is on prominent display in my home. I get lots of interesting comments about it. Jim A. From: Cameron Hood [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 09:13:07 -0800 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS) Resent-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Resent-Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 12:13:17 -0500 It is indeed a sad day for Pentax and the PDML that the great Bojidar Dimitrov is leaving. His fabulous K mount page is world class, and this is a sad indication of the state that Pentax has left it's advanced users. It is not offering any support or encouragement in the top echelons of SLRdom, and in spite of years and years of rumours, there has been no concrete offerings by them. The MZ-S was beautiful, but flawed; the *ist D is way too late, and it better be cheap because it's last years' technology, and the *ist has some nice features but is extremely tacky looking. There has been no improvements of the high end lenses in living memory, and the Limited Lenses, while beautiful, have no camera to match them either in performance or cosmetics. They don't even offer autofocus teleconverters for high end autofocus lenses that have been out for over a decade! I think Pentax was seriously hurt by the disasterous MZ-D; whether or not they have the fortitude to recover and to listen to their core customers is another story. We will definitely miss Bojidar's insiteful comments and his wonderful addition to the Pentax family, disfunctional though it may be. Best wishes to him from a long time (since '96) PDML member. Cameron Hood On Monday, March 17, 2003, at 06:30 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 14:51:33 +0100 From: Bojidar Dimitrov [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS) Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi Roland, hi all, Roland Mabo wrote: Choosing SLR, is choosing a system. Those who wish to use the SLR primarly for ps photography doesn't bother, but those who are serious about learning photography - who sees photography as an art, as a hobby or as an income - thinks about SLR as a system. I certainly do, and as much as I like Pentax bodies (LX, superProgram, ZX-5n), I am not convinced by Pentax's system. I chose a superProgram with a couple of A lenses when I was a student, and I still believe that for a limited budget Pentax is a great solution. There is plenty of second-hand gear and it is good, small, light, and inexpensive. BUT... when I started getting serious and ready to spend some more cash, I started watching with great envy those Canon and Nikon users. Now, I am a technical head more than an artist, so I was fascinated by things like USM, IS, AF eye-control, etc. Still, this was not enough to make me switch. I am a cost-conscious person, so I like to buy second-hand, and I do not go for the big profi items. But recently I started wanting a longer lens as well as a reasonable 70-200 lens, and found that I cannot really buy them from Pentax. Yes, they do have the FA* 300/2.8, FA* 400/5.6 and FA* 80-200/2.8, but I was not willing to buy them new, and I could not find them used. At the same time I wondered if I have confidence to even spend that money on a company that since 1984 has steadily but surely been falling behind the competition. A company whose most recent big-ticket item (the MZ-S) has been a flop (at least in my eyes and from a sales point-of-view), and a company that in the end of Feb 2003 still had no DSLR. So I started looking at Canon and Nikon more and more seriously. After I edjucated myself a bit about new names, series, compatibility, etc., I started having a rather sick feeling that I will be leaving Pentax soon. I bought an EOS 30 (Elan 7e) and the top-rated lenses EF 70-200/4 USM L and 28-105/3.5-4.5 USM. What can I say, I wasn't feeling sick anymore. USM may be seen just as a gimmick by some on this list, but USM lenses have full-time manual and allow the photographer to reach in and readjust the focus at any time, without having to switch or slide levers. The build
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
On 17 Mar 2003 at 20:57, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Thanks Fred: You are exactly right. I was not in any way suggesting Boj was lazy ... I was, in fact, trying to convince him not to leave Pentax for the bells and whistles that Canon and Nikon offer. I doubt Boz's move is about bells and whistles, I assume its more to do with function and utility (which I can fully appreciate) Rob Studdert HURSTVILLE AUSTRALIA Tel +61-2-9554-4110 UTC(GMT) +10 Hours [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://members.ozemail.com.au/~distudio/publications.html Pentax user since 1986 PDMLer since 1998
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
On Mon, 17 Mar 2003 14:51:33 +0100, you wrote: Best wishes to all and thanks for all I've learned from you! To all KMP contributors most sincere thanks! Bojidar Dimitrov Many thanks for the KMP site, Boz. I've enjoyed it many times. I bought a Nikon D100 DSLR, intending to hold onto my Pentax lenses until the arrival of a Pentax DSLR. The D100 cost me a bundle, maybe four grand for the body, flash, a few lenses. Works great, much better than I expected. In hindsight, I should have bought fewer Nikon lenses. Seems my 24-135 zoom and 300/4 get all the work. I've got a 28/2 Macro, 100/2.8 Macro, 85/2, 135/2, and 180/2.8 that seldom get used. Maybe they stay in the bag because the 1.5x multiplier makes every prime lens a little strange. Most likely it's just my normal bad habit - buying too much gear that I seldom use. Let me make one statement I feel very strongly about: If the *istD and *ist line fulfill their promise, Pentax is only a few lenses away from parity with Nikon and Canon, at least for most of us amateurs. We only need one or two USM IS lenses - a 24-135 zoom and something around 300mm. I'll most likely buy an *istD just to use with my FA* 600/4, and for the wife with our other Pentax lenses. Selling my surplus Nikon lenses should pay for the *istD. What Pentax lacks, for me, is an AF 300/4 USM with a perfectly matched 1.4x AF teleconverter. If Pentax introduces a 300/4 USM IS with matched AF teleconverter, my Nikon gear will certainly go Ebay... and I'll be in line for the Pentax full-frame DSLR, which of course will be compatible with my M-20/f4. Hog heaven, no doubt. -- John Mustarde www.photolin.com
Re: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
Jim Apilado wrote: How many look at your cameras when you are out? I've had numerous inquiries regarding my 6x7. People are intrigued by the fact that it looks like an SLR on steroids. But my recently acquired Leica IIIf draws a crowd. I've only been using it for a week, but people frequently ask if they can see it. I took it with me into a camera store because I didn't want to leave it in the car with the sunroof open, and all the employees had to hold it. Made me nervous. Paul
RE: Good-bye Pentax (was: Pentax needs USM and IS)
Reminds me of going into BH the last few times I was in NYC and having everyone wanting to try out the LX or two I was carrying ;-) Cesar Panama City, Florida -- -Original Message- -- From: Paul Stenquist [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Sent: Monday, March 17, 2003 5:33 PM -- -- -- Jim Apilado wrote: -- -- How many look at your cameras when you are out? -- -- I've had numerous inquiries regarding my 6x7. People are intrigued by -- the fact that it looks like an SLR on steroids. But my -- recently acquired -- Leica IIIf draws a crowd. I've only been using it for a -- week, but people -- frequently ask if they can see it. I took it with me into a -- camera store -- because I didn't want to leave it in the car with the -- sunroof open, and -- all the employees had to hold it. Made me nervous. -- Paul --
