A Pro Pentax? - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

07/06/2007 08:03:58 PM · #1

I am quite taken a back by many of the questions regarding the pro capacity of the K10D. There have been the doubting Thomas's that ask.."Is there a Pro Pentax?" or why doesn't Pentax make a pro camera etc etc etc. The answer is this. The K10D is the Nikon D200 of Pentax. It compares favorably with all of the top end dslr's on the market. So why these insecurities? I think it has more to do with the perceived value of the camera. If it sold for 1500â�¬, the public perception would be the contrary. Perhaps Pentax should re-consider their pricing just to satisfy those who perceive value solely by the price tag.

MattO

Nikon D4

07/06/2007 08:23:16 PM · #2

Does it really matter what people think about a cameras Pro-abilities? I've seen some of the cheesiest cameras on this site bring some amazing photos. IMHO its 90% photographer with the other 10% being equipment(this is most of the time). However I have to admit I've not read about the K10D before this post. But to me it seems to be very high end consumer lower end prosumer category. But in reality who really cares what "category" its put into? Dont be so "brand obsessive" and do what you do with what you do it with.

MattO

DustDevil

Canon EOS-70D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

07/06/2007 08:54:07 PM · #3

I am a Pentax person myself and once you invest in 4-5 lenses you pretty much have to be brand conscious. Haven't used any of the newer Pentax DSLR's but I think the K10D is the best Pentax makes in a DSLR...as to how it fares with other company's I am not sure. And its hard to compare camera to camera since their are loads differences in lenses. Pentax has pretty much always been the lowly ugly sibling except for the older 645's for regular film.

jackal9

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

07/06/2007 09:08:41 PM · #4

A buddy of mine has a portrait studio, he uses the K10D, amazing camera, and in my opinian Pentax lenses are some of the best on the market.

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

07/06/2007 09:59:57 PM · #5

I don't think they're going to be able to compete with the 1D/D2 series, mainly because a camera like that wouldn't make much sense without a complete lineup of super tele's, but if they made a competitor to the 5D I think that would be exactly what people are looking for. Pentax manual focus glass is definitely worth using, but on a tiny viewfinder it's rough, and a high res full frame sensor would bring out the best (or worst, maybe) in their LTD primes.

If I give up film entirely, I'll probably get a K10D to shoot landscapes and portraits/candids on, and for a short focal lengths body for events (of course I need a good tele for the 1D first)

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

07/07/2007 04:20:16 AM · #6

Originally posted by MadMan2k:

Your analysis is very sound based on the current status of Pentax. However there are some elements in the future that may assist in filling in the gaps and therefore the drawing of an entirely different conclusion;-)

option

Nikon D200

07/07/2007 09:35:31 PM · #7

In the hands of a photographer with professional skill, the K10D is a formidable tool indeed. I dont think anyone is disputing that. However, Pentax has a real lack of long lenses, and I think that drives alot of potential buyers away. The DA* 60-250 4.0, 200 2.8 and 300 4.0 (soon to be released, as Ben points out) will go a long way to filling that rather embarrassing hole in the Pentax lens lineup...

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

07/08/2007 04:36:33 AM · #8

Originally posted by option:

These lenses have been delayed and will be coming out very shortly.

option

Nikon D200

07/08/2007 10:05:01 AM · #9

Originally posted by benjikan:

These lenses have been delayed and will be coming out very shortly.

Are they? The 16-50 and 50-135 were "coming out shortly" in may... :-P.

Actually, if the long primes make their september release, theyll be right on time. Pentax never promised them sooner...just the 16-50 and 50-135. Oh well, I guess since firmware 1.30 has been released, the DA* lenses cant be far behind...

Luckily, I can only afford one of the zooms and one of the primes in the next couple months. Unluckily, the only one I dont think I'll need is the 50-135... Damn you, LBA!

DustDevil

Canon EOS-70D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

07/08/2007 01:34:10 PM · #10

I went ahead and picked up a K10D....for $549 with free shipping for the body only I thought it was a good deal. The company looks a bit sketchy and we will see if it ever shows up. I know I can always cancel the payment with B of A, if it doesn't show up.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

07/08/2007 01:35:59 PM · #11

Originally posted by option:

Originally posted by benjikan:

These lenses have been delayed and will be coming out very shortly.

Are they? The 16-50 and 50-135 were "coming out shortly" in may... :-P.

Actually, if the long primes make their september release, theyll be right on time. Pentax never promised them sooner...just the 16-50 and 50-135. Oh well, I guess since firmware 1.30 has been released, the DA* lenses cant be far behind...

Luckily, I can only afford one of the zooms and one of the primes in the next couple months. Unluckily, the only one I dont think I'll need is the 50-135... Damn you, LBA!

The 50-135 2.8 should be quite the Gem. The only problem is that I rarely shoot over 60 mm....I'll still get it none the less. The one I really want is the 16-50 2.8. I have the 16-45 which is extremely sharp, but would love the extra stop.

DustDevil

Canon EOS-70D

07/08/2007 01:51:51 PM · #12

Originally posted by benjikan:

Originally posted by option:

Originally posted by benjikan:

These lenses have been delayed and will be coming out very shortly.

Are they? The 16-50 and 50-135 were "coming out shortly" in may... :-P.

Actually, if the long primes make their september release, theyll be right on time. Pentax never promised them sooner...just the 16-50 and 50-135. Oh well, I guess since firmware 1.30 has been released, the DA* lenses cant be far behind...

Luckily, I can only afford one of the zooms and one of the primes in the next couple months. Unluckily, the only one I dont think I'll need is the 50-135... Damn you, LBA!

The 50-135 2.8 should be quite the Gem. The only problem is that I rarely shoot over 60 mm....I'll still get it none the less. The one I really want is the 16-50 2.8. I have the 16-45 which is extremely sharp, but would love the extra stop.

Yeah I picked up the 16-45 4.0 and I love it. I was trying to decide if the 16-50 2.8 would be better in the long run but I just went for the cheaper of the two.