Coming to the end....

It is with a heavy heart that I have come to the end of my Pentax journey...

I have been using Pentax since I was in my teens, their cameras have been with me for three quaters of my life as well as 15 years of my working life as motorsport photogrpahper. They have been with me to a lot of race tracks in Europe and virtually all UK tracks. Many people and reviews have slated some aspects of the camera's but I have used them in many settings and never had the issues that these reviews claimed! They always delivered the goods everytime...

That is until I started down the Astro path... I have tried and tried to get good images out of my K3 and K5, but they just do not capture what I am looking for. The Canon 5D MkII... on the other hand has.

This has lead me to decide to sell all my Pentax kit, and I will be making the move to Canon, Something I thought would never happen.

It has been a pleasure to share my photographic journey with you all, I will miss the Pentax community but I now need to move on.

I wish you all a wonderful and creative journey with Pentax!

Then for goodness sake DON'T abandon us totally. Your images have given joy, awe and wonder and I have no doubt you will continue to produce others that go even further. You remain a Pentax photographer no matter what platform you migrate to. We wish you every success but we would also like to follow your journey so please share them here also.

Thank you

I could not put it better.
I have been in constant awe of your astro images and have always enjoyed your comments and insights on the forum.
Best wishes for the future

As above.

Judge a photographer by his results, not the tools he uses. Your work process and output are exemplary.

Wishing you the best.

GC.

It has been a pleasure. Keep producing your lovely work.

All the best

It's sad news Spad, but totally understandable if Pentax isn't delivering the results you're after with your amazing Astrophotography. Selling your Pentax gear to invest in something that's better for the job makes perfect sense, since we know that's where your passion is.

All the best and I'll still be keeping an eye out for your work on other sites/channels

Rick

Endorse all the above and Wish you all the best ! Incidentally, if you don't mind, can you please tell us in which specific areas Pentax is lacking vis-a-vis Canon.

Thank you everyone. I will pop on from time to time and post some of my work in General Photigraphic chat!


It seems to be the sensor. The 5D's sensor is far superior at picking up emmision lines. After a 120sec exposure the 5D captures far more data than either of my Pentax cameras. On my last out I ran a series of shoots at both f2.8 and f4, with 60 and 120 exposures, with my K5 and then I processed. There was hardly anything there in terms of captured data. Then I tried a 20 sec exposure static (non tracking) widefield Milkyway shot with my K3, at f2.8.... waste of time.

I have used pretty much similar f stops, exposures, tracking or non tracking with the 5D, and captured much much more data....

I am pretty heart broken as I love Pentax camerass....

Thanks, Spad. I am dedicated Pentaxian for the last 50+ years. I can very well understand how you feel. My best wishes always with you.

It's always a shame to move away from Pentax and anyone would feel the same after working so long with a brand. I have kept my K-3 (and numerous film cameras) and a few AF lenses for when I want to indulge my Pentaxian side, and that's not to mention my hoard of old manual lenses, most of which are Pentax.

About a year ago I added a Canon 6D to my clutch of cameras and have added a few lenses since and I never thought I'd like Canon stuff but it feels great to use though of course nowhere near as well built as the K-3.

We all need to pursue what gives us the most enjoyment and if that's not Pentax then so be it. I value the Pentax journey that brought to where I am as a photographer and I think we should all do that.

What I like so much about all of the comments here is they show how friendly this site is. I've always been an admirer of the skills, knowledge and insights all have provided but it's been the welcoming environment that gives me so much pleasure.

May your journey with Canon give you the outcomes you wish.

I utterly agree. Some on the Canon forums are utter gear snobs and conceited arses...

I would much rather share my work on here than there any day!

Oh.... and don't get me going on the "oh Pentax.... i thought they were no longer available" f******CENSORED******s!

Thanks for coming on the site to explain your decision Spad...would have been a lot easier to have just done a bunk and hoped no-one would notice!

Like everyone who's commented above will be sad to see you go...you've been a strong supporter of the site, especially but not exclusively with your fabulous Astro stuff.

Would love to continue to follow your journey in the astro realm so please leave us a contact for whichever site you post the most on.
PM me if this might break the site rules.

Best wishes for the future and Seasons Greetings to you and yours and have a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

Karlo