Justification

Chiswick Park last Saturday at the Camelia Festival, a fellow photographer with a Canon EOS spotted my Pentax K-5 and asked why I had opted for a Pentax dslr, as very few people were seen with them, most opting for Nikon and Canon. I tried to explain the exclusive nature of Pentaxians, the fact that film era lenses could be used on Pentax dslrs and, with a little bit of tongue in cheek, that Pentax dslrs are superior to other makes. He seemed less than convinced! In the event of me being asked the same question at some future date, can any of you suggest a suitable response, please?

Amazing image quality, superb low light performance, vast numbers of lenses from the past 50 years or so, outstanding ergonomics, masses of features.

Pentax cameras are all made to produce top results. They don't make any budget junk with mirrors where pentaprisms should be etc.

They are also much better value for money than other makes. A FF outfit from Pentax is
$5,500 dollars cheaper than the equivalent Canon gear. See........

Sony FE: $20,380
Canon EF: $18,590
Nikon F: $19,014
Pentax K: $13,073

pasted from:
https://petapixel.com/2019/03/08/how-much-a-full-pro-camera-and-lens-set-costs-f...

K-1 Review
https://youtu.be/TW-ZADg2AWE

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I have been asked the question, and pointed out that it functions like it’s been designed by photographers and essential controls can be accessed without needing to go into the menu. On top of that the unique (for dslr) IBIS means all lenses have anti-shake and the moveable sensor so recently adopted by others has several more features than they have. Just describe astrotracer and watch their eyes widen in disbelief.

True pro photographers always express respect for Pentax from their experience in film days, but maybe pick other brands for easy access to lenses and customer support.

Pentax have always made cameras for discerning photographers, whereas others increasingly seem to pitch their cameras at people who don't seem to care about anything except having what's popular.

Be an individual or one of the herd.

Pentax is the domain of a race of people with generally higher IQ. A more mindful, spiritual people with a deeper knowledge and understanding of these things. Quiet, dignified and free of ego, socially elite but not aloof.

Other makes are for the sheep fodder and trend followers who know no better. Those who's egos are limited only by their wallets and take DPReview as Gospel, not realsing it's just photographic Jackanory.

So true

Anyone who asks about why you use Pentax instead of Nikon/Canon obviously knows very little about photography.

Best response is to smile sweetly and ask to see their pictures, nod appreciatively with an expression on your face that equates to appraisal of your 4 year old grandson's pictures that adorn your fridge.

Throw some water over them and then pour water over the K-5.

I always mock Canon users when they cover their cameras even in slightly damp conditions.

Surely the only suitable response from you is the truth - why you actually did choose a Pentax. And only you can answer that. If they then question the capabilities of your camera, then of course you need some factual answers.

In my case, I had Pentax film era cameras and a Pentax dslr seemed to offer the chance of using the same lenses for both. That's a perfectly good reason and nothing to do with pixels or how many people were using which brand or even which brand was best. In fact, I started acquiring digital lenses shortly after getting a DSLR so now only one regularly used lens comes from pre-DSLR days. But so what? My Pentax cameras (including a Q) give me what I want, there are plenty of lenses for the DSLRs and what cameras other people use have absolutely no effect on what I do. And that's what I'd say if anyone questioned my choice of brand.

Of course, you could always reply 'Would you have asked that question if I was using a Leica?' and see what they say.

Steve

I had the K1 on a tripod in the park recently and a fellow came up and said, "Oh, I see you are still using one of those cheap old Pentaxes then." I replied, "Aye, 'appen." and carried on what I was doing. He walked away.

People in Chiswick will probably understand a food analogy: Pentax gives M&S quality at Aldi prices.

Philip

For anyone wanting the utmost quality..... nothing comes close to Pentax Pixel Shift..... Years ahead of the opposition.

It's not widely appreciated that PS improves high ISO shots to a level well above anything possible with other cameras.

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Looking at this another way, we really don't have to justify our choice to anyone. Nobody has ever approached me when out and about to comment on a Pentax camera. They do sometimes stop and ask about monster lenses like 600mm f/4 and 400mm f/2.8.

In a similar vain, the Z gets some appreciative comments probably for the same reasons, particularly on some of the aircraft shoots I've been doing recently, must try it in the Loop sometime