life span of a DSLR

Having just had an email from Pentax ,I asked why do entry level cameras ie K100d, K100d super KM and Now Kx called Entry level, as to me Pentax seem to build more so called entry level camera's than anyone else.
I was told by Pentax , that any DSLR including pro has a market life span of 1.5 years max. That's cleared that up then I won't be saving for a K20d, I buy a Canon Eos 50d, as my 400d is still mentioned & Loved by canon users. cheers Pentax I'm clinbing of the merry go round.

A "market life span" will mean the mength of time a model is on the market, not, as you may be thinking, how long it will last in use.

I think you'll find that the basic module of a Pentax DSLR (for example the *istDS leading to various similar models) actually has a market life span of rather longer. If you don't rename and upgrade the models in a range then sales fall off I would imagine.

Canon and Nikon and other models have a similar or even shorter "market life span" so I'm thinking you may have misunderstood what you were being told?

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Best regards, John

Strange comment Paul....

You will probably find that the MAJORITY of cameras available 2 years ago have been superceded by newer models...Most, if not all, brands update their camera ranges every 12-18 months or so...

If you use your argument as a basis to buy an EOS 50D over a K20D then let me tell you that the 50D replaced the 40D after that had been available for only a short period.. Imagine how cross you would be, buying a 50D only to discover that Canon have launched the 7D

Your heart will be warmed by the fact, nevertheless, that there are many people here who are still using their *ist D models

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Z-1p, K-1, P50
F50 1.7. FAs 24, 35, 50 1.4, 85, 135. DFA15-30, DFA24-70, D-FA*70-200. D-FA 100 (gone now!). The SMC-FA Limited Trinity.
Metz 45 CL-4, AF500FTZ. AF540FGZ.
Some Mamiya and some Nikon

The Canon 400 is no longer listed as a current camera. This was replaced by the 450, which is in turn being replaced by a 500. This range of entry level Canon's started with the 300D and went on to 350, 400,450, and 500. It is not that many years since the 300D was launched, breaking the £1000 barrier for a digital SLR. So Canon definately launch DSLRs with a short marketing life-span. This short production and marketing life-span is normal for most electronic consumer goods.

However, most models and brands of DSLR should see many years of service. Now that the megapixel race seems almost over, technical obsolescence may not be such a big thing in the future. It isn't many years since 1mp cameras were impressive, but now 12 and 15 mp is the norm.

With Pentax DSLRs the original 6 mp istD is still changing hands. The only problem with DSLRs and the later film SLRs ( of any brand ),is that for repairs, the electronic circuit cards and lcd's may become no longer avaiable. This could apply to Pentax, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony etc etc.

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Friendly Regards
Graham

Just uploaded a couple of images from my istD. Used 24-90mm Pentax lens.

Glenfinnan and Polnish Church.

Couple of mates of mine (professionals at ShedPix) have two 50D's that they want rid of, they are not happy with them.

Regards

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When something goes wrong in the circus, they send clowns into the arena to distract the audience.

Paul, just because the Kx is about to be introduced doesn't make your Km any less of a good camera. This is par for the course with camera manufactures almost without exception.
Fact of the matter is that your Km will very likely go on to give you good service for many years to come (if you so desire). I happen to think that the Km is a very capable little D-SLR (we bought one for my eldest daughters 21st and she absolutely loves it)

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Regards Huw

flickr

My K10D is still giving fine service despite being 2 models behind the cutting edge. Several of my friends have Canon 350 and 400D models which are similarly "out of date" but functional.

My Dad has a Pentax EI-200 which as far as I know still works fine while being around 8 years old.

Skoda have stopped making the Fabia I drive, but that doesn't make it any less of a reliable runabout.

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you don't have to be mad to post here



but it does help

And I am still using an ES from 1971...

I just cast my eye down the list of manufacturing dates for Pentax film SLRs. Few were made for more than 2 to 3 years. Notable exceptions were the MX (nine years) and the LX (21 years!, although in slightly different forms).

If you compare this to phones or ipods and the like, the turn-over is no greater really (maybe even less). New models have to be bought out on a regular basis to complete.

K.

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Kris Lockyear
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.
My website

I have several cameras, Nikon, Pentax, Conon, polaroid and Agfa. The Agfa is from the 50's and the Canon from the late 50's. I use all of them from time to time. I am taking the Canon out for a spin on Sunday. I will use 400 ISO film shoot at around 320 ISO, have the film processed by a professional lab and over exposed. You get a certain effect that DSLR's will never be able to do. All I do is tell the lab what ISO setting the camera was at and they do the rest. I will let everyone know when I ask them what they do. Just because something is old doesn't make it usless.

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B. R. Foster

My istD is still in regular use and has never given me a moment of concern, still falls into my hand like an old friend despite the fact that I am lucky enough to own a K20 and a K7. By the way I also have a EL2000 and a Z1 both still going strong - the last body I bought myself to sell was a ME and I regretted it so much I have never sold a loved body since and have never been let down by one.

Market live span has nothing to do with life expectation, not for cameras, not for cars and fortunately for me not for people.

If you want to change brands just do it, you don’t need to excuse yourself or are you looking for a good reason to convince yourself to spend all that money on a new system?

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Jackie H
K7, K20D, istDS, Optio SV, ME
Most used glass
50mm f1.4, 60-250mm, 28-80mm,
Sigma 105mm 2.8 Macro & Bertha 50-500

The K100DS was discontinued more than a year ago (I think) but I'm sure it's going to last me for a good few years yet. Even when I upgrade, which I eventually want to do, I don't think I'll ever get rid of it. It's a nice little camera with lots of features. I very much like the convenience of AA-batteries for example and I couldn't care less what the official 'market life span' is supposed to be.

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Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships. - Ansel Adams -

This what is meant by life brand. Paulm0bsw misunderstood what is meant by market life cycle

http://www.valuebasedmanagement.net/methods_product_life_cycle.html

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B. R. Foster

Paul, don't give up on the K20, unless you realy want the latest camera as you could probably pick up a bargan when it's replacement is launched.

...............and your car has a market lifespan of between 6 and 12 months.

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Hyram

Bodies: K20D (2), K10D, Super A, ME Super, Auto 110 SLR, X70, Optio P70
Pentax Glass: DA* 300, DA* 60-250, DA* 50-135, DA* 16-50, DA 70 Ltd, FA 31 Ltd, DA 35 Ltd, DA 18-55 (2), DA 12-24, DA 10-17, M 200, A 35-70, M 40, M 28, Converter-A 2X-S, 1.4X-S, AF 1.7, Pentax-110 50, Pentax-110 24
Other Glass: Sigma 105 macro, Sigma-A APO 75-300
Flash: Metz 58 AF-1 P, Pentax AF160FC ringflash, Pentax AF280T

We obviously didn't need to roll out the big guns to see off the opposition.

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