Pentax launch the Q

No problem, but bear in mind that some items cause more problems that others. One of Comet's problems is the amount of white goods in warehouse. Nobody want to buy a freezer unless they have to, for example.

People do want technology that appeals. The iPhone and iPad are two examples of products that hit the mark. Who has thought they'd love an iPad, even though they couldn't really think they actually needed what it does?

Desire is the thing. What we desire we will buy first.

What I want to know is what exactly the Bokeh Control function does.

I am guessing it's going to work like the 'backfground defocus' in Sony compacts. Two shots are taken quickly with one focused on the subject and one out of focus, and then merged together.

Without "background defocus": link

With: link

where ipad and iphone are concerned I think clever marketing has been very important (and a massive marketing budget to boot). Apple have pulled off a real trick- desirability AND a feeling of exclusivity whilst shifting millions of units. None of the camera brands have achieved this. Go back 25 years - Apple lost the battle for the home computer market. They are now the most desirable tech brand on the planet. Things change- if Pentax get things right in terms of marketing and distribution the Q could be very successful- after all the ipad isnt as powerful as a laptop for the same money. But is is smaller and more desirable.

Cool, can I have that on the K-3?!

Agreed in principle though Apple are a real phenomenon - getting people to pay over the odds for slickly presented pieces of mid-level technology is a triumph of marketing. Also, Apple products can - unlike Pentax - be found in prominent places in all major stores.

Judging from early reaction the existing user base aren't particularly enthusiastic about the system, so to attract new customers it's going to take some clever marketing AND a solid increase in brand visibility (read: getting the product onto shelves of these struggling retailers) to gain the Q some momentum, regardless of product merit.

Buy an early K-5 and shoot in low light

Lol you must be confusing 'background defocus' with 'subject defocus'!

I've never thought I'd love an iPad. I saw the specs and what it didn't have but should have had and immediately didn't want one.

I also don't understand the marketing. Someone standing on a stage in jeans and a polo neck operating a powerpoint presentation and having the sycophantic fanboy audience burst into rapturous applause at every feature.

I the Apple thing is a bit like an organised religious cult. Otherwise intelligent people worshipping some irrational dogma.

John of all people should know better than to start a discussion of Apple products

hehe

Apple has a lot more sycophants than Pentax. Now if Apple release their version of the Q it would sell bucket loads without even having any sensor.


"but it's got no sensor!"

"don't be so negative?"

I know Pentax would have done their research, but I don't get the idea of the Q (and the Pen). Rangefinders were good because they took 35mm film and you had a choice of lenses which fitted into a much smaller package than an SLR, but I don't know what I get with the Q I wouldn't get with a good compact?

But Pentax are now the only manufacturer to offer compacts, SLRs, Medium Format and 'rangefinders'. Full marks for trying!

Interchangeable lenses for one thing.

And the advantage of that is?