why oh why pick pentax ?

Ok lets be really honest here why do you like Pentax cameras better then any other makes and why you picked Pentax in the first place? But you must tell the truth.
I have been into and photographing for 22 years and had a few cameras in my time but to be honest never had a Pentax until my girl friend got me my 1st one this year the kx and I love it.

My choice was mainly for two reasons; I had used Pentax and Pentax mount cameras in the film era and I had a few lenses from 20 years ago, so I could use these on the Pentax DSLR's. Secondly, and probably more importantly, I thought that the build quality for the money offered by Pentax was unequalled by the other manufacturers and this was the deciding factor when I bought a K-x. I also quite like being in a minority among DSLR owners!

Regards
David

Pentax was recomended to me by a chairman of an amature photography society. I made a request for advice when purchasing my first digital slr and for an entery level camera I was told the Pentax K100 D was a good bet this was also the choice of one or two pro's who are also members of the society. I have had also since my first camera the K100 D a K10, Samsung GX 20 which sadly went wrong or should I say Samsung were unable to repair and now have a Pentax Kr. I like the availabilty also of some of the older manual focus lenses which can be bought very cheaply compared to present day prices of lenses with the same focal length and seem as far as my limited experience can see offer good quality prints when used on the modern day cameras. My only regret as a Pentax owner is selling my K10.

Regards Ian

Some years ago I was using a Minolta XD7. Great camera, but on holiday my family just couldn't use it; too heavy, manual focus, etc.,

I popped into Jessops in York and after listening to the salesman 'pushing' Canon and Nikon for no other reason than 'They're what everyone buys', I said, 'Ok, who makes's good cameras that no-one buys then?, to which he replied, 'Pentax. Great cameras and lenses, but they're not Nikon or Canon'.

Considering myself to be an individual, (or naively being in the grasp of the world's greatest salesman), I immediately bought a Pentax MX-7 SLR (light, with AF, etc), and a couple of zoom lenses.

Been with Pentax ever since with no regrets.

My first camera was an old film Pentax & my first DSLR was a Samsung GX10. I bought the GX10 (mainly) because my dad shot with Pentax and had lots of lenses readily available for me to use & it was cheaper than the K10d. But, I was also persuaded by the build quality, weather sealing and general reviews that I read on-line. I've since upgraded to a K7 and now a K5.

I've used all three cameras to shoot weddings, sport, landscapes and portraits. Each one I've owned is significantly better than the previous one - the K5 being a superb camera.

Like David (above) I also like being in the DSLR minority. I enjoy getting (sometime sneering) looks of "What camera is that - a Pentax?" from other people, especially when on a paid gig.

It always make me chuckle when I see people sporting their mid/entry level Canikons plus kit lens as though they've got the best camera gear ever,naturally with the obligatory neck strap on full view. I know that my K5 simply blows it out of the water!

imprinted in my mind since I was a child and was told not to touch one.
As I love the outdoors and spend a lot of time in the snow and mountains, I needed a camera that could withstand the cold. Over the past few years I have found that the Pentax K10, K7 & K5 have all been a joy to use for photography and before lens prices went through the roof, Pentax glass provided good quality in relation to price. Overall, for me personally Pentax just works and meets my current needs, yes the flash
system is better on Nikon, and the AF speed is not the best, but these
factors make you think and work harder at your photography which develops your skill further. All current DSLR cameras are capable of producing good images in the right hands. I will stick with Pentax for as long as it meets my needs and am proud to be different and not be taken in by all the advertising of some of the other brands.

The K5 is one of the best cameras I have ever used which is why Fran and I have 3 of them. Full Frame would be nice, but until it is available the K5 has a special place in my mind and heart.

I wanted a Pentax in the late seventies when I enthusiastically sold them but couldn't afford one on my very poor wages.

I had a Pentax film compact in the late days of film that I liked. I went digital in 2002 with Kodak Easyshares then a Minolta Bridge camera and a Canon G9. I wanted a DSLR for the control and dynamic range and the KX, the KR and now the superb K5 followed. They still had the great ergonomics, compact lenses, quality Sony sensors and seemed good value.

Would I buy anything else. Yes, but haven't found the better alternative, need or desire yet. I think it could be a while!

A man in a camera shop in Albuquerque recommended a Pentax, whilst we were driving Route 66. So I bought two, one for me one for my son's 18th.

Having committed to an analogue Pentax going for a digital one seemed logical, despite my local Pentax dealer laughing at me and saying by a Canon. That actually made me more determined to buy a Pentax.

Tbh though if I were starting out without any cameras/lenses now I'd probably go for a Nikon.

Ergonomics. Colour quality. Image Quality. Excellence of design. Quality of manufacture. Pleasure in use.

this is what i here a lot of there not canon /nikon and i think there a lot better,its nice to hear and read every ones storys

I bought my first (and only) Pentax just about 2 years ago, a KX DSLR. For me value for money is very important and it came with a 2 yr warranty. If a manufacturer doesn't have enough faith in the quality of its products to offer a 2 year warranty then i'm not going to risk it either. I've got a Canon EOS33V 35mm and a couple of lenses but hadn't invested enough in Canon for that to sway me. I also liked the vast quantity of cheap lenses that were available and the fact that most of the range has better than average weatherproofing is also important to me...or it will be when I get my next Pentax which is likely to be a K30.

Two other things that swayed me were the weight of the Kx relative to its size. I wanted a camera that weighed more than 500g and felt 'solid' not a toy and also being slightly smaller than the average male (at 5'7") the camera 'fitted' me very well size and grip wise.

Lastly, as a surprisingly large number of people have mentioned above IT'S NICE TO BE DIFFERENT! The world has got too many sheep as it is.

Looked in Jessops window at 2nd hand cameras and chose a Pentax SFXn over a Canon EOS 650.

Once hooked ...................

My first Pentax was an MZ-10 camera. That was bought in 1997 before my son was born.
I simply went to Media Markt and I tried the SLR cameras of all leading brands (Pentax, Canon, Minolta, Nikon). In my case the keyword was the ergonomy. I felt that Pentax has the easiest usage and the displays were clear for me.

Love it!!

I came through getting a Chinon, being good quality at a good price, coming through Dixons on the high street. So - had bought into K mount. My dad had gone down the Pentax route, and so when I wanted a bit more from a camera, stuck with the K mount as being the cheapest upgrade route (ie not having to change everything). There have been frustrating moments with the cameras and have wondered whether would be better of with another brand 'cos can't get some of the nice lenses made for Canon & Nikon in K mount from Tamron and Tokina. But do love the ergonomics - feels good in the hand
Andy

When I bought my first camera as a student in the early 80' I bought a Cosina as I could not afford a Pentax MX (which my dad had), later I bought a P30.

When I went digital I first used a number of P&S cameras and for many years did not really have time for photography.

When I decided to buy a DSRL I looked around and was considering various alternatives, but then decided on Pentax and actually got one as a present.....