Ditto all above

Super stuff Nigel,

The coastline shots are so well captured and composed; stunning.

Regards

Pm sent

Regards

I did mention in a post some weeks ago that I likely wouldn't buy the K3 II, preferring to wait for the FF or until a third variant of the K3 came out with upgraded AF, dedicated WiFi and maybe the flash reinstalled as I find it useful in some conditions. An articulated rear screen would be most desirable too, which I really like for macro work ( from my Nikon days)

However I now have a K3 II in addition to a K3 and a K5 IIs, recently purchased for a very specific reason which I explain below.

At the time the only K3 II feature I felt positive about was the "uprated autofocus"; I have always been frustrated by the AF on Pentax cameras which for me is the only significant "weak spot" and seemingly the K3 II has updrated AF in comparison to original K3.

But the main criteria that led me to acquiring the K3II was nothing to do with whether it has GPS and Astrotracing, it was far simpler; I to was because a couple of weeks ago I purchased a 150-450 HD Zoom, way ahead of my plan, because of an incredible offer (£1450) from a UK Pentax Pro dealer.

At this precise time before this offer came up I was point of buying a high resolution Nikon or Canon FF with a big zoom for wildlife and birding after another spring /summer of frustration with "Pentax AF".

I was actually conducting a trial with both Nikon and Canon but after a very deflating experience with a Nikon D810 and three super zooms, I decided I would not even trial the horrendously expensive Canon.

The whole affair was very "illuminating" in a negative sense, as regards the Nikon lens and the other two independents in particular, so I felt there was no other option but to wait for the Pentax FF and see how that would go with the HD 150-450.

Then out of the blue, the opportunity to buy a Pentax HD 150 -450 at an amazingly low price arose, So I decided to "bite the bullet" and buy it in advance of the Pentax FF launch and simply store it.

However I wasn't going to buy the lens without trying it and I had no alternative but to do that on my K3; after a short trial it was no contest; in comparison to the others (ie the D810 in conjunction with the Sigma, Tamron and Nikon), even on the K3 APS sensor, the IQ and focus performance was much better than the others and frankly much better than I imagined such a lens could deliver.

I thought originally the excellent iQ might be about the quality of the Pentax Glass, but subsequent to a post on PU where the K3II came out very favorably on IQ in a comparison test with the Nikon D810, then maybe it's about the K3 too

When I was at the pro centre was I interested in comparing lens AF performance on the K3 II as to the K3 as the AF is supposed to be better, so I reset the AF settings to the same as my K3 and copied similar trial shots with the Big Zoom on the K3 II.

After firing off a good sample of shots there was definitely a difference in the way the lens established and maintained focus on moving objects (and the odd passing Jackdaw); the IQ was also very good and in comparison to the K3 seemed marginally better; .

However what sealed it for me right from the first moment I handled the big lens was an overriding concern about the unwieldy nature of mounting that big lens on a body, in the field, under the pressure of bad weather or simple haste.

The Pentax HD 150-450 is such a big solid, well built beast, I thought the potential to cause accumulating physical strain and wear and tare to the camera mount when you are manhandling it onto a body is a reality; it is not like changing a normal size lens and needs to be done with care and precision; hence, I reached the conclusion that it might be a good move to buy the second dedicated "gripped body" to mount on the lens as a permanent fixture.

I wasn't thinking about GPS and Astrotracing, just getting a dedicated body and in this case one that offered uprated AF was more interesting; otherwise I would have simply put the lens in the drawer until the much anticipated FF arrives.

Incidentally I have subsequently bought a dedicated backpack, and other accessories, so the lens is packed and ready to go any time I want to grab it.

Now I have had a chance to use this combination in the field I must say I am so impressed and after shooting for a whole day using the original K3 for comparison with the K3 II, it is increasingly clear that the K3 II AF performance is definitely an improvement when using the HD150-450; but the improvement is not so clear, at best only negligible, when using the the DA* 200mm, 300mm and 60-250.

This underlines (potentially) that there is likely a contribution in improved AF performance from the HD 150-450 as well as the uprated AF of the K3 II.

But as I said above ; I do hope that a third K3 variant is released with dedicated WiFi, an articulated screen, built in flash and a significantly improved AF function; maybe it could be the "K3 FF". ?????

Regards

Who dominates the DSLR MARKET '

http://www.diyphotography.net/japan-has-spoken-canon-dominates-sony-dethrones-ol...

I am the first to agree with John's comments about Pentax lenses and cameras for that matter; there are many unique features developed by Pentax which are not even in the thinking of some of the others.

This is why as a photographer of many years l have supported Pentax; genuinely love using Pentax the gear; "me too" in the context of this thread refers to their brand profile not o the equipment.

When people walk or surf into any big photo video company, Canon have most of the advertising space and in the physical stores, most of the display space; a very orchestrated and aggressive marketing approach from Canon has underpinned their very successful "market grab" by always being in your face.

Nikon are definately "visible too" but not to the same extent but they also have some dedicated retailers; Pentax are sometimes not even visible or even available.

Pentax are running in the pack behind the two front runners; their attempts at raising their profile and presence has no impact, it is feeble and in this context it seems almost as if Pentax are jumping up and down saying "Hello! we are here too" - that is the context in which the term "me too" was meant.

Some of the big mass market retailers such as Jessops actually dropped Pentax prior to their reorganisation.

Some high profile mags are not only saturated with the typical razzmataz of Canon (and Nikon to a lesser extent) but actualy are dedicated to Canon / Nikon precluding Pentax.

When we see articles like the recent comparison (posted on PU) where the "FF camera of the year (the Nikon D810)" did not in any way overshadow the Pentax K3 II, this technical review really did show how good Pentax is, matching if not exceeding the D810 in all the important aspects, even IQ despite being an APSc sensor ( vs the Nikon FF) .

Yet in the last eighteen months when I have been shooting numerous large sporting events alongside sometimes 15 pros, I have never seen a Pentax camera and just a few Nikons, the rest are always Canon; "they are it" as far as pros are concerned; Pros vote with their wallets; hat is the reality.

Survey your camera club members and see what they use. I have only a modest sample upon which to make an assesment but I would venture that when money is not a concern Canon is the "go to brand" , for serious enthusiast on a more cautious budget don't be surprised if it is Nikon; after that it is the " also rans" including Pentax.

At competition time though that table can look a little different but most members still yawn when you expound the virtues of Pentax

I lived for several years in the Amazon Basin, the wild life photographer's dream location, but never saw anything other than Canon; the odd Nikon showed up on my boat but always in the hands of a "Jungle Tourist" never a serious pro.

What was I using - Canon; having given up with Nikon after a brief flirtation, I had no alternative but Canon as there wasn't a pro-grade Pentax Digital SLR available.

The two top spec' Canon EOS-1N RS (film) bodies I used were "OK at best " in that environment, often suffering from the humidity, the lenses even more so but at a price point of several thousand US$ twenty years ago, these bodies didn't surpass the reliability of my previous cameras (two Pentax film bodies - Z1Ps would you believe)

Then along came the innocuos little K10 D (my daughter came for a gap year visit); that K10D never failed in the steamy humidity of that environment and was so pocketable it was carted everywhere, used, abused and often sodden, it soldiered on regardless; it brought me very gingerly back to Pentax.

Since which time I have enjoyed the K20d, the solid K7, the lovely K5 IIs (which I will never part with), the K3 and most recently the K3 II.

Funnily my daughter has moved to a Canon 6D and guess what, she is wondering what all the hype is about regarding the Camera; and thereby "hangs the tale".

I have used the 6D regularly and as a practical photographer I genuinely
assess it as good a tool, not as good a tool as the K3s ( BIF apart ) and moreover I think the 6D would be seriously challenged by the K5IIs and it's wonderful simplicity.

I think all PUs would agree; Pentax make seriously good cameras and even more seriously good glass; that is not the issue so I think to engage further in response to comments relating to the quality and range of lensesvetc is not productive; it is a given that Pentax is excellent in modt areas (AF apart)

I have voted with my wallet and have committed to Pentax for the last ten years and will go on doing so for the time being, only last month purchasing a K3 II and the quite stunning 150-450 to add to my Pentax "tool cabinet"

The original post however related to turn around times for lens repairs and my comments throughout this thread are based on recent experience which was not positive because Pentax user support system was nothing short of shocking and as such is not compatible with the requirements of the pro fraternity.

Similarly their marketing strategy is impotent and anaemic if their wish is to compete seriously against the "Nicans"

That is the basis of my statement describing Pentax as a "me too" brand and is nothing to do with the unique features and quality of the Pentax products.

So I repeat, good luck with the repairs and also in engaging with Pentax support system which from my experience is on a distant planet.

Back ups,

I carry back ups, any body doing paid work carries back ups, it is fundamental otherwise you don't get paid if an equipment failure means you can't deliver the pictures.

There is no need to ask pros what they think about Canon because it is clear what they think when you are in a big event anywhere and 90 % of users are Canon and the other Remainer are predominently Nikon

For sure everyone who comments on the fact that all brands have a "failure record" is correct (inc me)

The issue is what does the manufacturer do when things fail; people can reiterate stories about how Canon were awful and Pentax were great.

But the "specific does not prove the general rule", what proves the general rule is indicated by what do the pros use; they " vote with their wallets"

Reflecting on John's comments; The issue in my case is that Pentax had three weeks to sort out a repair or a replacement or a loan camera and didn't.

similarly consider the issue with my failed AF160cC flash; Pentax had to give me a new £450+ flash because they could't get a " tuppeny hapenny" pcb.

I think Pentax equipment is great; it is why I just spent a small fortune oN A "gripped" K3 II and an HD 150-450.

But the bottom line of this discussion is really reflecting on why such good equipment is not used by pros.

If anyone thinks that over a broad sample Canon give less support services than Ricoh then they are very much out of touch with the reality which is underlined by the fact that Canon, with their very expensive and sometimes overated equipment still have the pro market to themselves.

I want to use Pentax and so do some of my Pro friends and colleagues but they know they won't get the kind of support they need in the field; "end of".

If the business strategists of Pentax expect to exist in that market they need to take a look at a suppoert infrastructure; the equipment is at least as good despite the lower price tag. But the customer support is not there for a pro market.

Pentax don't even have the enthusiasts market, likely for the same reason, if not even moreso for the same reason,; most enthusiast buy their equipment from hard earned savings not associated with photography or provided as the as tools of the trade by their employers as professional photographers.

for the record also, Bosch don't have the pro- user power tool market but they do have a huge presence in the enthusists market; do Pentax have that segment in photographic equipment.

I am committed to Pentax as an enthusiast and busy semi-pro and "put my money where my mouth is"but if I was going to aspire to the next level would anyone here have a solid set of facts and a rational argument to convince me that Pentax is the way to go; i suspect not; no-one would advise that, based on the facts; Canon have the support infrastructure and are supporting a "whole world of pros"; Pentax have the gear but not the support system.

Come on Pentax; sort out the Af niggles and go for the pro market; put in the infrastructure and cease being a "me too" company.

Pentax used to be the leaders for many years and stiil have many loyal supporters

It isn't good enough just to make pro spec equipment; that has not worked; it is about customer support at all levels, that is what will work in my view.

I finish by underlining once again, to avoid misconceptions; I am with Pentax because I like the hardware not out of blind loyalty but if my modus operandii changed to being a full time pro I couldn't use Pentax as my primary system.

I most definately have the back ups but for such events as the IPC European Games shoot; my lead camera was the K3 with a K IIs as a second body. one to be mounted with a DA * 300 and the other with a DA* 60-250

But I wasn' going to attempt such a prestigious job with a single camera, with the possibility of then not having a "back up of the back up camera", if you know what I mean and also changeing lenses on the fly etc ; all it required fro Pentax was a prompt replacement or even a loaned K3 - they had three weeks to do it

I now have a K3 II, K3, K5 IIs, ( and a 645 for other work) but no-one can't have back ups on back ups;

In the case of the failed AF 160c, clearly very few people have back up ring flashes but I do

But that is not the issue here ; the issue is simple

1. Wether or not Pentax can support the enthusiast / pro market with customer focussed supportive action and responses carried out in a realistic time frame.

2. Are ricoh/Pentax now organizationally set up to give sensible and timely support to UK users.

In the two cases mentioned in my first post, experience says no, unless of course they have changed.

So what makes it so difficult for Pentax to carve out a peice of the Pro Market ?

In have been a Pentax user for many years but also had periods , where I switched to Nikon and then in recent years to Canon and they all have problems but it is how they are dealt with.

Some of my friends are full time pros and say that Canon is better than Nikon as regards pro support but whilst they all are genuinely impressed by Pentax and the quality of images and equipment, they don't see a supporting infrastructure than can support pros in the field from Pentax.

I don't have aspirations to become a full time working pro but I work regularly and selectively and to be fair, It seems to me that whilst Nikon and Canon are the pro choice the users might be supporting the back up infrastructure based on very high pro equipment prices.

Pentax on the other hand come in with great equipment, particularly some of the lenses, at a much lower price than similarly performing Canon/Nikon gear but they will likely never be a contender in shifting the pro market until they can support working pros .

Their customer support is more reminiscent of a retail company than a professional camera equipment supplier.

Regrettably as much as I love Pentax, if I was at an earlier stage in my life and working toward being a full time pro I would find it difficult to go with anyone other than Canon and I would underline that I prefer both Pentax and Nikon to Canon .

I am with Pentax now, not out of brand loyalty, but because I think the equipment is great with the added bonus of class matching/leading performance at a great price, but if the quality and performance deteriorated, like all people I would go elswhere, even if I had to pay more.

If I was aspiring to become a fulltime, busy working pro I couldnt see the possibility of sustaining that profession with Pentax "in their current state of play"

So as regards the original topic about repairing lenses, I have had two SDM replacements some years ago; in the US it took 1 week, in the UK three weeks and then the lens was replaced, after protestations regarding the time it was taking, so good luck with that.

Maybe I am being a little unrealistic, but one month ago I had a Bosch Cordless Rotak Lawn Mower Picked up, repaired ( major repair) and returned to me in 4 days; following one Phone call.

Before anyone says it, maybe Bosch should go into the camera business.

Regards

Good luck with Pentax repairs. I had a Malfunctioning autofocus block on a new K3 Silver edition and a PCB failure on a newish 160c Ringflash last year.

In both cases I was advised by the retailer to send the units directly to Johnsons Photopia to save time and the retailer would tie up with Johnsons to ensure the equipment was correctly logged on the system between them; which they did.

Despite valiant attempts by Johnsons Photopia and the retailer to obtain a repacement K3 Silver Edition, Ricoh/ Pentax France and Ricoh Pentax GmbH thwarted any possibility of a prompt solution; simply squabbling and contradicting each others decisions to "repair or replace" for several weeks until the situations were crystalised by direct intervention from the retailer and the autonomous support of a Pentax Sales Rep.

in the case of the AF160C Flash, which folloeed the same totuous path, the MD of Johnsons Photopia intervened himself.

Nb; There was no communications access, input or intervention from anyone at a UK Ricoh/ Pentax Office in either of these cases as the Ricoh/Pentax offices in the UK are seemingly outside the organizational loop on such matters, so you are in the hands of the European centres.

The worst thing of all was that I had been commissioned to shoot the IPC European Games ( Field events) which were taking place three weeks after the K3 Silver edition failed; so they had three weeks to do something !

Rico/Pentax did nothing to help and I ended up shooting most of it with a Canon Full Frame body, I was lucky enough to get from a family member, and a lens I offered to hire but actually got on free loan from a Canon pro centre, which arrived in one day by the way.

In the case if the AF160c Ring Flash, seemingly there was no replacement PCB available "on the planet" ( bear in mind this is a small inexpensive electrical component in a £450+ unit)

Again I was faced with the same problem, having some paid work on the go, but just as before, Ricoh/ Pentax just squabbled and completely let me down and as I said above, if the MD of Johnsons Photopia hadn't personally intervened and been forcibly persistent , I would still be waiting for a new flash now, probably

I completed that work, having to borrow equipment yet again whilst "Rome burned" at the various Ricoh Pentax " Squabbling Offices".

I am sad to say I invested a lot of hard earned cash to migrate from Canon to Pentax but I genuinely chose to develop a Pentax System, as a semi-pro, for the right reasons; however based on my experiences since Ricoh/Pentax are appalling when it comes to providing rapid responses, solutions and communication in times of trouble (which all brands can experience).

Unless you are dealing with a very accomodating retailer you could be in trouble as a working photographer or busy enthusiast if you have an equipment failure; experience has shown me that Ricoh / Pentax are not set up organizationally, to provide rapid support .

I hope there are people who can reiterate better experiences than mine as I would love to see Pentax growing in stature to where it once was, but unfortunatel my experiences of late lead me to conclude that; If it's in the guarantee /warranty period, you are best going to the retailer and/or Johnsons Photopia - if it's not in the guarantee / warranty period then you are likely in trouble.

Regards

At this spec level they are all good, better than those of us using them.

A lot of the considerations are personal, arguably not technical; Stiff lens , heavy lens, I am an engineer and that feels good; Light and loose not so good for others it could be the opposite

All that matters is the final image and that is down to the photographer more than the lens.

I have some stunning lenses in most of the well known independent makes as well as Pentax, Canon, Nikon and Panasonic.when the image is below par it is always me.