No worries here is an abridged version.

The image of a Pentax 645Z was captured by:

EXIF IFD0

Image Description = OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Camera Make = OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.
Camera Model = E-M5

Lens Specification = 45-45mm F2.8-2.8
Lens Model = LEICA DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45/F2.8

Not really tongue in cheek. It is the forum policy that images taken with non Pentax cameras are removed. So this image should be removed. A second point is that is a shoot yourself in the foot piece of marketing. It would seem that other promotional images elsewhere have been taken with a Hasselblad.

If I worked for Pentax I would use Pentax equipment to take all promotional images. I think that is a basic piece of common sense. Pentax marketing is pretty clueless at times and this is a prime example.

They come up more often than once in several years, I see a handful a year. It is a fabulous lens. I wouldn't sell mine for €150, not even close.

I have always fely that these have been dismissed out of hand previously. I have utmost appreciation for the behind the scenes work of the moderators dealing with constant spam and attacks on the forum. The time they devote to the forum I don't think we really appreciate. I have tried to express that appreciation by PM. However, the forum has been ill and ailing for a while. I first came to the forum being rather in awe of the quality on show, that quality has now I feel reached a nadir. I am glad that there is an acknowledgement that suggestions are being taken on board, I have always felt previously that any suggestions were summarly dismissed. Here are mine:

Non Photography Related Content

This should be allowed in my view, up to a point. I would not like to see political, religious or other potentially controversial and divisive content. However, I would like to see an area where a member can call upon support from other members and where lighthearted chitchat is available.

At the moment we have a very firm censorship policy for non photographic content where non-controversial threads are simply dismissed without explanantion and yet there is a long rambling thread entitled 'another pointless thread' which for me is just that, impenetrably rambling. Do one thing or the other, apply a bit of emotional intelligence or rule consistently with a rod of iron. Do anything but send mixed messages and hopefully apply the former. The current format is nonsensical.

Non Pentax Related Photography Matters

I can understand this up to a point but it seems rather obsessive. Pentaxians sometimes move to other brands and at this point the forum seems to wish to disown them and wishes them begone. Why? In my experience some very fine photographers have moved to other brands, some of our finest. If I were Pentax I would want to know why they felt the need. What does Pentax not offer them? Surely this is some of the most valuable product strategy and marketing information available. Secondly, let them show non Pentax photos then let us Pentaxians show that photos taken with a Pentax can be as good or better. Don't be weak, have more confidence in yourselves. Finally, many photographers choose the equipment that suits their needs and that often means using two or more brands. I use Pentax as my main camera, for a pocketable option then other brands might well serve me better. That doesn't make me disloyal but I feel this forum treats me as such for suggesting it Pentax can recognise that by making a better alternative than other brands but they need to know my requirements. I understand that the forum should not be used to promote other brands at the expense of Pentax. However, the forum should be used to indicate to Pentax what kind of future products Pentaxians want. And I reiterate, bring on other brands, don't be scared of them, just do better.

Discussion Of Other Forums

This forum should not be used to promote other forums at the expense of this one. I don't like to see attacks on the forum, alter aliases just to make mischief. However, a blind approach of simply denying any kind of discussion of other sites simply provokes that kind of behaviour. It is inevitable and it is entirely counterproductive. The members here are fully aware of the existence of other sites. They are not stupid. The better approach in my view simply is to make this forum the most attractive place to be then mentions of other forums won't make any difference,

Subjective Moderation

The big moderation mistake and the root cause of the festering discontent which has again reared its ugly head in my opinion stems from a couple of years ago. Thoughton posted some images of a photographic re-enactment of a video game. Although being entirely within the remit of the forum the thread was deleted for being a bit silly. The site owners supported the moderation decisions. That lead to some unfortunate behaviour, the establishment of a rival site and the sweeping under the carpet of issues that were never satisfactorily handled and which we are again seeing, except more so. I don't believe moderators should be arbiters of taste or quality. Indeed, I have seen some subsequent posts from moderators which I regard as merely family snaps of little general interest and certainly holding no more photographic merit than that displayed in that thread of Tim's. The members can make up their own minds on the issue of photographic merit. Such censorship is patronising, condescending, hypocritical and wrong. And it has never been addressed.


I wish to see this forum thriving again as do many of us, I owe much to this place. Set the tone right and the content will largely look after itself and the members will largely behave themselves. I would like to see a forum that properly showcases Pentax, is confident in the face of other brands and other forums and can show that Pentaxians are a match for anyone. No need to be scared, no need for constant censorship, just encouragement for self-improvement.

I believe MattyH, Dougf8, Gamka, Cardiff Gareth have all been banned. Maybe some more. Missed it all and I don't really want to know what went on. But there must be a better way of dealing with things all round.

I'm glad Josh & co are going to take a look at things. I hope changes are made that will facilitate a happier forum.

Ironically I do have photos to share - from Glastonbury and quite an interesting set I think. They are a mixture of K5 and iphone so I can't really present them here as I would wish since the iphone shots are prohibited. I'll upload them to my recently started Adrian Mills Photography facebook page if anyone is interested.

In the meantime I'll check back in a few weeks to see how the post review forum looks.

It is the Pentax Photo Gallery. Am erstwhile great idea, now neglected. Nothing to do with this site.

I wholeheartedly second that. I have lost interest in the PPG for that reason. Pentax should encourage its photographers to show that they can match the best images taken with other brands out there. Instead in the dumbing down of the PPG and the rather snapshot quality of many of the 'ambassador' images Pentax comes across marketing itself as a brand for the mediocre.

Well I did shoot Glastonbury shots with a K5 (and also an iphone). I didn't know Gary was using a Nikon but, whatever, I shall try and find somewhere I can post my images in an atmosphere of goodwill.

I just wanted to lend my support to restore the forum to what it once was having been very surprised by the fallout after a trip away.

What I found was that, for example, Cabstar's Glastonbury shots which I always thoroughly enjoy, were posted elsewhere rather than here. I really didn't expect that put down. I would just prefer that the forum is improved.

I will post my own Glastonbury photos alongside Cabstar's. I shall return here with my photos when I am no longer treated like a schoolchild.

I thought a plea to get the forum back on track was helping and supporting the forum. Looks like you just want me to shut up. I think I probably will.

Having returned from a week and a half away I find the forum has suffered rather in terms of content and activity recently.

What I find is not really an awful lot going on, a surprising number of banned members, some clear attempts at mischief making and really just a bad taste in the mouth. It feels like the aftermath of a skirmish, a real lowpoint for this place and a shame.

If it weren't for the photos of Blythman and a few others I would see little reason to stay here at present apart from the odd foray into the classifieds.

I am not in the slightest bit interested in any discussion on the whys and wherefors. I just hope that through whatever means the relationship between those who own and run the forum and the membership is rebuilt so that the focus can be on generating worthwhile content again.

I will move a few rows back and hope for the better. I have no further comment.