I am sorry John, but I find this comment too generalist. The Nikon D4 is a sophisticated camera and like many complex devices, needs an investment in time to learn and get the most out of it. You do not say, but there may have been several reasons why the Nikon user may have been struggling. For example, the kit may have been new to him/her, or he/her may have moved from another system. The point is the more sophisticated and complex an item becomes the more time needs to be invested.

From what I have read the K3 introduces a number of new features in terms of AF and White Balance, this extra level of complexity will take time to learn and understand. As current Pentax users members of this forum we will have an head start and I am sure will soon understand and make use of the extra level of control, but to a first time DSLR owner or someone coming from another system, there will be quite a steep learning curve. You only have to look through the list of posts by new users on this forum to see that the system that we all use and find so intuitive, is not so easy for all.

Having used Pentax cameras for over 30 years, I do find them quite intuitive, but the lesser used features still have me scouring the manual and I have still not got used to the position of the 'Green' button on the K5, which I personally find to be just 'wrong'. I am sure if I asked experienced Nikon and Canon users, the experience would be much the same.

I think we have to get out of the mind set that Pentax has the best of everything. It is clearly not the case. It cannot be wrong to criticise something when that criticism is valid, constructive and rationale.

Pentax meets at least 95% of my needs, but there are occasions when it does not and like anything that involves choice and discretionary spend, I do wonder from time to time about changing brands. I think that is only natural.

By way of example I was fortunate enough to be at the Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor Centre in September, just as the daily feeding of the Red Kites took place. I found myself next to a guy with a full frame Canon, with a very nice fast zoom lens attached. The feeding lasted around 15 minutes and afterwards we were talking and reviewing the shots we had taken. I found myself disappointed with my efforts and quite envious of his. I shoot almost exclusively static subjects so my skill level is admittedly low, when it comes to swooping birds rapidly changing direction. I had reconciled myself to that fact, when a number of birds reappeared and put on an encore performance for us. The Canon user very generously offered me his camera. He set it up, so I literally had to point and shoot and I was very pleased to find 4 out of the 10 shots that I took were very acceptable. Yes I found it heavy and bulky and not very comfortable in my hands, but it got the job done, even with my skill level.

I fully agree with the general statement that it is the photographer not the equipment and I am in genuine admiration of the members of this forum, who have produced some stunning' dynamic action' images.

As I said, I shoot almost exclusively static subjects, but if I were into shooting Red Kites or their equivalent on a regular basis, then I believe that there are better systems out there for the task.

Pentax have taken a few steps forward on AF with the K3. In terms of low light AF I firmly believe they are the best. A system capable of what I used in Wales is in my opinion someway off. It is not just the body, Pentax would need to design lenses not just with fast optics, but with fast motors and short throws to go with it.

Regards - Steve

If I recall correctly, one of the things that happened during the 'Hoya' period, was an equalising out of prices worldwide. The big discounts available to US suppliers seemed to disappear and heavy discounting was discouraged. Certainly the differential between most of the mainstream lenses narrowed during that time.

It would seem that Ricoh have reversed that strategy. The examples cited by Gary (K10D)are an illustration of that. Earlier this week I saw a North American supplier offering a K3 with a DA18-135 for less than £1000

From the outside looking in, it would appear that it is the US and Far East markets that Ricoh are really pushing for and that once again Europe is seen as a market to 'milk' and subsidise the pursuit.

I cannot imagine that there is a big enough market in the UK for suppliers to exert that much influence. Certain prices may come down for a period of time and there can be many reasons for that, but the overall policy seems clear.

Regards - Steve

It is my understanding that although the general optical formula is the same 7 elements in 6 groups there was indeed a redesign with the 'A' series. The front element of the 'A' F1.4 being more curved than the 'M' series. The 'A' 'F' and 'F' have the same optical design. Although I no longer have the 'M' series F1.4 a quick test of various '50's in a naturally lit room gave the following results.

K55mm F1.8 - Produced the most natural colours.
M50 and A50 F1.7 - Produced colours very close to the K series
A50 and FA50 F1.4 - Produced slightly warmer though not unpleasant colours.

I used F5.6 and AWB on a K5.

I use lens hoods by default, but from experience the F1.4's benefit more than most from them.

I like to use the 'A' series on my film cameras and also on the K5 for use in good light outside, but it is not easy to nail the focus. The 'FA' always struggled to focus on the K10, but I find it gets it right most of the time with the K5 especially after the 1.13 firmware update.

Regards - Steve

Pentax used to send out something similar everytime you registered a new camera or lens via their website. If I remember correctly, the voucher has to be sent. to the Pro dealer at the time of purchase and can only be used once.

Regards Steve

Professional users and their needs aside.

Consider this scenario, someone goes into a shop with the intent of buying a DSLR and possibly a couple of lenses. Assuming the sales assistant has a least a passing knowledge, his first question should be to ask "what type of pictures do you like to take". A typical answer might be shots of the family, holiday shots, some landscape and the kids playing sport. At this point Pentax perceived shortcomings and weakness will be become an issue.

Almost every camera make will handle most of the newcomers stated needs, but the lack of Pentax branded 'sports glass' and 'perceived slow AF' of Pentax, will steer the conversation towards other makes for the 'basic sports requirement'.

Yes I know that there is fast 'sports glass' available from third party manufactures, but it in my view it is Pentax lack of support for this that reinforces the perception that Pentax DSLR's are no good for capturing sports action.

Now the irony of this is that probably 90% of new users will never have the need, or desire to shoot fast moving professional sports quality shots, but perception drives the initial sale and another new customer is lost.

Pentax have made 'fast sports glass' in the past, so somewhere there should be the capability to do so again. It is not just about large max apertures and there is nothing wrong with taking a 'good look' at the designs of the competition.

In my opinion a 300mm F2.8, a 400mm F4.5 and a 135 - 400mm zoom preferably constant aperture zoom, would I think go a long way to addressing the issue. I also believe that a DA* designated zoom would be a popular lens and sell well to keen/advanced amateurs, such as members of this forum. The fabled almost mythical 1.4X convertor would be the icing on the cake.

The 300mm and 400mm would be more specialist, cost would be high, but there is nothing to prevent them being made in batches to order.

The introduction of new 'sports glass' would go a long way to dispelling the perception. Putting it and whatever the top of the range camera happens to be at the time in the hands of a professional sports photographer, should bury it for good.

Regards - Steve

PM sent.

Regards - Steve

Another bump

I know the lens designation is wrong, that would possibly give the game away, but might this be a 'full frame' lens? The focal length range would seem to make more sense if that were the case.

I have not checked, but I wonder how does the optical construction compare with the DA 16-45. That lens is known to have been 'slugged' from F2.8 down to F4 at the wide end and it is full frame from around 20mm.

Regards - Steve

Bump

Buy the two, 35mm is close to standard on APS-C and 50mm is good for portraiture on APS-C.

Regards Steve