When to break the chain

biggreyhorse

biggreyhorse

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I have been using Pentax for nearly 20 years, Im now thinking of breaking that equipment loop I have been in.

Has anyone else built up a huge ammount of branded kit then, moved to another brand.

Im looking at moving on and purchasing a Nikon as I borrowed one a few months ago for a week and just loved it to bits.

What will make the pain easier.
 
If your Nikon experience is from a few months ago, it won't be based on a comparison with the current Pentax offerings. Pentax offer keen value for money. If you want to spend more than their range offers, the choice is yours. Secondhand Pentax lenses can make very good prices, which may make the pain easier. Let me know what you've got!
 
Can you not get an adapter to allow you to use those lenses on a new Nikon?
 
photon said:
If your Nikon experience is from a few months ago, it won't be based on a comparison with the current Pentax offerings. Pentax offer keen value for money. If you want to spend more than their range offers, the choice is yours. Secondhand Pentax lenses can make very good prices, which may make the pain easier. Let me know what you've got!
Click to expand...


I wouldn't say the K-7 offers keen value for money to be honest, it still seems to be priced a touch on the high side at just under 1k for the body. On the other hand is is getting very good reviews now and is up there with the 50D and D300s imo (and the reviewers).

The K-x also looks like it could be interesting with its Sony sensor, video mode, inbody SR and 4.5fps which is excellent for a entry level camera.


I notice that (looking at your web site) you have some excellent wedding photos taken with Pentax kit ... they are not likely to bring out a FF body for at least 12 months (probably double that tbh) so maybe it would be a sensible move for you.

Saying all that if the OP decides to jump ship and has a A* 200mm or FA* 200mm macro in his collection I would appreciate first refusal ;)
 
It could well be a forced choice, i have 2 camera bags with identical kit eg body, lenses and flash etc.

Depending on conditions and time, I would only carry one camera body.

Some nice low life decided it would be good to break into my car while I was shooting the evening wedding !!!!! and have away a complete set up :-(


So this is why Im now thinking of perhaps a total change !!!
 
Go for it :thumbs:

Things have moved on amazingly (as you've discovered). You'll love it :)

There's no need to stick with Pentax, other than for sentimental reasons, as even if your old film lenses will technically fit, the effective focal length range will be all wrong, and if they are 20 years old they won't be AF either. You need a whole new integrated system to take full advantage of the new stuff - camera, lenses, flash, the lot.

And if I'm honest, the only brand I wouldn't recommend now is Pentax. Their future is uncertain, and since their cameras (sadly) are not outstanding in any way, why take the risk.
 
Well I know how you feel about nikon stuff... when the d300 first arrived it was like an opening to another world for me! I loved it straight away! I gave up all my canon gear... granted not 20 years worth, but there were a few quid in there and then nikon intorducing the D700, well you can't really beat a FF at price at the moment with up to about 6400 ISO still producing usable photos, that is pretty cracking! But reinvesting is not cheap :(! But if your making money then you can probably justify the move for your own future! I mean if you do weddings, you could probably get away with just getting a D700 or D3 and the 24-70mm F2.8 and you'd have a really good bit of kit together there just to see you through the start plus an SB900! I do have to say though you have some lovely shots on your site, why re-invest now when gear is so expensive? Your producing some great shots!! Ohh dear I don't know either now ;)!
 
I was in the same boat.

I got my first Pentax DSLR a few months ago, and I am about to buy about a grands worth of lenses.

I am still deciding to invest in pentax equipment or go down the Canon/Nikon route as I know when my hobby progresses I can move on to full frame body's.
 
I switched from Sony/Minolta to Canon and have been reasonably happy in that I have got the better AF I wanted. But I've lost some things I didn't expect to lose (I never thought I'd miss in-body IS so much, and the ergonomics of Sony were better for me). Since it is a big switch for you, have you tried renting/borrowing Nikon gear first just to make sure it gives you all you want and you don't lose something you value?
 
I have just sold off my Pentax gear and bought a FF Nikon D700

I dont regret it for a second, i bought into Pentax because it was great value for money and the K10D/K20D produce fantastic photos... For their price range

but thats it, they stop there... No major upgrades, techincal advances or even hints of a Full Frame digital camera in the future

For me, it was simple - when i got into photography i wanted the best for my avaliable money - now i am making money from my photography so my avaliable monies are more

i am happy to pay much more to get better pictures

My Pentax was fabulous and i took great photos on it, but it was iffy - in low light it failed, it often blew out pictures or underexposed shots even in a controlled studio situation with the light metred properly

When it was good it was very very good, but its limits were narrow

I couldnt be more happy with my D700 - Although

1. i havent figured out how to use it properly yet (this will take some time!)
2. Its rained every day that i have had it :(

and the very very most annoying thing about switching to Nikon

EVERYTHINGS THE WRONG WAY ROUND! From changing the lenses to adjusting the apeture, Nikon goes the opposite way to Pentax

i am getting to the point where i dont notice as much but its really been hard!
 
cor they were a funny bunch hey :P

I would feel quite comfortable taking my D700 out in a bit of rain, its weather sealed too ;) But the light has been rubbish - not much you can do with photos if the light is bad :(
 
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