From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 08:49:34 -0500
I think Bruce has a point here (and no, it's not on his head)...
We have to remember, while we, loyal Pentax users, would love to see >the brand grow and flourish, Pentax's target market in 35mm SLR has, I >believe, always been amateur or entry level.
"enthusiastic amateurs" as Pentax calls it.
This is not a bad thing, but eventually - amateurs wants more than the el cheapo plastic le chique consumer zooms, they start to explore new areas of photography. They discover macrophotography and the novelty of extension tubes, they discover bird photography and wants a fast low cost telephoto. Or they discover that they want everything but in one package, so they discover ultra zooms. What are the options? Nikon has just released a good 24-120 with IS and USM. It's consumer level, it's not for pro's. Together with the consumer level F75, it makes a good travelling kit. If they want pro-technology without the price, they can buy Sigma's telephotos with USM - if they have a Nikon or Canon. Pro-technology, at consumer prices. And Sigma has presented IS lenses!
As Pentax users, we do not have those options.
Do remember that Pentax has a FA* serie that cost as the competitions best lenses, and in some cases the Pentax lenses even cost more, but the competition has USM and IS - Pentax does not. Nikon's 70-200 f/2.8 with USM and IS is less expensive than Pentax FA* 80-200 f/2.8 ED.
One can't survive by only doing entry level bodies all the time, because when beginners outgrow their cameras - what should they do? Sell their gear and switch to Canon and Nikon? They're already doing this. The MZ-S is a fine camera, it sure is, but the lack of USM and IS means that many of the potential customers are lost. For those who buys entry level, it is better to buy Nikon or Canon because this way they can grow. They don't have to sell their eguipment and change brand when they discover that they need something more.
Best wishes, Roland
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