May I just make a little point here please? I don't believe that it says anywhere on Doug's PDML.net web pages that anyone actually has to own a single piece of Pentax photographic gear to subscribe to this list. In fact, the 'About Us' page describes the subscribers as:
'...we remain a loosely allied gang of threadheads, robophotographers, hobbiests, geeks, wienies, manual focusers, theorists, feature counters, psychos, purists, one large cross-dresser (that we know of) and another guy who just disagrees.' <http://www.pdml.net/dbrewer/p1.html> I personally think that is a very important point. There is much more to this list than just owning and using Pentax equipment. Sure, the obvious thing is that most, if not all, subscribers have, or have had, or even would like to have, Pentax gear at some point. After all, the P in 'PDML' stands for Pentax. Nobody expects contributors here to start asking what the bokeh is like on a Canon lens, or a Nikon lens, or even a Pentacon lens, that much is true. Similarly, just because a contributor decides to ditch and switch to a different brand, does not automatically mean that that person should consider their options WRT hanging around here. I can sell all my Pentax gear but actually still have an interest in it! Personally, I ditched and switched, and I'm glad I did - I wouldn't consider any of Pentax's latest digital offerings. They just don't suit me. So why do I still hang around here? Two big reasons. The first one is that believe it or not, my favourite camera of all time sits on a shelf above my desk. It does not work anymore, it certainly won't win any beauty contests, and I'll likely never put another roll of film through it again. Yet this lonely black Pentax MX represents a place and a time from years now passed - a place and time that I was very happy with. Still am. But even if I did not own this camera, I would still have the memory of it, and that is just as valid. Fond would be an understatement. My interest in it lives on. Others agree, and I can connect occasionally with those people through this PDML conduit. That's a pretty good reason to stick around. The second, and IMO most important reason, is the camaraderie. The close proximity of kindred spirits. The like-minded attitudes and crucially - the communication. This list is alive: breathing, eating, sleeping, happy, angry, sad... Hell we even know when someone's had a baby! We gather for chat and food and experiences, on list - and off. Even in this day and age, these things are pretty unique. Colleagues of mine are amazed. "You're meeting up with a bunch of people you met on the internet???" Yes, well, not strictly, er, look, it's not easy to explain... This place is very special - and every single one of you reading this text - from the most prolific poster through to lurker though to the person who subscribed 5 minutes ago (and is about to unsubscribe with 10Mb of digest attached) - all of you are the reason why. There are no rules here. It's almost a perfect democracy (cue politics thread) in that we can all put in our say, but as long as there's electricity in the wires, willingness in the fingers, and tolerance in Doug Brewer's smile, this list will continue, and nothing anyone does or says will change that. Someone wanted to know why someone sold some gear and bought some other gear to replace it. I wanted to know. Now we know, and we can use that knowledge as we will. That's no reason to deny anyone who wants to be here, whether Pentax owner or not, user or not, dreamer or not, that place. Pentax has a lot to answer for. Peace, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=====| http://www.cottysnaps.com _____________________________
