GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

*The first thing, I'm not going to mention names nor post a bunch of links to stress my opinion.

After looking up much information on the Pentax K1, I finally bit the bullet and purchased one. This will be included to my growing set of matching lenses and other assorted goodies. I can hear it now from owners of other brand cameras, "What a mistake buying that junk!" Well I could say the same thing back, but I won't. You purchase whatever you think is good for your needs and the K1 fits my need pretty good and at a very good price.

Because I already have many Pentax items, it would cost me several thousand dollars to switch to another brand. Sure most manufactures make wonderful glass... but I already have some excellent Pentax glass, so why switch?

It's been said many times that Pentax cameras are likely the strongest build common cameras. My Pentax K20D and K5 have gone through "H" and back with no problems short of a scratch here and there. A couple of highly recommended 3rd party items, (battery grip to name one), didn't fair as well. Durability and quality like that just doesn't happen to other brands until the price goes much higher although times are changing. That is one special reason I got the K1!

Several, (correct that), many people make comments, blogs, YouTube videos, and seem to make fun of "that brand" when they really just expecting more views when a verbal war starts.

With slight exception, my near 10 and 7 year old dslr's are still doing what I want. More night abilities is another reason for the K1.

Even though my K5 with a 200mm lens was able to be hand held at around 1/180, the 5 axis stabilizion of the K1 is a nice feature that should let my hand hold the same lens at around 1/100 to 1/120. Wow!

One camera I fell in love with was the Sigma with it's Foven sensor. Because none of my post editing programs will work directly from a Foven picture, I never purchased one of them. Two years back Pentax surprised the world and came out with the Bayer sensor equivalent (?) of a Foven sensor. When needed, I like that thought. Another manufacture came out with similar but that was two years later but only has it on one model and costs twice the price I'm paying. LoL

The megapixel count is not the highers today, but it compairs to the early mid-frame sensors. (Couldn't afford them.) Another reason to get the K1.

As a near final thing, it does just about everything all the older dslr cameras would do and many better. So add that to my list.

There are several other reasons I'm sticking with Pentax. Other owners can elaborate on their reasons.

Now complaint here!

ELNikkor

Pentax makes excellent cameras and lenses; good on ya' for sticking with them. I still have a 17mm Super Takumar, with built-n filters that rotate in behind the lens, from my screw mount Pentax days, still very sharp. I use it by hand-holding it over my Nikon bodies, and it is focused and sharp to infinity.

cuckoobob

No complaint, here! I have three Pentax SLRs, and got the K10D so I could use the same lenses. Love Pentax! For what it's worth, my wife loves her Canons (SLR & DSLR), so I'm not an "exclusivist", just a realist! I couldn't afford another setup! Lenses, I can afford!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

The best camera for you, for me, or for anyone else is the one they like the best and works the best for them. I have Canons right now, but I’m looking at chucking the pile and moving to a Sony mirrorless. My brother used to shoot only Pentax and loved them--happy that you’re hanging in there with the brand.

royden Loc: Decatur, GA

Good for you. Pentax user here since 2009 although I have an older model Canon.

Smudgey Loc: Ohio, Calif, Now Arizona

What ever floats your boat. Thats why there is more than brand on the market. Good luck, take a lot of pics.

jtvarga Loc: Niwot, CO

Working for Ricoh, I’m waiting for a K1 employee special. Not that I wouldn’t buy one otherwise, but not in a hurry yet. Their pixel shift seemed to make noise evaporate for landscape shots.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

[quote=GENorkus]*The first thing, I'm not going to mention names nor post a bunch of links to stress my opinion.
I bought a Spotmatic while in Vietnam. Inherited canons from my younger Brother. Actually bought a digital canon (EOS 30 D) About 15 years ago. It was a good camera, But the outrageous cost of "L"-series lenses convinced be to go with Fair-priced fantastic glass by PENTAX. Now I only have a Canon digital elphe (image stabilized, 12 pixels), and I have a Nikon P-900 point & shoot. Those are the only "NON-PENTAX cameras and lenses that I own. PENTAX K-01, K-S2, K-5, AND K-1, are now my Pride & joy. Also have quite a set of The best Pentax Glass going. I'm SATISFIED, and just love SHOOTING, these days. I must say though that I would like a fuji T-x2 or T-x 20 with a couple of fuji lenses. What ta hell, there are MANY great "ways-to-go. ENJOY what you choose, I'll do the same!! RJM

repleo Loc: Boston

I seriously considered the K-1 when I decided I wanted to move to a FF camera. The specs seemed to be exceptional value for money, and good reasonably priced lenses. I was curious as to why there was so little coverage of the K-1 here on UHH. I posted here asking for advise and user experiences. The responses were all highly positive and several referred me to various Pentax forums. Unfortunately, the forums seemed to be awash in doom and gloom about the future of Pentax. They all loved their K-1's but were afraid that Pentax wouldn't be around for long. Caused me to pause. What a pity. Sentiments like that end up becoming self fulfilling prophesies.
I ended up saving a bit longer and going for the A7Rii. No regrets, but I am sure I would have been perfectly happy with the K-1.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Continuation of origional post just to let others know I have not only used Pentax, so my feelings of durable equipment comes from some experience.

***(Remember, no names etc., at least nothing with a negative remark attached to it.)***

Happenings from non-Pentax dslr's:
1) One very popular brand of camera, lost it's life after a simple fall off a standard chair and onto a grassy golf course area.
2) A different popular brand of camera, lost it's life after a wedding guest walked by and knocked my side-strap hanging dslr as I was using a second one. (Honest, it didn't feel that hard of a hit.)
3) Something electrical messed up another camera after I screwed up walking. I hit a table and the flash mount had cracked. The camera never recovered and I have no idea what would have caused it.
4) One just plain wore out after just over 20,000 shutter clicks.
5) One popular and very expensive German made dslr got wiped out after a mild spring rain. *(Thank goodness it was rented and had insurance.)

That's my "other" brand camera dslr history.

In all honesty I have to mention that my Pentax K5 was not working very well here and there but totally recovered after I removed the 3rd party battery grip. *(I talked about that in another post.)

Dealing with older higher voltage flash units have not ever been a problem on my Pentax dslr's either.

I've been around in the analog world too but only had two problem with other camera makes, those were with a Nikormat FTN and a Nikon F1. Great cameras but at the time, the cost was abit high to stick with them. I simply wore the shutter out on one of them. No real problems otherwise.

Come to think about it, I had a Yashica-D that went through "H" also but that was in the analog world. All the fun I had changing all the rolls of 120 film. (Not!)

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

From a story I heard, the "rumor" about Pentax going under, (which we all now know is totally false!), was started by a non-Pentax dealership that was loosing lots of money being that dealership didn't handle Pentax.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Thank you for your comments.
Many times I get passionate about equipment.
You have helped me reset, very good post.

Add Loc: S.W.Florida

I will stick with Pentax and have for at least forty years.

Nosaj Loc: Sarasota, Florida

Good post - thoughtful and interesting. I use the Pentax K5, K3, and K01, with a combination of Pentax and Sigma lenses. The only exception is that I use a Canon G16 for quick candids. I've posted a number of comments on UHH about Pentax cameras, such as the JD Powers report giving Pentax the number 1 customer satisfaction rating a few years ago, and TIPPA award results giving Pentax ratings in the top rated DSLR cameras. I don't get into comparisons of which brand is "better" and which brand a new buyer should purchase. Most UHH responders advise that people buy the brand they use. However, it would be nice to see more postings from Pentax users so the rest of us can see how they are using their cameras and how they are dealing with issues that occur. Personally, I'm a bit tired of seeing posts about someone waiting for the big brown truck that will deliver the latest Nikon or Canon super camera!
Also, about 95% of members in my camera club use Nikons and Canons but every year in the past six years I've had my images accepted and displayed in public photography exhibits along with noted Canon and Nikon photographers. Basically, the camera brand is still dependent on the skill of the user, and every user should use what works best for them.

bedouin Loc: Big Bend area, Texas

I have the K-1 and the Special Edition K-5. Had a K-20 for 10 years but gave it away. Had used Canons for 35 years. The Pentax is not in the top 10 list of DSLR selling cameras. I find Pentax to be extremely durable and give photos unsurpassed by any other brand. But I fault no other camera-There are quite good reasons why Canon, Nikon, Sony and Olympus outsell them, and I am not one to argue with success.