Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 11:27:46 +0200 From: Arnold Stark <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hi Arnold > Alexander, > > When I invested into new and old Pentax equipment I did so because of > the compatibilty of the k-mount. I can feel with you, and I also agree to a certain degree. But I still think the compatibility within the Pentax system is still high compared to other manufacturers. > Suddenly this compatibilty is reduced > for effectively no particular reason at all. Pentax is NOT just doing > what everybody else does: Pentax changed its mount already in 1975. > They have advertised the compatibilty of the k-mount ever since the SFX. Now > they are effectively changing their mount for the 2nd time - which > other > manufacturer changed their mount twice? IMO they made the just same changes that Nikon or Canon. But Pentax made more subsequent steps. Similar to Nikon I do not expect that Pentax will completely abandon compatibility. They will restrict "full compatibility" to more expensive lenses and cameras. BTW A system which *really* changed the mount twice was Mamiya (their 35mm system). Their ZEX system was way ahead of others at its time but it meant a second change in lens mount within 2 or 3 years. The ZEX mount was the first fully electronic lens-body interface. > And even if they were doing like > everybody else, this would not make their move any better. Everybody > else doing something bad is no excuse for me doing so, too. > Every company does what they think yields maximum profit. Judging from today's results it is right what Canon did in 1986 (ditching the FD mount). > Yes, I can use my A, F and FA lenses on the *ist D, and even if there > was full compatibilty they certainly match it much better than K-and > M-series lenses. However, I still can not see why Pentax decides that I > should NOT be able to sensibly use my older lenses on the *ist D as > well. I myself want to be able to decide which of my Pentax lenses I > use on the *ist D. I am adult and can take my own decisions. I understand that, I have four K-series lenses myself. However I seriously doubt that users of those lenses are a big market for the D-SLR (particularly as this means higher production costs, which all users have to pay). The high-class lenses of that vintage are quite rare (except the 28mm and 135mm lenses of course). For example: Since the 80s, when I bought into Pentax, I have a 30mm/2.8 K-series lens (a fine lens BTW). It's recent ebay price raised to about $350. That's twice the price of the new lens in those days and shows how rare this lens is. It is not a market. Also I doubt that lovers of such lenses are among the first who switch to digital. > > Arnold Enjoy, Alexander __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com
