Why I Use Pentax
Pentax? Isn’t that the brand that made the K1000 way back when, do they even make cameras anymore? To answer that last part, yes they do, and in my opinion they make incredible ones at that.
So why Pentax? Why choose Pentax when they only make D-SLRs (excluding their new film camera called the Pentax 17 as a part of their Pentax Film Camera Project)? Why choose Pentax when they have autofocus miles behind the name-brands like Canon, Nikon, or Sony?
Well in this blog post I’ll tell you why I chose to use Pentax in the first place, and what I feel is great about their cameras (build quality, compatibility, the “feeling,” and the community).
Why I chose Pentax in the first place
I personally started to use Pentax for my school’s Color Digital Photography class as it was one of the brands that my school’s photography teacher recommended. Specifically, I started with the Pentax K-70, a more entry level APS-C camera that’s a part of Pentax's K series of cameras. And ever since then I’ve been using Pentax with no plans of switching anytime soon.
Build quality, a true photographer’s camera
Weather Resistance
Pentax has weather resistance that will literally last longer than you. It’s so good to the point where if you’re frozen solid in freezing temps your camera will still work. Shooting in snow, dust, mud, and/or rain? No problem, Pentax has got your back. And for me, it’s the reassurance this weather resistance gives you, this reassurance that I don’t have to immediately shield my camera once the downpour starts.
Weight
Have you ever picked up one of the newer mirrorless cameras these days and thought, “wow, that’s really light?” Well not with Pentax, in fact their current flagship, the Pentax K1 Mk II, clocks in at a whopping 2.22lbs! However, that weight is not without reason as a lot of that comes from a magnesium alloy body, which contributes greatly to the durability and longevity of the camera.
Of course I’m over generalizing here, but for some that weight might be a real killer, but for me that weight is what reassures me that what I’m holding is a quality camera; it helps to contribute to that signature rugged feel that you get with Pentax cameras. That signature rugged feel being a big contributor as to why I use it.
Ergonomics
Of course with any camera you need ergonomics, not only does ergonomics contribute to a more comfortable feeling, but it can also be vital to making sure your grip doesn’t slip.
So how good are Pentax’s ergonomics really? Well as good as any camera brand nowadays, but even better than some. Granted, while ergonomics does start to deteriorate the smaller you get, it is still really good in my opinion. For example, when I used the K-70 it felt a bit iffy in my hands due to the fact that it was smaller, with that being said, I never felt that I was ever going to drop it accidentally. And this feeling was only amplified when I switched to the Pentax K1 Mk II, as due to the fact that it was a bigger camera the grip ended up perfectly complimenting my hand.
And while this last part may be really subjective, the button placement is perfect for this camera; the perfect amount of buttons for your pointer finger to play with and the perfect amount for your thumb. Which gives you the ultimate convenience when shooting.
Backwards Compatibility. And forwards compatibility?
Backwards Compatibility
All Pentax D-SLRs made nowadays use Pentax’s K-Mount (or more accurately some variation of the K-Mount). Which was a mount created all the way back in 1975 originally meant for Pentax’s SLR cameras. With this mount being used for so long, this means that there are a ton of older lenses that you are able to use with Pentax’s D-SLRs without using an adapter (granted, if some are really old then you may have to use an adapter of sorts).
The fact that you are able to use lenses made years ago means that you are able to buy them rather cheaply and have the function quite well (however, I do indeed note that other brands combat this by having a superb catalog of both first-party and third-party lens options).
In addition, since Pentax has no plans to ever switch to mirrorless that most likely means that this mount is here to stay. Which is also quite good for beginner photographers as well, as if they ever buy some entry level Pentax D-SLR they can be rest assured that they are able to upgrade their lens without worrying if it's compatible with the newest cameras. Which cannot really be said about other brands.
Forwards Compatibility
As aforementioned, Pentax still uses their K-Mount which allows incredible backwards compatibility with older types of lenses. But does that mean Pentax lenses have forward compatibility? The answer to that is both yes and no. In particular, newer lenses will typically feature an aperture that is controlled by the camera and not through an aperture ring on the lens itself, either automatically or through some sort of dial on the back. This means that a lens whose only form of aperture adjustment is through the camera itself will not be compatible with any older cameras that are unable to do that.
That being said, newer lenses that have an aperture ring will be indefinitely forwards compatible with Pentax’s older camera bodies. And when I say “older bodies” I don’t just mean Pentax’s older D-SLRs I mean Pentax’s older film cameras as well. For instance, I was able to put my 100m macro lens from Laowa on my Pentax LX and actually have it function quite well. Granted, if you have a film camera you’ll most likely buy a lens from that time (due to the fact that they’re dirt cheap) but the fact that I’m able to use a modern lens with a film camera is absolutely appalling to me and is an incredible forwards compatibility that we seldom see nowadays.
The “feeling”
I don’t know if I speak for everyone but when I use a D-SLR compared to something like a mirrorless camera there is just a certain “feeling” you get with a D-SLR that isn’t replicated with a mirrorless.
And for me, it’s a feeling I love, I love hearing the mirror assembly when you shoot, looking through the optical viewfinder to take a photo which gives an element of not knowing how a photo is going to turn out, and that with the mix of mechanical parts and electronic parts is all in good taste for me.
Aside from the “feeling” you get when shooting, there is also a “feeling” you/other people get when you’re shooting with a Pentax. That feeling being that you’re different, and as quirky or weird that may sound it’s nice to be a little different in a world where everyone is shooting with the same Canon, Sony, Nikon, etc. It’s nice to have people react with a little “wow” factor as you’re using a camera which may be seldom seen nowadays.
The Community
And finally, for me, the last thing I love about shooting with Pentax is the Pentax community. While I don’t have much experience with other camera communities the experience that I’ve had with this community has been really great; everyone is very supportive and helpful, everyone is (to my knowledge) incredibly nice, and because everyone is supportive and helpful it’s also a very beginner friendly community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pentax, while it may not be the best brand specs-wise, it makes up for that in the build quality and ruggedness/durability of their cameras, the compatibility of older and newer lenses, the fact that there is a certain “feeling” you get when using a Pentax, and the community.
