I've been working and travelling with a K-7 for some time now and like to comment on your remarks...
Thank you. I lay out my responses below. Please realise that I am simply trying to respond to the assertion "there really is NO reason to buy any other camera", rather than saying that these are all reasons why you shouldn't go Pentax - these are just some reasons why you might want to go with another brand.
I'm 2 meters tall with large hands, I think the K-7 fits better in my hands than any other. (I do have bigger dslr bodies as well!). The fact that Pentax moves opposite of the main brands is better, not worse. Try it before having an opinion please.
I never said which was better. I simply pointed out that the K7
is very small and light, and some people might prefer a bigger camera - either for the comfort in the hand, or the ease of balancing a long lens. I shoot a K200, and I find that I really need the additional battery grip for long lenses. Some people might not, but then like I say in my comment - this is only for some.
- Compatibility with other professionals
Please give specific references. In my experience this is not true.
Having been looking around and second shooting opportunities, all of the ones I have seen have demanded that you shoot the same system as them. This is almost always Canon.
This is very true.
The real problem is availability of LONG and fast lenses and special items, even expansion rings and TC's... And if it is available, you need to order it on Ebay from Taiwan.
On the other hand, the DA* line is so much cheaper than comparable products from C*
& N
This used to be the case, but since the price rises I would say the DA* line is now only "cheaper" rather than "so much cheaper"
The best shots in this world were made with film slrs with slow motor drives.
It is showing lack of the photographers experience and quality if he/she needs > 3 fps to shoot 50 frames in order to get 1 good shot. If you are a professional sports photgrapher, yes, for the rest it is not an true issue.
Get a D3x, different price range, different target audience.
As I say above, I'm simply pointing out reasons why you MIGHT want another camera. You admit that more is desirable for sports shooting, so there is a reason not to buy the K7.
Whilst I don't deny it's possible to get good shots, even with manual focus, other people on this very forum seem to be saying that the keeper rate on K7 CAF is still not as good as on other cameras.
- Availability of Rental Equipment
How big is the amature DSLR rental market?
No idea. But the thing is, if you want to be able to rent equipment - say a long lens for a trip, a spare body for an assignment or even a new lens so you can "try before you buy", you are stuck.
Good point. I'd like to see something like that. Canon needs very expensive bodies to do proper weather sealing though.
True.
Any proper measurement data to support this opinion?
Very subjective statement.
Why I use the term "seem". The Lighting forum seems to indicate that this is the case.
True, however, how big is the target audience for this? 2% market share?
It's another reason to go with another brand if this is important to you. I'm not saying the man in the street wants it!
- Ability to Progress to Full Frame
Same argument. It will never be a business case for a small manufacturer as Pentax to go there.They'd need a whole new lens line as well. To costly, not enough sales.
Same argument here. All I'm saying is, if you want to progress to full frame, Pentax won't get you there. I have no interest in FF myself.
Comparing apples and oranges again.
???
- Availability of bodies, lenses in local B&M stores to try before you buy
Very true. This is a good argument and very valid.
And made worse by the unavailability of rental equipment.
- Dual memory card slots (D300)
What comparable camera has?
What about auto level with the competition etc? Some extra features some less.
The D300 as I mention. Sure the K7 has other features, but if you want to be certain that a memory card failure won't destroy your photos, you have to go with another brand right now.
- Waterproof enclosures and blimps
Available but expensive.
Please tell me where - I've been looking!
- Social Acceptance by your peers
You looser!
I didn't say it was important to me. For some people, what other people think matters. They might want to fit in with their friends (or even share lenses with them).
I think you missed that this was a joke. I was saying that you can't get really awful lenses for Pentax - for that, you have to go to Canon.
- Reliable Ultrasonic Focusing motors
Mine are and have been under very demaning circumstances for a couple of years.
Again, this is a bit of a joke. People don't seem to realise that Pentax's failure rate, as determined in this forum (so likely to be over-estimated) is lower than that for e.g. Sigma as quoted by large lens rental companies.
My opinion is that you make the same mistakes as the people you are reacting upon.
You should not put down opinions without proper objective references, some points you make are valid, but are just opinions, believes.
I have better things to do with my time than find citations for an internet argument. I just wanted to point out the other point of view.
(tip: read the manual)... 
