Red-headed stepchildren of the photographic world.

It seems to me that us Pentaxians are, for all intents and purposes, the red-headed stepchildren of the photographic world. Although we share once common trait - fierce allegiance to the brand - we are discounted as using inferior, second-rate equipment that pale in comparison to the other, more well known brands.

While in some instances, I might have to reluctantly agree, I always have and always will believe that the real proof comes not from the camera's brand, but in the creative minds of the user of whatever camera he/she might have in their hand.

Personally, I chose Pentax for two reasons. First is brand loyalty. My very first SLR was a Pentax Spotmatic bought in 1966 while on R&R in Hong Kong during the Vietnam war. Even though the US Navy provided us with Nikon 35mm cameras, I chose to use my Pentax and it served me well - and flawlessly - for three tours of duty.

After my discharge, I continued to use the old Spotmatic until the early 80's, when I up-graded to the ME Super. Time passed and photography took a back seat to marriage, children and working to make a living in the construction trade. Not until my retirement some 8 years ago, did I seriously get back into "picture-taking." Enter my first DSLR - a Pentax K-2000. What a revelation!

The entry into the digital world presented me with a learning curve that was more akin to a 90-degree angle! I knew very little about anything that had to do with the digital world and although I always considered myself as having a good sense of composition, subject matter and all that is required to create a viable photograph, the complex world of digital cameras was overwhelming. But, I was determined to learn what I must in order to join the modern world of photography and so far, I've done a fair job.  I still have a lot to learn, but I manage to get by to a fair degree.

This brings me to the second reason I chose Pentax. It was what I could afford. Unlike many, I live on a fixed income and have always worked hard to live within my means. So, Pentax it was. Two years ago, I upgraded to my present camera system, the K-50 and I couldn't be more pleased.

I don't make my living taking photographs. I do it solely for my own pleasure. Not once have I felt "under-gunned" because my camera didn't cost two arms and a leg.  I do my own printing with an Epson printer and seldom ever go beyond 8"x10."  If that need arises, I can always outsource my enlargements.

I've been tempted to upgrade again to the new K-3 but after some soul searching, I decided that my little K-50 served my needs perfectly.  I have a considerable inventory of older Pentax and third-party lenses.... at last count, over 80.... many strictly manual in nature, and they provide me with more possibilities than I have time.  The ability to use older, less expensive but very able glass is another reason for my continued loyalty to Pentax.  Pentax cameras have served me well for the better part of half a century and as the old saying goes, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"