Aftermarket lenses and Olympus/Pentax

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

"Rich" <none@none.com> wrote in message
news:ttckh199ta26o2i8aluqko9enuib52oc1t@4ax.com...
> Why support for Pentax DSLRs and not Olympus?
> I figured Olympus sells at least as many bodies
> as Pentax.
> Is this because they simply slap a new mount on
> their (the aftermarket producers) lens bodies whether the camera
> is a Canon, Nikon or Pentax and they'd actually have to
> make a new lens to conform to 4/3? I guess they figure based
> on the volume they perceive as being available, it's not
> worth it?
> -Rich

Perhaps I'm wrong but don't some manufacturers have the AF motor in the
camera body rather than the lens? This would preclude using the same lens
for every brand of body.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Fred McKenzie <fmmck@aol.com> wrote:

> In article <ttckh199ta26o2i8aluqko9enuib52oc1t@4ax.com>, Rich
> <none@none.com> wrote:
>
> > Why support for Pentax DSLRs and not Olympus? I figured Olympus sells at
> > least as many bodies as Pentax.
>
> Rich-
>
> There may be a perception that the Olympus is a short-lived design that
> will soon be replaced by something having a larger sensor. As a long-time
> Olympus user, that is the main reason I wouldn't buy their current DSLRs.
>
> In the case of Pentax, there is also a market consisting of users of film
> bodies that take the same lenses. However, I am not finding an abundance
> of Pentax lenses and accessories available. The only source seems to be
> old stock from the few local dealers that are still in business, or from
> the mail-order dealers like B&H.

Consider that you can still buy new Adaptall lenses from Tamron, who can
also sell you a Pentax K/A mount adaptor. But they don't have an Olympus
3/4 adaptor.

Whether this is a market-size determination on Tamron's part, or a
design incompatibility issue is something I don't know.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Tony Polson <tp@nospam.co.uk> wrote:

> usenet@mile23.c0m (Paul Mitchum) wrote:
>
> >Consider that you can still buy new Adaptall lenses from Tamron, who can
> >also sell you a Pentax K/A mount adaptor.
>
> The Tamron Adaptall II Pentax KA mount adapter is best avoided, as it is
> not especially reliable. Better to use the K mount adapter instead,
> although this cuts down the exposure mode options on Pentax DSLRs.
>
> Personally, I believe that is a price worth paying.

What reliability problems have been reported?

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital.slr-systems (More info?)

Rich wrote:

> Why support for Pentax DSLRs and not Olympus?
> I figured Olympus sells at least as many bodies
> as Pentax.
> Is this because they simply slap a new mount on
> their (the aftermarket producers) lens bodies whether the camera
> is a Canon, Nikon or Pentax and they'd actually have to
> make a new lens to conform to 4/3? I guess they figure based
> on the volume they perceive as being available, it's not
> worth it?
> -Rich

Canon, Nikon and of all things Minolta get aftermarket support from just
about everyone.

Pentax gets SOME aftermarket support, but my experience is the really
desirable goodies are only available in Nikon & Canon mount.

Olympus 4/3 system is an also-ran (marketing wise).