We all have to start somewhere.
The year is 1972 and this is the camera that I
had been shooting with up until that point.
I still have it sitting on a shelf in my study,
It was literally a “point and squirt” camera,
with some basic setting for various weather conditions
and a “hot shoe” connection for a 4 flash, flash cube.
But it served me well…until it was time to move into the “big leagues”
This was my first SLR camera.
I received it as a gift from my parents on my 21st birthday in 1974.
It was basically a Pentax in a different guise…and at a cheaper price.
In order to “force” my folks into buying this for me,
I had already bought a flash as well as a lens…
I had figured that if they did not buy it for me,
I would buy it for myself as I was working
and earning the princely salary of R92.00 per month.
I went to the camera store to ask them if I could have it “on tick”
in order to photograph my own 21st,
saying that I would have money at the end of the month.
They gave it to me without any argument…
I was to find out later that my folks had already paid for it!
This too is on a shelf in my study.
The beginning of my “love affair” with the Pentax brand.
I bought this in 1974, with my own money!
I was working as an apprentice electrician and due to a LOT of overtime pay,
I was able to purchase this without affecting my salary.
I wish I can remember how much I paid,
but I figure that it was less then R200.00.
Luckily both this and the Chinon had the same screw mount
that came before the current bayonet fitting.
During visit the Rand Easter Show in 1976,
I was approached by a salesman from Canon who said I should swap
to the brand that he was selling…
“What would be the benefit”? I asked him.
He could not answer me…which is why I still use this brand.
It sits proudly on a shelf as well…
There is some confusion about the etymology of the name. Most sources claim it was licensed from VEB Pentacon the East German successor to Zeiss Ikon, and is derived from the combination “PENTaprism” and “contAX“, in the same way that “Pentacon” was taken from “PENTAprism” and “CONtax”. It’s known that the “Pentax” name was originally registered as a trademark by VEB Pentacon, duly noting that both the M42 lens mount and the first recognizably modern 35mm SLR camera, the Contax D, were products of the East German branch of Zeiss Ikon, circa 1949.
My first DSLR…
14 mega pixels
Once again, before buying my first Pentax DSLR,
I was shooting with both the Samsung GX 10 and GX20.
Like the Chinon, the Samsung was the identical camera to the Pentax,
and it had the new K-mount lens configuration.
I still had some of my old lenses and I was able to use them with this body
A step up…
18 mega pixels
Shooting at ISO 800 was about as good as this got
My first Pentax DSLR…
While shooting Impala during a game drive with a fellow wildlife photographer,
I noticed that he was able to capture the animal in mid leap,
while I was only getting either the front or the rear.
So an upgrade(with a faster frame per second rate) was called for…and this was it.
My wife did ask me the question:
“Why do you need another camera”?
My standard response has always been;
“How many handbags to you have”…she prefers bags to shoes.
24 mega pixels
With this camera, ISO 1600 is the new ISO 800!
An unfortunate issue with the sensor on the K5
led to this unexpected upgrade.
This time, with no questions being asked!
24 mega pixeles
As with the K3, the K3ii will give you great shots at ISO 1600
My current work horse…
and the next in the K series that Pentax are currently producing.
Some upgrades from the K3, but basically the same camera,
minus the on board flash.
36 mega pixels
ISO 3200 will give you images that can be used,
not for exhibitions perhaps, but for Blog postings etc.
This is a joy to work with.
And Pentax’s first full frame camera.
Considering the competition at this level,
the K1 is well worth the money…
This is the type of camera that makes you WANT to take photographs.
Part of my current wild life photo kit.
I usually travel with a K1 that has a Pentax 560mm lens.
A K3ii body and a Sigma50-500mm and the K3,with a Pentax 18-270mm.
I cannot wait to see what is next from a brand
that I have been loyal to for almost 50 years.
And it has been loyal to me…
If you are looking to “test drive” a Pentax,
visit anyone of these photographic stores:
A big thank you to each of these brands
for coming on board.
My camera brand of choice for more than 4 decades!
When it is time to print out my special images,
this is the company that I rely on to do that.
This has been my constant travel companion
for the past several years.
It might look worn,
but that represents the kilometers/miles
we have shared together.
From Kilimanjaro to the beaches of India.
To coach trips across Europe and Vietnam
and to a variety of game lodges and road trip destinations
in South and Southern Africa.
BEST SUITCASE EVER!
Check out their Facebook page:
This torch has been turning heads!
The Olight SRS2UT Intimidator.
Marketed locally by:
https://torchsa.com/
Bush gear to make me blend in…
in comfort and style.
https://www.ruggedwear.co.za
I have worn the orange Veldskoen in the jungles of India
and on the beaches of Croatia.
Not to mention, many game reserves in Africa.
They are probably the most comfortable pair of shoes
that I have ever owned.
Now to try out the rest of the colours in the range.
When I get home. I rely on this ISP
to provide me with high speed fibre connectivity
to enable me to get my postings published in record time.
www.cisp.co.za
This Powerbank is my constant companion
while I am travelling.
It can do up to 4 full re-charges of my phone before
needing to be charged.
Supplied by…
When offered an option…
ALWAYS be Batman.
My constant travelling companion.
To find out more about the collectible Funko range of figurines,
visit:
I could not do without this awesome laptop bag from Solo.
Padded for protection and with enough pockets to keep
almost everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink in,
this is definitely an stylish addition to any business presentation.
Be it in the boardroom or the bush.
This bag can also be worn as a backpack.
There are straps in a hidden compartment that can be deployed
when you need both hands for other purposes.
To find out more about the stylish Solo range,
visit:
This locally made product was indispensable when using a long lens.
The ball and socket might look simple…and it is,
which is why it should be in the gear bag of every serious photographer.
This locally made, deceptively simple device is ideal
for tracking birds in flight or animals in motion.
The base can be used on a beanbag or a tripod,
with the ball being fitted to the camera.
The simplicity of the device allows to to move from supported
to hand held in a fluid motion.
There is also a version that can be used on a car window.
To see more about the product,
visit their Facebook page:
Or order directly from:
To see who else were winners in 2018, visit:
www.sablogawards.com
All images are the copyright property of
and may not be used without permission
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