Bad economy means cheaper prices even in Las Vegas.

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

As we were getting out the the PMA expo building and trying to get a taxicab back to our hotel, I spotted a limo driver posting the sign below. Could it be that since times are hard, the price for a limo has dropped from $50.00 to only 5 cents? :)

Meeting with Pentax Executives

I was an honor for me to shake hands with Mr. Ned bunnell, President of Pentax USA. Try to shake hands with the President of other DSLR equipment manufacturers! Mr. Bunnell is definitely pulling strings for all of us. The future of Pentax is in good hands...you just wait and see.

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

We have met with many Pentax executives and staff Yesterday, and we are meeting witt them again today at 3:00 PM, Las Vegas time. In my meeting with them today, I will ask the many questions received from you the readers. I am hopefull that we will get some positive answers.

I thought that I could just update this blog from several times everyday while at the PMA floor, but the price for wireless internet access withing the buildings is $99.00 and you have to understand that I pay for all this from my own pocket.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the coming week. One of the good news is that I have made connection with so many vendors that will send me equipment to test.

Interview with Mark Dimalanta, photographer extraordinaire!

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

Mark Dimalanta, one of the nicest guys you will ever have the chance to meet. Our interview with Mark shows how first impressions leave you with a fantastic feeling for a person, and his art. We will feature the full interview next week.

Interview with Julie Quarry, Pentaxian Photographer.

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

I had the privilege to interview Pentaxian Photographer Julie Quarry. Like all the People at Pentax, one of the thing that differentiates them from other Companies are their friendliness and passion for photography. They speak from their heart. Look at Julie's Pentaxian site introduction. We won't have time to publish the interview while we are still at the PMA09, but check our site next week for a candid and inspirationall interview.

Thank you for reading.

PMA09 is still overwhelming. So many things to see in so little time! There are so many equipment that are useable with Pentax. Spotlight on Trek-Tech

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

Today, I was impressed with products from an Oregon Company...Trek-Technologies LLC. Trek

Technologies LLC was formed in 2004 by John C. Barker, a product design and engineering veteran, and Tom McKasson, a computer-aided tools and methods expert. The founders identified a market need based on personal outdoor experience: a sturdy, lightweight, convenient, multi-purpose device with the functionality of both a tripod and trekking pole/hiking staff. After positive initial market analysis, the team embarked on a year-long product development program, including patent application and trade marking.


The result is the TrekPod™, a lightweight, height-adjustable walking/hiking staff, with a fully integrated tripod, and a quick-release, mount-demount system called MagMount™. The unique product design incorporates the benefits of multiple functions without sacrificing the ability to be utilized in rough terrain, easily carried for great distances, or quickly assembled with a variety of optical devices. These advantages are unparalleled in the industry and will, in fact, create a whole new product category—trekking tripods!

If you're an outdoor person, an hiker, a traveller looking for light weight equipment such as tripods, monopods or any device to stabilize slow shutter speed photos, maybe Trek-Tech products are for you. We were so impressed that we bought the Optera 230 pictures below and two TrekPod, one made of aluminum and one made of carbon fiber that is very light weight.

When the dust settles down from the PMA09, we will do a complete review and share our findings with you. Here is the website of Trek-Tech.

Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

March 3rd, first day of PMA09 exhibition and trade show. Walking around the exhibition hall with the K2000 in hand.

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

My wife and I arrived at the PMA09, at the Las Vegas Convention Hall, around 10:30 A.M. Anne (wife) carried her white K2000 around her neck and we weren't even pass the entrance when people started asking her questions about the camera. I know how controversial the introduction of a "White" DSLR was and still is amongst some Pentaxians. Let me tell you that Pentax should and will probably order more. Speaking with Mr. Ned Bunnell today, introducing a White K2000 was a hit or miss decision. Pentax, as a Company, really listens to their customers and in the case of the K2000, the customers have spoken and I believe Pentax has already sold all or most of the White K2000 DSLRs. I believe that they will acquire more of them...it's another winner.

I was not going to take a picture of my wife in front of the PMA sign, but a gentleman asked her to pose with the White K2000, so I took one too.

I was watching the reaction of the crowd and I was surprised to see how many men were asking questions about the camera . I haven't heard anyone say they didn't like the camera. It's one thing to see pictures of the camera on the Internet, but seeing one in the real world and holding one makes a big difference.

While we were visiting the Tamrac booth, one of the representative Macki, couldn't keep her hands off the camera. My wife went on and on about all the features and Macki agreed and said it is about time.

Remember that it has the same sensor as the K10D, but the algorithm has been improved upon. I was taking a picture the other day, with my K20D, carefully analyzing the composition, taking the shot in RAW format and then post processing it in Lightroom to make the final image as close to the actual scene as I could. I thought I had done a god job, when Anne simply said, "I took that picture with my white camera while you were taking yours. I looked at her picture, taken in the "AUTO PICT" mode of the K2000 and it was just as good as mine. I would never admit it to her, and criticized her composition, but...it was painful. All that to say that it's a very good little DSLR. I can't imagine a better "bridge" camera. Furthermore, if you like the attention, this little gem will bring you some. Get ready to have people approaching you everywhere you go. Anne loves it.

Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

Quick report from the PMA Sneak Peek. Products from Pentax and other equipment that works with Pentax.

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

We spent the afternoon visiting with Vendors at the Sneak Peek . This is where the Press and media meet vendors before the show. We stopped at Pentax and talked to Michelle Martin and Christopher Pound. We held and touch the new X70 and the DA 15mm Limited. (More on those tomorrow after I have time to carefully analyze the cameras and lenses at the Pentax booth.

Thomas G. Sobey and Christine E. Moossmann of Sigma Corp were there and I held the new 18-250mm with the Optical Stabilization that will work with Pentax. They also have a 18-50mm and 50-200, all with the Optical Stabilization that will work with Pentax. They told me that I could do a review of them after the PMA.

Scott Dordick, CEO of Acratech, Inc, showed us the excellent machined ball heads and other great support equipment they manufacture. We may be able to write about them soon, as well.

Jill, from Jill-E Designs showed us some extraordinary accessories and camera bags designed specifically for woman. They are also introducing the Jack line for men.

We spoke with Bob Schmid, VP-Sales of Hoodman. They have so many useful products for all cameras, including Pentax. I actually have been using their HoodLoupe for a while. The have great products.

Graig Strong, Inventor/designer of the Lensbaby showed us all the new line of lensbaby lenses. We will have some of the products to test and review in a while.

Want to keep your lenses clean, Alpine innovations have great cleaning products that simplify a photographer's life. Michal Monsen was very helpful in showing us the products. Michael is the mind behind the products.

Later on tonight or tomorrow, we will post the above products press releases that were given to us.

This is all before the PMA09 officially opens at the exhibition hall tomorrow. Stay tuned and come back often as we will update several times in the next few days.

Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

We are in Las Vegas. Going to the Sneak peak and will get some news this afternoon. Stay tuned.

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

We just checked in the Mirage and we are getting ready to take a cab over to the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel for the PMA Sneak Peek.

The PMA sneak Peek is the premier media event for the photo imaging industry. Taking place the day prior to the opening of the PMA 09 International Convention and Trade Show, Sneak Peek provides the photo imaging trade/consumer press the chance to meet with PMA exhibitors to discuss the newest products, cutting-edge technologies and services in tabletop presentations.

We will surely see Pentax there and other Equipment that can be used with Pentax. If and when they announce new...something...I will post it here. Stay tuned.

I know that Sigma will be introducing a new lens that will work with Pentax. I believe it is an 18-250mm with built image stabilization for ...yes...Pentax. I will get more info about it this afternoon and maybe even try it and repost back.

Samsung has announced the following camera. Will we see Pentax announcing the same type of camera in the near future? I think they will, just because of their association with samsung.

New Samsung NX-series has APS-C sensor with EVF!
Samsung pleasantly surprised everyone today at PMA 2009 by announcing their new NX-series cameras.

Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

PMA09 - We are packing our bags today and will be heading to Las Vegas on Monday morning.

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

March 1st already and PMA09 will start in just a few days. We can almost count the remaining wait by the hours. We are packing our bags today and will be heading to Las Vegas on Monday morning. I look forward to this year's PMA and can hardly wait to put my hands on everything Pentax and everything that works with Pentax.

Be sure to tune-in next week, as we will report from the PMA exhibition everyday and likely several times each day. We will be the site to visit if you are a Pentaxian. Everything that Pentax has to offer will be shown here. Everything that Pentax will announce at the PMA will be shown here. Interviews with Pentax executives, photographers, experts, will be conducted and posted right here.

We have received many emails with questions from Pentaxians. All your questions will be asked on your behalf and the answers will be posted here.

Thank you for reading, and I hope to see some of you at the PMA09.

Yvon Bourque

If you think I'm excited about PMA09, I am!

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

There are no places like the annual PMA show to look and try all the new photography stuff. For us, photographers, it's like letting us loose in a gigantic camera store. My wife would say "It's like letting a kid loose in a gigantic toy store". Yes, we do like our toys. They also say that the difference between men and boys are the price of their toys! Well...like Danny DeVito says in the movie Other people's money, “The one with the most toys when he dies – wins”

All jokes aside, the PMA is a great show. Where else can you see, touch and try everything available for the photography world? I'll be there for all three days and I will see, touch and try everything I can, as long as it works with my Pentax DSLRs. With a site named PentaxDSLRs, I guess you can understand why.

There are plenty of lenses, tripods, flashes, camera bags, software, gadgets, etc, that will work with Pentax. I will report on them and show photos and specs on this blogsite. If everything goes according to plans, I will be interviewing some Pentax representatives, executives and Pentaxians photographers. Those will be posted right here, with photos. I might even take some video clips.

Rest assured that if Pentax unveils any new gear, it will be posted here just minutes after announcement. If you have any reasonable questions you would like to ask Pentax, I would be glad to ask them to Pentax on your behalf and post your name, the question(s) and the answers on this site as well.

So tune in next week, from March 3 through March 5, and everything regarding Pentax will be posted here.

Here's some pictures of Pentax at previous PMA trade shows.

Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

7 long days left before PMA09.

Only 7 days before PMA09, can you believe it? I am curious to see what new cameras will be announced at the show. According to Photography Bay, Pentax is to announce new DSLRs. I Quote" Expect some big news from Pentax at PMA. Hoya, Pentax’s parent, issued a statement with its second quarter 2008 financial results that revealed some of the things to come from Pentax in 2009, including 3 new types of DSLR cameras.

Here’s a quote relevant portions of the statement: Next year, we are planning to launch some three types, including minor design change versions, of single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras. With a desire to offer cameras which will demonstrate our advantages, as announced in the Photokina held in Germany, we will relaunch ourselves next year as a manufacturer of all-weather cameras which are strong outdoors, highly water-resistant, splash-proof, and dustproof, small and light, easily portable and tough (durable)."

I would be ecstatic if they would announce new DSLRs, but I doubt it very much. Please prove me wrong Pentax. We might be able to count the White K2000 as one of the new DSLRs. Pentax did announce further price reductions on the K20D and that usually happens when a new model is about to come out, or maybe it's because the economy is so bad that everybody is trying to compete for our business.

We all know that the world economy is in bad shape. The filing of Ritz for bankruptcy was apparently precipitated by Nikon and Canon wanted to have their money. Ritz owed them a combined $40 millions. I'm not sure that Pentax USA had $40 millions in sales last year. To me, extending a $40 million credit line to one company seems to show bad business sense from the part of Nikon and Canon. Sometimes, the bigger they are, the bigger they fall.

I will be at the PMA09 for all three days. Expect posts on this very blogsite everyday and maybe more than once per day.

Thank you for reading,

Yvon Bourque

Time flies whether you're having fun or not. PMA 2009 is on the horizon.

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Hi Pentaxian friends.

Time flies whether you're having fun or not. One year has almost passed since the PMA 2008 International Convention and Trade Show. Last year's show was running from January 31 through February 2. This year's show is a bit later and will take place on March 3-5,2009. Thirteen months will have passed between the two gigantic photographic events.

Will we see a lot of new DSLRs and equipment, or will the global recession be felt there too? About this time every year, the Internet forums are full of predictions, rumors and wish lists from photographers around the world. Soon, all eyes will be on the PMA 2009.

Pentax will be there, but I have not heard of any new DLSR being introduced at the show this year. The K2000 and the White K2000 are the most recent additions to the Pentax arsenal. I read most of the Pentax forums from all regions of the world and it seems that Pentaxians are hoping to see the introduction of a K30D, which would be Full Frame. Some are still hoping that the Medium Format Pentax D645 will be resurrected. For a while, there were rumors of a Pentax K20D with built-in GPS.

It's hard to predict what will happen this year, as the market is already saturated with DSLRs, while the global economy is continuing to spiral downward. There are no photographic "Stimulus Packages" and should any of the DSLR companies fold, there won't be any Government bailout.

I will attend the PMA this year, as I did last year. I will spend a fair amount of time at the Pentax booth and will report nightly on everything Pentax or anything that Pentaxians can use with their Pentax DSLRs, right here on this blog. If you plan to attend, let me know. It would be nice to say "Hi" and shake hands.

The following photo is from last year's show. It was pretty exciting with the K20D, the K200D, the DA* 200mm and the DA* 300mm. Wouldn't it be nice for Pentax to unveil something extraordinary at the show? You never what Pentax engineers have up their sleeves.



Thanks for reading,

Yvon Bourque