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They also don't have the money to R&D for a mirrorless camera in such an already competitive landscape dominated by AF and video high level performance.

They could only shine in a niche market, like SIGMA is trying with their fp and sd camera (Foveon triple layer sensor)... and DSLR seems to be a safer market for Pentax with huge heritage and strong fan base. The demand for Optical viewfinder in EVF times is there, and will still probably be way higher in the next years when they'll be the only one to care as Nikon and Canon already told they won't release any lens or body anymore with the DSLR technology.

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Yeah. Personally, I would never buy a mirrorless camera for still photography (I hate EVFs). I have thought about getting back into photography and most likely I would pick up an old Leica M3. I'm quite happy that film and chemicals have recently become more available again, as film photography has begun to see a resurgence.

Film and chemicals more available again ? They've never been hard to get, at least here in France. They are just WAY more expensive now as they are popular amongst younger photographers who don't mind over paying common vintage cameras and 30euros for 36 pictures to be shot/developped/scanned.

If you want a good finder for still work, you’re much better off with an SLR such as the Nikon F3. The M3 is a stunning camera but it’s usability is very low for anything but some casual stuff. People like them for the prestige.

Anything Nikon from the F3 onwards, F4's seem to be a tad cheaper, is a good choice. Great cameras, hell the F4 was revolutionary at its time, and they work with all F-mount lenses. As do all Nikon DSLRs, and those lenses, especially some manual focus ones, are quite cheap despite being optically marvelous.

Same goes for Canon, but there lens compatability for older models is more limited. Added added benefit: The F4 works with G-versionen lenses, if memory works well, and those work great with the z-mount lenses using the adaptor. Additional added benefit: Fujifilm cameras work great with f-mount and an adapter as well.

Invest in lenses, not cameras.

That loses the flange focal distance advantage. SLRs are great for making professional photographs but they are quite bulky. Leica M rangefinders are nice and compact with some very small, yet fast, lenses.

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