Fewer Sigma Lenses for Pentax – an explanation

**RobA_Oz** · 04-03-2014, 01:20 AM - **1 Like**

This interview with the Sigma CEO on Imaging Resources is quite revealing in several ways, not the least being an explanation of why the Pentax K-mount causes them some difficulty. The answer won't please some people who want the K-mount "un-crippled" but at least it's some straight talking.

Of course, other issues are canvassed in the interview, which are of some interest, as well.

Adam · 04-03-2014, 02:01 AM - **1 Like**

It would be nice if Pentax could modernize the K mount without sacrificing backwards-compatibility. Now that would be something!

Mazhe · 04-03-2014, 02:10 AM

Doesn't the nikon F mount use also mechanical aperture control? They don't seem to have problem with them... :/

**StigVidar** · 04-03-2014, 02:12 AM

Originally posted by Mazhe

Doesn't the nikon F mount use also mechanical aperture control? They don't seem to have problem with them... :/

Same problem, but selling more lenses...........

Macario · 04-03-2014, 02:28 AM

and why didn't they have the problem pre-digital age?

DSims · 04-03-2014, 02:34 AM

Very Interesting. Great article - thanks for the link!

**clackers** · 04-03-2014, 02:48 AM

Yamaki seems impressive. Thanks, Rob!

Paul the Sunman · 04-03-2014, 03:31 AM

Originally posted by Adam

It would be nice if Pentax could modernize the K mount without sacrificing backwards-compatibility. Now that would be something!

It would be good to have a technical article in PF about the nature of the K mount and its problematic characteristics for 3rd party lens manufacturers. I think many of us did not realize this was an issue.

**RobA_Oz** · 04-03-2014, 04:07 AM

Originally posted by clackers

Yamaki seems impressive. Thanks, Rob!

You're welcome, and yes, he seems to be quite frank and as open as someone in his commercial position could be. Sigma looks to be more focused on its customers than on trying to outdo the competition. Having said that, they've clearly overtaken Tamron in range and build quality, let alone IQ.

wildman · 04-03-2014, 04:40 AM

Originally posted by Adam

It would be nice if Pentax could modernize the K mount without sacrificing backwards-compatibility.

Maybe it's time for Pentax to modernize without the burden of having to accommodate 35 year old lens'?
Perhaps the K mount is a technological dead-end?
In the commercial world it's grow or die.

Mr Bassie · 04-03-2014, 05:01 AM

Wow that was a good read. Thanks for posting.

Macario · 04-03-2014, 05:05 AM

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

It would be good to have a technical article in PF about the nature of the K mount and its problematic characteristics for 3rd party lens manufacturers. I think many of us did not realize this was an issue.

It isn't a issue as such. It is an issue because there is not a big demand for their lenses in K mount. If it would be so difficult, there would also be less lenses available in F (nikon) mount. Many of their cameras still have the mechanical coupling for the aperture. just the lower end ones do not.

If the market share of K mount would be much bigger, you would be suprised how easily they would overcome the "technical" problem.

**TER-OR** · 04-03-2014, 05:39 AM

I like Sigma's approach, they're serious. I have only one lens (28mm f1.8 macro), but still lust for the 8-16 after renting that lens...I know it will become more rare now.

I hope they do continue to release some of their nice lenses for our K mount, that 18-35 looks very interesting.

Clavius · 04-03-2014, 06:14 AM

The K-mount is certainly modern enough to serve all modern photographic purposes. It was well thought out back then to enable long lasting compatibility. But the other manufacturers simplifying their mounts is clearly giving them an edge.

**monochrome** · 04-03-2014, 06:33 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Macario

If the market share of K mount would be much bigger, you would be suprised how easily they would overcome the "technical" problem.

Originally posted by Mazhe

Doesn't the nikon F mount use also mechanical aperture control? They don't seem to have problem with them... :/

We laugh at colors on mid-range and low end dSLR's but a part of the thinking is it sells more cameras and thereby increases the installed base of K-mounts in the field. In theory it isn't really the annual sales of their cameras that allows Sigma to profitably design and manufacture for Nikon's comparatively complex mount. Rather, it is the millions upon millions of existing F-mounts already out in the market, in the hands of users who are potential customers for a high quality, different or economical third-party lens, that allow Sigma a profit on F-mount.

Ricoh doesn't really care what is behind a K-mount or what is wrapped around it. All they care about is that the installed base of K-mounts grows rapidly. In the business cases of Sigma and Tamron, a simpler mount really wouldn't change things all that much. Changing or abandoning the K-mount could actually set Pentax back years as far as the third-party lens makers decision set goes since Pentax would then start over with zero installed base of the new mount..

This time the egg must come first. They just have to sell more K-mounts.

04-03-2014, 01:20 AM - 1 Like	#1
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	Fewer Sigma Lenses for Pentax – an explanation This interview with the Sigma CEO on Imaging Resources is quite revealing in several ways, not the least being an explanation of why the Pentax K-mount causes them some difficulty. The answer won't please some people who want the K-mount "un-crippled" but at least it's some straight talking. Of course, other issues are canvassed in the interview, which are of some interest, as well.

04-03-2014, 02:01 AM - 1 Like	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	It would be nice if Pentax could modernize the K mount without sacrificing backwards-compatibility. Now that would be something! Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

04-03-2014, 06:33 AM - 1 Like	#15
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Macario If the market share of K mount would be much bigger, you would be suprised how easily they would overcome the "technical" problem. Originally posted by Mazhe Doesn't the nikon F mount use also mechanical aperture control? They don't seem to have problem with them... :/ We laugh at colors on mid-range and low end dSLR's but a part of the thinking is it sells more cameras and thereby increases the installed base of K-mounts in the field. In theory it isn't really the annual sales of their cameras that allows Sigma to profitably design and manufacture for Nikon's comparatively complex mount. Rather, it is the millions upon millions of existing F-mounts already out in the market, in the hands of users who are potential customers for a high quality, different or economical third-party lens, that allow Sigma a profit on F-mount. Ricoh doesn't really care what is behind a K-mount or what is wrapped around it. All they care about is that the installed base of K-mounts grows rapidly. In the business cases of Sigma and Tamron, a simpler mount really wouldn't change things all that much. Changing or abandoning the K-mount could actually set Pentax back years as far as the third-party lens makers decision set goes since Pentax would then start over with zero installed base of the new mount.. This time the egg must come first. They just have to sell more K-mounts. Last edited by monochrome; 04-03-2014 at 06:49 AM.

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04-03-2014, 02:10 AM	#3
Mazhe Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 139	Doesn't the nikon F mount use also mechanical aperture control? They don't seem to have problem with them... :/

04-03-2014, 02:12 AM	#4
StigVidar Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 705	Originally posted by Mazhe Doesn't the nikon F mount use also mechanical aperture control? They don't seem to have problem with them... :/ Same problem, but selling more lenses...........

04-03-2014, 02:28 AM	#5
Macario Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Hoek van Holland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,393	and why didn't they have the problem pre-digital age?

04-03-2014, 02:34 AM	#6
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Very Interesting. Great article - thanks for the link!

04-03-2014, 02:48 AM	#7
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Yamaki seems impressive. Thanks, Rob!

04-03-2014, 03:31 AM	#8
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Originally posted by Adam It would be nice if Pentax could modernize the K mount without sacrificing backwards-compatibility. Now that would be something! It would be good to have a technical article in PF about the nature of the K mount and its problematic characteristics for 3rd party lens manufacturers. I think many of us did not realize this was an issue.

04-03-2014, 04:07 AM	#9
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197 Original Poster	Originally posted by clackers Yamaki seems impressive. Thanks, Rob! You're welcome, and yes, he seems to be quite frank and as open as someone in his commercial position could be. Sigma looks to be more focused on its customers than on trying to outdo the competition. Having said that, they've clearly overtaken Tamron in range and build quality, let alone IQ.

04-03-2014, 04:40 AM	#10
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Originally posted by Adam It would be nice if Pentax could modernize the K mount without sacrificing backwards-compatibility. Maybe it's time for Pentax to modernize without the burden of having to accommodate 35 year old lens'? Perhaps the K mount is a technological dead-end? In the commercial world it's grow or die.

04-03-2014, 05:01 AM	#11
Mr Bassie Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,258	Wow that was a good read. Thanks for posting.

04-03-2014, 05:05 AM	#12
Macario Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Hoek van Holland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,393	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman It would be good to have a technical article in PF about the nature of the K mount and its problematic characteristics for 3rd party lens manufacturers. I think many of us did not realize this was an issue. It isn't a issue as such. It is an issue because there is not a big demand for their lenses in K mount. If it would be so difficult, there would also be less lenses available in F (nikon) mount. Many of their cameras still have the mechanical coupling for the aperture. just the lower end ones do not. If the market share of K mount would be much bigger, you would be suprised how easily they would overcome the "technical" problem.

04-03-2014, 05:39 AM	#13
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	I like Sigma's approach, they're serious. I have only one lens (28mm f1.8 macro), but still lust for the 8-16 after renting that lens...I know it will become more rare now. I hope they do continue to release some of their nice lenses for our K mount, that 18-35 looks very interesting.

04-03-2014, 06:14 AM	#14
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	The K-mount is certainly modern enough to serve all modern photographic purposes. It was well thought out back then to enable long lasting compatibility. But the other manufacturers simplifying their mounts is clearly giving them an edge.