Ricoh Discontinuing The Three Princesses?

butangmucat · 10-05-2016, 03:27 PM

I heard rumors that FA 31, 43, 77 might be discontinued by Ricoh, is that possible? And will this affect used prices (especially MIJ versions)?

Want to see what the forum thinks.

Sincerely

Sent from my Android phone, please forgive any possible typos.

**BigMackCam** · 10-05-2016, 03:30 PM

Where did you hear those rumours? It might help us to understand how they've come about...

Na Horuk · 10-05-2016, 03:32 PM

These rumours appear every 5 months, for the past.... 5, 6 years? I usually just ignore them.
Even if Ricoh decides to discontinue these lenses there will still be lots of stock at stores for a while, and Ricoh would probably be smart enough to re-introduce updated versions of these lenses soon after discontinuing. There is no way Ricoh would just throw away these cult lenses, even if they do not perform like modern day Zeiss Otus and Sigma Art glass

butangmucat · 10-05-2016, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Where did you hear those rumours? It might help us to understand how they've come about...

On PentaxRumors site, there is a post saying B&H lists FA43 silver as discontinued. Then I saw similar posts under the FA43 staff review.

http://pentaxrumors.com/2016/01/23/pentax-smc-fa-43mm-f1-9-limited-series-le...-discontinued/

Sent from my Android phone, please forgive any possible typos.

**BigMackCam** · 10-05-2016, 03:43 PM

Isn't B&H one of the sites that frequently lists items as Discontinued if they're just not in stock for a while?

**boriscleto** · 10-05-2016, 03:51 PM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Isn't B&H one of the sites that frequently lists items as Discontinued if they're just not in stock for a while?

They have labeled Pentax Adapter K as discontinued in the past. Now they have it, it just costs $70...

asahi67 · 10-05-2016, 04:08 PM

Just got notification my 43MM LTD is in the mail from MCBAIN camera to join sisters 31 and 77...LBA now satiated.

FantasticMrFox · 10-05-2016, 04:13 PM

Funny enough, I can imagine that this time the rumours might actually be right. They were hinting towards D FA Ltd. in their interview with DPR - might be completely new ones (like an 85 Ltd.), or might be the 31, 43 and 77 in a new cloth.

**monochrome** · 10-05-2016, 04:15 PM

@FantasticMrFox

Could be correct, of course - but - didn't Ricoh just show the Lens Roadmap with the FA Limiteds at Photokina?

The FA Limiteds were put back into active production in January. Prior to this run they were last produced December, 2012. They remain in active production.

Read this post from February and the later paragraphs in this post from last week..

Ricoh would be insane to change their signature lenses; the current customers want them, the new customers want them, so they reversed the prior plan to discontinue them and restarted production.

Rumor is just that - a rumor.

**pres589** · 10-05-2016, 04:23 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Na Horuk

... even if they do not perform like modern day Zeiss Otus and Sigma Art glass

You mean the Pentax glass has functional autofocus that is accurate basically every shot, where as the Otus doesn't do AF, and Sigma seems to have forgotten how?

Hahah, I kid, I kid, actually I mean it but still.

**clackers** · 10-05-2016, 04:37 PM - **1 Like**

Does everyone realize the source of this wisdom is RiceHigh? :-D

butangmucat · 10-05-2016, 04:41 PM

Originally posted by pres589

You mean the Pentax glass has functional autofocus that is accurate basically every shot, where as the Otus doesn't do AF, and Sigma seems to have forgotten how?

Hahah, I kid, I kid, actually I mean it but still.

Well I just got my new (old) MIJ black FA43 from someone on eBay doing a system switch, and I have happily enjoyed it as a fantastic MF lens.

The screwdriver hunts sometimes and it is a bit loud (I only used DC motor Pentax lenses before) and the MF feels so good that I just decided to use it as a MF lens.

Sent from my Android phone, please forgive any possible typos.

**boriscleto** · 10-05-2016, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by clackers

Does everyone realize the source of this wisdom is RiceHigh? :-D

I was having a nice eveni g until you mentioned GrainLow

**monochrome** · 10-05-2016, 04:43 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by clackers

Does everyone realize the source of this wisdom is RiceHigh? :-D

You're not supposed to name that person, but there you go - explains everything.

butangmucat · 10-05-2016, 04:43 PM

Originally posted by clackers

Does everyone realize the source of this wisdom is RiceHigh? :-D

Who is he? Sorry I just switched this year.

Sent from my Android phone, please forgive any possible typos.

10-05-2016, 03:27 PM	#1
butangmucat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 709	Ricoh Discontinuing The Three Princesses? I heard rumors that FA 31, 43, 77 might be discontinued by Ricoh, is that possible? And will this affect used prices (especially MIJ versions)? Want to see what the forum thinks. Sincerely Sent from my Android phone, please forgive any possible typos.

10-05-2016, 04:08 PM	#7
asahi67 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Rainforest of Canada Vancouver Island and the sagebrush of southern Okanagan, BC Posts: 123	3 Princesses Just got notification my 43MM LTD is in the mail from MCBAIN camera to join sisters 31 and 77...LBA now satiated.

10-05-2016, 04:15 PM	#9
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	@FantasticMrFox Could be correct, of course - but - didn't Ricoh just show the Lens Roadmap with the FA Limiteds at Photokina? The FA Limiteds were put back into active production in January. Prior to this run they were last produced December, 2012. They remain in active production. Read this post from February and the later paragraphs in this post from last week.. Ricoh would be insane to change their signature lenses; the current customers want them, the new customers want them, so they reversed the prior plan to discontinue them and restarted production. Rumor is just that - a rumor. Last edited by monochrome; 10-05-2016 at 04:58 PM.

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10-05-2016, 03:30 PM	#2
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	Where did you hear those rumours? It might help us to understand how they've come about...

10-05-2016, 03:32 PM	#3
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	These rumours appear every 5 months, for the past.... 5, 6 years? I usually just ignore them. Even if Ricoh decides to discontinue these lenses there will still be lots of stock at stores for a while, and Ricoh would probably be smart enough to re-introduce updated versions of these lenses soon after discontinuing. There is no way Ricoh would just throw away these cult lenses, even if they do not perform like modern day Zeiss Otus and Sigma Art glass

10-05-2016, 03:33 PM	#4
butangmucat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 709 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMackCam Where did you hear those rumours? It might help us to understand how they've come about... On PentaxRumors site, there is a post saying B&H lists FA43 silver as discontinued. Then I saw similar posts under the FA43 staff review. http://pentaxrumors.com/2016/01/23/pentax-smc-fa-43mm-f1-9-limited-series-le...-discontinued/ Sent from my Android phone, please forgive any possible typos.

10-05-2016, 03:43 PM	#5
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	Isn't B&H one of the sites that frequently lists items as Discontinued if they're just not in stock for a while?

10-05-2016, 03:51 PM	#6
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by BigMackCam Isn't B&H one of the sites that frequently lists items as Discontinued if they're just not in stock for a while? They have labeled Pentax Adapter K as discontinued in the past. Now they have it, it just costs $70...

10-05-2016, 04:13 PM	#8
FantasticMrFox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Munich Posts: 2,339	Funny enough, I can imagine that this time the rumours might actually be right. They were hinting towards D FA Ltd. in their interview with DPR - might be completely new ones (like an 85 Ltd.), or might be the 31, 43 and 77 in a new cloth.

10-05-2016, 04:23 PM - 1 Like	#10
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Originally posted by Na Horuk ... even if they do not perform like modern day Zeiss Otus and Sigma Art glass You mean the Pentax glass has functional autofocus that is accurate basically every shot, where as the Otus doesn't do AF, and Sigma seems to have forgotten how? Hahah, I kid, I kid, actually I mean it but still.

10-05-2016, 04:37 PM - 1 Like	#11
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Does everyone realize the source of this wisdom is RiceHigh? :-D

10-05-2016, 04:41 PM	#12
butangmucat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 709 Original Poster	Originally posted by pres589 You mean the Pentax glass has functional autofocus that is accurate basically every shot, where as the Otus doesn't do AF, and Sigma seems to have forgotten how? Hahah, I kid, I kid, actually I mean it but still. Well I just got my new (old) MIJ black FA43 from someone on eBay doing a system switch, and I have happily enjoyed it as a fantastic MF lens. The screwdriver hunts sometimes and it is a bit loud (I only used DC motor Pentax lenses before) and the MF feels so good that I just decided to use it as a MF lens. Sent from my Android phone, please forgive any possible typos.

10-05-2016, 04:42 PM	#13
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by clackers Does everyone realize the source of this wisdom is RiceHigh? :-D I was having a nice eveni g until you mentioned GrainLow

10-05-2016, 04:43 PM - 1 Like	#14
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by clackers Does everyone realize the source of this wisdom is RiceHigh? :-D You're not supposed to name that person, but there you go - explains everything.

10-05-2016, 04:43 PM	#15
butangmucat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 709 Original Poster	Originally posted by clackers Does everyone realize the source of this wisdom is RiceHigh? :-D Who is he? Sorry I just switched this year. Sent from my Android phone, please forgive any possible typos.