Originally posted by 08amczb Yes you are right. Although I would like to see a competitive lineup.At least:-24-70 F2.8 (done)-70-200 F2.8 (done)-15-30 F2.8 (done)-17-35-70-200 F4-100-400 F4-70-300-150-450 (done)-150-600-20 F1.4-24 F1.4-35 F1.4-50 F1.4 (done)-85 F1.4-20 F1.8-24 F1.8-35 F1.8-50 F1.8 (done)-85 F1.8-50 Macro F2.8 (SDM/DC/PLM)-100 Macro F2.8 (SDM/DC/PLM)-200 Macro F2.8 (SDM/DC/PLM)It takes decades to release all these lenses...
Given the new reality of the camera market I suspect that is never gong to happen. Those eagerly awaiting a full line up of new glass or even any significant number of new lenses are going to be disappointed. I don't (quite) think that Pentax is done bringing out new glass but I do think the development cycle has been greatly stretched out. Instead of 1 or 2 new lenses per year it might be 1 new lens every 2 or 3 years.
Those who like to make photographs will be fine, those that must have a new lens on a regular basis will need to move to a different brand. The market is simply not there to support the investment to continue developing new lenses. I think we will see the 70-200 f/4 sometime in 2020. The 85 f/1.4 might never happen now. I am thinking of the Q line which is has never been discontinued but has been allowed to quietly whither away.
It is difficult to envision a world without multiple camera vendors based on my world experience but I am sure it was difficult for people to envision a world without the horse as the only means of transportation. In the next few years we might see the loss of several vendors and picking which ones will survive is going to be difficult. Right now the survivors will be the ones that do not over extend themselves and need huge volumes of sales to cover the development costs and overhead.