Post Ricoh Takeover K-5's?

HawaiianOnline · 11-26-2011, 05:03 PM

Anybody bought any K-5's built after the takeover? Are they even still being manufactured? It's probably too early to tell, but I was just wondering if anyone who's bought one recently has noticed anything different about their cameras? I'm hoping that Ricoh's already started implementing better QC procedures but it's still probably too early to tell...

**Rondec** · 11-26-2011, 07:33 PM

I am sure that there is no difference at this point; however, the cameras are probably better than the original ones released, because customers have found the weak areas. Lens buttons may be fixed tighter, auto focus mechanism adjusted -- every time a problem is reported in sufficient numbers, a camera maker needs to figure out not only how to fix it, but also how to eliminate the problem in cameras still being made.

cacain · 11-26-2011, 07:46 PM

I bought mine Nov 2nd, and it was manufactured on Aug 31st. I am not sure if Ricoh has changed much in the way of manufacturing. Either way I have just over 900 shots on mine now, and it is solid as a rock. No loose buttons or sensor stains.

glanglois · 11-26-2011, 09:41 PM

I expect that Ricoh have far more important things to get accomplished than tweaking K-5 manufacturing. Enhancements would be trumpeted or, more likely, kept in the pipeline for the next body to be released next year.

And yes, they are still being manufactured.

In the long run, all buyers (of any maker) hope for improvements in QA. It may be too early to see major moves in that direction. These things are rarely easy or fast.

**rod_grant** · 11-26-2011, 09:50 PM

Regardless of the new ownership, the manufacturing plant and employees are the same. (Ricoh didn't just start making Pentax stuff in their own (Ricoh) factory with (previously) Ricoh employees. It will take time for Ricoh's company culture, QC, etc to be effective and noticable.
The new bosses might say 'make them better', but the supply chain is the same, the manufacturing techniques are the same, the staff are the same. We can (and do) hope for better, but let's be patient.

Smeggypants · 11-26-2011, 10:27 PM

Originally posted by rod_grant

Regardless of the new ownership, the manufacturing plant and employees are the same. (Ricoh didn't just start making Pentax stuff in their own (Ricoh) factory with (previously) Ricoh employees. It will take time for Ricoh's company culture, QC, etc to be effective and noticable.
The new bosses might say 'make them better', but the supply chain is the same, the manufacturing techniques are the same, the staff are the same. We can (and do) hope for better, but let's be patient.

That doesn't mean QC and manufacturing tolerances haven't been tightened up in the existing supply chains and factories though. the early QC of the K-5 was terrible not doubt, but quality was already being improved regardless of Ricoh.

Raybo · 11-26-2011, 10:40 PM

I think that Ricoh would be more than interested in making the K-5 a better camera, heck! It's their camera, right?

RonHendriks1966 · 11-27-2011, 02:49 AM

Well does it say Ricoh or still Hoya on the bottom plate?

eastkywildlifeman · 11-27-2011, 07:01 AM

how can i tell when my k-5 was manufactured?

rtpguy · 11-27-2011, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by Raybo

I think that Ricoh would be more than interested in making the K-5 a better camera, heck! It's their camera, right?

Depends on what a cost benefit analysis tells them, and how much they weigh "indirect" factors like reputation, customer satisfaction, vs more measurable costs of changes to production line, etc.

Anything approaching real re-design for a product nearing it's replacement, doesn't make a lot of direct cost sense...although who knows? Some issues, like the stains, lens release, mirror flop, may have seen incremental engineering or parts changes silently.

They may well have issued a 'warning' to their factories if they believe the causes are tolerances and QC, vs design issues, but it's tough, as it's likely to take 6+ months to really determine if any changes were made, and if so, if they resulted in improved reliability just around 'process.'

rtpguy · 11-27-2011, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by eastkywildlifeman

how can i tell when my k-5 was manufactured?

use exiftool or photome against a RAW image taken by your camers.

aleonx3 · 11-27-2011, 03:34 PM

Originally posted by rtpguy

use exiftool or photome against a RAW image taken by your camers.

rtpguy is correct... google 'photome' and download this tool, open an image file taken with your camera.(jpeg or raw would do just the same); then look for tag-ID 0215 in which you will find the manufacture-date of your camera.

Don From The Radio · 11-27-2011, 06:41 PM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

Well does it say Ricoh or still Hoya on the bottom plate?

I got my K-5 two weeks ago, it was manufactured on July 28, 2011 and still says Hoya on the bottom. I'd imagine that it will be a while before the present stock is sold through and we start seeing Ricoh K-5s, if we ever see them at all.

photodude_2000 · 12-20-2012, 06:53 PM

I have two K-5 cameras One Hoya built and one Ricoh built. So far I notice on the Hoya built version there is a GPS menu item that's not present in the Ricoh version. Does the Hoya camera have a GPS built in? I don't know. I see no GPS data in the exif information on the Hoya camera however. Other than this they seem identical and both are solid cameras.

steve1307 · 12-20-2012, 11:02 PM

This menu is for the optional O-GPS1 accessory ($200) which came out in May 2011.
The option can be fitted for GPS location data, electric compass and has a function to. be a pseudo equatorial mount for astrophotograpy.

There is not one built in to th body.

11-26-2011, 05:03 PM	#1
HawaiianOnline Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hawaii Posts: 613	Post Ricoh Takeover K-5's? Anybody bought any K-5's built after the takeover? Are they even still being manufactured? It's probably too early to tell, but I was just wondering if anyone who's bought one recently has noticed anything different about their cameras? I'm hoping that Ricoh's already started implementing better QC procedures but it's still probably too early to tell...

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Ricoh 55mm f/1.2 (no Ricoh pin!), Voigtlander 40mm f/2 Ultron	feilb	Sold Items	4	11-22-2011 07:47 PM
K-5's you bought new!?!	RonHendriks1966	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	20	11-02-2011 03:17 PM
RICOH Establishes PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.	Adam	Homepage & Official Pentax News	20	10-13-2011 03:31 AM
Thematic Post your Ricoh photos!	johnmflores	Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories	14	07-04-2011 01:01 AM
K-5's from amazon ???	dcmsox2004	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	11	03-12-2011 08:50 AM

11-26-2011, 07:33 PM	#2
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	I am sure that there is no difference at this point; however, the cameras are probably better than the original ones released, because customers have found the weak areas. Lens buttons may be fixed tighter, auto focus mechanism adjusted -- every time a problem is reported in sufficient numbers, a camera maker needs to figure out not only how to fix it, but also how to eliminate the problem in cameras still being made.

11-26-2011, 07:46 PM	#3
cacain Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 30	I bought mine Nov 2nd, and it was manufactured on Aug 31st. I am not sure if Ricoh has changed much in the way of manufacturing. Either way I have just over 900 shots on mine now, and it is solid as a rock. No loose buttons or sensor stains.

11-26-2011, 09:41 PM	#4
glanglois Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Madison, Wis., USA Posts: 1,506	I expect that Ricoh have far more important things to get accomplished than tweaking K-5 manufacturing. Enhancements would be trumpeted or, more likely, kept in the pipeline for the next body to be released next year. And yes, they are still being manufactured. In the long run, all buyers (of any maker) hope for improvements in QA. It may be too early to see major moves in that direction. These things are rarely easy or fast.

11-26-2011, 09:50 PM	#5
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	Regardless of the new ownership, the manufacturing plant and employees are the same. (Ricoh didn't just start making Pentax stuff in their own (Ricoh) factory with (previously) Ricoh employees. It will take time for Ricoh's company culture, QC, etc to be effective and noticable. The new bosses might say 'make them better', but the supply chain is the same, the manufacturing techniques are the same, the staff are the same. We can (and do) hope for better, but let's be patient.

11-26-2011, 10:27 PM	#6
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	Originally posted by rod_grant Regardless of the new ownership, the manufacturing plant and employees are the same. (Ricoh didn't just start making Pentax stuff in their own (Ricoh) factory with (previously) Ricoh employees. It will take time for Ricoh's company culture, QC, etc to be effective and noticable. The new bosses might say 'make them better', but the supply chain is the same, the manufacturing techniques are the same, the staff are the same. We can (and do) hope for better, but let's be patient. That doesn't mean QC and manufacturing tolerances haven't been tightened up in the existing supply chains and factories though. the early QC of the K-5 was terrible not doubt, but quality was already being improved regardless of Ricoh.

11-26-2011, 10:40 PM	#7
Raybo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 872	I think that Ricoh would be more than interested in making the K-5 a better camera, heck! It's their camera, right?

11-27-2011, 02:49 AM	#8
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Well does it say Ricoh or still Hoya on the bottom plate?

11-27-2011, 07:01 AM	#9
eastkywildlifeman Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: kentucky Posts: 21	how can i tell when my k-5 was manufactured?

11-27-2011, 10:29 AM	#10
rtpguy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NC Posts: 206	Originally posted by Raybo I think that Ricoh would be more than interested in making the K-5 a better camera, heck! It's their camera, right? Depends on what a cost benefit analysis tells them, and how much they weigh "indirect" factors like reputation, customer satisfaction, vs more measurable costs of changes to production line, etc. Anything approaching real re-design for a product nearing it's replacement, doesn't make a lot of direct cost sense...although who knows? Some issues, like the stains, lens release, mirror flop, may have seen incremental engineering or parts changes silently. They may well have issued a 'warning' to their factories if they believe the causes are tolerances and QC, vs design issues, but it's tough, as it's likely to take 6+ months to really determine if any changes were made, and if so, if they resulted in improved reliability just around 'process.'

11-27-2011, 10:30 AM	#11
rtpguy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NC Posts: 206	Originally posted by eastkywildlifeman how can i tell when my k-5 was manufactured? use exiftool or photome against a RAW image taken by your camers.

11-27-2011, 03:34 PM	#12
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by rtpguy use exiftool or photome against a RAW image taken by your camers. rtpguy is correct... google 'photome' and download this tool, open an image file taken with your camera.(jpeg or raw would do just the same); then look for tag-ID 0215 in which you will find the manufacture-date of your camera.

11-27-2011, 06:41 PM	#13
Don From The Radio Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Delaware Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 344	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 Well does it say Ricoh or still Hoya on the bottom plate? I got my K-5 two weeks ago, it was manufactured on July 28, 2011 and still says Hoya on the bottom. I'd imagine that it will be a while before the present stock is sold through and we start seeing Ricoh K-5s, if we ever see them at all.

12-20-2012, 06:53 PM	#14
photodude_2000 New Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 4	I have two K-5 cameras One Hoya built and one Ricoh built. So far I notice on the Hoya built version there is a GPS menu item that's not present in the Ricoh version. Does the Hoya camera have a GPS built in? I don't know. I see no GPS data in the exif information on the Hoya camera however. Other than this they seem identical and both are solid cameras.

12-20-2012, 11:02 PM	#15
steve1307 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,130	This menu is for the optional O-GPS1 accessory ($200) which came out in May 2011. The option can be fitted for GPS location data, electric compass and has a function to. be a pseudo equatorial mount for astrophotograpy. There is not one built in to th body.