how would you feel if Pentax became a hot brand?

jimr-pdx · 10-07-2013, 08:57 AM

I'd feel many things: vindicated, thrilled, wise for getting in early. I'd also be very proud of Ricoh for taking us there.

But hey, we're the downtrodden underdog, often maligned and almost viewed sympathetically by owners of the Big Two (maybe 2½, I still cannot figure out Minolta er Sony

). If we became Big too, would you feel a bit strange? A bit less uniquely interesting?

I bought a first-year Hyundai Santa Fe in '01, and it was part of the fun to be odd, taking the less-traveled road as it were. Then people praised them, more of them joined me on the road - and that feeling was lessened. I hate being perceived as trendy!! If Pentax becomes a new sensation, a bit of me would feel like that.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not going anywhere - this is a great thing for everyone, old users and new, and I expect more big things from Pentax. It would just feel strange if we saw as many or more of our brand than others at our favorite vacation spots three years from now. Very much OK... but strange!

**monochrome** · 10-07-2013, 08:59 AM

Doesn't matter what the other guy knows. Matters what I know. I would be satisfied to know I've known since 1977.

Heie · 10-07-2013, 09:00 AM

As far as I'm concerned and for the type of photography that I do, especially for the price, Pentax is the only hot brand - I did my research

-Heie

JinDesu · 10-07-2013, 09:01 AM - **1 Like**

If it gets us cheaper lenses/more stores carrying Pentax brand stuff/more frequent sales, I'm all for the mass to embrace the great Lord Pentax.

Last edited by JinDesu; 10-07-2013 at 09:22 AM.

jimr-pdx · 10-07-2013, 09:20 AM

Other than more competition for 'classic' K-mount lenses I don't see a downside, just the loss of my silly underdog status - and I'll get over that easily

Joel B · 10-07-2013, 09:23 AM

Do not worry, even if Pentax really takes off in the next few years they will still be the underdog! Until their product is stacked in piles on the floors of Costco and Sam's Club, we will be viewed as the odd brand(not a bad thing). Not that their products are bad, But you have thousands of sales to people who view it as photographer in a box! Here what I see is much research done, and then a decision is made as to which camera set to use. This is great except it doesn't generate the volume sales needed to compete for the lead!! Again not a problem in my view. So in my view our position as the little will not be harmed by improved products and sales

Joel

ducdao · 10-07-2013, 09:24 AM

HOT as in <hot potatoes> ?

**monochrome** · 10-07-2013, 09:30 AM

So, PB&J for lunch every day and 5 twenties in an envelope every week for 13 or so weeks. Then I'll see how I feel about all those other people looking at RICOH on their LCD's, too.

JinDesu · 10-07-2013, 09:32 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

So, PB&J for lunch every day and 5 twenties in an envelope every week for 13 or so weeks. Then I'll see how I feel about all those other people looking at RICOH on their LCD's, too.

Fortunately, in 20 weeks, the MSRP would have dropped by $100 already, so you can go and have steak that same week

scratchpaddy · 10-07-2013, 09:35 AM

I might have to switch to Sigma completely just to stay in the shadows.

Originally posted by monochrome

Then I'll see how I feel about all those other people looking at RICOH on their LCD's, too.

You did see the picture of K-3 with PENTAX clear as day under the LCD, right? (right here) It appears that it was only RICOH in the prototypes.

**monochrome** · 10-07-2013, 09:39 AM

Originally posted by scratchpaddy

I might have to switch to Sigma completely just to stay in the shadows.

You did see the picture of K-3 with PENTAX clear as day under the LCD, right? (right here) It appears that it was only RICOH in the prototypes.

I read it the other way - Pentax in the pre-production and Ricoh in the production version - but I'll take it either way.

Gray · 10-07-2013, 09:44 AM

Originally posted by Heie

As far as I'm concerned and for the type of photography that I do, especially for the price, Pentax is the only hot brand - I did my research

-Heie

+1. Me too, Heie.

Na Horuk · 10-07-2013, 09:58 AM

The only problem is that then I would have to say things like "I was using Pentax before it was cool".
Actually, I think the real problem would be the influx of annoying people. If you go to Canikon forums, you will notice that its a very different community than the Pentax forums. But on the other hand, if the brand becomes more popular, it is easier to get service and accessories, so thats a big plus.

**jva59** · 10-07-2013, 10:11 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

The only problem is that then I would have to say things like "I was using Pentax before it was cool".
Actually, I think the real problem would be the influx of annoying people. If you go to Canikon forums, you will notice that its a very different community than the Pentax forums. But on the other hand, if the brand becomes more popular, it is easier to get service and accessories, so thats a big plus.

And the nagging worry that Pentax will just disappear will be gone. I wouldn't mind that in the least.

**monochrome** · 10-07-2013, 10:12 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

on the other hand, if the brand becomes more popular, it is easier to get service and accessories, so thats a big plus.

Global Installed Base of K-mounts means a lot as far as peripherals is concerned.

10-07-2013, 08:57 AM	#1
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	how would you feel if Pentax became a hot brand? I'd feel many things: vindicated, thrilled, wise for getting in early. I'd also be very proud of Ricoh for taking us there. But hey, we're the downtrodden underdog, often maligned and almost viewed sympathetically by owners of the Big Two (maybe 2½, I still cannot figure out Minolta er Sony ). If we became Big too, would you feel a bit strange? A bit less uniquely interesting? I bought a first-year Hyundai Santa Fe in '01, and it was part of the fun to be odd, taking the less-traveled road as it were. Then people praised them, more of them joined me on the road - and that feeling was lessened. I hate being perceived as trendy!! If Pentax becomes a new sensation, a bit of me would feel like that. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going anywhere - this is a great thing for everyone, old users and new, and I expect more big things from Pentax. It would just feel strange if we saw as many or more of our brand than others at our favorite vacation spots three years from now. Very much OK... but strange!

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10-07-2013, 08:59 AM	#2
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Doesn't matter what the other guy knows. Matters what I know. I would be satisfied to know I've known since 1977.

10-07-2013, 09:00 AM	#3
Heie Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 968	As far as I'm concerned and for the type of photography that I do, especially for the price, Pentax is the only hot brand - I did my research -Heie

10-07-2013, 09:01 AM - 1 Like	#4
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	If it gets us cheaper lenses/more stores carrying Pentax brand stuff/more frequent sales, I'm all for the mass to embrace the great Lord Pentax. Last edited by JinDesu; 10-07-2013 at 09:22 AM.

10-07-2013, 09:20 AM	#5
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897 Original Poster	Other than more competition for 'classic' K-mount lenses I don't see a downside, just the loss of my silly underdog status - and I'll get over that easily

10-07-2013, 09:23 AM	#6
Joel B Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Barnett MO. Photos: Albums Posts: 2,336	Do not worry, even if Pentax really takes off in the next few years they will still be the underdog! Until their product is stacked in piles on the floors of Costco and Sam's Club, we will be viewed as the odd brand(not a bad thing). Not that their products are bad, But you have thousands of sales to people who view it as photographer in a box! Here what I see is much research done, and then a decision is made as to which camera set to use. This is great except it doesn't generate the volume sales needed to compete for the lead!! Again not a problem in my view. So in my view our position as the little will not be harmed by improved products and sales Joel

10-07-2013, 09:24 AM	#7
ducdao Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Montreal/Vermont Posts: 2,160	HOT as in <hot potatoes> ?

10-07-2013, 09:30 AM	#8
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	So, PB&J for lunch every day and 5 twenties in an envelope every week for 13 or so weeks. Then I'll see how I feel about all those other people looking at RICOH on their LCD's, too.

10-07-2013, 09:32 AM	#9
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by monochrome So, PB&J for lunch every day and 5 twenties in an envelope every week for 13 or so weeks. Then I'll see how I feel about all those other people looking at RICOH on their LCD's, too. Fortunately, in 20 weeks, the MSRP would have dropped by $100 already, so you can go and have steak that same week

10-07-2013, 09:35 AM	#10
scratchpaddy Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Phoenix Posts: 3,361	I might have to switch to Sigma completely just to stay in the shadows. Originally posted by monochrome Then I'll see how I feel about all those other people looking at RICOH on their LCD's, too. You did see the picture of K-3 with PENTAX clear as day under the LCD, right? (right here) It appears that it was only RICOH in the prototypes.

10-07-2013, 09:39 AM	#11
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by scratchpaddy I might have to switch to Sigma completely just to stay in the shadows. You did see the picture of K-3 with PENTAX clear as day under the LCD, right? (right here) It appears that it was only RICOH in the prototypes. I read it the other way - Pentax in the pre-production and Ricoh in the production version - but I'll take it either way.

10-07-2013, 09:44 AM	#12
Gray Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Town Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	Originally posted by Heie As far as I'm concerned and for the type of photography that I do, especially for the price, Pentax is the only hot brand - I did my research -Heie +1. Me too, Heie.

10-07-2013, 09:58 AM	#13
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	The only problem is that then I would have to say things like "I was using Pentax before it was cool". Actually, I think the real problem would be the influx of annoying people. If you go to Canikon forums, you will notice that its a very different community than the Pentax forums. But on the other hand, if the brand becomes more popular, it is easier to get service and accessories, so thats a big plus.

10-07-2013, 10:11 AM	#14
jva59 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,409	Originally posted by Na Horuk The only problem is that then I would have to say things like "I was using Pentax before it was cool". Actually, I think the real problem would be the influx of annoying people. If you go to Canikon forums, you will notice that its a very different community than the Pentax forums. But on the other hand, if the brand becomes more popular, it is easier to get service and accessories, so thats a big plus. And the nagging worry that Pentax will just disappear will be gone. I wouldn't mind that in the least.

10-07-2013, 10:12 AM	#15
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Na Horuk on the other hand, if the brand becomes more popular, it is easier to get service and accessories, so thats a big plus. Global Installed Base of K-mounts means a lot as far as peripherals is concerned.