K-01 - why did it not suceed?

lytrytyr · 12-24-2020, 07:24 AM

Originally posted by reh321

the title of this thread illustrates the fact that there weren't enough of you

The title of this thread illustrates nothing.
It is a "When did you stop beating your wife?"-type question.

The K-01 was even successful enough for it to experience a brief post-discontinuation revival.

Originally posted by Rondec

I'm sort of surprised that the K-S1 was never re-visited

Don't forget the K-S2.

It inherited the boxy shape of the K-01 that lets you stand it on a flat surface when a tripod is not an option.
And the flippiness of its screen is unrivalled in real-camera Pentaxland.

reh321 · 12-24-2020, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by lytrytyr

The title of this thread illustrates nothing.
It is a "When did you stop beating your wife?"-type question.

The K-01 was even successful enough for it to experience a brief post-discontinuation revival.

Not at all.
Having a few people pick up units off a 'discontinued shelf' hardly qualifies as a "revival"
No one expects to see a K-02.

Quote:

Don't forget the K-S2.
It inherited the boxy shape of the K-01 that lets you stand it on a flat surface when a tripod is not an option.
And the flippiness of its screen is unrivalled in real-camera Pentaxland.

The K-70 has an "articulated screen" and my KP has a "flippy screen"; people are constantly complaining because the K-3iii's screen doesn't "flip".

All of my recent SLR's and DSLR's have had a flat bottom which allows them to stand on a flat surface when a tripod is not an option.
I even have a Thanksgiving photo I took around twenty years ago with a Canon SLR that I took of my family by placing my Canon SLR on a flat surface because I didn't have a tripod available.

lytrytyr · 12-24-2020, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by reh321

Not at all.
Having a few people pick up units off a 'discontinued shelf' hardly qualifies as a "revival"

As usual, you are deflecting.

I am talking about the last run of "smurf" production.

Originally posted by reh321

All of my recent SLR's and DSLR's have had a flat bottom which allows them to stand on a flat surface when a tripod is not an option.

Try portrait orientation instead, then you might understand the K-01 and K-S2 better.

reh321 · 12-24-2020, 11:12 AM

Originally posted by lytrytyr

As usual, you are deflecting.

I am talking about the last run of "smurf" production.

Try portrait orientation instead, then you might understand the K-01 and K-S2 better.

No matter how you cast it, there will be no more K-0n from Pentax. None!

Bertrand3000 · 12-26-2020, 12:07 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

The K-S1 is very similar in size to the K-01 but has a nice viewfinder and better functionality. The K-S1 doesn't have sealing or a flippy screen, but then again, neither does the K-01.

I'm sort of surprised that the K-S1 was never re-visited as that sort of camera done right (think kx series) has sold pretty well -- small, good OVF, basic functions in place, maybe offer it in colors. Unfortunately, the K-S1 was panned here and elsewhere for the lights it had (which weren't really that big a deal).

True, the K-S1 was really nice. Besides, Leds could be turned off as far as I know.

someasiancameraguy · 12-26-2020, 11:37 AM

Originally posted by Bertrand3000

True, the K-S1 was really nice. Besides, Leds could be turned off as far as I know.

Yeah I agree. I don't get reviewers logic for docking points from the camera just for having LEDs, especially since if I recall correctly, the LEDs were used to signal modes and such and thus were not entirely "cosmetic".

Khalid · 12-26-2020, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by BillO

Why did the K-01 not succeed? I like some of the features coming out in mirrorless cameras, but I have no desire to start a new collection of lenses, or give up things like auto focus and exposure or open aperture metering. It would have been swell if the K-01 started a series that carried on with newer models.

Not a good point of view from you

... a great camera for those who loved it and knew to use it ... Excellent performance and was distinguished by its design

JPT · 12-26-2020, 10:31 PM - **2 Likes**

Looks like there is still some appreciation for the K-01 out there. This recent Youtube video is quite a nice tribute to it. It's in Japanese but not too long and with plenty of nice visuals.

You Tube

The product page he shows is still accessible on Ricoh Japan's website.
K-01 | RICOH IMAGING

The nice square catalogue they made for it is up there as well, although I can't find an English version.
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/support/catalog/pdf/k-01.pdf

**Rondec** · 12-27-2020, 04:18 AM - **1 Like**

I think the important thing is that it still works. I keep one in my truck and snap landscape shots with it on my way to work, typically with one of the DA limiteds (15/40) that I own. I don't really enjoy it for following my kids around because it can't keep up with them, but it really turns in nice results and has given me 7 years of shooting enjoyment.

mee · 12-28-2020, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by BillO

Why did the K-01 not succeed?

No Electronic ViewFinder. That's all.

dbs · 12-28-2020, 02:40 PM

The loud populous wanted the EVF.
Ricoh under the Ricoh brand re do it and its the GR series just not a interchangeable lens system ( k mount ).
The same mob today want a Pentax mirrorless go figure

normhead · 12-28-2020, 03:18 PM

Originally posted by mee

No Electronic ViewFinder. That's all.

Exactly... I'm bright sun it was painful o use. My XG-1 has an EVF. It's terrible, but if I need it, I can frame with it. Better than nothing.

My K-01 was my walk around landscape camera, so no lens changes for landscapes. Sadly it's long gone, but I still throw this into a thread from time to time.

**Rondec** · 12-29-2020, 03:57 AM

I think we need to clarify. Pentax sold all of the K-01s they made and even released a smurf blue version of the K-01 with a second manufacturing run. So it is not as though the K-01 didn't sell. It actually sold pretty well in the end.

The K-01 didn't sell at the list price because Pentaxians viewed it as a crippled K-30 with odd styling and an expensive price. Hipsters (who I think Pentax was hoping to target) never even noticed its existence. I think the real question is why Pentax viewed this as a dead end and didn't try to fix some of the issues and eventually release a second version with more functionality and an EVF and more normal ergonomics? Sony had plenty of cameras that were so-so on their way to creating the A7 line of cameras, but they kept throwing stuff against the wall till something stuck.

I don't think that Pentax really has the staffing to do more than what they are doing and mirrorless cameras (other than stuff like the GR series) probably would take a lot more R and D to get off the ground than what it is worth.

**photogem** · 12-29-2020, 04:28 AM

The K-01 sold very well in Japan, was well received there.

I loved its optics, felt the design was great.
But it had 2 flaws:
- no VF (or at least EVF)
- terrible reflection on LCD, it its days already terrible in bright sunlight, these days it would be even worse

I never got the idea it was meant for hipsters, that was the K-S1.

The LED's were a gimmick for the young ones, in those days running-shoes with LEDs were hip as well.
But one could turn them off partly or completly.

I guess the design did not attract those who were attracted to the K-01 but in every but one aspect it was the better camera:
The one aspect: Sometimes the solenoid failed, the K-01 had the same stepper motor as the K5.
But then, the K-S1 would have been too large with the stepper motor and in need of the D-LI90 battery with its larger capacity.

Bertrand3000 · 12-29-2020, 06:17 AM

Originally posted by photogem

But then, the K-S1 would have been too large with the stepper motor and in need of the D-LI90 battery with its larger capacity.

The KP uses the stepper motor, and still it uses the smaller battery.

12-28-2020, 03:18 PM	#132
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by mee No Electronic ViewFinder. That's all. Exactly... I'm bright sun it was painful o use. My XG-1 has an EVF. It's terrible, but if I need it, I can frame with it. Better than nothing. My K-01 was my walk around landscape camera, so no lens changes for landscapes. Sadly it's long gone, but I still throw this into a thread from time to time. Last edited by normhead; 12-28-2020 at 07:12 PM.

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12-24-2020, 07:24 AM	#121
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by reh321 the title of this thread illustrates the fact that there weren't enough of you The title of this thread illustrates nothing. It is a "When did you stop beating your wife?"-type question. The K-01 was even successful enough for it to experience a brief post-discontinuation revival. Originally posted by Rondec I'm sort of surprised that the K-S1 was never re-visited Don't forget the K-S2. It inherited the boxy shape of the K-01 that lets you stand it on a flat surface when a tripod is not an option. And the flippiness of its screen is unrivalled in real-camera Pentaxland.

12-24-2020, 09:20 AM	#122
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by lytrytyr The title of this thread illustrates nothing. It is a "When did you stop beating your wife?"-type question. The K-01 was even successful enough for it to experience a brief post-discontinuation revival. Not at all. Having a few people pick up units off a 'discontinued shelf' hardly qualifies as a "revival" No one expects to see a K-02. Quote: Don't forget the K-S2. It inherited the boxy shape of the K-01 that lets you stand it on a flat surface when a tripod is not an option. And the flippiness of its screen is unrivalled in real-camera Pentaxland. The K-70 has an "articulated screen" and my KP has a "flippy screen"; people are constantly complaining because the K-3iii's screen doesn't "flip". All of my recent SLR's and DSLR's have had a flat bottom which allows them to stand on a flat surface when a tripod is not an option. I even have a Thanksgiving photo I took around twenty years ago with a Canon SLR that I took of my family by placing my Canon SLR on a flat surface because I didn't have a tripod available.

12-24-2020, 10:36 AM	#123
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by reh321 Not at all. Having a few people pick up units off a 'discontinued shelf' hardly qualifies as a "revival" As usual, you are deflecting. I am talking about the last run of "smurf" production. Originally posted by reh321 All of my recent SLR's and DSLR's have had a flat bottom which allows them to stand on a flat surface when a tripod is not an option. Try portrait orientation instead, then you might understand the K-01 and K-S2 better.

12-24-2020, 11:12 AM	#124
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by lytrytyr As usual, you are deflecting. I am talking about the last run of "smurf" production. Try portrait orientation instead, then you might understand the K-01 and K-S2 better. No matter how you cast it, there will be no more K-0n from Pentax. None!

12-26-2020, 12:07 AM	#125
Bertrand3000 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 2,009	Originally posted by Rondec The K-S1 is very similar in size to the K-01 but has a nice viewfinder and better functionality. The K-S1 doesn't have sealing or a flippy screen, but then again, neither does the K-01. I'm sort of surprised that the K-S1 was never re-visited as that sort of camera done right (think kx series) has sold pretty well -- small, good OVF, basic functions in place, maybe offer it in colors. Unfortunately, the K-S1 was panned here and elsewhere for the lights it had (which weren't really that big a deal). True, the K-S1 was really nice. Besides, Leds could be turned off as far as I know.

12-26-2020, 11:37 AM	#126
someasiancameraguy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 419	Originally posted by Bertrand3000 True, the K-S1 was really nice. Besides, Leds could be turned off as far as I know. Yeah I agree. I don't get reviewers logic for docking points from the camera just for having LEDs, especially since if I recall correctly, the LEDs were used to signal modes and such and thus were not entirely "cosmetic".

12-26-2020, 12:45 PM	#127
Khalid Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Kuwait City Posts: 48	Originally posted by BillO Why did the K-01 not succeed? I like some of the features coming out in mirrorless cameras, but I have no desire to start a new collection of lenses, or give up things like auto focus and exposure or open aperture metering. It would have been swell if the K-01 started a series that carried on with newer models. Not a good point of view from you ... a great camera for those who loved it and knew to use it ... Excellent performance and was distinguished by its design

12-27-2020, 04:18 AM - 1 Like	#129
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	I think the important thing is that it still works. I keep one in my truck and snap landscape shots with it on my way to work, typically with one of the DA limiteds (15/40) that I own. I don't really enjoy it for following my kids around because it can't keep up with them, but it really turns in nice results and has given me 7 years of shooting enjoyment.

12-28-2020, 02:04 PM	#130
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by BillO Why did the K-01 not succeed? No Electronic ViewFinder. That's all.

12-28-2020, 02:40 PM	#131
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,563	The loud populous wanted the EVF. Ricoh under the Ricoh brand re do it and its the GR series just not a interchangeable lens system ( k mount ). The same mob today want a Pentax mirrorless go figure

12-29-2020, 03:57 AM	#133
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	I think we need to clarify. Pentax sold all of the K-01s they made and even released a smurf blue version of the K-01 with a second manufacturing run. So it is not as though the K-01 didn't sell. It actually sold pretty well in the end. The K-01 didn't sell at the list price because Pentaxians viewed it as a crippled K-30 with odd styling and an expensive price. Hipsters (who I think Pentax was hoping to target) never even noticed its existence. I think the real question is why Pentax viewed this as a dead end and didn't try to fix some of the issues and eventually release a second version with more functionality and an EVF and more normal ergonomics? Sony had plenty of cameras that were so-so on their way to creating the A7 line of cameras, but they kept throwing stuff against the wall till something stuck. I don't think that Pentax really has the staffing to do more than what they are doing and mirrorless cameras (other than stuff like the GR series) probably would take a lot more R and D to get off the ground than what it is worth.

12-29-2020, 04:28 AM	#134
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	The K-01 sold very well in Japan, was well received there. I loved its optics, felt the design was great. But it had 2 flaws: - no VF (or at least EVF) - terrible reflection on LCD, it its days already terrible in bright sunlight, these days it would be even worse I never got the idea it was meant for hipsters, that was the K-S1. The LED's were a gimmick for the young ones, in those days running-shoes with LEDs were hip as well. But one could turn them off partly or completly. I guess the design did not attract those who were attracted to the K-01 but in every but one aspect it was the better camera: The one aspect: Sometimes the solenoid failed, the K-01 had the same stepper motor as the K5. But then, the K-S1 would have been too large with the stepper motor and in need of the D-LI90 battery with its larger capacity.

12-29-2020, 06:17 AM	#135
Bertrand3000 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 2,009	Originally posted by photogem But then, the K-S1 would have been too large with the stepper motor and in need of the D-LI90 battery with its larger capacity. The KP uses the stepper motor, and still it uses the smaller battery.