Facts about the Pentax brand name under Ricoh

falconeye · 07-04-2011, 02:14 AM - **2 Likes**

I found it hard to find any real information about the future of the Pentax brand name in the other thread ( https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/150409-ricoh-buy-penta...ness-hoya.html
UPDATE: Class A actually already posted the info as post #375: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/150409-ricoh-buy-penta...ml#post1565196 ).

OTOH, some people started polls about if wanting to be called Ricoh ...

So, I looked it up and this is what appears to be fact:

Ricoh will continue to call Pentax PENTAX !

(at least the dSLR part of it) The trick is to search for what Ricoh is saying, not Hoya. It's won't be Hoya's decision from now on.

Quote:

On completion of the Acquisition, Ricoh will begin to use the PENTAX brand name for some of its digital camera products, and HOYA will continue to use the PENTAX brand name for their endoscopes and other products. Furthermore, with the Acquisition, both companies will cooperate with each other to increase the value of the PENTAX brand.

[Source: Ricoh to acquire HOYA's PENTAX Imaging Systems Business / News Release | Ricoh Global ]
(which is the Ricoh press release)

So and fortunately, Pentax is going to survive (again)

P.S.

I started this thread for easier reference of what will happen to the Pentax brand name. And to collect facts about this topic.

Last edited by falconeye; 07-04-2011 at 03:47 AM.

goddo31 · 07-04-2011, 02:17 AM

Thanks Falk, appreciate that you have taken the time to point out some facts amongst the flood of speculation

Let's hope this is a positive change for Pentax overall - I'm optimistic.

cheers

JohnBee · 07-04-2011, 02:17 AM

LOL

I was just about to post this also.
Found it this morning.
Sort of relieved too.
Really didn't seem sensible to scrap a legacy name like Pentax.

Oh well.. I guess all we have left will be the countless FF arguments now.
That is until we get a product roadmap or something along those lines.
At which point, will be followed by more arguing until the next round and "rinse and repeat"

So, I guess it'll be business as usual

falconeye · 07-04-2011, 02:37 AM - **2 Likes**

Ricoh actually posted a PDF:

-> http://www.ricoh.com/release/2011/pdf/0701.pdf

Partial quotes from the PDF:

Quote:

Asahi Optical Co., Ltd., the predecessor of PENTAX, developed Japan’s first single-lens reflex camera in 1952 and has a long history as a leader in the camera market.

PENTAX cameras are well known for their superior performance in taking natural-looking photographs. PENTAX maintains high consumer satisfaction ratings with its superb lens technology and enjoys strong support from a solid fan base.

The PENTAX lineup has a mutually complementary relationship and little overlap with the Ricoh brand, which focuses on high-end compact digital cameras.

Strengthening the digital camera business
␣ Enhanced interchangeable-lens cameras to meet expected future growth
␣ Expansion of product lineup and interchangeable lens portfolio

Possible entry into the image archiving business using medium format digital cameras

Ricoh mentions Asahi, the Pentaxian fan base, and seems to like both K mount and 645D.

And they didn't buy Pentax for the Pentax Q as this particular product would not be complementary with high-end compacts. Therefore, "interchangeable-lens" must mean K-mount (and/or non-compact mirrorless).

And they seem to be prepared to make new products.

Class A · 07-04-2011, 03:10 AM

Originally posted by falconeye

I couldn't find any real information about the future of the Pentax brand name in the other thread...

I had quoted from the Ricoh press release in the other thread already.

I agree, however, that it is hard to find useful information in that other thread.

At this stage, things are looking very good, but we'll only know what will really happen some time further down the road. Potentially, this could be really good news for future Pentax developments.

NicoleAu · 07-04-2011, 03:29 AM

I just looked at Pentax K5's price on BH and I see it has jumped up $200

I was hoping it'd go down, not up!

elpolodiablo · 07-04-2011, 03:41 AM

Originally posted by NicoleAu

I just looked at Pentax K5's price on BH and I see it has jumped up $200

I was hoping it'd go down, not up!

I thought you are looking at K-7 not K-5?

falconeye · 07-04-2011, 03:49 AM

Originally posted by Class A

I had quoted from the Ricoh press release in the other thread already.

I agree, however, that it is hard to find useful information in that other thread.

Thanks and I now quote your post in the OP.
I really didn't see it when I first checked for it.

**Rondec** · 07-04-2011, 03:56 AM

It wouldn't really make sense for them to buy Pentax and then sell cameras under the Ricoh name. At least in North America, most people think copiers when they hear the name Ricoh, not cameras. At least with Pentax, a lot of people have heard the name, even if many have never seen a Pentax camera in person.

rt22306 · 07-04-2011, 03:56 AM

Originally posted by NicoleAu

I just looked at Pentax K5's price on BH and I see it has jumped up $200

I was hoping it'd go down, not up!

I ordered my K-5 yesterday from Amazon, they were holding steady the past two days but at times would bounce about up $50 US for a bit then drop again.

ogl · 07-04-2011, 03:56 AM

Originally posted by falconeye

Ricoh will continue to call Pentax PENTAX !

.

Pentax lives just only as BRAND NAME.

By the way, rather interesting method to "destroy" Pentax:

HOYA splits Pentax into Pentax Medical and Pentax Imaging and then PENTAX Imaging Systems assets transfer into NewCO and NewCO will be sold to Ricoh.

melander · 07-04-2011, 04:01 AM

Ogl: Just like they have done sence 2008 when hoya bought Pentax, They have only been a brandname sence then.

gazonk · 07-04-2011, 04:11 AM

Originally posted by melander

Ogl: Just like they have done sence 2008 when hoya bought Pentax, They have only been a brandname sence then.

The most notable difference being that they're now the brand name of a company which wishes to expand its photography business...

Talisker · 07-04-2011, 04:17 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ogl

Pentax lives just only as BRAND NAME.

Wrong.

Ricoh are buying the the manufacturing and design assets not just the name (as, say, Cosina did with Voigtlander) so the only thing that really changes for the photographic division is the ownership. As stated in the documentation we have seen to date, there is continuity of manufacture and design. If I suddenly, (and purely hypothetically!) bought BMW it would not suddenly become 'only a brand name'.

The companies that manufacture Leica cameras and Leica microscopes are totally separate but still both trade under the Leica brand.

Company ownerships change all the time. Welcome to the 21st Century (although this was all happening in the 20th Century and 19th as well...)

Ishpuini · 07-04-2011, 04:22 AM - **1 Like**

Good you're posting this in a separate thread Falk! I (and others) posted in two other threads referring to the said Ricoh press release, but these posts got buried too quickly in the many uninformed posts in the topics. Seems most people don't care to find information and prefer running around panicking like a bunch of headless chicken...

Natural mass hysteria probably. It will wear off...

Wim

07-04-2011, 02:14 AM - 2 Likes	#1
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	Facts about the Pentax brand name under Ricoh I found it hard to find any real information about the future of the Pentax brand name in the other thread ( https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/150409-ricoh-buy-penta...ness-hoya.html UPDATE: Class A actually already posted the info as post #375: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/150409-ricoh-buy-penta...ml#post1565196 ). OTOH, some people started polls about if wanting to be called Ricoh ... So, I looked it up and this is what appears to be fact: Ricoh will continue to call Pentax PENTAX ! (at least the dSLR part of it) The trick is to search for what Ricoh is saying, not Hoya. It's won't be Hoya's decision from now on. Quote: On completion of the Acquisition, Ricoh will begin to use the PENTAX brand name for some of its digital camera products, and HOYA will continue to use the PENTAX brand name for their endoscopes and other products. Furthermore, with the Acquisition, both companies will cooperate with each other to increase the value of the PENTAX brand. [Source: Ricoh to acquire HOYA's PENTAX Imaging Systems Business / News Release \| Ricoh Global ] (which is the Ricoh press release) So and fortunately, Pentax is going to survive (again) P.S. I started this thread for easier reference of what will happen to the Pentax brand name. And to collect facts about this topic. Last edited by falconeye; 07-04-2011 at 03:47 AM.

07-04-2011, 02:37 AM - 2 Likes	#4
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871 Original Poster	More info Ricoh actually posted a PDF: -> http://www.ricoh.com/release/2011/pdf/0701.pdf Partial quotes from the PDF: Quote: Asahi Optical Co., Ltd., the predecessor of PENTAX, developed Japan’s first single-lens reflex camera in 1952 and has a long history as a leader in the camera market. PENTAX cameras are well known for their superior performance in taking natural-looking photographs. PENTAX maintains high consumer satisfaction ratings with its superb lens technology and enjoys strong support from a solid fan base. The PENTAX lineup has a mutually complementary relationship and little overlap with the Ricoh brand, which focuses on high-end compact digital cameras. Strengthening the digital camera business ␣ Enhanced interchangeable-lens cameras to meet expected future growth ␣ Expansion of product lineup and interchangeable lens portfolio Possible entry into the image archiving business using medium format digital cameras Ricoh mentions Asahi, the Pentaxian fan base, and seems to like both K mount and 645D. And they didn't buy Pentax for the Pentax Q as this particular product would not be complementary with high-end compacts. Therefore, "interchangeable-lens" must mean K-mount (and/or non-compact mirrorless). And they seem to be prepared to make new products.

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07-04-2011, 02:17 AM	#2
goddo31 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,576	Thanks Falk, appreciate that you have taken the time to point out some facts amongst the flood of speculation Let's hope this is a positive change for Pentax overall - I'm optimistic. cheers

07-04-2011, 02:17 AM	#3
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	LOL I was just about to post this also. Found it this morning. Sort of relieved too. Really didn't seem sensible to scrap a legacy name like Pentax. Oh well.. I guess all we have left will be the countless FF arguments now. That is until we get a product roadmap or something along those lines. At which point, will be followed by more arguing until the next round and "rinse and repeat" So, I guess it'll be business as usual

07-04-2011, 03:10 AM	#5
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by falconeye I couldn't find any real information about the future of the Pentax brand name in the other thread... I had quoted from the Ricoh press release in the other thread already. I agree, however, that it is hard to find useful information in that other thread. At this stage, things are looking very good, but we'll only know what will really happen some time further down the road. Potentially, this could be really good news for future Pentax developments.

07-04-2011, 03:29 AM	#6
NicoleAu Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Central Coast, NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 539	I just looked at Pentax K5's price on BH and I see it has jumped up $200 I was hoping it'd go down, not up!

07-04-2011, 03:41 AM	#7
elpolodiablo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,637	Originally posted by NicoleAu I just looked at Pentax K5's price on BH and I see it has jumped up $200 I was hoping it'd go down, not up! I thought you are looking at K-7 not K-5?

07-04-2011, 03:49 AM	#8
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871 Original Poster	Originally posted by Class A I had quoted from the Ricoh press release in the other thread already. I agree, however, that it is hard to find useful information in that other thread. Thanks and I now quote your post in the OP. I really didn't see it when I first checked for it.

07-04-2011, 03:56 AM	#9
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	It wouldn't really make sense for them to buy Pentax and then sell cameras under the Ricoh name. At least in North America, most people think copiers when they hear the name Ricoh, not cameras. At least with Pentax, a lot of people have heard the name, even if many have never seen a Pentax camera in person.

07-04-2011, 03:56 AM	#10
rt22306 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 164	Originally posted by NicoleAu I just looked at Pentax K5's price on BH and I see it has jumped up $200 I was hoping it'd go down, not up! I ordered my K-5 yesterday from Amazon, they were holding steady the past two days but at times would bounce about up $50 US for a bit then drop again.

07-04-2011, 03:56 AM	#11
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by falconeye Ricoh will continue to call Pentax PENTAX ! . Pentax lives just only as BRAND NAME. By the way, rather interesting method to "destroy" Pentax: HOYA splits Pentax into Pentax Medical and Pentax Imaging and then PENTAX Imaging Systems assets transfer into NewCO and NewCO will be sold to Ricoh.

07-04-2011, 04:01 AM	#12
melander Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden, Umea Posts: 876	Ogl: Just like they have done sence 2008 when hoya bought Pentax, They have only been a brandname sence then.

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07-04-2011, 04:11 AM	#13
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Originally posted by melander Ogl: Just like they have done sence 2008 when hoya bought Pentax, They have only been a brandname sence then. The most notable difference being that they're now the brand name of a company which wishes to expand its photography business...

07-04-2011, 04:17 AM - 1 Like	#14
Talisker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland Photos: Gallery Posts: 262	Originally posted by ogl Pentax lives just only as BRAND NAME. Wrong. Ricoh are buying the the manufacturing and design assets not just the name (as, say, Cosina did with Voigtlander) so the only thing that really changes for the photographic division is the ownership. As stated in the documentation we have seen to date, there is continuity of manufacture and design. If I suddenly, (and purely hypothetically!) bought BMW it would not suddenly become 'only a brand name'. The companies that manufacture Leica cameras and Leica microscopes are totally separate but still both trade under the Leica brand. Company ownerships change all the time. Welcome to the 21st Century (although this was all happening in the 20th Century and 19th as well...)

07-04-2011, 04:22 AM - 1 Like	#15
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727	Good you're posting this in a separate thread Falk! I (and others) posted in two other threads referring to the said Ricoh press release, but these posts got buried too quickly in the many uninformed posts in the topics. Seems most people don't care to find information and prefer running around panicking like a bunch of headless chicken... Natural mass hysteria probably. It will wear off... Wim