EXCLUSIVE: Ricoh to Beef Up Digital Camera Biz

rawr · 09-18-2011, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by jogiba

The new 5N with optional XGA OLED Tru-Finder is better than DSLRs in the same price class IMHO.

But seriously, when you configure a rig like that, with an external viewfinder up top and a hueg lens out front, you may as well just go with a compact regular DSLR - like a Pentax.

jogiba · 09-18-2011, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by Clavius

+1!

I've tried both MILC and EVF. Both aren't the real image. They lag behind reality. And the resolution is always less then the real image through an OVF, no matter how many pixels they every get.

MILCS and EVF's are just marketing, just like liveview. Who really uses THAT?

The Sony OLED Viewfinder is unlike any EVF on the market and reviews so far say it looks just like an OVF with no lag.

les3547 · 09-18-2011, 07:31 AM

From the responses I read, no one seems overly worried about not being able to use our K mount lenses. I chose Pentax over other systems when I decided to get into digital photography precisely because of their commitment to keep new systems compatible with their older lenses. Since lens quality is a high priority for me, I invested a lot in quality lenses hoping they would serve me the rest of my life. I think if I had to start all over again I might give up.

Clavius · 09-18-2011, 07:32 AM

Originally posted by jogiba

The Sony OLED Viewfinder is unlike any EVF on the market and reviews so far say it looks just like an OVF with no lag.

Yeah... Have you seen it? Did you actually look at it yourself?

Noam · 09-18-2011, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by les3547

From the responses I read, no one seems overly worried about not being able to use our K mount lenses. I chose Pentax over other systems when I decided to get into digital photography precisely because of their commitment to keep new systems compatible with their older lenses. Since lens quality is a high priority for me, I invested a lot in quality lenses hoping they would serve me the rest of my life. I think if I had to start all over again I might give up.

I am. See my post above
(with an idea how to keep the MILC K-compatible without a cumbersome adapter AND make it compact at the same time).

Regarding the EVF lag - that's obviously something that can be improved to the point of no discernible lag. The LV lag on my K-7 is horrible. The lag on my cousin's GH1 (mind you, one of the earlier MILCs) is MUCH shorter and certainly bearable. I'm sure in one or two generations the lag problem will be history. It's just processing/communication speed.

**dadipentak** · 09-18-2011, 08:16 AM

OMG, it's the end of photography as we know it!

UdonUdon · 09-18-2011, 08:27 AM

Does this mean we won't be hearing "what's a Pentax?" as much in the future?

RioRico · 09-18-2011, 08:59 AM

Some comments on some comments:

* I only quoted an excerpt, to entice y'all to READ THE WHOLE THANG!
* "A new mirrorless camera will be developed..." doesn't preclude GXR mountors.
* It also doesn't preclude bodies with existing mounts and adapters.
* I'll forgive the article's translation clumsiness. I've seen worse.
* Ricoh seems to clearly consider cameras an important business.
* I interpret "being on par" as "Ricoh will eat Canon's lunch".
* Photography is in a transformative era. Expect surprising news.

les3547 · 09-18-2011, 09:10 AM

Originally posted by RioRico

Some comments on some comments:

* I only quoted an excerpt, to entice y'all to READ THE WHOLE THANG!
* "A new mirrorless camera will be developed..." doesn't preclude GXR mountors.
* It also doesn't preclude bodies with existing mounts and adapters.
* I'll forgive the article's translation clumsiness. I've seen worse.
* Ricoh seems to clearly consider cameras an important business.
* I interpret "being on par" as "Ricoh will eat Canon's lunch".
* Photography is in a transformative era. Expect surprising news.

Indeed, other than what I mentioned, I thought the news was fantastic, especially that Ricoh will, as you say, "clearly consider cameras an important business" . . . and aims to be on a par (surpass?) with Canon and Nikon.

Zygonyx · 09-18-2011, 09:17 AM

In any case, this announcement is a good thing, so close from the definitive transaction, october the 1st. It gives some promising perspectives for Pentax.
Let' hope RICOH will put enough R&D money i.o. to really be able to make Pentax compete with CaSoNikon, and that this will hapen with no consecutive end to the current mainstream Pentax products, i.e. K and 645 mounts.

stanleyk · 09-18-2011, 09:29 AM - **1 Like**

I had this friend when I was living in Boston who had a large collection of LP's. One day he goes to this audio store in Cambridge and asked for a replacement cartridge. The salesman said: "They are right on the wall by the buggy whips."

Sure you can still get a turntable and vinyl records. And as somewhat of a stereophile, I will be the first to admit that vinyl records when played on a true high fidelity system (and I'm not talking Yahama) sound great.

I think 5 years from now OVF will be in about the same category. You'll see them on expensive cameras, but doubtful on a $1500 camera. It is what is. Somehow I just can't see it as as the end of the world. Good photographers work with the camera they have.

That said yep, they probably aren't good for birding. But I don't think many camera companies would stay in business making sub $1500 cameras for birders.

**Aristophanes** · 09-18-2011, 09:29 AM - **1 Like**

You cannot have k-mount mirrorless in a smaller body than a K-r. The k-mount is an SLR mount. The option exists for an adapter, but it will add substantial bulk and cost.

This is an announcement of a new mount.

thibs · 09-18-2011, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by jogiba

Look into any DSLR viewfinder in video mode and tell me what you see.

Exactly the same lag, of course. Which is why I want both not evf only. Evf adds value IMO,it IS useful but so is ovf. That's why I want an hybrid viewfinder in a Dslr like an EosRT. You get both, no compromise.

Noam · 09-18-2011, 10:10 AM

Originally posted by Aristophanes

You cannot have k-mount mirrorless in a smaller body than a K-r. The k-mount is an SLR mount. The option exists for an adapter, but it will add substantial bulk and cost.

This is an announcement of a new mount.

Why not? The main size advantage of a mirrorless camera is the reduction of sensor-to-mount depth (and consequent potential reduction in lens size), not so much the mount diameter.

Hence my suggestion: It can be collapsible - allowing for two different sensor-to-mount distances - one for new MIRC-exclusive lenses and one for legacy K-mount lenses (although this is just a wild thought. Probably you're right and they won't do this).

**Aristophanes** · 09-18-2011, 10:27 AM

You want to mount a DA*300/2.8 on a collapsible mount?

09-18-2011, 06:54 AM	#31
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by jogiba The new 5N with optional XGA OLED Tru-Finder is better than DSLRs in the same price class IMHO. Except for all the clicking But seriously, when you configure a rig like that, with an external viewfinder up top and a hueg lens out front, you may as well just go with a compact regular DSLR - like a Pentax.

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09-18-2011, 06:57 AM	#32
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	Originally posted by Clavius +1! I've tried both MILC and EVF. Both aren't the real image. They lag behind reality. And the resolution is always less then the real image through an OVF, no matter how many pixels they every get. MILCS and EVF's are just marketing, just like liveview. Who really uses THAT? The Sony OLED Viewfinder is unlike any EVF on the market and reviews so far say it looks just like an OVF with no lag.

09-18-2011, 07:31 AM	#33
les3547 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Sebastopol, California Photos: Albums Posts: 2,020	From the responses I read, no one seems overly worried about not being able to use our K mount lenses. I chose Pentax over other systems when I decided to get into digital photography precisely because of their commitment to keep new systems compatible with their older lenses. Since lens quality is a high priority for me, I invested a lot in quality lenses hoping they would serve me the rest of my life. I think if I had to start all over again I might give up.

09-18-2011, 07:32 AM	#34
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Originally posted by jogiba The Sony OLED Viewfinder is unlike any EVF on the market and reviews so far say it looks just like an OVF with no lag. Yeah... Have you seen it? Did you actually look at it yourself?

09-18-2011, 07:46 AM	#35
Noam Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Haifa, Israel Photos: Gallery Posts: 74	Originally posted by les3547 From the responses I read, no one seems overly worried about not being able to use our K mount lenses. I chose Pentax over other systems when I decided to get into digital photography precisely because of their commitment to keep new systems compatible with their older lenses. Since lens quality is a high priority for me, I invested a lot in quality lenses hoping they would serve me the rest of my life. I think if I had to start all over again I might give up. I am. See my post above (with an idea how to keep the MILC K-compatible without a cumbersome adapter AND make it compact at the same time). Regarding the EVF lag - that's obviously something that can be improved to the point of no discernible lag. The LV lag on my K-7 is horrible. The lag on my cousin's GH1 (mind you, one of the earlier MILCs) is MUCH shorter and certainly bearable. I'm sure in one or two generations the lag problem will be history. It's just processing/communication speed.

09-18-2011, 08:16 AM	#36
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	OMG, it's the end of photography as we know it!

09-18-2011, 08:27 AM	#37
UdonUdon Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 90	Does this mean we won't be hearing "what's a Pentax?" as much in the future?

09-18-2011, 08:59 AM	#38
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263 Original Poster	Some comments on some comments: * I only quoted an excerpt, to entice y'all to READ THE WHOLE THANG! * "A new mirrorless camera will be developed..." doesn't preclude GXR mountors. * It also doesn't preclude bodies with existing mounts and adapters. * I'll forgive the article's translation clumsiness. I've seen worse. * Ricoh seems to clearly consider cameras an important business. * I interpret "being on par" as "Ricoh will eat Canon's lunch". * Photography is in a transformative era. Expect surprising news.

09-18-2011, 09:10 AM	#39
les3547 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Sebastopol, California Photos: Albums Posts: 2,020	Originally posted by RioRico Some comments on some comments: * I only quoted an excerpt, to entice y'all to READ THE WHOLE THANG! * "A new mirrorless camera will be developed..." doesn't preclude GXR mountors. * It also doesn't preclude bodies with existing mounts and adapters. * I'll forgive the article's translation clumsiness. I've seen worse. * Ricoh seems to clearly consider cameras an important business. * I interpret "being on par" as "Ricoh will eat Canon's lunch". * Photography is in a transformative era. Expect surprising news. Indeed, other than what I mentioned, I thought the news was fantastic, especially that Ricoh will, as you say, "clearly consider cameras an important business" . . . and aims to be on a par (surpass?) with Canon and Nikon.

09-18-2011, 09:17 AM	#40
Zygonyx Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ile de France Posts: 4,033	In any case, this announcement is a good thing, so close from the definitive transaction, october the 1st. It gives some promising perspectives for Pentax. Let' hope RICOH will put enough R&D money i.o. to really be able to make Pentax compete with CaSoNikon, and that this will hapen with no consecutive end to the current mainstream Pentax products, i.e. K and 645 mounts.

09-18-2011, 09:29 AM - 1 Like	#41
stanleyk Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Taylor, Texas Posts: 1,018	I had this friend when I was living in Boston who had a large collection of LP's. One day he goes to this audio store in Cambridge and asked for a replacement cartridge. The salesman said: "They are right on the wall by the buggy whips." Sure you can still get a turntable and vinyl records. And as somewhat of a stereophile, I will be the first to admit that vinyl records when played on a true high fidelity system (and I'm not talking Yahama) sound great. I think 5 years from now OVF will be in about the same category. You'll see them on expensive cameras, but doubtful on a $1500 camera. It is what is. Somehow I just can't see it as as the end of the world. Good photographers work with the camera they have. That said yep, they probably aren't good for birding. But I don't think many camera companies would stay in business making sub $1500 cameras for birders.

09-18-2011, 09:29 AM - 1 Like	#42
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	You cannot have k-mount mirrorless in a smaller body than a K-r. The k-mount is an SLR mount. The option exists for an adapter, but it will add substantial bulk and cost. This is an announcement of a new mount.

09-18-2011, 09:46 AM	#43
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by jogiba Look into any DSLR viewfinder in video mode and tell me what you see. Exactly the same lag, of course. Which is why I want both not evf only. Evf adds value IMO,it IS useful but so is ovf. That's why I want an hybrid viewfinder in a Dslr like an EosRT. You get both, no compromise.

09-18-2011, 10:10 AM	#44
Noam Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Haifa, Israel Photos: Gallery Posts: 74	Originally posted by Aristophanes You cannot have k-mount mirrorless in a smaller body than a K-r. The k-mount is an SLR mount. The option exists for an adapter, but it will add substantial bulk and cost. This is an announcement of a new mount. Why not? The main size advantage of a mirrorless camera is the reduction of sensor-to-mount depth (and consequent potential reduction in lens size), not so much the mount diameter. Hence my suggestion: It can be collapsible - allowing for two different sensor-to-mount distances - one for new MIRC-exclusive lenses and one for legacy K-mount lenses (although this is just a wild thought. Probably you're right and they won't do this).

09-18-2011, 10:27 AM	#45
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	You want to mount a DA*300/2.8 on a collapsible mount?