Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
01-07-2012, 05:36 AM   #166
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Colorado USA
Posts: 1,337
K-r sales in any and all colors got pulled from B&H.

Only Pentax K-5 is listed in 4 options:

DSLR Cameras

Pentax Canada says K-5 is discontinued when dealers inquire.

The black & red pair of 645D at B&H are still available for $10,000 and $15,000

Medium Format Cameras

Ricoh has prior experience shuttering an entire slr k mount system.
Their stated goal was putting 645D sensor into archival copier system, now with kodak is on edge of bankruptcy, I'd guess Ricoh are screwed too.
Looks to me Hoya cashed out of Pentax dslrs division just at right time.

In meantime, for the Holidays I dropped another $4,500 on other full frame related glass and gear elsewhere.
All still "Made in Japan", where costs are higher and great Quality Control is a priority.

2012 tech Nikon D4 looks HOT !
At about half the cost of 3 years old 645D, Nikon D4 is a true bargain if vast first party lens selection, pro support, and high resale value matter to the photographer.

Inspite of the Thai Floods, Nikon can produce Dslrs and come out with new products too.

Canon can make and offer products even though they also still make gear in Japan where the Tsunami hit March 2011.

Why do Canon and Nikon prevail while Ricoh remains silent ???

01-07-2012, 05:57 AM   #167
Veteran Member
macTak's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2010
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 759
QuoteOriginally posted by Samsungian Quote
Their stated goal was putting 645D sensor into archival copier system
Source?
01-07-2012, 06:42 AM   #168
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
boriscleto's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: North Syracuse, NY
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 16,464
QuoteOriginally posted by macTak Quote
Source?
Probably his ass.
01-07-2012, 11:34 AM   #169
Veteran Member




Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Madison, Wis., USA
Posts: 1,506
From the Ricoh press release " Ricoh plans to ... 3) expand to other
fields (study of entry into the image archiving business using medium-format digital cameras and
enhancement of security-related products) ..."

Not macTak's exact words but close enough to suggest a different orifice.

01-08-2012, 09:46 PM   #170
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
jatrax's Avatar

Join Date: May 2010
Location: Washington Cascades
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 12,991
QuoteOriginally posted by Samsungian Quote
Their stated goal was putting 645D sensor into archival copier system, now with kodak is on edge of bankruptcy, I'd guess Ricoh are screwed too.
Kodak already sold the sensor division, months ago, and the new company has announced several new sensors. So assuming Pentax or Ricoh wants to use the 645D sensor it is certainly available.
01-09-2012, 04:13 AM   #171
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Colorado USA
Posts: 1,337
In past 12 months Kodak has dropped from almost $6.00 pershare to just 37 Cents per share last Friday

24 months ago Kodak was $8.00 pershare

http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=EK


Kodak stock closed Friday Jan 6th at just 37 Cents pershare, down 47% since January 1st 2012.

I wonder,

How will Kodak's Bankruptcy Plans effect their ability to produce medium format sensors for the new sensor fab owners,
Platinum Equity in 2012 ???

From dpreview just 62 days ago, way back when Kodak insisted they would not consider bankruptcy:

"On November 7th 2011 Kodak has sold its Image Sensor Solutions business to Platinum Equity in a bid to strengthen its financial position. The company, which has struggled to manage the shift in the consumer photographic market from film to digital, also recently revealed that it may have to raise cash by the sale of more than 1100 patents to survive the coming year. Image Sensor Solutions provides sensors for the Leica M9 and S2 and a number of medium format backs, as well as a wide range of specialist imaging applications.


Press release:

Kodak Sells Image Sensor Business to Platinum Equity
ROCHESTER, N.Y., November 07 - Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) announced today that it has completed the sale of its Image Sensor Solutions (ISS) business to Platinum Equity in a move that will sharpen Kodak’s operational focus and strengthen its financial position.
While the financial details were not disclosed, Kodak will have continuing access to the image sensor technology involved in this transaction for use in its own products. Kodak has previously communicated that it would sell assets that are not central to its transformation to a profitable, sustainable digital company. This sale is aligned with that strategy to generate cash to complete the transformation.

Included in the sale is a 263,000 square foot facility in Eastman Business Park in Rochester, N.Y., that houses manufacturing and research facilities.

The ISS business develops, manufactures, and markets the world’s highest performance solid state image sensor devices. Over the past 30 years, Kodak’s image sensors have delivered unrivaled image quality and innovative features for use in a broad range of demanding imaging applications. From precision manufacturing inspection to digital radiography, from earth imaging satellites to traffic monitoring, from the world’s highest performing studio photography cameras to DNA sequencing systems, customers around the world rely on high-performance products from ISS in the most mission-critical applications.

Platinum Equity is a global M&A&O® firm specializing in the merger, acquisition and operation of companies that provide services and solutions to customers in a broad range of business markets.

“Image Sensor Solutions is a business that is well-positioned in the high-performance imaging markets in which it participates,” said Pradeep Jotwani, President, Consumer Digital Imaging Group, and Senior Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. “This sale maximizes shareholder value by obtaining a full and fair valuation for this business, and allows Kodak to increase its financial flexibility.”

Jotwani noted that Platinum Equity brings significant financial and operational resources to the ISS business and a comprehensive plan to ensure its continued success.

“Platinum Equity is an ideal acquirer of Kodak’s ISS business because they are committed to the success of the business for the benefit of customers and employees,” Jotwani said. “I’m very pleased that we have such a favorable outcome for all of our constituents.”

Platinum Equity focuses on acquiring businesses that can benefit from the firm’s extensive in-house capability and expertise in transition, integration and operations.

“This is a great opportunity to acquire a business with an impressive record for delivering innovative solutions to customers around the world,” said Brian Wall, the partner at Platinum Equity who led the team pursuing the acquisition. “The ISS business has a strong management team with the right vision for leading the company into the future. We share their commitment to product development and customer service and are committed to helping the business realize its full potential.”

Wall said Platinum Equity’s experience managing complex transitions from corporate parent companies will benefit employees, customers and other partners.

“Our operations group will work hand-in-hand with the management team to ensure a seamless transition while allowing the organization to stay focused on delivering world class imaging products and solutions,” said Wall. “We are proud to have forged a unique divestiture solution in partnership with Kodak that serves the best interests of everyone involved.” "

Last edited by Samsungian; 01-09-2012 at 06:14 AM.
01-09-2012, 05:14 AM   #172
Veteran Member
RioRico's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Limbo, California
Posts: 11,263
Yes, what was Kodak's sensor division was sold|bought, and is still in operation, and has announced new products. Whether they will still be labeled Kodak, I don't know. But they're not going away. The buyers of the division likely didn't spend their money to shut down the operation.

01-09-2012, 06:48 AM   #173
Veteran Member
eddie1960's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Toronto
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 13,666
samsungian = Chicken Little


really idiotic speculation like this just irks me to no end. yep Ricoh spent that money to shutter a camera company for a medium format sensor they could just go buy from the manufacturer (who though sold is still making and developing sensors)

01-09-2012, 07:25 AM   #174
Pentaxian
gazonk's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Oslo area, Norway
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,746
QuoteOriginally posted by eddie1960 Quote
samsungian = Chicken Little


really idiotic speculation like this just irks me to no end. yep Ricoh spent that money to shutter a camera company for a medium format sensor they could just go buy from the manufacturer (who though sold is still making and developing sensors)
Yes, I think we already have a winner for the worst "Pentax is doomed" comment of the year! Or maybe Samsungian just forgot a smiley?
01-09-2012, 07:38 AM   #175
Pentaxian
MMVIII's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: EU
Posts: 1,121
QuoteOriginally posted by gazonk Quote
Yes, I think we already have a winner for the worst "Pentax is doomed" comment of the year! Or maybe Samsungian just forgot a smiley?
Agree. I just wonder if such of the charts FUD action is just a personal opinion (with or without a missing smiley) or... whatever. But all that doesn't matter at all: 12.21.12
01-09-2012, 10:42 AM   #176
Veteran Member
Chex's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: The 'Stoke, British Columbia
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,678
Why would Ricoh buy all of Pentax to put a sensor which isn't even Pentax's into an archiving unit... why wouldn't they buy the sensors from Platinum Equities and make their own processors or buy them from Pentax.. I'm guessing they wanted a lot more from Pentax than just the 645D guts.
01-09-2012, 12:05 PM   #177
Pentaxian
thibs's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Belgium
Photos: Albums
Posts: 7,001
Medium format tech doesn't mean current 645D medium format sensor
01-09-2012, 12:21 PM   #178
Veteran Member
eddie1960's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Toronto
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 13,666
QuoteOriginally posted by thibs Quote
Medium format tech doesn't mean current 645D medium format sensor
no it doesn't but buying the company to get a bit of tech that could be licensed for less then scrapping the rest seems highly unlikely
01-09-2012, 12:43 PM   #179
Veteran Member




Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Madison, Wis., USA
Posts: 1,506
12.21.12 - Is that when my K-5's extended warranty expires?

Last edited by glanglois; 01-09-2012 at 07:17 PM.
01-09-2012, 02:00 PM   #180
Pentaxian
Jean Poitiers's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Lost in translation ...
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 18,076
K-r & K-5 in France ...

Bonjour,

Just some "FYI" from France here ... spoke to my local camera store/chain ("Phox") and they have received no information concerning the discontinuation of the K-r or the K-5.

Walked across the street to the "FNAC" store and got the same response ... although they will be putting the K-5 "on sale" as of this Wednesday (the French after X-mas sales officially start then). By the way, my FNAC store had both a K-r and a K-5 on their display shelves ... finally some market presence, although quite late for the K-5!

Allez salut, J Frog
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
k-r, pentax k-r, pentax news, pentax rumors
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Pentax K-r DISCONTINUED brady38 Pentax K-r 115 02-24-2012 12:56 PM
Landscape Something completely different... Rense Post Your Photos! 9 09-13-2010 11:02 AM
And Now For Something Completely Different seacapt General Talk 11 06-13-2010 08:19 AM
Pentax FA50mm: Discontinued Lens Francesco Pentax News and Rumors 203 06-11-2010 10:19 AM
10 Pentax DA lenses Discontinued ? wll Pentax News and Rumors 6 11-25-2009 12:10 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:16 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top