Pentax K-r completely discontinued

Adam · 11-22-2011, 09:54 AM

(you may want to read earlier discussion here first: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-r-forum/166053-pentax-k-r-discontinued.html)

I just spoke with my contact at B&H and they said that the K-r has been completely discontinued.

He said that there's still a sizeable quantity of cameras in stock, but once they're gone, they're gone. For me this is a little hard to believe, but if it's true, then something new's gotta be in the works, right?

aurele · 11-22-2011, 10:19 AM

it's kind of strange.

Maybe with the takeover, Ricoh want to be sure the new body will be very good, and delayed it.

It can make sense because Pentax was supposed to show a new body at the "Salon de la Photo" in Paris, France, in september or october. Pentax didn't, arguying it was a "mistake" !

If Pentax can release it before christmas it can be really wonderful !

eddie1960 · 11-22-2011, 10:21 AM

I'm not surprised Adam, it is well past a replacement date at this point. I would not be surprised to see an announcement of more than one model in the not to distant future
This is a really good time to discontinue. high retail demand clears out the old stock so the new comes in clean. Maybe the replacement will have the K5 sensor (damn that could get me to downgrade from my K7 at the right price)
Ricoh has hinted about big plans, maybe we'll see a mass Ricoh-Pentax launch in January with MILC, 2 APS-C bodies and a FF. that would certainly make an impact

eddie1960 · 11-22-2011, 10:23 AM

Originally posted by aurele

it's kind of strange.

Maybe with the takeover, Ricoh want to be sure the new body will be very good, and delayed it.

It can make sense because Pentax was supposed to show a new body at the "Salon de la Photo" in Paris, France, in september or october. Pentax didn't, arguying it was a "mistake" !

If Pentax can release it before christmas it can be really wonderful !

Pretty short for christmas. Ideally you want to be in store by Black Friday. Margin wise though a post Black Friday launch has a big benefit (at least for North America since most Canadian retailers react to Black Friday pricing now that the $ is at par or so)

RonHendriks1966 · 11-22-2011, 10:25 AM

Well it could be just K-s (or something) wich would be just a little upgrade to the K-r with the 16 megapixel sensor (only 12-bit) from K-5.

Could also be a new direction and completely new product without mirror addressing to that market.

Adam · 11-22-2011, 10:28 AM

A k-5 super and something new for the intro level market would definitely be a step in the right direction...guess we'll have to wait and see.

RonHendriks1966 · 11-22-2011, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by eddie1960

Ricoh has hinted about big plans, maybe we'll see a mass Ricoh-Pentax launch in January with MILC, 2 APS-C bodies and a FF. that would certainly make an impact

Well in that story (fairytale) I would trow in 645D Super and some lenses for all systems.

Asahiflex · 11-22-2011, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by Adam

A k-5 super and something new for the intro level market would definitely be a step in the right direction...guess we'll have to wait and see.

Please no K-5 super but a K-3 which will trounce the K-5 in all aspects.

eddie1960 · 11-22-2011, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

Well it could be just K-s (or something) wich would be just a little upgrade to the K-r with the 16 megapixel sensor (only 12-bit) from K-5.

Could also be a new direction and completely new product without mirror addressing to that market.

I think a Ks is likely as you described, but I imagine there is an APS-C mirrorless around the corner as well, and a K3 (or whatever the 24mp K5 will be) so if they also go FF (or APS-H for you Ron) there could well be 4 new cameras in the wings. There has been some movement on K5 pricing (we've seen under $1000 more than once now in Canada) and it is close to it's replacement schedule.
They certainly seem to be better at keeping a lid on upcoming product than anyone else. That was why I thought a January launch of 4 cameras is a possibility (NEW Cameras New Company with 60 years of heritage ....blah blah blah type idea) Certainly Ricoh has the cash and seems to be moving into advertising positions with the new york times last week, and sponsoring the new under dog in the french premiere league (Dijon FC who were just promoted)
I think there is some good advertising to be had from an underdog (Pentax) pairing with an up and coming underdog (DFC) Synchronicity happening there

RonHendriks1966 · 11-22-2011, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by eddie1960

I think a Ks is likely as you described, but I imagine there is an APS-C mirrorless around the corner as well, and a K3 (or whatever the 24mp K5 will be) so if they also go FF (or APS-H for you Ron) there could well be 4 new cameras in the wings. There has been some movement on K5 pricing (we've seen under $1000 more than once now in Canada) and it is close to it's replacement schedule.
They certainly seem to be better at keeping a lid on upcoming product than anyone else. That was why I thought a January launch of 4 cameras is a possibility (NEW Cameras New Company with 60 years of heritage ....blah blah blah type idea) Certainly Ricoh has the cash and seems to be moving into advertising positions with the new york times last week, and sponsoring the new under dog in the french premiere league (Dijon FC who were just promoted)
I think there is some good advertising to be had from an underdog (Pentax) pairing with an up and coming underdog (DFC) Synchronicity happening there

Digital Fullframe Camera
That would explain the new sponsoring

eddie1960 · 11-22-2011, 10:52 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

Digital Fullframe Camera
That would explain the new sponsoring

BWahahaahaaa nice one

stanleyk · 11-22-2011, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

Could also be a new direction and completely new product without mirror addressing to that market.

I think this could be a distinct possibility.

Raffwal · 11-22-2011, 11:02 AM

A bit strange to discontinue the camera just before christmas shopping season. But if they're also reducing the K-5 price now, so perhaps they plan to make it the new entry level model and a new one above it should come sooner or later.

RonHendriks1966 · 11-22-2011, 11:11 AM

Originally posted by Raffwal

But if they're also reducing the K-5 price now, so perhaps they plan to make it the new entry level model and a new one above it should come sooner or later.

The K-5 for entry-level? That is an interesting idea. That needs some nice new camera's above it. I can see APS-H as mid-level and Full Frame as top-level.

Aegon · 11-22-2011, 11:12 AM - **1 Like**

For the record, the K-r is a great camera at a great price, and I hope whatever replaces it will provide similarly excellent value.

11-22-2011, 09:54 AM	#1
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Pentax K-r completely discontinued (you may want to read earlier discussion here first: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-r-forum/166053-pentax-k-r-discontinued.html) I just spoke with my contact at B&H and they said that the K-r has been completely discontinued. He said that there's still a sizeable quantity of cameras in stock, but once they're gone, they're gone. For me this is a little hard to believe, but if it's true, then something new's gotta be in the works, right?

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11-22-2011, 10:19 AM	#2
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	it's kind of strange. Maybe with the takeover, Ricoh want to be sure the new body will be very good, and delayed it. It can make sense because Pentax was supposed to show a new body at the "Salon de la Photo" in Paris, France, in september or october. Pentax didn't, arguying it was a "mistake" ! If Pentax can release it before christmas it can be really wonderful !

11-22-2011, 10:21 AM	#3
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	I'm not surprised Adam, it is well past a replacement date at this point. I would not be surprised to see an announcement of more than one model in the not to distant future This is a really good time to discontinue. high retail demand clears out the old stock so the new comes in clean. Maybe the replacement will have the K5 sensor (damn that could get me to downgrade from my K7 at the right price) Ricoh has hinted about big plans, maybe we'll see a mass Ricoh-Pentax launch in January with MILC, 2 APS-C bodies and a FF. that would certainly make an impact

11-22-2011, 10:23 AM	#4
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by aurele it's kind of strange. Maybe with the takeover, Ricoh want to be sure the new body will be very good, and delayed it. It can make sense because Pentax was supposed to show a new body at the "Salon de la Photo" in Paris, France, in september or october. Pentax didn't, arguying it was a "mistake" ! If Pentax can release it before christmas it can be really wonderful ! Pretty short for christmas. Ideally you want to be in store by Black Friday. Margin wise though a post Black Friday launch has a big benefit (at least for North America since most Canadian retailers react to Black Friday pricing now that the $ is at par or so)

11-22-2011, 10:25 AM	#5
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Well it could be just K-s (or something) wich would be just a little upgrade to the K-r with the 16 megapixel sensor (only 12-bit) from K-5. Could also be a new direction and completely new product without mirror addressing to that market.

11-22-2011, 10:28 AM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595 Original Poster	A k-5 super and something new for the intro level market would definitely be a step in the right direction...guess we'll have to wait and see.

11-22-2011, 10:29 AM	#7
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by eddie1960 Ricoh has hinted about big plans, maybe we'll see a mass Ricoh-Pentax launch in January with MILC, 2 APS-C bodies and a FF. that would certainly make an impact Well in that story (fairytale) I would trow in 645D Super and some lenses for all systems.

11-22-2011, 10:35 AM	#8
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Originally posted by Adam A k-5 super and something new for the intro level market would definitely be a step in the right direction...guess we'll have to wait and see. Please no K-5 super but a K-3 which will trounce the K-5 in all aspects.

11-22-2011, 10:35 AM	#9
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 Well it could be just K-s (or something) wich would be just a little upgrade to the K-r with the 16 megapixel sensor (only 12-bit) from K-5. Could also be a new direction and completely new product without mirror addressing to that market. I think a Ks is likely as you described, but I imagine there is an APS-C mirrorless around the corner as well, and a K3 (or whatever the 24mp K5 will be) so if they also go FF (or APS-H for you Ron) there could well be 4 new cameras in the wings. There has been some movement on K5 pricing (we've seen under $1000 more than once now in Canada) and it is close to it's replacement schedule. They certainly seem to be better at keeping a lid on upcoming product than anyone else. That was why I thought a January launch of 4 cameras is a possibility (NEW Cameras New Company with 60 years of heritage ....blah blah blah type idea) Certainly Ricoh has the cash and seems to be moving into advertising positions with the new york times last week, and sponsoring the new under dog in the french premiere league (Dijon FC who were just promoted) I think there is some good advertising to be had from an underdog (Pentax) pairing with an up and coming underdog (DFC) Synchronicity happening there

11-22-2011, 10:51 AM	#10
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by eddie1960 I think a Ks is likely as you described, but I imagine there is an APS-C mirrorless around the corner as well, and a K3 (or whatever the 24mp K5 will be) so if they also go FF (or APS-H for you Ron) there could well be 4 new cameras in the wings. There has been some movement on K5 pricing (we've seen under $1000 more than once now in Canada) and it is close to it's replacement schedule. They certainly seem to be better at keeping a lid on upcoming product than anyone else. That was why I thought a January launch of 4 cameras is a possibility (NEW Cameras New Company with 60 years of heritage ....blah blah blah type idea) Certainly Ricoh has the cash and seems to be moving into advertising positions with the new york times last week, and sponsoring the new under dog in the french premiere league (Dijon FC who were just promoted) I think there is some good advertising to be had from an underdog (Pentax) pairing with an up and coming underdog (DFC) Synchronicity happening there Digital Fullframe Camera That would explain the new sponsoring

11-22-2011, 10:52 AM	#11
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 Digital Fullframe Camera That would explain the new sponsoring BWahahaahaaa nice one

11-22-2011, 10:56 AM	#12
stanleyk Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Taylor, Texas Posts: 1,018	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 Could also be a new direction and completely new product without mirror addressing to that market. I think this could be a distinct possibility.

11-22-2011, 11:02 AM	#13
Raffwal Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The North Posts: 879	A bit strange to discontinue the camera just before christmas shopping season. But if they're also reducing the K-5 price now, so perhaps they plan to make it the new entry level model and a new one above it should come sooner or later.

11-22-2011, 11:11 AM	#14
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by Raffwal But if they're also reducing the K-5 price now, so perhaps they plan to make it the new entry level model and a new one above it should come sooner or later. The K-5 for entry-level? That is an interesting idea. That needs some nice new camera's above it. I can see APS-H as mid-level and Full Frame as top-level.

11-22-2011, 11:12 AM - 1 Like	#15
Aegon Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,416	For the record, the K-r is a great camera at a great price, and I hope whatever replaces it will provide similarly excellent value.