Originally posted by fuent104 I was pretty upset by the interview, to be honest. I honestly think I am going to get to the point where it is necessary for me to switch brands. I'm in the film production business, and there is something to be said for using an "acceptable" brand of equipment. There are instances right now in which someone will get a gig because they use a certain camera (i.e. Canon 7D).
From what Carlson said, it doesn't look like Pentax is even interested in being a part of the conversation when it comes to video production. And he is kidding himself if he thinks many professionals would prefer to have to set an auto-i.s.o. range, then switch modes to video, then hope the auto i.s.o. is set to the i.s.o. they want to use, rather than simply being able to set the i.s.o. themselves. That is a joke, and it is embarrassing to have to work that way.
The fact that Pentax would send a representative to a show without giving any positive news seems ridiculous to me. What are they hoping to achieve, showing up and saying "well, we have nothing to tell our you." Saying that they're "looking at" longer lenses for the Q and K mounts, and that full frame "is out there," or whatever he said?
It all seems ridiculous to me. I can't believe they wouldn't send him out with a message like "we are doing our best to make the most dynamic, exciting, high-quality imaging products we can make," or "we are working to become a leader in the photographic industry over the next few years."
They are literally not giving us any indication that they are interested in being a leader in APS-C. Nothing. 645? yes, absolutely. The Q? Interesting. APS-C? We don't even know what the next camera will be. And, aside from the degree of quality, is there anything particularly innovative about the K5?
If that guy is there senior manager of sales and marketing, it is no wonder they are not selling better or marketing at all. I can't believe they would be happy with this guy.
To put it another way: do you think there is anyone out there who uses another brand who would read that interview, then say "wow, Pentax sounds interesting -I'd like to check out some their cameras."
Excitement is contagious. There is no better way to induce excitement about your products than to be excited yourself. Carlson actually says he's "cautiously optimistic" about industry, but not that he's excited about anything.
In contrast: Canon announced that their C300 was going to be a landmark event in the history of cinema. Fuji marketed a $1200 fixed lens as some sort of classy step forward in camera development. Same thing with the X-Pro 1. Hasselblad and Leica market themselves as premium brands. Sony markets themselves as "the future."
Pentax says "a high quality lens is going to give you better results than a compact camera where it's all combined together..."
"think we're pretty confident with our current direction with the APS-C and the 645, because we're addressing the consumer market as well the professional market."
"Obviously, there's material or product available out there, and it's still a great camera. It's still a very capable camera."
"You just look at what we have available, that's definitely where I would say we have a hole that I hope we explore."
[about video control features]"...I think what's important is to realize that while that stuff is... would be nice to have, it's not absolutely necessary."
"...our cameras are definitely very capable."
These are not the types of message the industry leaders are sending.
I don't think the company really knows where it is going. If they had direction we would know it. Everyone knows what direction Panasonic, Olympus, Fuji, Canon, Nikon, & Sony are headed. We know what they plan to develop and we have "road maps" to tell us what and when to expect it. I understand Canon and Nikon guarding their future products. They have big targets on their backs. Pentax...... not so much.
I don't think Pentax is in a position to pull that off yet. Pentax is busy being Canon/Nikon - junior so they wont know what they are doing until they see Nikon or Canon do it.. Sony is off working on SLT (for better or worse) and NEX. Olympus and Panasonic are both committed to M4/3 and are growing very well. The E-P3, 12mm f/2, & 45mm f/1.8 have been very successful. Panasonic is doing really well with HD video, and its GX-1 looks like a very solid performer for M4/3. Canon rolled out the 1DX and Nikon the D4 to strengthen their hold on the professions sports and PJ market. Fuji has vaulted itself into the conversation with the X100 and now the XP1. Fuji probably will not produce enough XP1's to make a dent in market share, but they will sell everyone they make for a hefty margin. Fuji might have just put the first really professional grade EVIL on the market.
I hope I am wrong. I hope the reason Pentax is so quiet is because they have something so cool and revolutionary ready to launch that they are laying low and plan on stealing the show next month, but I get the feeling that is not the case. I think they are going to warm up their existing product lines with a new Sony sensor and call it a day. Nothing wrong with that. The K-5 will be a great camera with the new 24MP sensor, assuming they don't have the same color shift and blooming that the NEX-7 is having with older lenses.