Ned Bunnell: " I assure you Ricoh has clear plans to revitalize the Pentax brand"

asw66 · 10-04-2012, 08:25 AM

My offhand guess is that Ricoh will eventually push Pentax into the professional space with a full support network that basically extends Ricoh's existing support network for office equipment. (I'm not a pro photographer, but I've hung around this forum and others for long enough to know that professionals need a support ecosystem, not just a line of FF bodies and lenses.)

illdefined · 10-04-2012, 11:59 AM

Originally posted by Clavius

Yes, that by itself already is a good reason enough to stick around to see what Pentax Ricoh Imaging will deliver next.

I seriously dislike the idea of lensors though. (Like in the GXR.) Glass is forever, cameras get replaced every 2 years, mostly because of new sensors. Not being able to change the sensor would seriously suck.

the true genius of the GXR is the idea of interchangeable mounts.

I agree tying a lens to a sensor forever sounds bad, but in some instances it makes sense as a system, like carrying a high-zoom compact, and a specialized APS-C pocket prime at the same time with the same controls/body. obviously the prospect of having an M-mount or a K-mount and their respective lenses is a uniquely flexible one. at this point it's reverse, replacing the sensor/mount module every 2 years would be much cheaper than buying entirely new camera bodies...

Blue · 10-04-2012, 12:10 PM

Originally posted by Clavius

Yes, that by itself already is a good reason enough to stick around to see what Pentax Ricoh Imaging will deliver next.

I seriously dislike the idea of lensors though. (Like in the GXR.) Glass is forever, cameras get replaced every 2 years, mostly because of new sensors. Not being able to change the sensor would seriously suck.

a K-mount module would help with that.

Docrwm · 10-04-2012, 12:17 PM

Originally posted by illdefined

the true genius of the GXR is the idea of interchangeable mounts. I agree tying a lens to a sensor forever sounds bad, but in some instances it makes sense as a system, like carrying a high-zoom compact, and a specialized APS-C pocket prime at the same time with the same controls/body. obviously the prospect of having an M-mount or a K-mount and their respective lenses is a uniquely flexible one. at that point, replacing the sensor/mount module every 2 years would be much cheaper than buying entirely new camera bodies.

If it were just mounts and you could use lenses from other series it might be a solid option.

illdefined · 10-04-2012, 12:37 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

If it were just mounts and you could use lenses from other series it might be a solid option.

even if it was only K-Mount (other brands won't be giving Pentax/Ricoh their propietary mounts, M-mount is practically public domain), imagine how much money we could've saved buying new sensor/mounts instead of doing this ridiculous K-7 -> K-5 -> K-5IIs dance...it's the same camera

ihasa · 10-04-2012, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by illdefined

instead of doing this ridiculous K-7 -> K-5 -> K-5IIs dance...it's the same camera

Speak for yourself! My wallet has considerably more restraint....

Blue · 10-04-2012, 03:14 PM

Originally posted by ihasa

Speak for yourself! My wallet has considerably more restraint....

So does mine because there isn't much money in it.

**Fontan** · 10-04-2012, 03:52 PM

Originally posted by illdefined

even if it was only K-Mount (other brands won't be giving Pentax/Ricoh their propietary mounts, M-mount is practically public domain), imagine how much money we could've saved buying new sensor/mounts instead of doing this ridiculous K-7 -> K-5 -> K-5IIs dance...it's the same camera

But, I assure you that Pentax had a plan.

By adding minor upgrades without incurring costs, they knew that devoted Pentaxians will sink more and more money in camera bodies that were about to be obsolete shortly after purchase.

THey also had a plan with 645D line up. When the body initially came out, the lens line up was scant (it still is lol), and then they came out with 2 lenses that cost more than your kidneys. But they knew devoted Pentaxians will get suckered into this scheme.

What a great plan.

Kunzite · 10-04-2012, 03:58 PM

Should we talk again, let's say at the end of Q2 2013, and check how much of the plan you were able to figure out?

Wired · 10-04-2012, 07:59 PM

Originally posted by ogl

In Japan. The rest world has no any interests.

Wouldn't be that quick to judge. I've seen a few Q's here in Edmonton, actually I've seen more Q's this summer than Pentax DSLRs as a whole, so that's a neat plus. I've also witnessed one guy trade his Nex-5N kit for a complete Q kit. He walked out with all 5 lenses and body, thought that was pretty bloody cool.

Q's an amazing camera. North Americans are just too snobby to get past the small sensor. Just need to try it to figure it out.

**Fontan** · 10-04-2012, 08:47 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Kunzite

Should we talk again, let's say at the end of Q2 2013, and check how much of the plan you were able to figure out?

Well, I decided to get suckered into Sony's plan. I plan to pre order RX-1.

ogl · 10-05-2012, 07:49 AM

Originally posted by Wired

Wouldn't be that quick to judge. I've seen a few Q's here in Edmonton, actually I've seen more Q's this summer than Pentax DSLRs as a whole, so that's a neat plus. I've also witnessed one guy trade his Nex-5N kit for a complete Q kit. He walked out with all 5 lenses and body, thought that was pretty bloody cool.

Q's an amazing camera. North Americans are just too snobby to get past the small sensor. Just need to try it to figure it out.

The percent of sales are very high in Japan and very low in the rest part of our world.

illdefined · 10-05-2012, 08:00 AM

Originally posted by Wired

Wouldn't be that quick to judge. I've seen a few Q's here in Edmonton, actually I've seen more Q's this summer than Pentax DSLRs as a whole, so that's a neat plus. I've also witnessed one guy trade his Nex-5N kit for a complete Q kit. He walked out with all 5 lenses and body, thought that was pretty bloody cool.

Q's an amazing camera. North Americans are just too snobby to get past the small sensor. Just need to try it to figure it out.

I've noticed quite a strong Canadian contingent on this forum. Pentax must be doing a better job there than in the U.S.

Never see Pentax here in NYC, I've seen some at the airport, invariably French tourists. Seeing a Q in the wild would be like seeing a leprechaun.

Colbyt · 10-06-2012, 05:19 PM

Just one old pentaxian's opinion and from one not in the camera business. I think you need a line of DSLRs that run the fun width of the of the market to win. You need a budget entry level, mid-point and high end model. Then for the purists amongts us you probably need a full frame model. The smart company would make darn sure that the quality lenses they sold worked all across the spectrum even if they had to go mirror less to make that happen.

I doubt that exchangeable sensors is going to happen because they do need to sell you a new model every few years. Planned obsolescence is a part of a consumer based economy.

For the technophiles amongst you, Would it be possible for the k mount to be utilized on a full frame mirrorless design?

Blue · 10-06-2012, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by Colbyt

Just one old pentaxian's opinion and from one not in the camera business. I think you need a line of DSLRs that run the fun width of the of the market to win. You need a budget entry level, mid-point and high end model. Then for the purists amongts us you probably need a full frame model. The smart company would make darn sure that the quality lenses they sold worked all across the spectrum even if they had to go mirror less to make that happen.

I doubt that exchangeable sensors is going to happen because they do need to sell you a new model every few years. Planned obsolescence is a part of a consumer based economy.

For the technophiles amongst you, Would it be possible for the k mount to be utilized on a mirrorless design?

They did it on the K-01!

10-04-2012, 11:59 AM	#77
illdefined Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 929	Originally posted by Clavius Yes, that by itself already is a good reason enough to stick around to see what Pentax Ricoh Imaging will deliver next. I seriously dislike the idea of lensors though. (Like in the GXR.) Glass is forever, cameras get replaced every 2 years, mostly because of new sensors. Not being able to change the sensor would seriously suck. the true genius of the GXR is the idea of interchangeable mounts. I agree tying a lens to a sensor forever sounds bad, but in some instances it makes sense as a system, like carrying a high-zoom compact, and a specialized APS-C pocket prime at the same time with the same controls/body. obviously the prospect of having an M-mount or a K-mount and their respective lenses is a uniquely flexible one. at this point it's reverse, replacing the sensor/mount module every 2 years would be much cheaper than buying entirely new camera bodies... Last edited by illdefined; 10-04-2012 at 12:05 PM.

10-06-2012, 05:19 PM	#89
Colbyt Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Kentucky Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,417	Just one old pentaxian's opinion and from one not in the camera business. I think you need a line of DSLRs that run the fun width of the of the market to win. You need a budget entry level, mid-point and high end model. Then for the purists amongts us you probably need a full frame model. The smart company would make darn sure that the quality lenses they sold worked all across the spectrum even if they had to go mirror less to make that happen. I doubt that exchangeable sensors is going to happen because they do need to sell you a new model every few years. Planned obsolescence is a part of a consumer based economy. For the technophiles amongst you, Would it be possible for the k mount to be utilized on a full frame mirrorless design? Last edited by Colbyt; 10-06-2012 at 05:27 PM. Reason: add full frame to last line

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10-04-2012, 08:25 AM	#76
asw66 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 347	My offhand guess is that Ricoh will eventually push Pentax into the professional space with a full support network that basically extends Ricoh's existing support network for office equipment. (I'm not a pro photographer, but I've hung around this forum and others for long enough to know that professionals need a support ecosystem, not just a line of FF bodies and lenses.)

10-04-2012, 12:10 PM	#78
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Clavius Yes, that by itself already is a good reason enough to stick around to see what Pentax Ricoh Imaging will deliver next. I seriously dislike the idea of lensors though. (Like in the GXR.) Glass is forever, cameras get replaced every 2 years, mostly because of new sensors. Not being able to change the sensor would seriously suck. a K-mount module would help with that.

10-04-2012, 12:17 PM	#79
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by illdefined the true genius of the GXR is the idea of interchangeable mounts. I agree tying a lens to a sensor forever sounds bad, but in some instances it makes sense as a system, like carrying a high-zoom compact, and a specialized APS-C pocket prime at the same time with the same controls/body. obviously the prospect of having an M-mount or a K-mount and their respective lenses is a uniquely flexible one. at that point, replacing the sensor/mount module every 2 years would be much cheaper than buying entirely new camera bodies. If it were just mounts and you could use lenses from other series it might be a solid option.

10-04-2012, 12:37 PM	#80
illdefined Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 929	Originally posted by Docrwm If it were just mounts and you could use lenses from other series it might be a solid option. even if it was only K-Mount (other brands won't be giving Pentax/Ricoh their propietary mounts, M-mount is practically public domain), imagine how much money we could've saved buying new sensor/mounts instead of doing this ridiculous K-7 -> K-5 -> K-5IIs dance...it's the same camera

10-04-2012, 02:12 PM	#81
ihasa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: West Midlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,066	Originally posted by illdefined instead of doing this ridiculous K-7 -> K-5 -> K-5IIs dance...it's the same camera Speak for yourself! My wallet has considerably more restraint....

10-04-2012, 03:14 PM	#82
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by ihasa Speak for yourself! My wallet has considerably more restraint.... So does mine because there isn't much money in it.

10-04-2012, 03:52 PM	#83
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	Originally posted by illdefined even if it was only K-Mount (other brands won't be giving Pentax/Ricoh their propietary mounts, M-mount is practically public domain), imagine how much money we could've saved buying new sensor/mounts instead of doing this ridiculous K-7 -> K-5 -> K-5IIs dance...it's the same camera But, I assure you that Pentax had a plan. By adding minor upgrades without incurring costs, they knew that devoted Pentaxians will sink more and more money in camera bodies that were about to be obsolete shortly after purchase. THey also had a plan with 645D line up. When the body initially came out, the lens line up was scant (it still is lol), and then they came out with 2 lenses that cost more than your kidneys. But they knew devoted Pentaxians will get suckered into this scheme. What a great plan.

10-04-2012, 03:58 PM	#84
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Should we talk again, let's say at the end of Q2 2013, and check how much of the plan you were able to figure out?

10-04-2012, 07:59 PM	#85
Wired Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,519	Originally posted by ogl In Japan. The rest world has no any interests. Wouldn't be that quick to judge. I've seen a few Q's here in Edmonton, actually I've seen more Q's this summer than Pentax DSLRs as a whole, so that's a neat plus. I've also witnessed one guy trade his Nex-5N kit for a complete Q kit. He walked out with all 5 lenses and body, thought that was pretty bloody cool. Q's an amazing camera. North Americans are just too snobby to get past the small sensor. Just need to try it to figure it out.

10-04-2012, 08:47 PM - 1 Like	#86
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	Originally posted by Kunzite Should we talk again, let's say at the end of Q2 2013, and check how much of the plan you were able to figure out? Well, I decided to get suckered into Sony's plan. I plan to pre order RX-1.

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10-05-2012, 07:49 AM	#87
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by Wired Wouldn't be that quick to judge. I've seen a few Q's here in Edmonton, actually I've seen more Q's this summer than Pentax DSLRs as a whole, so that's a neat plus. I've also witnessed one guy trade his Nex-5N kit for a complete Q kit. He walked out with all 5 lenses and body, thought that was pretty bloody cool. Q's an amazing camera. North Americans are just too snobby to get past the small sensor. Just need to try it to figure it out. The percent of sales are very high in Japan and very low in the rest part of our world.

10-05-2012, 08:00 AM	#88
illdefined Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 929	Originally posted by Wired Wouldn't be that quick to judge. I've seen a few Q's here in Edmonton, actually I've seen more Q's this summer than Pentax DSLRs as a whole, so that's a neat plus. I've also witnessed one guy trade his Nex-5N kit for a complete Q kit. He walked out with all 5 lenses and body, thought that was pretty bloody cool. Q's an amazing camera. North Americans are just too snobby to get past the small sensor. Just need to try it to figure it out. I've noticed quite a strong Canadian contingent on this forum. Pentax must be doing a better job there than in the U.S. Never see Pentax here in NYC, I've seen some at the airport, invariably French tourists. Seeing a Q in the wild would be like seeing a leprechaun.

10-06-2012, 05:24 PM	#90
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Colbyt Just one old pentaxian's opinion and from one not in the camera business. I think you need a line of DSLRs that run the fun width of the of the market to win. You need a budget entry level, mid-point and high end model. Then for the purists amongts us you probably need a full frame model. The smart company would make darn sure that the quality lenses they sold worked all across the spectrum even if they had to go mirror less to make that happen. I doubt that exchangeable sensors is going to happen because they do need to sell you a new model every few years. Planned obsolescence is a part of a consumer based economy. For the technophiles amongst you, Would it be possible for the k mount to be utilized on a mirrorless design? They did it on the K-01!