An interview with Pentax Executive Vice President Jim Malcolm

Clavius · 04-12-2013, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

Pentax will sell shitloads of cameras if they give them a retro design like the MX and K1000. NOW is the time to cash on the fact that retro sells well...Just look at Olympus & Fuji.

In fact they are already experimenting with that (MX-1), so I think we can expect retro-DSLR's very soon. This will generate lots of interest, who cares about the Nth black shapeless blob with the Canon name on it

(In fact I think Pentax MUST do it otherwise there's not much to choose them over Canon & Nikon other than the fact that Pentax has lots of small primes).

Who buys these fugly retro styled ergonomic disasters anyway? I won't touch those with 10 foot pole. Even Sony's SLT camera's designs look MUCH better then those.

Anyway, I think the decline in Pentax sales proves that the cosmetics of the cameras don't improve sales very much. All Pentax did recently is cosmetics and it didn't help.

Asahiflex · 04-12-2013, 07:03 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Clavius

All Pentax did recently is cosmetics and it didn't help.

Yup, imagine what would have happened if the K-01 was styled like a MX. But no, it had to be shaped like a brick with a chimney in front of it. No wonder that it didn't sell and that camera is exactly why i think that the next camera will be retro-styled.

"Ergonomic disasters"? You got to be kidding.

Clavius · 04-12-2013, 07:11 AM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

Yup, imagine what would have happened if the K-01 was styled like a MX. But no, it had to be shaped like a brick with a chimney in front of it. No wonder that it didn't sell and that camera is exactly why i think that the next camera will be retro-styled.

"Ergonomic disasters"? You got to be kidding.

I'm 100% serious.

You have examples of retro styled cameras that are ergonomic as well then? Those two cancel eachother out.

Even the K-01 looks better and seems more serious then the MX.

mattdm · 04-12-2013, 07:42 AM

Originally posted by Clavius

I'm 100% serious.

You have examples of retro styled cameras that are ergonomic as well then? Those two cancel eachother out.

Even the K-01 looks better and seems more serious then the MX.

Not in the realm of retro P&S styling, but the the Fujifilm X-Pro and the Olympus OM-D EM-5 both have very nice controls. Both suffer from software interfaces that are not nearly as nice as Pentax's, but the physical arrangement of both cameras is clearly made to put photography first.

Clavius · 04-12-2013, 07:53 AM

Originally posted by mattdm

Not in the realm of retro P&S styling, but the the Fujifilm X-Pro and the Olympus OM-D EM-5 both have very nice controls. Both suffer from software interfaces that are not nearly as nice as Pentax's, but the physical arrangement of both cameras is clearly made to put photography first.

I guess your hands are very different then mine. The X-pro felt like something from the 70's to me. Lets not bring that era back. Thriftshops are filled to the brim with **** for people who like to live in the past.

LamyTax · 04-12-2013, 08:25 AM

Originally posted by Clavius

Anyway, I think the decline in Pentax sales proves that the cosmetics of the cameras don't improve sales very much. All Pentax did recently is cosmetics and it didn't help.

Are you kidding? SAFOX X is cosmetics?

Remember the times when everyone was trash talking the Pentax AF? NOT THAT LONG AGO.

lumbangorat_16 · 04-12-2013, 09:00 AM

Sleeping Giant (PENTAX) has just wake-up. Just give them a chance and doin' best.

Jan67 · 04-12-2013, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by Mistral75

Source: CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) http://www.cipa.jp/english/data/pdf/d_2012_e.pdf

I discovered strange interpretation of the y/y growth, looking at numbers in this table.
There is for example an y/y growth for production of Built-in-lenses Cameras 80,2%. In reality, this is not growth. When you take the same data from 2011, you will see, that production of 2012 is just 80,2% of the 2011. So the y/y growth is -20%!!

The y/y growth of Interchangeable Lens Cameras is not 143% but just 43%.

Anyway, those data show very clearly, that income from Interchangeable Lens Cameras will be soon (I guess already next year) higher than from Built-in-lenses Cameras.

**Ash** · 04-19-2013, 11:02 AM

I believe Jim is going to have an interview on Pop Photo radio at 10am PT in the US (Entertainment Radio Network | Entertainment Radio Network). Will anyone be listening in?

budm · 04-19-2013, 04:56 PM

interesting, thanks for posting

**Ash** · 04-19-2013, 07:27 PM

Whoever gets the chance to listen in, please post the highlights of the discussion. That would be great. Thanks.

Docrwm · 04-19-2013, 07:48 PM

Originally posted by Ash

Whoever gets the chance to listen in, please post the highlights of the discussion. That would be great. Thanks.

Thanks for posting. Don't they usually store those for later play?

Transit · 04-19-2013, 09:06 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

Thanks for posting. Don't they usually store those for later play?

Looks like they do and you can get them from something called Itunes free.
Surprised Apple does anything for free

**Fontan** · 04-19-2013, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by Ash

Whoever gets the chance to listen in, please post the highlights of the discussion. That would be great. Thanks.

It turns out that listening to the interview is not free. Jim was quoted as saying that if there are Pentaxians who pay $200 for a tethering software for a camera that costs nearly $10,000, surely there will be plenty of devotees who would pay $10 for a whole lot of nothing.

Transit · 04-19-2013, 09:36 PM

Not sure what the heck that means ?

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04-12-2013, 06:57 AM	#256
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Originally posted by Asahiflex Pentax will sell shitloads of cameras if they give them a retro design like the MX and K1000. NOW is the time to cash on the fact that retro sells well...Just look at Olympus & Fuji. In fact they are already experimenting with that (MX-1), so I think we can expect retro-DSLR's very soon. This will generate lots of interest, who cares about the Nth black shapeless blob with the Canon name on it (In fact I think Pentax MUST do it otherwise there's not much to choose them over Canon & Nikon other than the fact that Pentax has lots of small primes). Who buys these fugly retro styled ergonomic disasters anyway? I won't touch those with 10 foot pole. Even Sony's SLT camera's designs look MUCH better then those. Anyway, I think the decline in Pentax sales proves that the cosmetics of the cameras don't improve sales very much. All Pentax did recently is cosmetics and it didn't help.

04-12-2013, 07:03 AM - 1 Like	#257
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Originally posted by Clavius All Pentax did recently is cosmetics and it didn't help. Yup, imagine what would have happened if the K-01 was styled like a MX. But no, it had to be shaped like a brick with a chimney in front of it. No wonder that it didn't sell and that camera is exactly why i think that the next camera will be retro-styled. "Ergonomic disasters"? You got to be kidding.

04-12-2013, 07:11 AM	#258
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Originally posted by Asahiflex Yup, imagine what would have happened if the K-01 was styled like a MX. But no, it had to be shaped like a brick with a chimney in front of it. No wonder that it didn't sell and that camera is exactly why i think that the next camera will be retro-styled. "Ergonomic disasters"? You got to be kidding. I'm 100% serious. You have examples of retro styled cameras that are ergonomic as well then? Those two cancel eachother out. Even the K-01 looks better and seems more serious then the MX.

04-12-2013, 07:42 AM	#259
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by Clavius I'm 100% serious. You have examples of retro styled cameras that are ergonomic as well then? Those two cancel eachother out. Even the K-01 looks better and seems more serious then the MX. Not in the realm of retro P&S styling, but the the Fujifilm X-Pro and the Olympus OM-D EM-5 both have very nice controls. Both suffer from software interfaces that are not nearly as nice as Pentax's, but the physical arrangement of both cameras is clearly made to put photography first.

04-12-2013, 07:53 AM	#260
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Originally posted by mattdm Not in the realm of retro P&S styling, but the the Fujifilm X-Pro and the Olympus OM-D EM-5 both have very nice controls. Both suffer from software interfaces that are not nearly as nice as Pentax's, but the physical arrangement of both cameras is clearly made to put photography first. I guess your hands are very different then mine. The X-pro felt like something from the 70's to me. Lets not bring that era back. Thriftshops are filled to the brim with **** for people who like to live in the past.

04-12-2013, 08:25 AM	#261
LamyTax Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 376	Originally posted by Clavius Anyway, I think the decline in Pentax sales proves that the cosmetics of the cameras don't improve sales very much. All Pentax did recently is cosmetics and it didn't help. Are you kidding? SAFOX X is cosmetics? Remember the times when everyone was trash talking the Pentax AF? NOT THAT LONG AGO.

04-12-2013, 09:00 AM	#262
lumbangorat_16 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Cirebon Photos: Gallery Posts: 29	Sleeping Giant (PENTAX) has just wake-up. Just give them a chance and doin' best.

04-12-2013, 10:08 AM	#263
Jan67 Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 84	Originally posted by Mistral75 Source: CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) http://www.cipa.jp/english/data/pdf/d_2012_e.pdf I discovered strange interpretation of the y/y growth, looking at numbers in this table. There is for example an y/y growth for production of Built-in-lenses Cameras 80,2%. In reality, this is not growth. When you take the same data from 2011, you will see, that production of 2012 is just 80,2% of the 2011. So the y/y growth is -20%!! The y/y growth of Interchangeable Lens Cameras is not 143% but just 43%. Anyway, those data show very clearly, that income from Interchangeable Lens Cameras will be soon (I guess already next year) higher than from Built-in-lenses Cameras.

04-19-2013, 11:02 AM	#264
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	I believe Jim is going to have an interview on Pop Photo radio at 10am PT in the US (Entertainment Radio Network \| Entertainment Radio Network). Will anyone be listening in?

04-19-2013, 04:56 PM	#265
budm New Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 7	interesting, thanks for posting

04-19-2013, 07:27 PM	#266
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Whoever gets the chance to listen in, please post the highlights of the discussion. That would be great. Thanks.

04-19-2013, 07:48 PM	#267
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Ash Whoever gets the chance to listen in, please post the highlights of the discussion. That would be great. Thanks. Thanks for posting. Don't they usually store those for later play?

04-19-2013, 09:06 PM	#268
Transit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whanganui NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,624	Originally posted by Docrwm Thanks for posting. Don't they usually store those for later play? Looks like they do and you can get them from something called Itunes free. Surprised Apple does anything for free

04-19-2013, 09:19 PM	#269
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	Originally posted by Ash Whoever gets the chance to listen in, please post the highlights of the discussion. That would be great. Thanks. It turns out that listening to the interview is not free. Jim was quoted as saying that if there are Pentaxians who pay $200 for a tethering software for a camera that costs nearly $10,000, surely there will be plenty of devotees who would pay $10 for a whole lot of nothing.

04-19-2013, 09:36 PM	#270
Transit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whanganui NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,624	Not sure what the heck that means ?