Originally posted by Kunzite It's not easy to explain as it is now. So what? They just started to rebuild their APS-C line; be patient.
IMO there are two things Pentax needs:
a. volume (here, entry level cameras helps)
b. advanced cameras for which technology can trickle down to less advanced ones.
I think Pentax is trying to address both issues; which means, the K-50 and K-500 actually make sense.
Pentax has a very competitive APS-C DSLR range. I think it's best in the market. But people are unaware of it.
Ricoh must:
- provide distribution and sales channels,
- must do some good marketing.
Pentax engineers cannot do that. Hoya didn't do a thing about it. Pentax has been left to vultures, they can inovate, but someone must help them in marketing. They may make fantastic camera concepts, produce killer cameras and lenses, but if no one is talking about it, if it's not available to try and buy, as soon as possible, then there's no point.
Thus because of that, I'm personally sick of hearing that
"Ricoh has a plan". Do you understand my rant now? I can go in the shop in Australia and see Coolpix A, it's there, but there is no GR in sight. There was just one (1!) GR camera sent to whole of Australia as a preview camera. Blunty had a chance to get it for a few hours to quickly preview it. One camera for a whole continent, with thousands of enthusiasts waiting in queue to buy it. And Ricoh Japan has sent one to Eric Kim, gratis, to have some fun with it when he's not gently stroking his Leica.
Can you believe that? And then, 10 GRs (yes, ten!) sent to Australia in the first shipment, although hundreds upon hundreds were pre-ordered. Whose problem is that?! What on Earth are they thinking?!
I blame Ricoh for that. Where is their damn sales and distribution channel now they are so proud of, what they do? Drinking some beer in the pub?
Let Ricoh show their commitment, let them show how they play their part of the game.