Ricoh announces company name change - no more Pentax Ricoh Imaging, just Ricoh.

IchabodCrane · 07-01-2013, 08:30 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Nope, Ricoh is a huge name in business machines and a long-running maker of photographic products (since 1936).

Steve

Cameras are consumer electronics products, not business machines. Would you be excited over a Xerox DSLR?

**LaurenOE** · 07-01-2013, 08:35 PM

<redacted> I am so frustrated with Pentax/Ricoh. <sigh>.

Bob from Aus · 07-01-2013, 08:37 PM

All my gear has pentax plastered over it. That won't change. Only gear I really need is the occasional new camera.

Julie · 07-01-2013, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by K57XR

"All new Ricoh Full Frame dSLR....

Gray · 07-01-2013, 08:43 PM

Well that [combined name] didn't last long...

In my mind "Ricoh" = copiers, "Pentax" = cameras. I'm sure I'm not alone in my thinking.

It would be very sad (and quite stupid) for the Pentax brand to disappear - and dishonourable, in fact, to the legacy of the Pentax company and all who worked to build it.

Let's hope this is a Ricoh corporate ego thing and not the beginnings of the end of the Pentax brand.

**geomez** · 07-01-2013, 08:45 PM

Who cares?

Does it still say Pentax on your gear and the gear currently being sold?

Aren't the products still awesome, interesting, and fun?

Didn't it used to say "Hoya" on the bottom of the cameras for a few years?

...I thought so ...moving on.

Rupert · 07-01-2013, 08:46 PM

In this new world of international marketing and trade, does it really make any difference? Pentax has lost a lot of value as a name anyhow, most young people in many parts of the world have never heard of it. Ricoh is no worse a name than Samsung...and they seem to be doing just fine! I bet they even have a FF camera out before Pentax..or Ricoh...or whatever?
Regards!

reivax · 07-01-2013, 08:47 PM

Originally posted by Old Man

I have been using Pentax for 20 years, and will also retire from shooting if the name is removed.

I don't care what the name of the company is as long as the camera still says Pentax. I would definitely start my transition to another company if the cameras no longer said Pentax on them. To me, it seems like the next logical step, after dropping the Pentax name from cameras (I understand that's not what is happening right now), would be to drop the K-mount. If I'm going to have to use an adapter to use my lenses, then it might as well be on a camera that has more third party support than Pentax/Ricoh.

Pentax and the K-mount are the only thing that have kept me on board. I haven't purchased a lens in a while because I am very unsure of the direction that Ricoh is taking Pentax. I can't make anymore big investments in a company that has only shown me its ability to use the same sensor over and over again and hope that it gets people excited with new colors. I know their current strategy is to get new users, but what about the current users? I hope I don't sound like I'm whining, I'm really not trying to, but that is just how I feel. I probably don't need anything more than 16 megapixels, but better low-light capabilities, tethering, and auto-focus speed sure do sound great.

The company name change doesn't make me worry, but any more changes might rock the boat a little too much.

cali92rs · 07-01-2013, 08:55 PM

My Takumars don't say pentax, they say asahi.
Unless Ricoh doesn't start putting Asahi on their cameras I will never buy one! /sarcasm

**interested_observer** · 07-01-2013, 08:56 PM

What the new Pentax camera will look like?

SyncGuy · 07-01-2013, 08:58 PM

Originally posted by reivax

I don't care what the name of the company is as long as the camera still says Pentax. I would definitely start my transition to another company if the cameras no longer said Pentax on them. To me, it seems like the next logical step, after dropping the Pentax name from cameras (I understand that's not what is happening right now), would be to drop the K-mount. If I'm going to have to use an adapter to use my lenses, then it might as well be on a camera that has more third party support than Pentax/Ricoh.

Pentax and the K-mount are the only thing that have kept me on board. I haven't purchased a lens in a while because I am very unsure of the direction that Ricoh is taking Pentax. I can't make anymore big investments in a company that has only shown me its ability to use the same sensor over and over again and hope that it gets people excited with new colors. I know their current strategy is to get new users, but what about the current users? I hope I don't sound like I'm whining, I'm really not trying to, but that is just how I feel. I probably don't need anything more than 16 megapixels, but better low-light capabilities, tethering, and auto-focus speed sure do sound great.

The company name change doesn't make me worry, but any more changes might rock the boat a little too much.

Same here...

And i share the same sentiments as you... Sooner or later, K-mount would be dropped and "relegated" as totally something of the past together with the likes of M42 mounts.
Not saying that lenses of M42 mounts are bad, but functionality has dropped by a lot actually; the all popular crippled K-mount?

And the recent most underhanded, silent further crippling is in the K5 onwards i believe. **Not many who have used the Kr realised that in DOF preview, the Kr actually meters the scene and allows user to adjust the shutter speed at the same time while showing DOF at the selected aperture for pre-A lenses. Ever since then, models after that only shows DOF preview and nothing else can be done.**

** I might be wrong but i've been missing this function on my K30 and can't figure out a way to do the same as my Kr.

So it's a matter of time before Ricoh, being in the mirrorless segment, drops support for F and FA series lenses..

Sure, they will be able to design an adapter to mount current Pentax lenses, but:

1) I sure don't think it's nice to slap on the lenses on a Ricoh GR via an adapter (can you guys imagine the look?)
2) will the said adapter retain full functionality for post-A series lenses? eg, autofocus for F and FA series.

**interested_observer** · 07-01-2013, 09:01 PM

Originally posted by cali92rs

My Takumars don't say pentax, they say asahi.
Unless Ricoh doesn't start putting Asahi on their cameras I will never buy one! /sarcasm

Yes, and I still have my Asahi Pentax Spotmatic. Asahi adopted for their company name, their most successful and recgnizable product. Ricoh, I have a feeling is just putting their "brand" on everything that they own.

So, Adam - have you registered the name RicohForums.com? Have you considered a transition plan?

Just inquiring....

cali92rs · 07-01-2013, 09:12 PM

Companies that are much bigger and much more powerful than Pentax are absorbed and chopped up all the time. Why is this so shocking?

**Deimos** · 07-01-2013, 09:18 PM

The sky is falling, the sky is falling!

Relax, Pentax isnt going anywhere anytime soon. Ricoh is a lot smarter than to toss the Pentax brand out the window.

cali92rs · 07-01-2013, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by K57XR

Sony did it to Minolta. I won't be surprise if the next "big-release" will have the Ricoh logo on them........"All new Ricoh Full Frame dSLR....

That definitely wouldn't surprise me. I also wouldn't be surprised if they bought Pentax just for the k-mount lens portfolio. Maybe the cameras going forward will be ricohs with Pentax branded lenses.

07-01-2013, 08:35 PM	#17
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	<redacted> I am so frustrated with Pentax/Ricoh. <sigh>. Last edited by LaurenOE; 07-01-2013 at 09:00 PM.

07-01-2013, 08:58 PM	#26
SyncGuy Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 821	Originally posted by reivax I don't care what the name of the company is as long as the camera still says Pentax. I would definitely start my transition to another company if the cameras no longer said Pentax on them. To me, it seems like the next logical step, after dropping the Pentax name from cameras (I understand that's not what is happening right now), would be to drop the K-mount. If I'm going to have to use an adapter to use my lenses, then it might as well be on a camera that has more third party support than Pentax/Ricoh. Pentax and the K-mount are the only thing that have kept me on board. I haven't purchased a lens in a while because I am very unsure of the direction that Ricoh is taking Pentax. I can't make anymore big investments in a company that has only shown me its ability to use the same sensor over and over again and hope that it gets people excited with new colors. I know their current strategy is to get new users, but what about the current users? I hope I don't sound like I'm whining, I'm really not trying to, but that is just how I feel. I probably don't need anything more than 16 megapixels, but better low-light capabilities, tethering, and auto-focus speed sure do sound great. The company name change doesn't make me worry, but any more changes might rock the boat a little too much. Same here... And i share the same sentiments as you... Sooner or later, K-mount would be dropped and "relegated" as totally something of the past together with the likes of M42 mounts. Not saying that lenses of M42 mounts are bad, but functionality has dropped by a lot actually; the all popular crippled K-mount? And the recent most underhanded, silent further crippling is in the K5 onwards i believe. Not many who have used the Kr realised that in DOF preview, the Kr actually meters the scene and allows user to adjust the shutter speed at the same time while showing DOF at the selected aperture for pre-A lenses. Ever since then, models after that only shows DOF preview and nothing else can be done. ** I might be wrong but i've been missing this function on my K30 and can't figure out a way to do the same as my Kr. So it's a matter of time before Ricoh, being in the mirrorless segment, drops support for F and FA series lenses.. Sure, they will be able to design an adapter to mount current Pentax lenses, but: 1) I sure don't think it's nice to slap on the lenses on a Ricoh GR via an adapter (can you guys imagine the look?) 2) will the said adapter retain full functionality for post-A series lenses? eg, autofocus for F and FA series. Last edited by SyncGuy; 07-01-2013 at 09:03 PM.

07-01-2013, 09:01 PM	#27
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Originally posted by cali92rs My Takumars don't say pentax, they say asahi. Unless Ricoh doesn't start putting Asahi on their cameras I will never buy one! /sarcasm Yes, and I still have my Asahi Pentax Spotmatic. Asahi adopted for their company name, their most successful and recgnizable product. Ricoh, I have a feeling is just putting their "brand" on everything that they own. So, Adam - have you registered the name RicohForums.com? Have you considered a transition plan? Just inquiring.... Last edited by interested_observer; 07-01-2013 at 09:08 PM.

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07-01-2013, 08:30 PM	#16
IchabodCrane Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,728	Originally posted by stevebrot Nope, Ricoh is a huge name in business machines and a long-running maker of photographic products (since 1936). Steve Cameras are consumer electronics products, not business machines. Would you be excited over a Xerox DSLR?

07-01-2013, 08:37 PM	#18
Bob from Aus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,094	All my gear has pentax plastered over it. That won't change. Only gear I really need is the occasional new camera.

07-01-2013, 08:40 PM	#19
Julie Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Illinois Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,069	Originally posted by K57XR "All new Ricoh Full Frame dSLR....

07-01-2013, 08:43 PM	#20
Gray Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Town Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	Well that [combined name] didn't last long... In my mind "Ricoh" = copiers, "Pentax" = cameras. I'm sure I'm not alone in my thinking. It would be very sad (and quite stupid) for the Pentax brand to disappear - and dishonourable, in fact, to the legacy of the Pentax company and all who worked to build it. Let's hope this is a Ricoh corporate ego thing and not the beginnings of the end of the Pentax brand.

07-01-2013, 08:45 PM	#21
geomez Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Roanoke, Virginia, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,760	Who cares? Does it still say Pentax on your gear and the gear currently being sold? Aren't the products still awesome, interesting, and fun? Didn't it used to say "Hoya" on the bottom of the cameras for a few years? ...I thought so ...moving on.

07-01-2013, 08:46 PM	#22
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	In this new world of international marketing and trade, does it really make any difference? Pentax has lost a lot of value as a name anyhow, most young people in many parts of the world have never heard of it. Ricoh is no worse a name than Samsung...and they seem to be doing just fine! I bet they even have a FF camera out before Pentax..or Ricoh...or whatever? Regards!

07-01-2013, 08:47 PM	#23
reivax Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: California Posts: 826	Originally posted by Old Man I have been using Pentax for 20 years, and will also retire from shooting if the name is removed. I don't care what the name of the company is as long as the camera still says Pentax. I would definitely start my transition to another company if the cameras no longer said Pentax on them. To me, it seems like the next logical step, after dropping the Pentax name from cameras (I understand that's not what is happening right now), would be to drop the K-mount. If I'm going to have to use an adapter to use my lenses, then it might as well be on a camera that has more third party support than Pentax/Ricoh. Pentax and the K-mount are the only thing that have kept me on board. I haven't purchased a lens in a while because I am very unsure of the direction that Ricoh is taking Pentax. I can't make anymore big investments in a company that has only shown me its ability to use the same sensor over and over again and hope that it gets people excited with new colors. I know their current strategy is to get new users, but what about the current users? I hope I don't sound like I'm whining, I'm really not trying to, but that is just how I feel. I probably don't need anything more than 16 megapixels, but better low-light capabilities, tethering, and auto-focus speed sure do sound great. The company name change doesn't make me worry, but any more changes might rock the boat a little too much.

07-01-2013, 08:55 PM	#24
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	My Takumars don't say pentax, they say asahi. Unless Ricoh doesn't start putting Asahi on their cameras I will never buy one! /sarcasm

07-01-2013, 08:56 PM	#25
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	What the new Pentax camera will look like?

07-01-2013, 09:12 PM	#28
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Companies that are much bigger and much more powerful than Pentax are absorbed and chopped up all the time. Why is this so shocking?

07-01-2013, 09:18 PM	#29
Deimos Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kingdom of Wonder Posts: 1,777	The sky is falling, the sky is falling! Relax, Pentax isnt going anywhere anytime soon. Ricoh is a lot smarter than to toss the Pentax brand out the window.

07-01-2013, 09:19 PM	#30
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by K57XR Sony did it to Minolta. I won't be surprise if the next "big-release" will have the Ricoh logo on them........"All new Ricoh Full Frame dSLR.... That definitely wouldn't surprise me. I also wouldn't be surprised if they bought Pentax just for the k-mount lens portfolio. Maybe the cameras going forward will be ricohs with Pentax branded lenses.