[Quicksand]

I won't be surprised if such happens to the FA35/2 and FA50/1.4 given what just happened to the FA20~35.

Totally. They'll probably turn them into slow DA lenses with plastic bodies. Something like a DA 35/2.4 and DA 50/1.8. That would be terrible!

Wait, what?

[Uluru]

In that case they wouldn't be updates - rather they would be discontinued, followed by new lens introductions. [EDIT: But I don't believe very much will change at all.]

I won't be surprised if such happens to the FA35/2 and FA50/1.4 given what just happened to the FA20~35.

And there's always this . . . Pro* Line?

Pro Line means updated DA* lineup. New (ring) type motor, weather sealing, etc.

[gazonk]

Totally. They'll probably turn them into slow DA lenses with plastic bodies. Something like a DA 35/2.4 and DA 50/1.8. That would be terrible!

Wait, what?

LOL - but to be fair, the DA50/1.8 is the new FA50/1.7. I long thought there would be no update to the FA50/1.4 since they have the 55/1.4, but IMHO they need a new 50/1.4 for the mythical camera that should not be mentioned in this thread, so there might be hope for an update version after all!

[Quicksand]

LOL - but to be fair, the DA50/1.8 is the new FA50/1.7. I long thought there would be no update to the FA50/1.4 since they have the 55/1.4, but IMHO they need a new 50/1.4 for the mythical camera that should not be mentioned in this thread, so there might be hope for an update version after all!

Well, that DA*55/1.4 supposedly works very well on cameras of the sort I believe you are alluding to. So the 50/1.8 and 55/1.4 may be about all we will see in that realm, for a while at least.

[Zygonyx]

Not quite sure where to ask this - there doesn't seem to be an obvious forum. Apologies if this is misplaced.

I am told that later MIJ 77mm Limiteds came with a black, rather than brown pouch. Can anyone either confirm or refute this with certainty?

Thanks.

Imho, answer is : Yes.
I got my 3 copies MIJ whith black pouches and golden inscriptions in 2008-2009 : PENTAX for 43 and 77mm + FA 31mm f1.8 on the 31 mm pouch.

[asahi man]

Pro Line means updated DA* lineup. New (ring) type motor, weather sealing, etc.

Sir,yes Sir

p.s.: fullframe maybe ;-)

[Pål Jensen]

Pro Line means updated DA* lineup. New (ring) type motor, weather sealing, etc.

Have to say that the combination of the 15 Limited, 20-40 Limited, updated DA* 50-135 and the FA* 200 Macro (which I already own), and maybe the 1.4X converter seems very tempting...

[Winder]

I believe, as others do, that tne update will be nothing more than DA or "HD", coating.

And a 20% price increase.

[Parallax]

And a 20% price increase.

Absolutely.

[Zygonyx]

And APS-c only...
cos this is the way... and the only one to allow WR + DC with no sensible volume increase of the Iens..

[Kozlok]

And a 20% price increase.

Not a chance it will be only 20%. My guess is at least 30%.

[Zygonyx]

C'mon ; it's justified by the "or later" ...

[HYS]

So how shell I understand this: no FF at all?
Well, but the new 20-40 red labeled zoom is noting so great and don't mark serious way for the future.
Expensive ant not so brilliant as I have expected from Pentax-Ricoh in this modern times.

[Uluru]

So how shell I understand this: no FF at all?
Well, but the new 20-40 red labeled zoom is noting so great and don't mark serious way for the future.
Expensive ant not so brilliant as I have expected from Pentax-Ricoh in this modern times.

Because the traditional camera market by the end of 2014 will be at some 40% of the size of the camera market of 2011.

FF did not make much sense in 2011, and was negligible part of the market. In 2014, when there is even 60% less buying power, it makes even less sense for any manufacturer to come with an FF, apart from those who already have extensive FF lens lineups and don't want to bother investing further into the APS-C.

FF makes sense to Nikon and Canon alone, as they will stop developing APS-C lines further. To them the story goes on like this: (A) they may further split their lines by introducing pro level APS-C cameras and more crop lenses, or, (B) they may use same that money and further invest in FF cameras for which they have 5x more lenses already and need no new ones.

So what would they do? What would any sane business do in their place and in shrinking market? Further split their lineup or keep it more streamlined? To them it makes perfect sense to play the FF game and sell people story that size matters. And you will buy that story. As will Rice High. It is not because the story is true, but because they are forced into it but people fail to see why. Canon and Nikon have no other retreat or else they will succumb. Their power is where their lenses are.

Sony, on the other hand, just plays cluelessly in the sand because they make sensors others buy, but they realise the time for games are over. They need much more to sustain themselves in terms of sales of cameras and lenses than they do now, and will start introducing (they already have) crazier and crazier cameras that utilise different types and sizes of sensors only to keep the supply of sensors at some sustainable levels and others buying from them.

Sony is becoming a new Kodak.

[Kunzite]

Because the traditional camera market by the end of 2014 will be at some 40% of the size of the camera market of 2011.

The ILC production figures for January 2014 are at about 95% of the January 2011 ones. I think you're way too pessimistic