I'm just trying to understand your love-hate relation with Pentax
Hoya era... right:
+ pre-Hoya: Pentax was preparing the amazing K10D and a full range of lenses
- by the end of 2007, they had 3 DA Limiteds and 2 DA* lenses (and several others)
+ Pentax merger into Hoya:
- on August 2007, Hoya acquired Pentax Corporation. Dissolving Pentax Corporation scheduled to be completed on 31 March, 2008.
- "Hoya" Pentax lenses possible only after August 2007 + the time necessary for taking control + the time necessary to design a product and ready it for the market.
+
2008: the year with most lenses announced (
8 K-mount lenses); 4 DA* and 1 DA Limited. But those were developed before the takeover. Indeed, at least some of them were presented before then delayed.
+
2009: the first year where we could assume the "Hoya" Pentax had a significant contribution.
4 K-mount lenses - half of 2008; 1 DA Limited (the 15mm), 2 kit lenses and 1 weather sealed D FA 100mm macro.
+
2010: now we can clearly see Hoya's contribution:
2 K-mount lenses. The 18-135 and the DA 35mm f/2.4.
+
2011:
0 K-mount lenses.
So your "oasis" actually means
a sharp decline in new lens introductions, then stopping it altogether.
I'd rather have Ricoh Imaging's "poor management".