[Kunzite]

If a FF is going to happen, it will be this year. This year Pentax will need to show the camera and have a reasonably close availability date - just like with the 645Z. An October release or never.

I have to disagree - there is no such deadline.
I believe we will eventually see a Pentax FF, but not this year. I can wait (it's want, not need for me), but those who can't perhaps they'll have to make a difficult decision right after Photokina.

[JimmyDranox]

Yes, for Pentax there is no deadline, but for thousands of Pentax users, this year can be the end of patient waiting for a FF. And even if the new K-S1 will bring new costumers, they will not be necessary enthusiast and loyal users, like the ones the will lose, if Pentax will not come with a FF. Need to say about lenses? From my point of view, the next two weeks will show if Ricoh is really dedicated to keep their promise, to compete with Canon and Nikon, or not.

And talking about new and young users, the new Sony QX1 can change many things in APS-C market.

[monochrome]

And talking about new and young users, the new Sony QX1 can change many things in APS-C market.

The form factor will be a real challenge.

[DennisH]

Yes, for Pentax there is no deadline, but for thousands of Pentax users, this year can be the end of patient waiting for a FF. And even if the new K-S1 will bring new costumers, they will not be necessary enthusiast and loyal users, like the ones the will lose, if Pentax will not come with a FF. Need to say about lenses? From my point of view, the next two weeks will show if Ricoh is really dedicated to keep their promise, to compete with Canon and Nikon, or not.

And talking about new and young users, the new Sony QX1 can change many things in APS-C market.

We've heard this before.

[Alizarine]

Perhaps two questions:

Is there anything in development for APS-C mirrorless, following the K-01? Or is it a truly dead product line?

Now that many MILCs like the Fuji system and Olympus OMD have taken away the size advantage of APS-C cameras from the previous decade, will Pentax continue trying to downsize their cameras, or fit in more technical and/or user-convenient features to be more attractive to target markets?

ok haha probably a third:

Is there any future plan for Ricoh to build or create a world-wide Support system for professionals using Pentax?

[pinholecam]

Pentax Forums should be putting demands and telling it straight to the Pentax folks at Photokina.
Time for questions (poor answers anyway) is over.
Wehave had what? at least 5yrs of that.

Either a FF or faster more comprehensive lenses for APS-C.

[jcagara08]

Pentax Forums should be putting demands and telling it straight to the Pentax folks at Photokina.
Time for questions (poor answers anyway) is over.
Wehave had what? at least 5yrs of that.

Either a FF or faster more comprehensive lenses for APS-C.

Ditto! FF Mirrorless APSC ILC too!
Heck those are the only stuff missing from the whole line up! Wait cinema cameras too!

[Kunzite]

Yes, for Pentax there is no deadline, but for thousands of Pentax users, this year can be the end of patient waiting for a FF. And even if the new K-S1 will bring new costumers, they will not be necessary enthusiast and loyal users, like the ones the will lose, if Pentax will not come with a FF. Need to say about lenses? From my point of view, the next two weeks will show if Ricoh is really dedicated to keep their promise, to compete with Canon and Nikon, or not.

I will not leave, you will not leave - there's no problem
Some of the new customers will grow beyond entry level and buy more expensive products, so products like the K-S1 are important. No strategy can rely exclusively on us, we are important to them but so is growing the user base.

AFAIK Ricoh never said they'll compete heads on with Canon and Nikon, I'm not sure what promise you're talking about?

And talking about new and young users, the new Sony QX1 can change many things in APS-C market.

The possibility to attach a large lens + sensor module on a smartphone... if it will change anything, it would be for the worse.

---------- Post added 07-09-14 at 05:56 PM ----------

Pentax Forums should be putting demands and telling it straight to the Pentax folks at Photokina.
Time for questions (poor answers anyway) is over.
Wehave had what? at least 5yrs of that.

You mean like:

I guess we can best summarize this thread to:
"Dear Pentax,
We hate you. Why don't you have a FF already?
Please die; but first, here's a list of things you should make."

?

[JimmyDranox]

Maybe was at Photokina 2012, or in another interview.

It is good that you will not leave the Pentax boat, but reading that forum, I have very much doubt that all those users who want and FF camera will do the same.

[Kunzite]

Compete, that's a given, but not heads on - their target definitely isn't being another Canikon (I know you didn't said that). They're already competing with products like the K-3, and out-doing them with the 645Z

Those who wanted a FF camera yesterday will be replaced.

[JimmyDranox]

I found something

An Interview with Pentax Executive Vice President Jim Malcolm - Reviewed.com Cameras

[Kunzite]

Yes, I remember that interview. Well, was Pentax Ricoh U.S. and not Japan, an opinion and not a promise, and the estimated target is 3 to 5 years.

[monochrome]

Yes, I remember that interview. Well, was Pentax Ricoh U.S. and not Japan, an opinion and not a promise, and the estimated target is 3 to 5 years.

From the PF Q Users Group Conference Call April 30, 2013:

"He spoke briefly, without prompting about the confusion and uproar that his comment regarding FF in the DPI interview caused, and assured us that FF is real, but also is not soon."

"Lastly he counseled a bit of patience. He cited CIPA data that show other manufacturers are producing significantly more cameras than they are selling, and thus experiencing an involuntary inventory build. Pentax is not subjecting itself to this risk. As a company Ricoh is twice the size of Nikon and half the size of Canon, so these business decisions are strategic, all made under an intermediate term belief that there can be a third major camera brand and it will be Pentax, and that the 20 year Vision remains to be Number 1. Within that strategy there are shorter tactical actions that don’t appear to make sense without the intermediate and long term context. He asked again that we be patient."

[beachgardener]

I think they need to explain themselves about this mirror flop thing, exactly wwhat it is and say what they are doing about it, and if there is a fix in the form of a new mirror box or otherwise from what serial numbers onwards, and not let it drag on. Maybe a K-3II will fix problems people have now with their cameras, that makes good cameras, they are feature rich as they are, then move on to new models, eg. K-1. Ask them about that.

[LeeRunge]

I'd just like to see a speedbooster for Pentax to get some FF like dof. I think APS-C quality is so close now that really it's just the DOF your losing. That or some .95 glass. If you compare K-3 images to FF they aren't that far apart on A7/Nikon 610 etc. You get a little bit better ISO above 6400 and some DOF. Fuji seems dedicated to APS-C as well and Olympus is sticking with 4/3. Nikon and Canon seem to not want to cannibalize the top end by producing full featured APS-C like Pentax.