[MD Optofonik]

1) It is no secret that the strength of any photographic system lies not with the camera bodies but more importantly in the lenses. What is your current vision regarding "Pentax" as a collection of systems (aka different mounts)?

2) What infrastructure development has Ricoh invested in and is planning to invest in to meet the increased production demands of late and projected demands?

3) It has been officially stated before that Ricoh plans to not only be a competitor in the global imaging industry, but the competitor. Ricoh Imaging makes fantastic products, however a unanimous complaint of the Ricoh/Pentax userbase is that no one knows about them except us. What plans do you have to catalyze increased brand recognition with Ricoh Imaging products?

4) With the 645Z and the K-3, you have done a phenomenal job of building on Pentax's legacy of class-leading products that can also keep up amid Mother Nature's wrath. With an increasing global market and prioritization of adventure sports, activities, and lifestyles -- all of whom require being in the outdoors, a place that lends itself to Pentax's forte and apparent monopoly among DSLR's -- what are your plans to catalyze marketing initiatives and partnerships in conjunction with outdoor groups, clubs, retailers, etc.?

5) There are deeply entrenched perceptions among your user base that the Japanese market is all that Ricoh seems to care about, with the rest of the world a mere after thought. One clear example of this was the scarce availability of 645 system lenses because, until very recently, they were completely unavailable outside of Japan. What have you done to place a greater imperative on not only critical markets such as USA and Europe, but emerging markets with high densities of rising wealth, namely Brazil, India, and China?

6) What are you doing to go all Armageddon and sh!t against the imminent Ricohpocalypse? Cuz, like.....PentaxisDoomed bro.

-Heie

Nice. Intelligent questions that ask about things that haven't been discussed ad nauseam. I wonder if #5 might not have to do with the rest of the Pentax users not being as appreciative of what Pentax is doing as opposed to what they think Pentax should be doing.

[Asahiflex]

My question is plain and simple:

"Why did you choose to introduce the Full Frame Ricoh GR before any Pentax DSLR with the same size sensor?"

Because this is exactly what I think will happen at Photokina. Full Frame: yes, but not in a shape or form we die-hard Pentaxians will be happy with.

[RobA_Oz]

My question is plain and simple:

"Why did you choose to introduce the Full Frame Ricoh GR before any Pentax DSLR with the same size sensor?"

Because this is exactly what I think will happen at Photokina. Full Frame: yes, but not in a shape or form we die-hard Pentaxians will be happy with.

Put an EVF plus dedicated tele and wide converters with a 35FF GR and I reckon more than a few of us might be happy with it...

[Adam]

My question is plain and simple:

"Why did you choose to introduce the Full Frame Ricoh GR before any Pentax DSLR with the same size sensor?"

Because this is exactly what I think will happen at Photokina. Full Frame: yes, but not in a shape or form we die-hard Pentaxians will be happy with.

I think this would be a very successful product if it doesn't come with a 3k price tag like the sony rx1. The GR is already overlooked by many Pentax users, perhaps such a move might change things.

Adam
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[HawaiianOnline]

Long lenses besides the 560?

[Uluru]

Long lenses besides the 560?

DA574?

---------- Post added 08-12-2014 at 06:33 PM ----------

1. Are they planning the K-3 Titanium version? If not then why not?
2. What about the ostrich leather trim version of the K-3?
3. If Titanium is not planned, what about black special edition K-3 with Rhodium accents?
4. Did they consider trying more lively colour schemes for the K-3? White-Powder blue would be very nice: fashion meets ultimate fire-power.
5. What about camouflage pattern body for the K-3? And camouflage pattern socks for all lenses .. well, not for DA40 if it's too hard.
6. Pop-art K-3 skin and pop-art lens socks?
7. Plush additions for all K-mount cameras: rabbit ears, koala ears, smiley versions of the lens caps?

[Chris Mak]

DA574?

---------- Post added 08-12-2014 at 06:33 PM ----------

1. Are they planning the K-3 Titanium version? If not then why not?
2. What about the ostrich leather trim version of the K-3?
3. If Titanium is not planned, what about black special edition K-3 with Rhodium accents?
4. Did they consider trying more lively colour schemes for the K-3? White-Powder blue would be very nice: fashion meets ultimate fire-power.
5. What about camouflage pattern body for the K-3? And camouflage pattern socks for all lenses .. well, not for DA40 if it's too hard.
6. Pop-art K-3 skin and pop-art lens socks?
7. Plush additions for all K-mount cameras: rabbit ears, koala ears, smiley versions of the lens caps?

8. Oh yes, and perhaps less important but anyway: how about some really fast lenses for apsc, and a FF body...

[rawr]

When are you dropping the K mount for F mount on your dSLR products?

0/10.

[mecrox]

One thing which often bedevils these interviews is the Googlebot factor - everything has to be translated from Japanese and the result is often terrible. I don't know how these things work, but wouldn't it be better to have an interview in English? If they said no, they would have answered the question above about being mainly focused on Japan.

[gazonk]

The GR is already overlooked by many Pentax users, perhaps such a move might change things.

Every time I think about buying the DA21, I wonder if the GR wouldn't be a much wiser choice: You get a camera body almost for free

[Mace]

Has Ricoh/Pentax considered a Monochrom version of their K-3 flagship or any other alternative model, such as infrared?

[Spodeworld]

Is pentax considering a real entrance into the mirrorless market?

[x4rd]

Do You plan to put HD and DC motor into the next * class glasses? How about 16-50 and 50-135 upgrades?

Is DC AF Your lead AF motor right now and are You planning to introduce another one in the future?

[marmaduke]

Long lenses besides the 560?

+1 on long lenses.

Even if they are only produced to order. Will they ever be a replacement for the 600mm, or the 1200 mm?
The 560 isn't up to standards!

[interested_observer]

1. Has Pentax considered applying your sensor shift technology in other approaches beyond its current set of applications (optical stabilization, shift lens, astrotracking, etc.)? Hasselblad is using sensor shift to increase the image resolution of its (MF) sensor. Pentax could easily shift vertically, horizontally and then diagonally a half a pixel and capture an additional 3 frames, that can then be combined together. This would take the current 16MP very low noise, high ISO and excellent dynamic range sensor up to 64MP (via post processing) which would be wonderful for static situations like landscapes, etc.
   
2. Another second approach (sensor shift application) would be to simulate a Foveon array through the shift a full pixel width, thereby enabling the stacking of the Red, Green and Blue pixels (in depth) across separate image frames. Combining image frames again should provide a combined image similar that would convert a Bayer Filter pixel arrangement into a Foveon array through post processing.
   
3. A capability similar to the current HDR mode that would use auto focus "dithering" to capture several independent images for focus stacking?
   
4. Would Pentax consider enhancing the Bracketing capability from a maximum of 5 to 7 images while keeping the +/-2ev step?
   
5. Would you be able to address the background for the crippled lens mount that has never been un-crippled? It would be great to be able to use the old M lenses in AV mode.
   
6. Any thought to going through Pentax’s extensive lens library and re-working the best and most popular older designs for digital?
   
7. Cooperation with Tokina – In the past, Pentax and Tokina cooperated together to bring out a number of lenses such as the 10-17, 12-24, 16-50 and the 50-135. Then it concluded. Any possibility of a future cooperation that would provide Pentax with access to the 11-16/f2.8, 16-28/f2.8, 12-28/f4, especially since Tokina does not support the K mount on their own.
   
8. Pentax started out as an optical company. Pentax has not been as active in producing lenses as it was in the past. Has Pentax considered returning its focus to its optical design capability as was done with the Taks, the pancakes and the Limiteds. Pentax has continued with its tradition in coatings with the HD and Crystal. Combining the two – great optical designs coupled with coating technology
   
9. I really like the O-GPS1 (on my K5). It would be even better to be able to adjust the ISO while still in Astrotracking mode (between frames). It would also save a lot of time and button pushes.
   
10. Any possibility of updating K3 or 645Z firmware to do 4k video? And on the topic of firmware updates – Thank You for updating past bodies and not forgetting them. That has been really important!!!!!!
    
11. Tethering - The models up to The K20 had it, and then the subsequent models did not. Tethering is really important (down low and shooting high elevation angles) when you do not have access to the rear monitor and the buttons. Any possibilities here?
    
12. Pentax out of nowhere has created some excellent imaging extensions – tuning the sensor’s base capability to something more in terms of ISO and dynamic range – in particular starting out with the K5 family. Would you be able to discuss Pentax’s views on the combination of image quality, dynamic range, high and low ISO ranges as opposed to just greater megapixels?
    
13. Would you be able to discuss Pentax’s approach to selecting a sensor for a new body. What is the Pentax design approach that you try to maintain across the product line?
    
14. Now that Ricoh has integrated the Pentax acquisition, could you discuss the advantages that you are finding across both the Ricoh G line and Pentax K/Q/645 lines?
    
15. Long repair wait times have been a problem. Is Pentax trying to make spare parts more available to the new repair center so that lengthy wait times can be reduced?