CES Pentax K-1 Rumor or Fact?

**wtlwdwgn** · 01-12-2016, 04:26 PM - **2 Likes**

I went to my local dealer today and he was talking about what he saw last week at CES. There were a half dozen K-1s available for handling on dealer day. No batteries and the rear buttons were taped over. The K-1s had the new DFA lenses and he said, "they were obviously made by Tamron." That makes a lot of sense to have Tamron building the lenses while Pentax ramps up production on the K-1. He also said that the K-1 has been in series production since September so that there will be a good supply on hand when it's officially released. Ricoh is also actively working on starting up a factory warranty and repair facility because most dealers won't stock Pentax without one. Apparently Precision Repair has an exclusive contract for Pentax repair that runs out mid year.

I'm just passing it along so take it for what it's worth.

Adam · 01-12-2016, 04:37 PM

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

I went to my local dealer today and he was talking about what he saw last week at CES. There were a half dozen K-1s available for handling on dealer day. No batteries and the rear buttons were taped over. The K-1s had the new DFA lenses and he said, "they were obviously made by Tamron." That makes a lot of sense to have Tamron building the lenses while Pentax ramps up production on the K-1. He also said that the K-1 has been in series production since September so that there will be a good supply on hand when it's officially released. Ricoh is also actively working on starting up a factory warranty and repair facility because most dealers won't stock Pentax without one. Apparently Precision Repair has an exclusive contract for Pentax repair that runs out mid year.

I'm just passing it along so take it for what it's worth.

Seeing that the camera was on display in Paris late last year, this doesn't come as a surprise. Everyone is expecting the official announcement at CP+ next month.

**jatrax** · 01-12-2016, 04:38 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

"they were obviously made by Tamron."

Curious about that part, not sure what would be obvious about the manufacturer unless the tag says: "Made in the Tamron Factory". We know it is a Tamron design, and it might well be built in the Tamron factory, I just don't understand how that would be obvious.

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

that the K-1 has been in series production since September

That is interesting since other reports have said production was underway in January. Still these are all rumors so who knows. But if they have been running the line with K-1's since September they must be expecting a big line outside B&H's door.

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

Apparently Precision Repair has an exclusive contract for Pentax repair that runs out mid year.

Cannot run out soon enough IMHO.

bertwert · 01-12-2016, 04:39 PM

Not too surprising since it was in display at Paris.
And it's not long till CP+.

rawr · 01-12-2016, 04:39 PM

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

The Tamron stuff is not really news, since the D FA 24-70 is already shipping, and a Tamron-made 15-30 f2.8 has long been said to be in the pipeline. But I would be very surprised if the other current D FA's (the 70-200 and 150-450) were Tamron's.

If they have been making K-1 bodies at the factory since September, by end February 2016 that means 6 months worth of production should be ready to hit the stores at launch. That's a lot of inventory about to enter the channel. Hopefully that means we will see store discounting take place immediately upon release.

Edgar_in_Indy · 01-12-2016, 04:49 PM - **11 Likes**

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

There were a half dozen K-1s available for handling on dealer day. No batteries and the rear buttons were taped over.

Hopefully they can figure out why the buttons are falling off before it goes into full production.

**rod_grant** · 01-12-2016, 04:49 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by rawr

Hopefully that means we will see store discounting take place immediately upon release

Not in GMT +10 you won't!

rawr · 01-12-2016, 04:58 PM

Originally posted by rod_grant

Not in GMT +10 you won't!

Unfortunately true, if the DFA 24-70 or the 150-450 local prices are any guide.

[Memo to CRK: pls be nice to us patient Pentaxians. Set the K-1 recommended retail price at a level that will encourage current (and new) Pentax users to actually buy the camera.]

kooks · 01-12-2016, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

That makes a lot of sense to have Tamron building the lenses while Pentax ramps up production on the K-1.

Im thinking the same, Tamron latest lense releases have been really good, and Pentax can tweak them a little to make them even better, so this way not all of Penatx R&D can be addressed to the lenses but more to the camera itself. Good thing is that production is moving, new lenses are coming, and hopefully we'll be happy with all this new tools.

By the way.. its about time for the FF website to release another "teaser".

mee · 01-12-2016, 05:08 PM - **7 Likes**

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

Apparently Precision Repair has an exclusive contract for Pentax repair that runs out mid year.

YES YES YES YES YES!!!@#!!@!@!@#!@!@!@#!@#

BEST PENTAX NEWS IN YEARS!!@#11

..that is.. if Ricoh doesn't renew with that awful place.

bladerunner6 · 01-12-2016, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

Curious about that part, not sure what would be obvious about the manufacturer unless the tag says: "Made in the Tamron Factory". We know it is a Tamron design, and it might well be built in the Tamron factory, I just don't understand how that would be obvious.
That is interesting since other reports have said production was underway in January. Still these are all rumors so who knows. But if they have been running the line with K-1's since September they must be expecting a big line outside B&H's door.

Cannot run out soon enough IMHO.

If it looks like a Tamron design and says "Made in Japan", those are pretty major clues that are Tamron lenses.

mee · 01-12-2016, 05:17 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

Cannot run out soon enough IMHO.

Wholeheartedly agreed! They're rather useless.

Kunzite · 01-12-2016, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by rawr

But I would be very surprised if the other current D FA's (the 70-200 and 150-450) were Tamron's.

They aren't.
I guess he was referring to the Tamron rebadges.

**monochrome** · 01-12-2016, 05:26 PM - **1 Like**

Asahi man has said this rumor, which went around last October, is false. The 70~200 is 100% Pentax design and asembly.

It would be humiliating to outsource a * lens, which is supposed to demonstrate your entire corporate ethic.

Kunzite · 01-12-2016, 05:27 PM

Originally posted by wtlwdwgn

That makes a lot of sense to have Tamron building the lenses while Pentax ramps up production on the K-1.

Pentax lenses are made into a different location (Vietnam) than the cameras (Philippines). And the K-1 won't be made in very large quantities, being a higher end camera (if I were to guess, no higher than 10,000 units per month).

Apparently, it made sense to have some of the lenses made by Tamron; for exactly what reasons (R&D, production, cost effectiveness) I don't know. But others are Pentax designs, made by Pentax.

---------- Post added 13-01-16 at 02:28 AM ----------

Originally posted by monochrome

Asahi man has said this rumor, which went around last October, is false. It would be humiliating to outsource a * lens, which is supposed to demonstrate your entire corporate ethic.

Of course it's false, the 70-200 doesn't match any Tamron. Compare that with the 24-70...

01-12-2016, 04:37 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn I went to my local dealer today and he was talking about what he saw last week at CES. There were a half dozen K-1s available for handling on dealer day. No batteries and the rear buttons were taped over. The K-1s had the new DFA lenses and he said, "they were obviously made by Tamron." That makes a lot of sense to have Tamron building the lenses while Pentax ramps up production on the K-1. He also said that the K-1 has been in series production since September so that there will be a good supply on hand when it's officially released. Ricoh is also actively working on starting up a factory warranty and repair facility because most dealers won't stock Pentax without one. Apparently Precision Repair has an exclusive contract for Pentax repair that runs out mid year. I'm just passing it along so take it for what it's worth. Seeing that the camera was on display in Paris late last year, this doesn't come as a surprise. Everyone is expecting the official announcement at CP+ next month. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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01-12-2016, 04:26 PM - 2 Likes	#1
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,838	CES Pentax K-1 Rumor or Fact? I went to my local dealer today and he was talking about what he saw last week at CES. There were a half dozen K-1s available for handling on dealer day. No batteries and the rear buttons were taped over. The K-1s had the new DFA lenses and he said, "they were obviously made by Tamron." That makes a lot of sense to have Tamron building the lenses while Pentax ramps up production on the K-1. He also said that the K-1 has been in series production since September so that there will be a good supply on hand when it's officially released. Ricoh is also actively working on starting up a factory warranty and repair facility because most dealers won't stock Pentax without one. Apparently Precision Repair has an exclusive contract for Pentax repair that runs out mid year. I'm just passing it along so take it for what it's worth.

01-12-2016, 04:38 PM - 2 Likes	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn "they were obviously made by Tamron." Curious about that part, not sure what would be obvious about the manufacturer unless the tag says: "Made in the Tamron Factory". We know it is a Tamron design, and it might well be built in the Tamron factory, I just don't understand how that would be obvious. Originally posted by wtlwdwgn that the K-1 has been in series production since September That is interesting since other reports have said production was underway in January. Still these are all rumors so who knows. But if they have been running the line with K-1's since September they must be expecting a big line outside B&H's door. Originally posted by wtlwdwgn Apparently Precision Repair has an exclusive contract for Pentax repair that runs out mid year. Cannot run out soon enough IMHO.

01-12-2016, 04:39 PM	#4
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Not too surprising since it was in display at Paris. And it's not long till CP+.

01-12-2016, 04:39 PM	#5
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Interesting. Thanks for the info. The Tamron stuff is not really news, since the D FA 24-70 is already shipping, and a Tamron-made 15-30 f2.8 has long been said to be in the pipeline. But I would be very surprised if the other current D FA's (the 70-200 and 150-450) were Tamron's. If they have been making K-1 bodies at the factory since September, by end February 2016 that means 6 months worth of production should be ready to hit the stores at launch. That's a lot of inventory about to enter the channel. Hopefully that means we will see store discounting take place immediately upon release.

01-12-2016, 04:49 PM - 11 Likes	#6
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn There were a half dozen K-1s available for handling on dealer day. No batteries and the rear buttons were taped over. Hopefully they can figure out why the buttons are falling off before it goes into full production.

01-12-2016, 04:49 PM - 1 Like	#7
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	Originally posted by rawr Hopefully that means we will see store discounting take place immediately upon release Not in GMT +10 you won't!

01-12-2016, 04:58 PM	#8
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by rod_grant Not in GMT +10 you won't! Unfortunately true, if the DFA 24-70 or the 150-450 local prices are any guide. [Memo to CRK: pls be nice to us patient Pentaxians. Set the K-1 recommended retail price at a level that will encourage current (and new) Pentax users to actually buy the camera.]

01-12-2016, 05:02 PM	#9
kooks Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San José, Costa Rica Photos: Albums Posts: 794	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn That makes a lot of sense to have Tamron building the lenses while Pentax ramps up production on the K-1. Im thinking the same, Tamron latest lense releases have been really good, and Pentax can tweak them a little to make them even better, so this way not all of Penatx R&D can be addressed to the lenses but more to the camera itself. Good thing is that production is moving, new lenses are coming, and hopefully we'll be happy with all this new tools. By the way.. its about time for the FF website to release another "teaser".

01-12-2016, 05:08 PM - 7 Likes	#10
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn Apparently Precision Repair has an exclusive contract for Pentax repair that runs out mid year. YES YES YES YES YES!!!@#!!@!@!@#!@!@!@#!@# BEST PENTAX NEWS IN YEARS!!@#11 ..that is.. if Ricoh doesn't renew with that awful place.

01-12-2016, 05:08 PM	#11
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,080	Originally posted by jatrax Curious about that part, not sure what would be obvious about the manufacturer unless the tag says: "Made in the Tamron Factory". We know it is a Tamron design, and it might well be built in the Tamron factory, I just don't understand how that would be obvious. That is interesting since other reports have said production was underway in January. Still these are all rumors so who knows. But if they have been running the line with K-1's since September they must be expecting a big line outside B&H's door. Cannot run out soon enough IMHO. If it looks like a Tamron design and says "Made in Japan", those are pretty major clues that are Tamron lenses.

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01-12-2016, 05:17 PM	#12
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by jatrax Cannot run out soon enough IMHO. Wholeheartedly agreed! They're rather useless.

01-12-2016, 05:24 PM	#13
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by rawr But I would be very surprised if the other current D FA's (the 70-200 and 150-450) were Tamron's. They aren't. I guess he was referring to the Tamron rebadges.

01-12-2016, 05:26 PM - 1 Like	#14
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Asahi man has said this rumor, which went around last October, is false. The 70~200 is 100% Pentax design and asembly. It would be humiliating to outsource a * lens, which is supposed to demonstrate your entire corporate ethic.

01-12-2016, 05:27 PM	#15
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by wtlwdwgn That makes a lot of sense to have Tamron building the lenses while Pentax ramps up production on the K-1. Pentax lenses are made into a different location (Vietnam) than the cameras (Philippines). And the K-1 won't be made in very large quantities, being a higher end camera (if I were to guess, no higher than 10,000 units per month). Apparently, it made sense to have some of the lenses made by Tamron; for exactly what reasons (R&D, production, cost effectiveness) I don't know. But others are Pentax designs, made by Pentax. ---------- Post added 13-01-16 at 02:28 AM ---------- Originally posted by monochrome Asahi man has said this rumor, which went around last October, is false. It would be humiliating to outsource a * lens, which is supposed to demonstrate your entire corporate ethic. Of course it's false, the 70-200 doesn't match any Tamron. Compare that with the 24-70...