HD PENTAX-DA 55-300mmF4.5-6.3ED PLM WR RE

**BigMackCam** · 10-17-2016, 07:32 AM

Originally posted by normhead

I don't even think the K-3 upgrade is physically possible, and no one has presented a a shred of physical evidence that it is

Exactly. It makes commercial sense for Ricoh to have all recent-model cameras compatible with KAF4 - where possible - as that increases the market for KAF4 lenses. I seriously doubt it's physically possible to upgrade the K-3 in this way...

Zygonyx · 10-17-2016, 07:40 AM

Never had this feeling to speak evidences, when some here just speculate : dear sirs, if you were right, we would have got another answer (i.e. your "argument") from the people in charge, as interviewed by Adam during the last Photokina.

normhead · 10-17-2016, 07:45 AM

12. Are there plans to bring KAF4 support to cameras such as the K-3 or K-50?
We can't answer this question.

Read more at: Photokina 2016 Pentax Interview - Photokina 2016 | PentaxForums.com

Is that what you are referring to?
We can't answer that question probably means "we don't even know if that's possible." At least it could be interpreted that way, amongst many others. It's always a mistake to try and imply specific answers from non-specific information.

FantasticMrFox · 10-17-2016, 08:03 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by normhead

12. Are there plans to bring KAF4 support to cameras such as the K-3 or K-50?
We can't answer this question.

Read more at: Photokina 2016 Pentax Interview - Photokina 2016 | PentaxForums.com

Is that what you are referring to?
We can't answer that question probably means "we don't even know if that's possible." At least it could be interpreted that way, amongst many others. It's always a mistake to try and imply specific answers from non-specific information.

I'd interpret it as "We don't want to make it compatible, but obviously we won't tell you that."

I would expect Ricoh engineers to know whether something is possible or not. If they know it's simply not possible to bring KAF4 to the K3, then logic and the principles of customer relations would dictate that they announce this, in order to make sure customers don't get aggravated. Or say something along the lines of "We are not sure yet, but we are looking into it!". If, like now, there is a large number of people suspecting Ricoh is shutting them out on purpose, that is a situation that has exclusively negative consequences for Ricoh.

So either they want to shut people out from KAF4 in order to sell more new bodies, or they are just horrible at communication.

Kunzite · 10-17-2016, 08:17 AM

But, "we are looking into it" means "it's almost ready"

Not long ago, they were "looking into it" for the FF project...
There are two big barriers here: language and cultural. Careful when making assumptions.

**BigMackCam** · 10-17-2016, 08:27 AM

Originally posted by FantasticMrFox

So either they want to shut people out from KAF4 in order to sell more new bodies, or they are just horrible at communication.

The K-70 has replaced the K-S2, but Ricoh has provided a KAF4 update for the K-S2. The K-3II has replaced the K-3, but Ricoh hasn't provided a KAF4 update for the K-3.

If Ricoh had been able to provide a KAF4 update for the K-3, I believe it would have done so already, consistent with its approach to other bodies...

Kunzite · 10-17-2016, 08:30 AM

Specifically, Pentax K-mount DSLRs launched in 2014 and later are KAF4 compatible. The earlier models are not (or, not yet).

FantasticMrFox · 10-17-2016, 08:33 AM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

If Ricoh had been able to provide a KAF4 update for the K-3, I believe it would have done so already, consistent with its approach to other bodies...

Then why don't they tell us that? A simple statement saying that they would love to bring KAF4 to all cameras, but cannot due to hardware restrictions, would show that they care about their customers and stop people getting worked up over the issue because they feel treated unfairly.

Sometimes I just don't understand the way Ricoh communicates ...

Kunzite · 10-17-2016, 08:45 AM - **1 Like**

Would we believe them?
If "we cannot say" is interpreted as "we could do it easily but we want to force you to buy new cameras", is there anything they could say which wouldn't similarly be interpreted?

Mistral75 · 10-17-2016, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by normhead

12. Are there plans to bring KAF4 support to cameras such as the K-3 or K-50?
We can't answer this question.

Read more at: Photokina 2016 Pentax Interview - Photokina 2016 | PentaxForums.com

Is that what you are referring to?
We can't answer that question probably means "we don't even know if that's possible." At least it could be interpreted that way, amongst many others. It's always a mistake to try and imply specific answers from non-specific information.

I interpret their sentence as a polite Japanese way to answer negatively.

**BigMackCam** · 10-17-2016, 09:10 AM

Originally posted by FantasticMrFox

Then why don't they tell us that? A simple statement saying that they would love to bring KAF4 to all cameras, but cannot due to hardware restrictions, would show that they care about their customers and stop people getting worked up over the issue because they feel treated unfairly.

I'd certainly prefer they told us that, but I honestly couldn't get worked up over it.

I don't believe Ricoh cares more or less about me than any other company who wants my money. The K-3 does everything Ricoh advertised when I bought it, so I remain a very happy chap. That it won't (can't?) be updated to support a new type of lens doesn't make it a lesser camera.

I added my name to the list requesting a KAF4 update, and if it happens - great... but if it doesn't, I don't feel I've been treated unfairly at all. I got exactly what was advertised, and what I paid for.

You and I differ in our views on this, I think, and that's fine - it would be a boring world if we were all the same

Zygonyx · 10-17-2016, 09:12 AM

Originally posted by FantasticMrFox

I'd interpret it as "We don't want to make it compatible, but obviously we won't tell you that."

I would expect Ricoh engineers to know whether something is possible or not. If they know it's simply not possible to bring KAF4 to the K3, then logic and the principles of customer relations would dictate that they announce this, in order to make sure customers don't get aggravated. Or say something along the lines of "We are not sure yet, but we are looking into it!". If, like now, there is a large number of people suspecting Ricoh is shutting them out on purpose, that is a situation that has exclusively negative consequences for Ricoh.

So either they want to shut people out from KAF4 in order to sell more new bodies, or they are just horrible at communication.

Shrewed and incisive, as one would expect from a {fantastic} Mr fox

thibs · 10-17-2016, 10:52 AM

Originally posted by Zygonyx

I was told this ROM issue, did very likely sound exotic...

Try to Cram an EFI firmware into a legacy BIOS chip ans report back for the fun??

totsmuyco · 10-19-2016, 04:58 AM

Originally posted by normhead

12. Are there plans to bring KAF4 support to cameras such as the K-3 or K-50?
We can't answer this question.

Read more at: Photokina 2016 Pentax Interview - Photokina 2016 | PentaxForums.com

Is that what you are referring to?
We can't answer that question probably means "we don't even know if that's possible." At least it could be interpreted that way, amongst many others. It's always a mistake to try and imply specific answers from non-specific information.

It was the same way Olympus guys dodged the question whether 4/3 will continue or not. So I'd say it's their way of politely saying NO.

Kunzite · 10-19-2016, 05:22 AM

Maybe. But it's not the same way Pentax responded to the request for full K/M compatibility; then, they said "it's difficult".

10-17-2016, 09:12 AM	#582
Zygonyx Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ile de France Posts: 4,033	Originally posted by FantasticMrFox I'd interpret it as "We don't want* to make it compatible, but obviously we won't tell you that."* I would expect Ricoh engineers to know whether something is possible or not. If they know it's simply not possible to bring KAF4 to the K3, then logic and the principles of customer relations would dictate that they announce this, in order to make sure customers don't get aggravated. Or say something along the lines of "We are not sure yet, but we are looking into it!". If, like now, there is a large number of people suspecting Ricoh is shutting them out on purpose, that is a situation that has exclusively negative consequences for Ricoh. So either they want to shut people out from KAF4 in order to sell more new bodies, or they are just horrible at communication. Shrewed and incisive, as one would expect from a {fantastic} Mr fox Last edited by Zygonyx; 10-17-2016 at 10:27 AM.

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10-17-2016, 07:32 AM	#571
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,692	Originally posted by normhead I don't even think the K-3 upgrade is physically possible, and no one has presented a a shred of physical evidence that it is Exactly. It makes commercial sense for Ricoh to have all recent-model cameras compatible with KAF4 - where possible - as that increases the market for KAF4 lenses. I seriously doubt it's physically possible to upgrade the K-3 in this way...

10-17-2016, 07:40 AM	#572
Zygonyx Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ile de France Posts: 4,033	Never had this feeling to speak evidences, when some here just speculate : dear sirs, if you were right, we would have got another answer (i.e. your "argument") from the people in charge, as interviewed by Adam during the last Photokina.

10-17-2016, 07:45 AM	#573
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	12. Are there plans to bring KAF4 support to cameras such as the K-3 or K-50? We can't answer this question. Read more at: Photokina 2016 Pentax Interview - Photokina 2016 \| PentaxForums.com Is that what you are referring to? We can't answer that question probably means "we don't even know if that's possible." At least it could be interpreted that way, amongst many others. It's always a mistake to try and imply specific answers from non-specific information.

10-17-2016, 08:03 AM - 1 Like	#574
FantasticMrFox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Munich Posts: 2,339	Originally posted by normhead 12. Are there plans to bring KAF4 support to cameras such as the K-3 or K-50? We can't answer this question. Read more at: Photokina 2016 Pentax Interview - Photokina 2016 \| PentaxForums.com Is that what you are referring to? We can't answer that question probably means "we don't even know if that's possible." At least it could be interpreted that way, amongst many others. It's always a mistake to try and imply specific answers from non-specific information. I'd interpret it as "We don't want* to make it compatible, but obviously we won't tell you that."* I would expect Ricoh engineers to know whether something is possible or not. If they know it's simply not possible to bring KAF4 to the K3, then logic and the principles of customer relations would dictate that they announce this, in order to make sure customers don't get aggravated. Or say something along the lines of "We are not sure yet, but we are looking into it!". If, like now, there is a large number of people suspecting Ricoh is shutting them out on purpose, that is a situation that has exclusively negative consequences for Ricoh. So either they want to shut people out from KAF4 in order to sell more new bodies, or they are just horrible at communication.

10-17-2016, 08:17 AM	#575
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	But, "we are looking into it" means "it's almost ready" Not long ago, they were "looking into it" for the FF project... There are two big barriers here: language and cultural. Careful when making assumptions.

10-17-2016, 08:27 AM	#576
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,692	Originally posted by FantasticMrFox So either they want to shut people out from KAF4 in order to sell more new bodies, or they are just horrible at communication. The K-70 has replaced the K-S2, but Ricoh has provided a KAF4 update for the K-S2. The K-3II has replaced the K-3, but Ricoh hasn't provided a KAF4 update for the K-3. If Ricoh had been able to provide a KAF4 update for the K-3, I believe it would have done so already, consistent with its approach to other bodies...

10-17-2016, 08:30 AM	#577
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Specifically, Pentax K-mount DSLRs launched in 2014 and later are KAF4 compatible. The earlier models are not (or, not yet).

10-17-2016, 08:33 AM	#578
FantasticMrFox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Munich Posts: 2,339	Originally posted by BigMackCam If Ricoh had been able to provide a KAF4 update for the K-3, I believe it would have done so already, consistent with its approach to other bodies... Then why don't they tell us that? A simple statement saying that they would love to bring KAF4 to all cameras, but cannot due to hardware restrictions, would show that they care about their customers and stop people getting worked up over the issue because they feel treated unfairly. Sometimes I just don't understand the way Ricoh communicates ...

10-17-2016, 08:45 AM - 1 Like	#579
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Would we believe them? If "we cannot say" is interpreted as "we could do it easily but we want to force you to buy new cameras", is there anything they could say which wouldn't similarly be interpreted?

10-17-2016, 09:00 AM	#580
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Originally posted by normhead 12. Are there plans to bring KAF4 support to cameras such as the K-3 or K-50? We can't answer this question. Read more at: Photokina 2016 Pentax Interview - Photokina 2016 \| PentaxForums.com Is that what you are referring to? We can't answer that question probably means "we don't even know if that's possible." At least it could be interpreted that way, amongst many others. It's always a mistake to try and imply specific answers from non-specific information. I interpret their sentence as a polite Japanese way to answer negatively.

10-17-2016, 09:10 AM	#581
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,692	Originally posted by FantasticMrFox Then why don't they tell us that? A simple statement saying that they would love to bring KAF4 to all cameras, but cannot due to hardware restrictions, would show that they care about their customers and stop people getting worked up over the issue because they feel treated unfairly. I'd certainly prefer they told us that, but I honestly couldn't get worked up over it. I don't believe Ricoh cares more or less about me than any other company who wants my money. The K-3 does everything Ricoh advertised when I bought it, so I remain a very happy chap. That it won't (can't?) be updated to support a new type of lens doesn't make it a lesser camera. I added my name to the list requesting a KAF4 update, and if it happens - great... but if it doesn't, I don't feel I've been treated unfairly at all. I got exactly what was advertised, and what I paid for. You and I differ in our views on this, I think, and that's fine - it would be a boring world if we were all the same

10-17-2016, 10:52 AM	#583
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by Zygonyx I was told this ROM issue, did very likely sound exotic... Try to Cram an EFI firmware into a legacy BIOS chip ans report back for the fun??

10-19-2016, 04:58 AM	#584
totsmuyco Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Iloilo City Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,276	Originally posted by normhead 12. Are there plans to bring KAF4 support to cameras such as the K-3 or K-50? We can't answer this question. Read more at: Photokina 2016 Pentax Interview - Photokina 2016 \| PentaxForums.com Is that what you are referring to? We can't answer that question probably means "we don't even know if that's possible." At least it could be interpreted that way, amongst many others. It's always a mistake to try and imply specific answers from non-specific information. It was the same way Olympus guys dodged the question whether 4/3 will continue or not. So I'd say it's their way of politely saying NO.

10-19-2016, 05:22 AM	#585
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Maybe. But it's not the same way Pentax responded to the request for full K/M compatibility; then, they said "it's difficult".