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09-02-2016, 12:54 PM   #46
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Oops sort of blows up that entire thesis. But still, in the USA Pentax is tiny. Adding a lens to the catalog is an actual business decision. Correcting proofs with attribution.


Last edited by monochrome; 09-03-2016 at 05:32 AM.
09-02-2016, 01:09 PM - 2 Likes   #47
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QuoteOriginally posted by monochrome Quote
Oops blows up that entire thesis. Correcting proofs with attribution.
To be fair, you delivered it with such conviction that I believed you at first
09-02-2016, 02:16 PM   #48
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QuoteOriginally posted by yucatanPentax Quote
I was just going to say....

56,000 x 15% = 8,400 K-1 cameras.

Even at 5% of total production, there would be 2,800 K-1s in the USA. This is a pretty interesting topic. I wonder if there is any way to find out how many have been sold here. It's been said that Pentax sales in Japan are more than the rest of the world put together. I wonder if the USA is a pretty good chunk of the bottom 49%?
I honestly think the USA is less than 10% of global sales, and that isn't just a guess. Sure, we might have more than our share of K-1's, but what about Q, K-01, K-S1, K-S2, lenses - and the abject K500 failure which was specifically made for USA box stores?

I understand Ricoh is quite concerned about the continued decline of US market penetration.
09-02-2016, 10:03 PM   #49
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Nothing unheard of; even when distributors knew their entire line of mirrorless cameras is discontinued, Ricoh continued selling them not telling end users one word. Whoever bought K-1 in the West, already had some Pentax lenses from the Asahi era, including this ancient 35mm lens. Ricoh just send them more from the pile they had in Japan or elsewhere.
New 35mm is long overdue. 50mm too must be revamped. Current 35 and 50 are all plastic rubbish, in fact all 35 and 50mm are below standard of other DSLR brands. But Pentax users couldn't know for anything better, say, 35/1.4 or 35/2 with silent motors, ultra fast focusing, APO, and 9 or 11 blades? Yeah, dream on.
So they are happy with any antiquity Ricohs throws. But lenses this ancient were long ago discontinued by reputable DSLR brands, and updated several times since.
If they want new customers for the K-1, Ricoh has to move their backsides into action and stop feeding market with lenses older in age and construction than new possible users are.


Last edited by BigMackCam; 09-02-2016 at 11:34 PM. Reason: Edited vulgarity.
09-02-2016, 11:08 PM   #50
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QuoteOriginally posted by Uluru Quote
Nothing unheard of; even when distributors knew their entire line of mirrorless cameras is discontinued, Ricoh continued selling them not telling end users one word. Whoever bought K-1 in the West, already had some Pentax lenses from the Asahi era, including this ancient 35mm lens. Ricoh just send them more from the pile they had in Japan or elsewhere.
New 35mm is long overdue. 50mm too must be revamped. Current 35 and 50 are all plastic rubbish, in fact all 35 and 50mm are below standard of other DSLR brands. But Pentax users couldn't know for anything better, say, 35/1.4 or 35/2 with silent motors, ultra fast focusing, APO, and 9 or 11 blades? Yeah, dream on.
So they are happy with any antiquity Ricohs throws. But lenses this ancient were long ago discontinued by reputable DSLR brands, and updated several times since.
If they want new customers for the K-1, Ricoh has to move their backsides into action and stop feeding market with lenses older in age and construction than new possible users are.
It's pretty harsh ... but true.

Last edited by BigMackCam; 09-02-2016 at 11:34 PM. Reason: Edit vulgarity in quoted post.
09-02-2016, 11:38 PM - 2 Likes   #51
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I wonder how true it is. To me it sounds like insignificant fragments of facts interleaved with questionable claims and nonsense interpretation - all to attack Ricoh Imaging and its users i.e. us.

By the way, have you seen this?
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/lens/images/K_Mount_D_FA_Lens_Roadmap.pdf
09-02-2016, 11:38 PM   #52
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QuoteOriginally posted by Uluru Quote
New 35mm is long overdue. 50mm too must be revamped. Current 35 and 50 are all plastic rubbish, in fact all 35 and 50mm are below standard of other DSLR brands.
I totally agree that updated or new FA35 and FA50 are required, but the existing models certainly aren't rubbish. Plastic, in part, yes - but not rubbish. Look how many FA50 f/1.4 are still in existence and regular use, pumping out great images...

09-03-2016, 12:51 AM   #53
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QuoteOriginally posted by BigMackCam Quote
I totally agree that updated or new FA35 and FA50 are required, but the existing models certainly aren't rubbish. Plastic, in part, yes - but not rubbish. Look how many FA50 f/1.4 are still in existence and regular use, pumping out great images...
I do agree that the lenses do perform very well.

Ricoh should at least try to have all the lenses with more or less the same exterior aspect, to give a bit of uniformity to the lenses, to make them easily "brand-recognizable".
09-03-2016, 01:11 AM   #54
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I don't really think that my FA35 is bad. For the prize that I bought mine, I'v been happy.
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09-03-2016, 01:36 AM   #55
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No way are FAs plastic rubbish.
Plastic uglies maybe (but F are far worse). Plastic rubbish are 35/50 DAs, that I agree.
FAs are mostly metal. Weight an FA50/1.7 and a DA50/1.8. You'll be shocked.
09-03-2016, 01:56 AM   #56
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QuoteOriginally posted by clackers Quote
The poor man's FA31!

An outstanding little lens, really.
Also consider the FA 28 2.8 AL, if you can find one.
09-03-2016, 02:10 AM - 1 Like   #57
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QuoteOriginally posted by thibs Quote
Plastic rubbish are 35/50 DAs, that I agree.
I don't agree. The materials aren't as solid as the FA lenses, but optically both lenses are little gems. I've been using my DA35 f/2.4 for several years and, amongst all the lenses I own, it's one of my favourites (possibly my overall favourite). The DA50 f/1.8 is serving me well too. Plastic, yes - rubbish, no.
09-03-2016, 02:56 AM   #58
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The 50 1.4 lens formula goes back to the Super-Takumar. I think Pentax should keep it on as it is a defining lens for the Pentax legacy. Those old versions are used widely, also by other brandly shooters.
09-03-2016, 04:56 AM   #59
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I am not an expert at all but in an ideal situation I would like that Ricoh could implement a plastic DA L low speed lens line and a high-finish large aperture lens line, even that some focal lengths are repeated. Currently this would mean to make a DA L 85mm f2 (f2.4?) and DA L 24mm f2.8 to complete de DA L 35mm and DA L 50mm line. The higher quality line could consist of a D FA 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 135mm. All at f1.4, DC motor, quick-shift and super HD coating stuff. A D FA 18m f2.8 and a new D FA 300 f4 based on the current one would be fine, too. Considering the present-day situation of the camera business for all the brands, Ricoh-Pentax will never do this. I just expect that some sort of the D FA line will be implemented, anyhow.

Excuse-me for another "I wish that Pentax did..." post.
09-03-2016, 05:29 AM   #60
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QuoteOriginally posted by thibs Quote
No way are FAs plastic rubbish.
Plastic uglies maybe (but F are far worse). Plastic rubbish are 35/50 DAs, that I agree.
FAs are mostly metal. Weight an FA50/1.7 and a DA50/1.8. You'll be shocked.
FAs are ugly and have more plastic than metal. IMO in terms of build quality they are plastic rubbish. It's obvious Pentax skimped on them. The Fs have more metal. FA50/1.7 weighs 170g vs 205g of the F50/1.7.

I personally prefer the Fs way more than the FAs. In terms of build quality, looks and performance. I had two FA50/1.7's and after testing for sharpness I kept the F50/1.7. So what if they're grey, I actually like that.

I got rid of two FA35/2s. I wish they made a F35/2.
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