Originally posted by mee Well Nikon is supposedly in an impending doom state as has been predicted for at least a decade now.. I think Canon is rather healthy though, but they seem to be diversifying their platform more (just bought a medical equipment unit from Toshiba a few months ago) probably due to the shrinking camera market in general.
At the very least, with Nikon, you have a muchhh larger selection of modern lenses. I was hoping to buy the K-3II and use it for a couple of years while K-1 and FF lens prices lower a bit. But I might just hold on to the K-5II I currently use and see what 2017 presents since prices are currently increasing as opposed to their normal decrease. Prices are so volatile that I'm not going to make plans beyond that.
I see some lens prices are high now too.. DA* 16-50mm and DA* 50-135mm each for 1046 USD, They were going for 683 and 732 respectively back in February. We're just in a sellers market right now.. like the tide, will have to wait for it to go down.
I agree with you and will probably put off my decision till at least March/April 2017...to see which way things are going. I prefer Pentax, but I have had concerns regarding Pentax's future since at least 2006. The increase in prices, for example the K1 and the two lenses you cited....well I'm glad I bought when I did.
I'm not sure how Pentax can see themselves in a seller's market though, considering that their product availability in camera stores has gone down significantly and frankly is not competitive with other makes, particularly in the market I'm familiar with....North America.
As you say..".see what 2017 presents since prices are currently increasing as opposed to their normal decrease. Prices are so volatile that I'm not going to make plans beyond that. "... I also expected prices to go down on the K-1, not increase as they just have. This has been a surprise to me and as I previously mentioned has made me reconsider my K-1 plans and at this early point, initiated a serious look at other alternatives from different manufacturers.
I'm starting to think diversification as per my film days, may make more sense for me, at least, for the reasons I indicated in my previous post.
The K-1 maybe in high demand, but I suspect it is all relative and the sales number of the K-1, in my guess, pale compared to FF offerings from competitors such as Nikon, Canon and Sony.
I think Ricoh must reconsider significant price increases, given they are not in the best position...market wise and haven't been DSLR wise for many years. Yes, I know a company in order to remain in business, a company needs to make a profit and I'm certainly not arguing that point. For a corporation sometimes it can be a difficult balancing act...how much do they charge for a product.
But as a wise old salesman told me many years ago, a good customer is hard to get and easy to lose. The salesman also told me that you can't sell from an empty wagon...and this is what Ricoh appears to be trying to do...given the dearth of Pentax product available at many camera stores.
I don't have all the answers.