Originally posted by FantasticMrFox Ricoh also seems to have worked on the AF. The original review noted that
"Autofocus with phase detection was hit and miss with tested sample". The new version says:
"The crisp and efficient DC motor drives the AF system and is quiet, fast and reliable."
Well, Ricoh took over Pentax in October 2011. I think that about five and a half years after the acquisition, 'Hoya' is not a valid excuse anymore if someone goes wrong in Pentaxland
Of course it is. Capital remained tight for three years after the acquisition - and Hoya had stripped the company, so capital investment was and is required.
From 08/2011 - 01/2014 Ricoh underwent a
significant restructuring, laid off 10,000 employees, consolidated numerous office equipment operations, built a $1.2Billion plant in China and sold off non-core office equipment operations (they overreached paying $1.2 billion for IKON Office Solutions in 2008). Imaging had little acces to parent capital until FY2016 (starting 04/2015).
And it is
still going on in North America.
K-1, new lenses, new business plan for North America, Europe market survey all happened after parent completed its realignment. We often forget the circumstances in which tiny Ricoh Imaging operates. We're lucky Pentax even exists. I still don't understand why Ricoh bought it.
Not excuses - just context.