Originally posted by Wheatfield Does this include the people who buy the used equipment from the guy who is tired of waiting for Pentax to wake up and smell the coffee and is switching brands to one that seems interested in supporting their customers with more than the occasional dog biscuit?
What I'm saying, Bill - and I'm sure you knew this really (you're just being sarcastic, right?) - is that a guy who buys into Pentax equipment at any level - or even stays with his existing Pentax equipment - is supporting the brand just as much as someone waiting to buy the new DFA50/1.4 and other new glass. Perhaps not to the same level financially, but at a level appropriate to his means and interest in the hobby or profession.
Originally posted by Wheatfield At the end of the day, you will find that the number of new products sold is the bottom line metric determining if a product line gets continued or dropped.
Of course, no argument on that point
Originally posted by Wheatfield Ricoh doesn't see forums or trade in abacus designed lenses as product support.
We were talking about brand support, not product support (your quote was "
At least we are supporting the brand with more than lip service").
With respect, you don't know what Ricoh sees as product or brand support, other than the obvious example of selling product units.
The more people that are shooting Pentax, the more free advertising it's getting. The more people that are talking about Pentax on forums in a positive way, the more good publicity Ricoh / Pentax is getting.
Naturally, Ricoh wants to sell cameras, lenses and accessories, but if you don't think forums and accessible, used-market products that help "stickiness" of the brand are important to the manufacturer - at zero cost to them - then frankly I'm amazed. We clearly (and unsurprisingly) have different views.
Quote: They might see the ho-hum I don't need your product because I have an abacus era one attitude as a lack of interest in the product line though.
I don't believe anyone is truly saying "
ho-hum, I don't need your product because I have an older version" (I won't use your derogatory term "
abacus designed"). Most are saying, "
I can shoot just fine and get fantastic results with what I have access to already. But if something even better comes along, I decide I need it and can afford it, then I might buy it". At least, that's what I'm summarising from the various comments I've read.
Quote: Your brand of support might well be the end of the line.
That strikes me as hypocrisy, Bill, given that you're the one who keeps publicly criticising Ricoh for taking so long to deliver this and other lenses, and having nothing but "bloated zooms" (your term) to offer. What brand of support is that?
Rioch has had plenty of my hard-earned money in new product sales over the years, and a great deal of positive and helpful posting here on the forums. If my brand of support isn't enough, so be it - I can live with that.
If you'll excuse me, I'm bowing out of this discussion now...