[reh321]

That is not the same as a change of plan. Camera cycles for a top model is almost certainly dependent on suitable sensor supply.

Everyone agrees on the part relevant to this thread:
A K-3 replacement is being developed, but will be later than we had hoped.

There is no point to arguing about the details, but you and Ron may play volleyball with them if you two want to - which is pointless unless Pentax says nothing further or additional in the next ten days.

[RonHendriks1966]

Everyone agrees on the part relevant to this thread:
A K-3 replacement is being developed, but will be later than we had hoped.

There is no point to arguing about the details, but you and Ron may play volleyball with them if you two want to - which is pointless unless they say nothing further or additional in the next ten days.

I'm more of a beach volleyball kind a guy

[Chris Mak]

I don't know where asahi man lives but I can tell you that his English is that of somebody coming from Asia, not of a native German speaker.

Besides, it's this very 'anyone in Germany' that, among other things, published the optical formula of the HD Pentax-D FA★ 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW and a picture of its ring-SDM motor in early March.



Source: Pentax DFA* 50mm F1.4 looks similar to Tokina 50mm F1.4: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

I have no reason to believe anything other than that asahiman is a credible source. He has been just that for years.

But he does not manage the Pentax camera division. Just like Kenspo, who was no doubt also "in on certain future plans" at Ricoh/Pentax.

The broader question, that has direct bearing on threads like these, is about whether Ricoh/Pentax is able to realise its plans. If not, the plans will be revised I assume.
My question is whether Ricoh/Pentax can develop/maintain three camera/lens platforms in a highly competitive and changing camera market full of new technologies, without getting all too far ahead on all of these three platforms. It is not without reason that Kenspo said that Ricoh is going too slow with FF to be a viable choice for professionals. And we are talking here about the platform that has the virtual full development power at the moment.

It is at least a valid question, and in any case the new FF platform will hugely delay new cameras/lenses on the MF and APSC platforms.

Chris

[Pål Jensen]

Everyone agrees on the part relevant to this thread:
A K-3 replacement is being developed, but will be later than we had hoped.

There is no point to arguing about the details, but you and Ron may play volleyball with them if you two want to - which is pointless unless they say nothing further or additional in the next ten days.

I'm not refering to the fact that Pentax is developing a K-3 successor, but the statement that they had no intention of doing so originally. Not very likely, considering Pentax coherent efforts the last decade. And not very likely that such info finds its way out of Pentax head quarters. Info about upcoming products is one thing, info about products not going to be made is not something you find out there.

[Kunzite]

I'm not refering to the fact that Pentax is developing a K-3 successor, but the statement that they had no intention of doing so originally. Not very likely, considering Pentax coherent efforts the last decade. And not very likely that such info finds its way out of Pentax head quarters. Info about upcoming products is one thing, info about products not going to be made is not something you find out there.

I agree.
And, while I definitely trust asahi man and he clearly does have access to inside info, the question is - can I trust the entire chain, as being free of personal assumptions and misinterpretations? Can I take everything ad litteram?

We've heard Ricoh Imaging saying, one year before asahi man's post, how they're "researching" a K-3 successor, how Pentax needed an APS-C flagship. IMO it's much more likely that Ricoh Imaging (the innermost circle) always intended to replace the K-3; but someone interpreted the silence on this subject as "no plans".

[MarkJerling]

I'm more of a beach volleyball kind a guy

Hahaha. I'm sure I've seen some of your photos. Come to think of it, I like beach volleyball too!

[JPT]

Over the last year or so asahiman has made a number of predictions about what’s coming, some tied to this September.
- The GRIII in September (from a screenshot that is supposedly a Ricoh timeline)
- Revised f2.8 APS-C zooms with DC motors in September.
- Focus on FF at the expense of APS-C (admittedly not related to September, but the source of some of the negativity on this thread)

It will be interesting to see whether any of this comes true. What if Ricoh releases a GR camera that is not a GRIII, a 645 camera or lens, the DFA 70-200 f4, a PLM standard zoom, a K-70 or K-3II replacement? Where would that leave us?

My problem with taking these predictions seriously is that they are phrased cryptically and without much detail. Sometimes they are followed up with a comment like “The plan changed” or “It got delayed”. So I find it difficult to take them any more seriously than random speculation.

[mee]

Over the last year or so asahiman has made a number of predictions about what’s coming, some tied to this September.
- The GRIII in September (from a screenshot that is supposedly a Ricoh timeline)
- Revised f2.8 APS-C zooms with DC motors in September.
- Focus on FF at the expense of APS-C (admittedly not related to September, but the source of some of the negativity on this thread)

It will be interesting to see whether any of this comes true. What if Ricoh releases a GR camera that is not a GRIII, a 645 camera or lens, the DFA 70-200 f4, a PLM standard zoom, a K-70 or K-3II replacement? Where would that leave us?

If your what-if scenario is based on them launching all of that, likely a handful of the die hards here calling out other forum members that they perceived as being negative and shaming them for being 'wrong' (despite never making the claims they are held to). That's generally how it seems to work online.

Uhh but if they launch all of that then I'm guessing most everyone would be pretty happy.

If they do not launch anything.. probably the same old the way it's been for the past couple of years.. the diehards say be patient maybe CP+.

My problem with taking these predictions seriously is that they are phrased cryptically and without much detail. Sometimes they are followed up with a comment like “The plan changed” or “It got delayed”. So I find it difficult to take them any more seriously than random speculation.

I agree. But I was told, fairly recently, on this forum to stop using logic and thinking situations through when questioning the legitimacy of some information...

[Rondec]

Over the last year or so asahiman has made a number of predictions about what’s coming, some tied to this September.
- The GRIII in September (from a screenshot that is supposedly a Ricoh timeline)
- Revised f2.8 APS-C zooms with DC motors in September.
- Focus on FF at the expense of APS-C (admittedly not related to September, but the source of some of the negativity on this thread)

It will be interesting to see whether any of this comes true. What if Ricoh releases a GR camera that is not a GRIII, a 645 camera or lens, the DFA 70-200 f4, a PLM standard zoom, a K-70 or K-3II replacement? Where would that leave us?

My problem with taking these predictions seriously is that they are phrased cryptically and without much detail. Sometimes they are followed up with a comment like “The plan changed” or “It got delayed”. So I find it difficult to take them any more seriously than random speculation.

I would think if Pentax released updated 16-50 f2.8, 50-135 f2.8, plus the DA *11-18 f2.8 that would be enough to take APS-C users through till the spring when the K3 II sequel will likely be announced. It still might be too much to expect a reboot of the 16-50 and 50-135, but newer drive motors would make a nice improvement on them both.

[reh321]

Over the last year or so asahiman has made a number of predictions about what’s coming, some tied to this September.
- The GRIII in September (from a screenshot that is supposedly a Ricoh timeline)
- Revised f2.8 APS-C zooms with DC motors in September.
- Focus on FF at the expense of APS-C (admittedly not related to September, but the source of some of the negativity on this thread)

It will be interesting to see whether any of this comes true. What if Ricoh releases a GR camera that is not a GRIII, a 645 camera or lens, the DFA 70-200 f4, a PLM standard zoom, a K-70 or K-3II replacement? Where would that leave us?

My problem with taking these predictions seriously is that they are phrased cryptically and without much detail. Sometimes they are followed up with a comment like “The plan changed” or “It got delayed”. So I find it difficult to take them any more seriously than random speculation.

So the best strategy now is probably to grasp onto some kind of sanity for the next ten days and see what, if anything, Pentax announces during this time.

[surfar]

Hahaha.

Yes,"over there" they play games with proper shaped balls.They dont specialise in those things shaped like a baked bean!

---------- Post added 09-19-18 at 12:20 PM ----------

the spring when the K3 II sequel will likely be announced.

see what, if anything, Pentax announces during this time.

RI should(?) make a statement along the lines of a development update about Apsc.Whether they do is another thing.

I like surprises,the next GR isnt one!

[alcstudios]

I would think if Pentax released updated 16-50 f2.8, 50-135 f2.8, plus the DA *11-18 f2.8 that would be enough to take APS-C users through till the spring when the K3 II sequel will likely be announced. It still might be too much to expect a reboot of the 16-50 and 50-135, but newer drive motors would make a nice improvement on them both.

I myself would love a nice new shiny body as my K3 is getting a little long in the tooth, but if they announced a 16-50 and 50-135 with updated motors I would pre order both of them on the spot. I have both of the originals that are currently paperweights after several SDM replacements.

I love them both optically but have spent too much on repairs so I gave up on them.

[photoptimist]

Yes,"over there" they play games with proper shaped balls.They dont specialise in those things shaped like a baked bean!

Yes, there's true "football" because it involves hitting a "ball" with the "foot". By that method of definition, the US game really should be called "handegg."

[surfar]

"handegg."

We have 3 derivatives of that IN Oz(well on the big island).

NZ has one and they come to OZ to play the another one!

[mee]

Yes, there's true "football" because it involves hitting a "ball" with the "foot". By that method of definition, the US game really should be called "handegg."

Except during kickoff, punting, point after touchdown attempts, and field goal attempts. All of these involve the ball ('egg') being struck by a players foot.


That said, if we want to take your joke to another level, let's name all sports in the same manner... for instance -- baseball becomes batball or gloveball, tennis becomes racketball, racket ball becomes.. racketball, volleyball becomes handball, ice hockey becomes stickpuck on ice, rugby becomes brawlegg, cricket becomes clubball, netball is actually handball, handball is handball, basketball is handball.. phew.. I'm glad they differentiate.