[Bromberger]

Pentax anounced in an interview years ago, they want to push for development of much better AF. How is that going?

[Mikesul]

Ask them about Monochrome's theory that they do not market more aggressively because they do not want to sell more units. He suggests that they do not have the capacity for greater production and do not want to invest in increasing that capacity. Monochrome is a savvy guy so I, for one, wonder if he may not be on to something.

[halimj7]

You've opened the Theta up for external developers to make their own apps for it. How is that going so far? Would it be a good idea to do the same for Pentax DSLRs?

---------- Post added 02-25-18 at 11:19 PM ----------

Is the time of small lenses over for Pentax?

Bismillah

Good questions!

[interested_observer]

(I haven't seen a real answer to this, so please correct me if I'm wrong and point me to the info..)

How does the accelerator unit work and what makes it better than postprocessing the image? If the K-1 mk1 and 2 can use the same sensor, thus same input data and same acquired image/pixel values, how is the accelerator processing different/better from doing the same thing in post processing software afterwards? (or is it just a convenience to get some noise reduction without additional post processing, but otherwise similar in result?)

[I think this question is very important for those of us considering the upgrade path or not... I think everyone agrees images with the accelerator processing are cleaner, but how could they if the input data is the same (compared to pp software)? And if so, it's practical to have it built in, but not at all as important for me at least, and many others I think. But if the answer is that they can use some additional info, like sensor temperature or other hardware parameters not available to traditional post processing software, then it's easier to believe that the raws the accelerator outputs have some value and noise removal impossible to achieve otherwise, and is worth more than convenience]

This is an excellent question. Pentax does not have do do a lot of marketing - well, they aren't going to do that anyway. A one or two page whitepaper explaining how the images are going to come out better. They don't need to give away their secret sauce, but help us out as photographers trying to get better images under some extreme conditions. Initially, in reading the K1mkII overview, it appears that the acceleration chip worked on the very high ISO. Then digging some more, it comes out that it works on low to moderate ISO values (which is what I'm interested in). Looking at the KP (which has the accelerator chip) on astro images it appears to do pretty well and not like Sony's famous "star eater" upgrade. There is precious little information on the acceleration chip from Pentax.

Bottom line is that some explanations here would really help folks to decide on the upgrade option and to actually sell more cameras.

[beachgardener]

I'm not sure how you will phrase the questions, but I'm sure you will do your best. Pentax are cameras and lenses that I like, they produce marvellous products, and that is how I like it, it is different to the Canon-Nikon-Sony-Fuji-Olympus camps. I am not concerned about their marketing, I am pleasantly surprised each time they announce new products, and happy that they do so in their own time. I would however like to know their vision for Pentax over the next 5 years concerning their various product lines, especially flagship aps-c? I can envision the K-70, KP and K-3 lines going forward, perhaps the KP would be specialist releases.

[Kunzite]

Adam & co, thanks for doing this.

Here are my questions:

A. Difficulties in launching new products
While Pentax continues to launch great products, they don't do that at a consistent rate - 2017 being particularly slow.
I'd like to hear about the reasons, the difficulties in launching new products (cameras and lenses); and, could we hope for a faster rate in the future?
(Note. They have a presentation at CP+ touching the subject of "new lenses" which might offer more information in this regard).

B. Performance.
Pentax cameras offer great image quality (and the newly launched K-1 II should be a step up). But in terms of performance, especially autofocus/AF coverage and number of points/AF-C&tracking it's seen as behind the competition's.
The new AF motors (PLM, ring-type SDM) show that Ricoh Imaging is paying attention to this.
What kind of progress can we expect in this regard? Is the product price a limiting factor?
(I'm talking about something beyond the K-1 II's improvements. I know they'll try to refer to the K-1 II)

C. Communication
Can we see more communication of the kind done on pentax.com?
I really enjoy reading what people actually involved in making these products have to say.

D. DSLRs and the market
How do you see the evolution of the DSLR market, and Pentax K-mount in particular?
The mirrorless is hyped a lot (even going as far as "predicting" DSLRs' death), but there are still many people preferring optical viewfinders.
Do you think DSLRs can still evolve further?
Do you think it's enough time to build a full line of D FA lenses?

E. Regarding upgrading the K-1 to K-1 II's specifications.
How complete is this upgrade? Does it include everything from the K-1 II?
Would we see a new firmware for the K-1, incorporating some of those upgrades? (in particular: new AF algorithms) Or is the hardware a limiting factor?

F. Ricoh RESURGENT.
The RESURGENT plan seems to have positive effects, but is seen as a reason of concern. What is its effect on Ricoh Imaging?
Was getting out of the camera market a consideration for Ricoh, at any time?

G. And in the end, the typical "Pentax in 5 years" question.

[timautin]

What is the target audience for the K1 / K1 II? These bodies are awesome for landscape / astro photography (tropicalisation, pixel shift, dynamic range, astro-tracer), yet the next lenses on the roadmap are more portrait oriented (D-FA* 50/85, D-FA 70-200 f/4). There's no prime below 31mm, and no recent prime below 50 (!!) mm. It would be easy to have the best available system for landscapes, yet you seem to focus on portrait / street.
If I was looking for a portrait camera / system, I'd look for a camera having a good AF & high framerate. Precisely the two weaknesses of our FF bodies. So what's the plan here? Improve AF and have the best portrait system? Or be average in every field?

[nkull]

What is the target audience for the K1 / K1 II? These bodies are awesome for landscape / astro photography (tropicalisation, pixel shift, dynamic range, astro-tracer), yet the next lenses on the roadmap are more portrait oriented (D-FA* 50/85, D-FA 70-200 f/4). There's no prime below 31mm, and no recent prime below 50 (!!) mm. It would be easy to have the best available system for landscapes, yet you seem to focus on portrait / street.
If I was looking for a portrait camera / system, I'd look for a camera having a good AF & high framerate. Precisely the two weaknesses of our FF bodies. So what's the plan here? Improve AF and have the best portrait system? Or be average in every field?

Not sure I would consider the 70-200 f4 a portrait lens, I actually think the 70-200 f4 could be quite useful in a lot of landscape type photography, not every landscape shot is a wide angle one ...

But that said, your overall point is an interesting one.

---------- Post added 02-27-18 at 09:25 AM ----------

Not sure I would consider the 70-200 f4 a portrait lens, I actually think the 70-200 f4 could be quite useful in a lot of landscape type photography, not every landscape shot is a wide angle one ...

But that said, your overall point is an interesting one.

And now I’m thinking maybe you ment 2.8, that is good for portraits - Does Pentax have a 70-200 f4?

[D1N0]

Has Ricoh revived the relationship with Tokina? (Because it certainly looks like it) and what can we expect from that in the future.

[davidsladek]

Not sure if already asked, but:

1. Are you working on larger frame coverage of PDAF? Currently the K-1 coverage and especially the 645Z are very limited to the center area. Other manufacturers offer much better coverage.

2. Are you planning to supply lens profiles for all current Pentax lenses for Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop applications? (including e.g. FA 35/2.0 etc)

3. Would you be open to officially supporting and sponsoring a 'World Pentax Day'? The 'World Pentax Day' was created by Pentax community and is now an established event with solid participation of photographers. By cooperating with the organizers Ricoh/Pentax could achieve great marketing results with limited costs. (E.g. Handing over branded cards with something like 'Smile. You have been captured by Pentax.' could empower street photographers to take pictures and spread promotion on a mass scale)

* Adam, this is by no means an attempt to interfere in your great event!

[timautin]

Not sure I would consider the 70-200 f4 a portrait lens

Lol I'm not sure how to consider a 70-200 f/4, maybe an all-purposes lens. I never wanted one, so I never really thought to the question.

I actually think the 70-200 f4 could be quite useful in a lot of landscape type photography, not every landscape shot is a wide angle one ...

Well I'm doing mainly wildlife photography and secondly landscape. Having the FA*24, DA35, DA50, DA*300 & D-FA 150-450, I have nothing between 50 and 150 mm. It happens that I need it, but it is very rare. If you follow that logic, any lens can be useful for landscape, even a 600 f/4, but much less than a 20-ish and a 15-ish.

And now I’m thinking maybe you ment 2.8, that is good for portraits - Does Pentax have a 70-200 f4?

No I was talking about the f/4, but surely the f/2.8 is a better option for portraits - if you can afford the size, weight, and price (don't get me wrong, I do not consider it overpriced, it's just expensive in the absolute).
There's no (at least recent) 70-200 f/4 for Pentax yet.

But you got my overall point: what direction are they taking? The K1 release was a strong sign toward landscapes, but now I'm lost. It looks like the team designing the bodies and the team designing the lenses have different goals.

[nkull]

After writing that I saw the new f4 on the roadmap - Guess I was a little behind!

[timautin]

After writing that I saw the new f4 on the roadmap - Guess I was a little behind!

Ah ah no worries, it's been there for a few hours only!

[biz-engineer]

Already due for release in the summer!

Summer 2019, 18 months from now! I'd better be happy with zooms, otherwise I'm pushed through the exit door.

[CarlJF]

- Do they plan to speed up lens development ? Not only for FF, but also upgrades for the aging APS-C lens lineup.
- What do they think of the mirroless market ?
- Would it be possible to rebadge some FF compatible lenses as budget D-FA ones (like the 50 1.8, 35 2.5...)