[reh321]

I have a 645 Classic and six manual lenses. If I seriously set about selling unused K-mount gear a used Z is possible. Before you say Ricoh gets nothing out of my purchase, it is likely the seller would be raising funds to buy the new model and possible I would some day buy a new lens if it should be a stellar effort like the Fat Fifty. I would need to practice before it would make sense as more than just another adult toy, but it is possible.

I didn't realize the purpose of photography was to benefit Ricoh.

[caliscouser]

I would love to see an updated Q with some of the now usual technology from RP. Accelerator chip (would probably do wonders with a 1/1.7" sensor), 5 axis SR, pixel shift, on sensor phase detection aufocus and all the small software things that are now common but didn't existed when the last Q was released (like clarity, skin tones enhancement, multizone WB...) with a improved blur control using modern algoritmhs as a bonus

Yes please! ...and the 09 Macro, and a 4mm fast pancake prime...

[Rondec]

I didn't realize the purpose of photography was to benefit Ricoh.

If Ricoh doesn't sell gear than the pipeline for new cameras will dry up. The used market only benefits them in the back handed way that Paul described.

[biz-engineer]

I didn't realize the purpose of photography was to benefit Ricoh.

Clear. Digital enjoyed a good growth rate of a decade, and now companies get kicked back because many camera owners are just fine with what they have. I guess , these days it's not so easy to create new products that are worth the upgrade vs previous products because current models are already so good, and larger sensors cost so much more. IMO, MF should get more development R&D, FF should get less investments. Current MF cameras have larger sensors but are performing like 15 years ago in terms of frame rate and AF, so I guess the MF market is under-developed, still too expensive, but it could be different.

[dicki]

I think the new K3 will come in 2019. Last year the customers talk about big surprise in 2019. And he know some Details. But in the begining of the year Fuji, Pansonic and others offer their new gear. So Pentax can not offer Details of the new Cameras. It will be go down in all the News. Pentaxd have to wait for better time for offering. So I will trust in Pentax and in the end of 2019.


Happy Birthday Pentax !

[fs999]

So I will trust in Pentax and in the end of 2019

For the 100 years anniversary...

[reh321]

If Ricoh doesn't sell gear than the pipeline for new cameras will dry up. The used market only benefits them in the back handed way that Paul described.

When Ricoh releases the K-3ii replacement, everyone will benefit.
They cannot expect to 'benefit' when some of their best customers feel abandoned because they ran out of product n before product n+1 was even close to ready.
I was laid off by an aerospace company when "we" lost contract after contract {the one that pushed me out the door was won by Boeing} - eventually the company got around to firing the VP over my area.
That is how it works - you need product customers want ..... you benefit company when they benefit you.

[RonHendriks1966]

You know it's already happened, Q1 of this year, Ron?

Mirrorless and DSLR dinosaur collapse cont'd: Nikon profits down -27%, sales -18% - PentaxForums.com

The Ricoh forcast starts on april 1th with the new fiscal year. So what happend in jan-march 2019 is less relevant.

[monochrome]

Good things are coming. GRlll, WG (and Theta) are cash flow. I suppose we don’t know where the Theta cash ends up, but it’s good for Imaging wherever it goes.

[biz-engineer]

That is how it works - you need product customers want ..... you benefit company when they benefit you.

The money is limited, project compete for budget, only products with superior profits outlook at made. So it's not what customer want, it's what investors want. As a customer you can't fire the CEO, but as a majority investor you can. So usually the CEO does what the investors want, no what customers want. Now if you are an employee, man you are last in the food chain, you execute and shut up., this is how it works.

[clackers]

The Ricoh forcast starts on april 1th with the new fiscal year. So what happend in jan-march 2019 is less relevant.

You don't have to speculate, Ron, you don't have to guess.

We can all see the results from the last quarter of different companies' strategies.

There are terrified boards everywhere.

[photoptimist]

Clear. Digital enjoyed a good growth rate of a decade, and now companies get kicked back because many camera owners are just fine with what they have. I guess , these days it's not so easy to create new products that are worth the upgrade vs previous products because current models are already so good, and larger sensors cost so much more. IMO, MF should get more development R&D, FF should get less investments. Current MF cameras have larger sensors but are performing like 15 years ago in terms of frame rate and AF, so I guess the MF market is under-developed, still too expensive, but it could be different.

Basic physics and basic biology are always going to create a broad Goldilocks curve in photography with cameras that are too big, too small, and just right.

Optical and semiconductor physics dictates that MF will always be bigger, slower, and more expensive than FF, APS-C, or M43.

Human biology dictates that different customers will prefer different-sized cameras due to hand size, upper body strength, arthritis, or just abhorrence for schlepping too much junk on their travels.

People with big hands, fat wallets, and slow-moving subjects will gravitate to larger formats. People with smaller hands, smaller budgets, and flighty subjects will gravitate to smaller formats.

The MF and M43 ends of the spectrum will always be niches.

[RobA_Oz]

I have a 645 Classic and six manual lenses. If I seriously set about selling unused K-mount gear a used Z is possible. Before you say Ricoh gets nothing out of my purchase, it is likely the seller would be raising funds to buy the new model and possible I would some day buy a new lens if it should be a stellar effort like the Fat Fifty. I would need to practice before it would make sense as more than just another adult toy, but it is possible.

I have often thought that, when people here have expressed similar views. I’m fairly sure all makers’ marketing people understand that, too. It would be interesting to know what data they have on it.

[RGlasel]

I’m fairly sure all makers’ marketing people understand that, too. It would be interesting to know what data they have on it.

It would be interesting, but I can't think of a practical way to mine for that data. How do you guessgauge the probability that sellers of used gear will use their proceeds to buy new gear of the same brand, instead of buying more used equipment, buying new equipment of a different brand or to get their outboard motor fixed?

[Larrymc]

Basic physics and basic biology are always going to create a broad Goldilocks curve in photography with cameras that are too big, too small, and just right.

Optical and semiconductor physics dictates that MF will always be bigger, slower, and more expensive than FF, APS-C, or M43.

Human biology dictates that different customers will prefer different-sized cameras due to hand size, upper body strength, arthritis, or just abhorrence for schlepping too much junk on their travels.

People with big hands, fat wallets, and slow-moving subjects will gravitate to larger formats. People with smaller hands, smaller budgets, and flighty subjects will gravitate to smaller formats.

The MF and M43 ends of the spectrum will always be niches.

Wow, this post is chock full of assumptions, My friend!