[bladerunner6]

While DPR says Sigma UK confirmed the story, there is nothing on any Sigma website that I can find the last time I looked.

DPR has been unresponsive so far.

However, I did receive a response from Sigma USA this morning.

“Thank you for contacting Sigma USA. Yes it is true. We will be discontinuing all Pentax lenses.”

[The Squirrel Mafia]

More sales for Pentax/Ricoh?

[bladerunner6]

More sales for Pentax/Ricoh?

I did put that very politely in my response.

I was planning on getting the Sigma 18-300 as a travel lens but I stated it is more in my interest of supporting the type of gear I like buying to buy the Pentax 18-270 instead.

Although I do feel the Sigma is probably a slightly better lens optically and a better value.

[biz-engineer]

Finally confirmation from Sigma

The decision was made long ago, they simply didn't confirm earlier to avoid obliterate sales from inventory. Same as what Ricoh does with Pentax right now (no new product, but still selling Pentax products).

[Mistral75]

The decision was made long ago, they simply didn't confirm earlier to avoid obliterate sales from inventory. Same as what Ricoh does with Pentax right now (no new product, but still selling Pentax products).

Ouch!

[ChristianRock]

The decision was made long ago, they simply didn't confirm earlier to avoid obliterate sales from inventory. Same as what Ricoh does with Pentax right now (no new product, but still selling Pentax products).

Are you saying Ricoh has made the decision to discontinue all Pentax products?

[boriscleto]

The sad thing is that one day Sigma will have sold its remaining K-mount inventory while its SA-mount inventory will remain unsold for eternity. Maybe it will end up in a Utah landfill next to the Apple Lisas and Atari E.T. game cartridges.

[normhead]

Since 50% of my Sigma product has failed this is hardly disappointing news to me. Their QC made me decide to not buy Sigma again long before Sigma made their announcement. I suspect my decision and the same decision made by others influenced this announcement. It's kind of like the old "You're fired." "No I quit" thing.

"I don't want any of your lenses." " Well then, we won't sell you any." In this case, my decision and the decisions of many others came first. No amount of love from Sigma users will ever make up for $1000 of useless Sigma lenses that are no longer useable. Companies like Sigma need every customer, they may have earned the respect of some Pentax users, but not enough of us to remain viable in such a small brand.

[totsmuyco]

Maybe Pentax will fold, who knows. However, they recently introduced the 11-22, 50, the rehashed 10-17 and an upcoming 85. Upgrades are the K-1II and KP-J. I don't know if they'll fold up. I think it's a bad decision to commit R&D, produce a couple of lenses and camera upgrades and then fold up. But if a business becomes more of a liability than an asset then it should end. The final decision ends up with profitability, payback and ROI. Only Ricoh knows.

[Kunzite]

The decision was made long ago, they simply didn't confirm earlier to avoid obliterate sales from inventory. Same as what Ricoh does with Pentax right now (no new product, but still selling Pentax products).

The first part is most likely true.
The last part is untrue - we know as a fact that Ricoh makes new batches of lenses (the DA* 11-18mm, HD versions of the FA 35mm and DA 10-17mm - launched this year).
Don't spread FUD.

[mtgmansf]

Silence is not a good thing as we are moving closer to the 100 year anniversary date for Pentax...
(I for one have been holding on to my Pentax purchase dollars to see what comes next, if anything!)

[Pål Jensen]

Great news!

[Ascencio]

While DPR says Sigma UK confirmed the story, there is nothing on any Sigma website that I can find the last time I looked.

DPR has been unresponsive so far.

However, I did receive a response from Sigma USA this morning.

“Thank you for contacting Sigma USA. Yes it is true. We will be discontinuing all Pentax lenses.”

Did you ask if Pentax joined the L mount alliance?

[Kunzite]

This L alliance can fail on its own, no need to drag Pentax down with it

[biz-engineer]

Silence is not a good thing as we are moving closer to the 100 year anniversary date for Pentax...

There is no leak of info, no tangible rumor, nothing. So, to me it looks more like Ricoh's goal is to push sales (discounts) of existing products until the 100 Year anniversary, and then we don't know. No new product for 18 months basically means the Pentax staff is gone elsewhere working on things other than K mount product, automotive camera or laser module? At CP+ 2018 were still executives from Pentax division, at CP+2019 a new young guy to answer PF questions, where have the other executives been? Why the product manager of the K1 moved as product manager for the GRIII on Ricoh side? Is there still a Pentax team inside Ricoh? OR Canon hired all of Pentax lens designers to boost the release of their own RF lenseS, and Ricoh has to postpone the DFA85 and DFA70-200 f4?