Originally posted by gaweidert I think that there is going to be some sort of merger in the camera industry. Nothing I have heard, but it make too much business sense not to be in the minds of some CEO"'s.
I think that Pentax was caught flat footed by the response to the introduction of the K1. In a declining industry it actually succeeded way beyond their expectations. Because they probably anticipated softer sales they really had nothing new in the line to actually support it as a system. One new FF lens announcement and introduction since it's release is not much of a vote of confidence in the future. ( By new I do not mean re-engineered old designs.)
The K1 is still a great camera and will be for some time. I have no intention of dumping my K1 or K1-II, but unless something happens to make my change my mind I will not be spending any more money on my K-mount system either. The money is set aside in the event of something surprising, but if nothing happens I will need to look at other brands. Something I am loathe to do.
Since the Pentax brand is much more than just cameras, I do not feel that the brand is doomed in any sense.
Didn't Hoya already strip the valuable bits (the medical side)?
I'm honestly a bit confused by their strategy, I understand they're a small guy, but it's not like their current bodies are terribly current (I felt like the K1 mk II was just Sony releasing tweaked silicon), and something like 3-4 lenses this year, and some of those are just updated coatings.
It's a shrinking market for sure, and mirrorless isn't exactly raising the boats, but releasing little to nothing seems ominous. I'm not going to upgrade my K3, but they make it easy by not releasing anything. Buying used doesn't help Ricoh's bottom line either.