interview with Ricoh Imaging General Sales Manager for Europe

reh321 · 12-27-2019, 06:02 AM

Originally posted by Serkevan

I also don't know how difficult/costly it would be to add the aperture feeler for K/M lenses, but one can dream right? It's Christmas after all

Yes, you may dream - but people have been dreaming ever since Pentax dropped that from their cameras, and with nothing happening. If they were not going to bother in that time, I really doubt if they are suddenly going to start doing it ..... "green button metering" is really not that difficult to do on landscape.

Winder · 12-27-2019, 07:14 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

Sony E being an open standard is a joke. Yes, anyone can support Sony with lenses and accessories... that's it.
Sony doesn't want competition, just servants to their very much proprietary system.

Even if the E mount would be an option (it isn't), Ricoh would compete directly with 2 generations old, heavily discounted Sony cameras and Sony's entire marketing prowess. IMHO such a move would push them out of the market.
If as you say Ricoh isn't an equal to the tiny L alliance, how is an electronic giant like Sony any better?

Did I say one was better? I know you don't actually read the posts you respond to, but if you will look you will see that I said " I don't think the E mount is the best mount to go with however"

When Farreng says "use an existing lens mount in partnership." Which mount do you think he is referring to?

**Serkevan** · 12-27-2019, 07:38 AM

Originally posted by reh321

Yes, you may dream - but people have been dreaming ever since Pentax dropped that from their cameras, and with nothing happening. If they were not going to bother in that time, I really doubt if they are suddenly going to start doing it ..... "green button metering" is really not that difficult to do on landscape.

Unfortunately, you are most likely right. The green button isn't a bother in most of the cases - I regularly put my M set of lenses to good use. But hey, if we get an extra bonus I wouldn't argue

thibs · 12-27-2019, 08:06 AM

Originally posted by Serkevan

The Nikon compatibility chart is atrocious. I gotta hand it to Canon there: 32 years of 100% compatibility, unless I'm mistaken. I would love for Pentax to give us Av on K/M/A lenses, it cannot be *that* hard right?

EFS on FF cam will nick jour mirror so, no sir.
But a lot better then Nikon.

**Serkevan** · 12-27-2019, 08:28 AM

That's why the lens won't mount unless you modify it. All EF lenses fit on all EF bodies. Technically the canon APS-C bodies have a different mount (EF-S); them being able to use EF lenses is a bonus -like it was for M42 being usable in K mount. As I said, within the same system everything works.

reh321 · 12-27-2019, 08:44 AM

Originally posted by thibs

EFS on FF cam will nick jour mirror so, no sir.
But a lot better then Nikon.

To repeat: Canon EF-S lenses will not mount on a Canon "FF" camera, so one cannot 'nick' its mirror - you are completely safe with Canon ..... and that is the only type of lens I am aware of that presents a problem.

reh321 · 12-27-2019, 08:55 AM

Originally posted by Serkevan

Technically the canon APS-C bodies have a different mount (EF-S); them being able to use EF lenses is a bonus -like it was for M42 being usable in K mount. As I said, within the same system everything works.

Actually, technically a Canon "APS-C" body has two mounts that share components in a clever way - like Pentax would have been if you could use a M42 lens on a K-mount body with-out needing an adapter.

PENTAPSC · 12-27-2019, 08:56 AM

So many different acronyms referencing different aspects of DSLRs, Thetas, etc. Is there anywhere a listing of current acronyms>

Kunzite · 12-27-2019, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by Winder

Did I say one was better? I know you don't actually read the posts you respond to, but if you will look you will see that I said " I don't think the E mount is the best mount to go with however"

When Farreng says "use an existing lens mount in partnership." Which mount do you think he is referring to?

You know a lot of stuff

but you said best, I asked about being better. Not the same.

When he says that, I think he's out of the decision chain and offering a personal opinion.
But he's the General Sales Manager for Europe and supposedly highly informed and competent, thus he wouldn't think of Sony E - a closed proprietary system. Likely it's the other proprietary system - Leica L - for which there is actually a precedent of several manufacturer making cameras. But, again, it seems like a personal opinion and not something Ricoh Imaging claims to be considering.

reh321 · 12-27-2019, 09:02 AM

Originally posted by PENTAPSC

So many different acronyms referencing different aspects of DSLRs, Thetas, etc. Is there anywhere a listing of current acronyms>

"DSLR" stands for Digital Single Lens Camera - a camera has a moving mirror so light can be sent to Optical Viewfinder {"OVF"} when its not being sent to the sensor

"MILC" stands for Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera - a camera that doesn't need a mirror because Electric Viewfinder {"EVF"} shows what the sensor sees

"FF" stands for Full-Frame and means frame is about 36mmx24mm, which was the size of a "35mm" frame in the days a film.

"APS-C" was another film format, but the main thing to know today is that it's sensor is about 2/3 the size a "FF" sensor

added: "Theta" is not an acronym, but the name a camera built by Ricoh {owner of Pentax these days} which has several sensors and gives a 360 degree view.

Winder · 12-27-2019, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

You know a lot of stuff

but you said best, I asked about being better. Not the same.

When he says that, I think he's out of the decision chain and offering a personal opinion.
But he's the General Sales Manager for Europe and supposedly highly informed and competent, thus he wouldn't think of Sony E - a closed proprietary system.

I'm sure he is out of the decision chain, but I asked which one is he referring to? Him being part of the chain isn't relevant to the question. Everyone here is expressing opinion and is out of the chain.

Mistral75 · 12-27-2019, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by Winder

I'm sure he is out of the decision chain, but I asked which one is he referring to? Him being part of the chain isn't relevant to the question. Everyone here is expressing opinion and is out of the chain.

Since I have discussed the topic with him: I take it Philippe Farreng was referring to the L-mount alliance.

Kunzite · 12-27-2019, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by Winder

I'm sure he is out of the decision chain, but I asked which one is he referring to? Him being part of the chain isn't relevant to the question. Everyone here is expressing opinion and is out of the chain.

The point is, L mount is a popular opinion - we all agree on that. But, is it actually an option?

Winder · 12-27-2019, 10:06 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Kunzite

The point is, L mount is a popular opinion - we all agree on that. But, is it actually an option?

From what I have read. L-mount is probably an option. Panasonic and Leica (obviously) were going to develop for the L-mount regardless of what other companies decided to do. Sigma was invited as was Olympus. Were other companies invited? I don't know. Ricoh seems like a prime candidate for the partnership. Panasonic doesn't appear to be interested in developing on-sensor PDAF and they are going for the large body. Sigma will use a Foveon sensor. There will be a market for a manufacturer who can make compact FF bodies using PDAF sensors and there will be a market for compact glass. Everything from Sigma and Panasonic is huge and expensive... Leica obviously so. Panasonic is struggling so I don't see them adding more L-mount bodies in the near future. I think the 3 that they currently have will be improved via firmware updates over the next 2-3 years before we see new bodies as Panasonic will focus on glass. A GH-5 & G9 replacement should come late next year.

I really wish Olympus had decided to join the L-mount. FF mirrorless is where the growth is and has been for the last few years.

Ricoh has to eventually do something. This is not an industry where you can rest on your laurels. Look at what has happened to Canon and Nikon in just a few short years. They are playing catch-up in the market. Obviously Canon and Nikon are huge companies and they still command a massive share of the industry, but they have fallen behind in several key areas.

Leica is the only one who could keep someone from joining the L-mount as the L-mount is theirs and they would have to grant a license, but other than a license from Leica I don't believe there is any restriction. There are anti-trust laws against cartels and the L-mount alliance would find themselves in trouble if they were working together to restrict competition.

tvdtvdtvd · 12-27-2019, 11:02 AM

Originally posted by PENTAPSC

So many different acronyms referencing different aspects of DSLRs, Thetas, etc. Is there anywhere a listing of current acronyms>

Google has your answer.

12-27-2019, 08:56 AM	#623
PENTAPSC Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 30	Acronyms So many different acronyms referencing different aspects of DSLRs, Thetas, etc. Is there anywhere a listing of current acronyms>

12-27-2019, 09:00 AM	#624
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by Winder Did I say one was better? I know you don't actually read the posts you respond to, but if you will look you will see that I said " I don't think the E mount is the best mount to go with however" When Farreng says "use an existing lens mount in partnership." Which mount do you think he is referring to? You know a lot of stuff but you said best, I asked about being better. Not the same. When he says that, I think he's out of the decision chain and offering a personal opinion. But he's the General Sales Manager for Europe and supposedly highly informed and competent, thus he wouldn't think of Sony E - a closed proprietary system. Likely it's the other proprietary system - Leica L - for which there is actually a precedent of several manufacturer making cameras. But, again, it seems like a personal opinion and not something Ricoh Imaging claims to be considering. Last edited by Kunzite; 12-27-2019 at 09:05 AM.

12-27-2019, 09:02 AM	#625
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by PENTAPSC So many different acronyms referencing different aspects of DSLRs, Thetas, etc. Is there anywhere a listing of current acronyms> "DSLR" stands for Digital Single Lens Camera - a camera has a moving mirror so light can be sent to Optical Viewfinder {"OVF"} when its not being sent to the sensor "MILC" stands for Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera - a camera that doesn't need a mirror because Electric Viewfinder {"EVF"} shows what the sensor sees "FF" stands for Full-Frame and means frame is about 36mmx24mm, which was the size of a "35mm" frame in the days a film. "APS-C" was another film format, but the main thing to know today is that it's sensor is about 2/3 the size a "FF" sensor added: "Theta" is not an acronym, but the name a camera built by Ricoh {owner of Pentax these days} which has several sensors and gives a 360 degree view. Last edited by reh321; 12-27-2019 at 09:08 AM.

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12-27-2019, 06:02 AM	#616
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by Serkevan I also don't know how difficult/costly it would be to add the aperture feeler for K/M lenses, but one can dream right? It's Christmas after all Yes, you may dream - but people have been dreaming ever since Pentax dropped that from their cameras, and with nothing happening. If they were not going to bother in that time, I really doubt if they are suddenly going to start doing it ..... "green button metering" is really not that difficult to do on landscape.

12-27-2019, 07:14 AM	#617
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Originally posted by Kunzite Sony E being an open standard is a joke. Yes, anyone can support Sony with lenses and accessories... that's it. Sony doesn't want competition, just servants to their very much proprietary system. Even if the E mount would be an option (it isn't), Ricoh would compete directly with 2 generations old, heavily discounted Sony cameras and Sony's entire marketing prowess. IMHO such a move would push them out of the market. If as you say Ricoh isn't an equal to the tiny L alliance, how is an electronic giant like Sony any better? Did I say one was better? I know you don't actually read the posts you respond to, but if you will look you will see that I said " I don't think the E mount is the best mount to go with however" When Farreng says "use an existing lens mount in partnership." Which mount do you think he is referring to?

12-27-2019, 07:38 AM	#618
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by reh321 Yes, you may dream - but people have been dreaming ever since Pentax dropped that from their cameras, and with nothing happening. If they were not going to bother in that time, I really doubt if they are suddenly going to start doing it ..... "green button metering" is really not that difficult to do on landscape. Unfortunately, you are most likely right. The green button isn't a bother in most of the cases - I regularly put my M set of lenses to good use. But hey, if we get an extra bonus I wouldn't argue

12-27-2019, 08:06 AM	#619
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by Serkevan The Nikon compatibility chart is atrocious. I gotta hand it to Canon there: 32 years of 100% compatibility, unless I'm mistaken. I would love for Pentax to give us Av on K/M/A lenses, it cannot be that hard right? EFS on FF cam will nick jour mirror so, no sir. But a lot better then Nikon.

12-27-2019, 08:28 AM	#620
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	That's why the lens won't mount unless you modify it. All EF lenses fit on all EF bodies. Technically the canon APS-C bodies have a different mount (EF-S); them being able to use EF lenses is a bonus -like it was for M42 being usable in K mount. As I said, within the same system everything works.

12-27-2019, 08:44 AM	#621
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by thibs EFS on FF cam will nick jour mirror so, no sir. But a lot better then Nikon. To repeat: Canon EF-S lenses will not mount on a Canon "FF" camera, so one cannot 'nick' its mirror - you are completely safe with Canon ..... and that is the only type of lens I am aware of that presents a problem.

12-27-2019, 08:55 AM	#622
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by Serkevan Technically the canon APS-C bodies have a different mount (EF-S); them being able to use EF lenses is a bonus -like it was for M42 being usable in K mount. As I said, within the same system everything works. Actually, technically a Canon "APS-C" body has two mounts that share components in a clever way - like Pentax would have been if you could use a M42 lens on a K-mount body with-out needing an adapter.

12-27-2019, 09:04 AM	#626
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Originally posted by Kunzite You know a lot of stuff but you said best, I asked about being better. Not the same. When he says that, I think he's out of the decision chain and offering a personal opinion. But he's the General Sales Manager for Europe and supposedly highly informed and competent, thus he wouldn't think of Sony E - a closed proprietary system. I'm sure he is out of the decision chain, but I asked which one is he referring to? Him being part of the chain isn't relevant to the question. Everyone here is expressing opinion and is out of the chain.

12-27-2019, 09:08 AM	#627
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527 Original Poster	Originally posted by Winder I'm sure he is out of the decision chain, but I asked which one is he referring to? Him being part of the chain isn't relevant to the question. Everyone here is expressing opinion and is out of the chain. Since I have discussed the topic with him: I take it Philippe Farreng was referring to the L-mount alliance.

12-27-2019, 09:08 AM	#628
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by Winder I'm sure he is out of the decision chain, but I asked which one is he referring to? Him being part of the chain isn't relevant to the question. Everyone here is expressing opinion and is out of the chain. The point is, L mount is a popular opinion - we all agree on that. But, is it actually an option?

12-27-2019, 10:06 AM - 1 Like	#629
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Originally posted by Kunzite The point is, L mount is a popular opinion - we all agree on that. But, is it actually an option? From what I have read. L-mount is probably an option. Panasonic and Leica (obviously) were going to develop for the L-mount regardless of what other companies decided to do. Sigma was invited as was Olympus. Were other companies invited? I don't know. Ricoh seems like a prime candidate for the partnership. Panasonic doesn't appear to be interested in developing on-sensor PDAF and they are going for the large body. Sigma will use a Foveon sensor. There will be a market for a manufacturer who can make compact FF bodies using PDAF sensors and there will be a market for compact glass. Everything from Sigma and Panasonic is huge and expensive... Leica obviously so. Panasonic is struggling so I don't see them adding more L-mount bodies in the near future. I think the 3 that they currently have will be improved via firmware updates over the next 2-3 years before we see new bodies as Panasonic will focus on glass. A GH-5 & G9 replacement should come late next year. I really wish Olympus had decided to join the L-mount. FF mirrorless is where the growth is and has been for the last few years. Ricoh has to eventually do something. This is not an industry where you can rest on your laurels. Look at what has happened to Canon and Nikon in just a few short years. They are playing catch-up in the market. Obviously Canon and Nikon are huge companies and they still command a massive share of the industry, but they have fallen behind in several key areas. Leica is the only one who could keep someone from joining the L-mount as the L-mount is theirs and they would have to grant a license, but other than a license from Leica I don't believe there is any restriction. There are anti-trust laws against cartels and the L-mount alliance would find themselves in trouble if they were working together to restrict competition.

12-27-2019, 11:02 AM	#630
tvdtvdtvd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,665	Originally posted by PENTAPSC So many different acronyms referencing different aspects of DSLRs, Thetas, etc. Is there anywhere a listing of current acronyms> Google has your answer.