interview with Ricoh Imaging General Sales Manager for Europe

Ausable · 11-23-2019, 05:07 PM

"• Initially, we designed [the KP] as a replacement for the K-3 Mark II, but we realised that we were selling it a lot more to non-Pentax customers."

I thought that statement was very interesting. If you want to grow your customer base, this is what some of your designs need to do.

Not a Number · 11-23-2019, 05:17 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Mistral75

On the mirrorless side, it is likely that the parent company in Japan is taking the issue very seriously due to the very clear market evolution.
xxx

Ricoh doesn't seem interested in jumping on the mirrorless bandwagon.

Originally posted by Jeff

Mr Takahashi, President of Ricoh Imaging, flew in for the event - he was only over in the UK for 7 hours before flying back to Japan tonight. That's quite a commitment and was greatly appreciated by all.

He spoke about the new APSC camera and brought one over with him, but it was inside its glass case as in previous events in other parts of the world. He talked about Pentax staying committed to DSLR's and said that they were not moving into mirrorless as he believes that many people prefer the OVF over any other system. He didn't even say, "Well, one day we will". It just doesn't appear to be something that Pentax is going to spend money on.

Urs · 11-23-2019, 05:19 PM

Thanks for all the info! Much appreciated!

**RGlasel** · 11-23-2019, 05:47 PM

Originally posted by Ausable

we realised that we were selling it a lot more to non-Pentax customers.

I also thought this was a remarkable statement and a surprise as well. Head office in Japan made the comment a year after the K-1 was released that sales were roughly even between existing Pentax users and new-to-Pentax users, but the only comment I remember about the KP is that it was popular with film era Pentax users, especially in Japan. The feedback on this site is that Pentax DSLR sales in Europe are at very low levels, so perhaps this trend is based on a very small population of customers. Certainly, for the future of Pentax branded cameras, any sales to people who don't already have a shelf full of K-mount lenses is good and even better for the Pentax lens business.

Which is why any talk of launching a Pentax mirrorless camera as part of the L-Alliance without new Pentax lenses to go with it sounds dubious to me, especially when we consider the longer timelines for developing new lenses. Where will the camera market be in 18 months, and who is going to take a chance on going in a new direction for the next 5 years?

rawr · 11-23-2019, 06:16 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by RGlasel

L-Alliance without new Pentax lenses to go with it sounds dubious to me

Yes, it sounds like a lot of work for potentially very little reward, given that they will be competing directly against a behemoth like Panasonic in L-mount.

Better for Ricoh to simply get their best, most innovatibe engineers to figure out how to make a K-mount mirrorless body that is as compact as possible. Surely something significantly less boxy than the K-01 is possible. (But then again, size isn't the only issue - the newest Panasonic L-mount cameras are about as big as the K-1).

**RobA_Oz** · 11-23-2019, 06:21 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by thibs

L-mount would:

1/ position Ricoh as a rather high-end offering (it's all a question of image after all, pin intended)

2/ allow Ricoh to iterate around GR. Not a GR, that one will always be single lens compact but around it.

Originally posted by monochrome

I can imagine an L-mount camera with Ricoh and Pentax DNA. Quirky, But Good.

I can imagine another iteration of the FA43 Ltd for the L-mount, given that there was already one for the M-mount. Then there’s the 77...

rangercarp · 11-23-2019, 06:55 PM

Originally posted by rawr

Yes, it sounds like a lot of work for potentially very little reward, given that they will be competing directly against a behemoth like Panasonic in L-mount.

Is Panasonic really selling that many MILCs? I have not heard any market share numbers for them, so I really have no idea, but I have never seen one in the wild. Looking on B&H, the S1H is the 16th best selling MILC, the GH5 is number 23 and the GX85 is number 29.

Last edited by rangercarp; 11-23-2019 at 07:04 PM. Reason: added B&H info

**mlt** · 11-23-2019, 07:12 PM

Just read the entire interview translated by Bing. This was the most informative Interview I‘ve seen in years concerning the state of Pentax. Definitely a good sign. Interesting to see mirrorless translated as hybrid, oh well software is software

**Larrymc** · 11-23-2019, 07:16 PM

Originally posted by zzeitg

Mirrorless? Available from Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, Leica and Sigma.

I don't see any reason, why Pentax should (anyway too late) join this trend. Especially when they are aware that the Pentax "fan community is very special because of its attachment to the brand" and well, call it conservative, but stuck to DSLR.

"In many cases, the father owned a Pentax, which he later passed on to his children, who themselves bought a Pentax camera. We therefore have a community that is extremely loyal to Pentax."

Yes, but that's only possible thanks to the mount compatibility.

Simply, I don't see is as realistic, that Pentax would switch to mirrorless and gain important market share (and profit). IMHO it's much better to concentrate on DSLR, continue improvement of the cameras and maintain the market share that they already have (thanks to the loyal community).

Very well put!

**Larrymc** · 11-23-2019, 07:21 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxis

There are millions of k-mount film cameras gathering dust in attics, being bashed around in charity shops, and flogged off at car boot sales. Anyone who successfully engineers a simple, effective digital back for them will make a fortune in sales.

Such a solution would be an extremely environmentally appealing product and could be updated and iterated as new sensors and materials become available.

Pentax/Ricoh would be a prime candidate to design, optimise and manufacture the devices.

Dream on.

**Larrymc** · 11-23-2019, 07:45 PM

Originally posted by rawr

Yes, it sounds like a lot of work for potentially very little reward, given that they will be competing directly against a behemoth like Panasonic in L-mount.

Sounds as if Mr. Farreng may have been injecting a bit of his desires into the mirrorless thing.

Mistral75 · 11-23-2019, 07:47 PM

Originally posted by mlt

(...) Interesting to see mirrorless translated as hybrid, oh well software is software

That's because he says ' hybride' in French, which is often used in France for mirrorless camera.

Mistral75 · 11-23-2019, 07:50 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Larrymc

Sounds as if Mr. Farreng may have been injecting a bit of his desires into the mirrorless thing.

The way he presents the 3-way alternative seems quite balanced to me.

**mlt** · 11-23-2019, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by Mistral75

That's because he says ' hybride' in French, which is often used in France for mirrorless camera.

Thank you, that would explain it more than a software translation hiccup. Just too use to other translation oddities, like getting the word ‘aircraft’ when Japanese words for camera bodies are converted to English.

torashi · 11-23-2019, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by mlt

Ricoh may do a mirrorless, but will keep Pentax firmly in the dslr camp.

It would be ironic to use the Pentax name for it.

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11-23-2019, 05:07 PM	#46
Ausable Senior Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 148	"• Initially, we designed [the KP] as a replacement for the K-3 Mark II, but we realised that we were selling it a lot more to non-Pentax customers." I thought that statement was very interesting. If you want to grow your customer base, this is what some of your designs need to do.

11-23-2019, 05:17 PM - 1 Like	#47
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by Mistral75 On the mirrorless side, it is likely that the parent company in Japan is taking the issue very seriously due to the very clear market evolution. xxx Ricoh doesn't seem interested in jumping on the mirrorless bandwagon. Originally posted by Jeff Mr Takahashi, President of Ricoh Imaging, flew in for the event - he was only over in the UK for 7 hours before flying back to Japan tonight. That's quite a commitment and was greatly appreciated by all. He spoke about the new APSC camera and brought one over with him, but it was inside its glass case as in previous events in other parts of the world. He talked about Pentax staying committed to DSLR's and said that they were not moving into mirrorless as he believes that many people prefer the OVF over any other system. He didn't even say, "Well, one day we will". It just doesn't appear to be something that Pentax is going to spend money on.

11-23-2019, 05:19 PM	#48
Urs Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Panama Posts: 804	Thanks for all the info! Much appreciated!

11-23-2019, 05:47 PM	#49
RGlasel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saskatoon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,228	Originally posted by Ausable we realised that we were selling it a lot more to non-Pentax customers. I also thought this was a remarkable statement and a surprise as well. Head office in Japan made the comment a year after the K-1 was released that sales were roughly even between existing Pentax users and new-to-Pentax users, but the only comment I remember about the KP is that it was popular with film era Pentax users, especially in Japan. The feedback on this site is that Pentax DSLR sales in Europe are at very low levels, so perhaps this trend is based on a very small population of customers. Certainly, for the future of Pentax branded cameras, any sales to people who don't already have a shelf full of K-mount lenses is good and even better for the Pentax lens business. Which is why any talk of launching a Pentax mirrorless camera as part of the L-Alliance without new Pentax lenses to go with it sounds dubious to me, especially when we consider the longer timelines for developing new lenses. Where will the camera market be in 18 months, and who is going to take a chance on going in a new direction for the next 5 years?

11-23-2019, 06:16 PM - 1 Like	#50
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by RGlasel L-Alliance without new Pentax lenses to go with it sounds dubious to me Yes, it sounds like a lot of work for potentially very little reward, given that they will be competing directly against a behemoth like Panasonic in L-mount. Better for Ricoh to simply get their best, most innovatibe engineers to figure out how to make a K-mount mirrorless body that is as compact as possible. Surely something significantly less boxy than the K-01 is possible. (But then again, size isn't the only issue - the newest Panasonic L-mount cameras are about as big as the K-1).

11-23-2019, 06:21 PM - 2 Likes	#51
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	Originally posted by thibs L-mount would: 1/ position Ricoh as a rather high-end offering (it's all a question of image after all, pin intended) 2/ allow Ricoh to iterate around GR. Not a GR, that one will always be single lens compact but around it. Originally posted by monochrome I can imagine an L-mount camera with Ricoh and Pentax DNA. Quirky, But Good. I can imagine another iteration of the FA43 Ltd for the L-mount, given that there was already one for the M-mount. Then there’s the 77...

11-23-2019, 06:55 PM	#52
rangercarp Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Southern Michigan Posts: 437	Originally posted by rawr Yes, it sounds like a lot of work for potentially very little reward, given that they will be competing directly against a behemoth like Panasonic in L-mount. Is Panasonic really selling that many MILCs? I have not heard any market share numbers for them, so I really have no idea, but I have never seen one in the wild. Looking on B&H, the S1H is the 16th best selling MILC, the GH5 is number 23 and the GX85 is number 29. Last edited by rangercarp; 11-23-2019 at 07:04 PM. Reason: added B&H info

11-23-2019, 07:12 PM	#53
mlt Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,159	Just read the entire interview translated by Bing. This was the most informative Interview I‘ve seen in years concerning the state of Pentax. Definitely a good sign. Interesting to see mirrorless translated as hybrid, oh well software is software

11-23-2019, 07:16 PM	#54
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,251	Originally posted by zzeitg Mirrorless? Available from Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, Leica and Sigma. I don't see any reason, why Pentax should (anyway too late) join this trend. Especially when they are aware that the Pentax "fan community is very special because of its attachment to the brand" and well, call it conservative, but stuck to DSLR. "In many cases, the father owned a Pentax, which he later passed on to his children, who themselves bought a Pentax camera. We therefore have a community that is extremely loyal to Pentax." Yes, but that's only possible thanks to the mount compatibility. Simply, I don't see is as realistic, that Pentax would switch to mirrorless and gain important market share (and profit). IMHO it's much better to concentrate on DSLR, continue improvement of the cameras and maintain the market share that they already have (thanks to the loyal community). Very well put!

11-23-2019, 07:21 PM	#55
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,251	Originally posted by Pentaxis There are millions of k-mount film cameras gathering dust in attics, being bashed around in charity shops, and flogged off at car boot sales. Anyone who successfully engineers a simple, effective digital back for them will make a fortune in sales. Such a solution would be an extremely environmentally appealing product and could be updated and iterated as new sensors and materials become available. Pentax/Ricoh would be a prime candidate to design, optimise and manufacture the devices. Dream on.

11-23-2019, 07:45 PM	#56
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,251	Originally posted by rawr Yes, it sounds like a lot of work for potentially very little reward, given that they will be competing directly against a behemoth like Panasonic in L-mount. Sounds as if Mr. Farreng may have been injecting a bit of his desires into the mirrorless thing.

11-23-2019, 07:47 PM	#57
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527 Original Poster	Originally posted by mlt (...) Interesting to see mirrorless translated as hybrid, oh well software is software That's because he says ' hybride' in French, which is often used in France for mirrorless camera.

11-23-2019, 07:50 PM - 1 Like	#58
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527 Original Poster	Originally posted by Larrymc Sounds as if Mr. Farreng may have been injecting a bit of his desires into the mirrorless thing. The way he presents the 3-way alternative seems quite balanced to me.

11-23-2019, 08:06 PM	#59
mlt Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,159	Originally posted by Mistral75 That's because he says ' hybride' in French, which is often used in France for mirrorless camera. Thank you, that would explain it more than a software translation hiccup. Just too use to other translation oddities, like getting the word ‘aircraft’ when Japanese words for camera bodies are converted to English.

11-23-2019, 08:22 PM	#60
torashi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Medellín Posts: 1,322	Originally posted by mlt Ricoh may do a mirrorless, but will keep Pentax firmly in the dslr camp. It would be ironic to use the Pentax name for it.