Vecnos - A new Ricoh spin-off brand for 360 cameras

JPT · 03-10-2020, 04:19 AM - **4 Likes**

Ricoh has taken the unusual step of creating a new spin-off company for 360 cameras. It was the idea of one of the original Theta developers. It seems to be strongly targeted at the consumer end of the market.

The product itself is a small pen-shaped 360 camera with three lenses around the sides and one more on the top.

The website for the company is here.
Vecnos Inc.

And there’s a link on that page to an article in Wired.
Exclusive: Ricoh's 360 Camera Division Spins Out to Form Vecnos | WIRED

It’s quite an interesting development. They will continue to develop Theta, but also expand with this brand.

biz-engineer · 03-10-2020, 05:01 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by JPT

Ricoh has taken the unusual step of creating a new spin-off company for 360 cameras

No only a brand name but a separate entity, with job openings , CEO etc.

Very interesting. What will be the name of the Pentax spinoff? Pentax Inc.?

**BigMackCam** · 03-10-2020, 05:12 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by biz-engineer

No only a brand name but a separate entity, with job openings , CEO etc.

Very interesting. What will be the name of the Pentax spinoff? Pentax Inc.?

"Ricoh Imaging"

Mistral75 · 03-10-2020, 05:13 AM - **1 Like**

A few hours ago Kimio Tanaka dedicated two tweets to Vecnos:

Originally posted by Kimio Tanaka:

THETAを開発していた元メンバーがリコーの援助で会社（ベクノス）を立ち上げ、細いペンスタイルの360度全天球型カメラの開発し、今年中には発売予定とのニュースがありました。おもしろそうなカメラ。

'People who had formerly developed THETA launched a company (Vecnos) with the assistance of Ricoh. They developed a thin pen-style 360-degree spherical camera, to be released later this year. A camera that looks interesting.'

Source: Twitter

Originally posted by Kimio Tanaka:

そのカメラには側面に３つの、天面に１つの光学系を組み込んで（THETAは表面と裏面に光学系を配置）開発中のアプリを使って全天球画像が愉しめるとのことです。ベクノスはリコーの関連会社でいわゆるベンチャー企業ではなくスタートアップ企業として活動するそうです。

'The camera includes three optical systems on the sides and one on top (THETA has optical systems on the front and back). You can enjoy spherical images by using the application under development. Vechnos is an affiliate of Ricoh and works as a startup rather than a traditional company.'

Source: Twitter

See also the press release : https://vecnos.com/en/newsroom/20200310_Vecnos_EN.pdf

Mistral75 · 03-10-2020, 05:16 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by biz-engineer

No only a brand name but a separate entity, with job openings , CEO etc.

Very interesting. What will be the name of the Pentax spinoff? Pentax Inc.?

Pentax is hardly a startup company positioned on a fast-growing market...

Under the current circumstances the Pentax business couldn't subsist if it were a stand-alone company. Incorporating it would only be the prelude to selling it off. Don't look forward to it.

sundown · 03-10-2020, 05:38 AM - **1 Like**

Sounds like 'vaccine'.. shaped like a syringe..

or thermometer.

chaxdaman · 03-10-2020, 05:44 AM - **16 Likes**

Looks like something that can wipe out your memory.

lytrytyr · 03-10-2020, 05:52 AM

Originally posted by Mistral75

See also the press release : https://vecnos.com/en/newsroom/20200310_Vecnos_EN.pdf

Interesting that it says "Ricoh will be the lead investor."

Makes you wonder what other sources, if any, will be buying in.

Roadboat24 · 03-10-2020, 06:20 AM

Originally posted by chaxdaman

Looks like something that can wipe out your memory.

Exactly what I was thinking...

D1N0 · 03-10-2020, 07:10 AM - **1 Like**

It could be succesful if services like Instagram and Tiktok embrace it

texandrews · 03-10-2020, 09:51 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by chaxdaman

Looks like something that can wipe out your memory.

Ummmm...I forgot what you just said.

texandrews · 03-10-2020, 09:54 AM

Am I the only one who finds this spin-off odd? Why spin-off something that looked to be successful for Ricoh?

Jean Poitiers · 03-10-2020, 09:59 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by chaxdaman

Looks like something that can wipe out your memory.

Why am I on this forum ... ?!

Adam · 03-10-2020, 10:01 AM - **2 Likes**

I know the Thetas certainly qualify for coverage by the forum...but what do you guys think about listing Vecnos cameras in the database?

**BigMackCam** · 03-10-2020, 10:21 AM - **6 Likes**

Originally posted by Adam

I know the Thetas certainly qualify for coverage by the forum...but what do you guys think about listing Vecnos cameras in the database?

According the Wired interview with Shu Ubukata:

Quote:

"The majority of Ricoh's business is office equipment," Ubukata told WIRED (with Vecnos senior vice president Kiyoshi Hashimoto serving as a translator). "To make a new product, a new culture, they decided we should make a new company. We are part of Ricoh, but Ricoh decided we should be very independent like a startup company."

Given that, I think Vecnos cameras should be included in the database, and treated as part of the Ricoh product family we support in these forums

03-10-2020, 04:19 AM - 4 Likes	#1
JPT Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,821	Vecnos - A new Ricoh spin-off brand for 360 cameras Ricoh has taken the unusual step of creating a new spin-off company for 360 cameras. It was the idea of one of the original Theta developers. It seems to be strongly targeted at the consumer end of the market. The product itself is a small pen-shaped 360 camera with three lenses around the sides and one more on the top. The website for the company is here. Vecnos Inc. And there’s a link on that page to an article in Wired. Exclusive: Ricoh's 360 Camera Division Spins Out to Form Vecnos \| WIRED It’s quite an interesting development. They will continue to develop Theta, but also expand with this brand.

03-10-2020, 10:01 AM - 2 Likes	#14
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	I know the Thetas certainly qualify for coverage by the forum...but what do you guys think about listing Vecnos cameras in the database? Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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03-10-2020, 05:01 AM - 2 Likes	#2
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,231	Originally posted by JPT Ricoh has taken the unusual step of creating a new spin-off company for 360 cameras No only a brand name but a separate entity, with job openings , CEO etc. Very interesting. What will be the name of the Pentax spinoff? Pentax Inc.?

03-10-2020, 05:12 AM - 3 Likes	#3
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,669	Originally posted by biz-engineer No only a brand name but a separate entity, with job openings , CEO etc. Very interesting. What will be the name of the Pentax spinoff? Pentax Inc.? "Ricoh Imaging"

03-10-2020, 05:13 AM - 1 Like	#4
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	A few hours ago Kimio Tanaka dedicated two tweets to Vecnos: Originally posted by Kimio Tanaka: THETAを開発していた元メンバーがリコーの援助で会社（ベクノス）を立ち上げ、細いペンスタイルの360度全天球型カメラの開発し、今年中には発売予定とのニュースがありました。おもしろそうなカメラ。 'People who had formerly developed THETA launched a company (Vecnos) with the assistance of Ricoh. They developed a thin pen-style 360-degree spherical camera, to be released later this year. A camera that looks interesting.' Source: Twitter Originally posted by Kimio Tanaka: そのカメラには側面に３つの、天面に１つの光学系を組み込んで（THETAは表面と裏面に光学系を配置）開発中のアプリを使って全天球画像が愉しめるとのことです。ベクノスはリコーの関連会社でいわゆるベンチャー企業ではなくスタートアップ企業として活動するそうです。 'The camera includes three optical systems on the sides and one on top (THETA has optical systems on the front and back). You can enjoy spherical images by using the application under development. Vechnos is an affiliate of Ricoh and works as a startup rather than a traditional company.' Source: Twitter See also the press release : https://vecnos.com/en/newsroom/20200310_Vecnos_EN.pdf

03-10-2020, 05:16 AM - 1 Like	#5
Mistral75 Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Paris, France Posts: 7,527	Originally posted by biz-engineer No only a brand name but a separate entity, with job openings , CEO etc. Very interesting. What will be the name of the Pentax spinoff? Pentax Inc.? Pentax is hardly a startup company positioned on a fast-growing market... Under the current circumstances the Pentax business couldn't subsist if it were a stand-alone company. Incorporating it would only be the prelude to selling it off. Don't look forward to it.

03-10-2020, 05:38 AM - 1 Like	#6
sundown Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 588	Sounds like 'vaccine'.. shaped like a syringe.. or thermometer.

03-10-2020, 05:44 AM - 16 Likes	#7
chaxdaman Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philippines Posts: 33	Looks like something that can wipe out your memory.

03-10-2020, 05:52 AM	#8
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by Mistral75 See also the press release : https://vecnos.com/en/newsroom/20200310_Vecnos_EN.pdf Interesting that it says "Ricoh will be the lead investor." Makes you wonder what other sources, if any, will be buying in.

03-10-2020, 06:20 AM	#9
Roadboat24 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 486	Originally posted by chaxdaman Looks like something that can wipe out your memory. Exactly what I was thinking...

03-10-2020, 07:10 AM - 1 Like	#10
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	It could be succesful if services like Instagram and Tiktok embrace it

03-10-2020, 09:51 AM - 3 Likes	#11
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,390	Originally posted by chaxdaman Looks like something that can wipe out your memory. Ummmm...I forgot what you just said.

03-10-2020, 09:54 AM	#12
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,390	Am I the only one who finds this spin-off odd? Why spin-off something that looked to be successful for Ricoh?

03-10-2020, 09:59 AM - 2 Likes	#13
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Originally posted by chaxdaman Looks like something that can wipe out your memory. Why am I on this forum ... ?!

03-10-2020, 10:21 AM - 6 Likes	#15
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,669	Originally posted by Adam I know the Thetas certainly qualify for coverage by the forum...but what do you guys think about listing Vecnos cameras in the database? According the Wired interview with Shu Ubukata: Quote: "The majority of Ricoh's business is office equipment," Ubukata told WIRED (with Vecnos senior vice president Kiyoshi Hashimoto serving as a translator). "To make a new product, a new culture, they decided we should make a new company. We are part of Ricoh, but Ricoh decided we should be very independent like a startup company." Given that, I think Vecnos cameras should be included in the database, and treated as part of the Ricoh product family we support in these forums

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