K3III Delayed... indefinitely

house · 02-18-2021, 07:25 AM - **1 Like**

I see news of product launches being cancelled across basically all types of products. It's quite amazing (stupid but completely in line with the demands of the economy) how incredibly centralised the economy is. There are like at best five manufacturers of any given product globally. There may be more brands but the guts come from the same handful of places.

It must be extremely frustrating for Pentax. First their own slowness and then worsened by covid and now supply issues.

I sure hope that Ricoh puts up with this kind of delay. There are just so few products coming out it feels like outside events like this might be the hair that breaks the camels back.

**TwoUptons** · 02-18-2021, 07:29 AM - **10 Likes**

It could be solving the global chip shortage caused some confusion... Imagine Ricoh QA people digging through the final menus... “what is ‘traction control’? Where’s AF-S? All I see is ABS?”

Meanwhile, at Toyota city... “Shake reduction? Astro Tracer? What kind of car is this?”

-Eric

**Serkevan** · 02-18-2021, 07:32 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by TwoUptons

Astro Tracer? What kind of car is this?”

Well, we're lucky it went to Toyota and not Tesla... don't let Elon anywhere near that, he'll get ideas

uccemebug · 02-18-2021, 07:37 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by JPT

The Japanese version doesn't say the word development (開発) in that part of the announcement. I don't think too much should be read into that word. It sounds like a parts issue.

It also wouldn't surprise me if someone's inline comments in a Word document got into the English text that was distributed.

**jersey** · 02-18-2021, 07:53 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by biz-engineer

What can you expect from a company that has less than 3% market share in a total market of less than 15 Million units? I'm glad RI are still trying to make Pentax cameras, because I know other companies who would have just pulled the plug.

I think it has nothing to do with market share and everything with earnings. If Ricoh earn money on Pentax cameras they will make them. They will not care about marketshare.

lytrytyr · 02-18-2021, 08:21 AM - **6 Likes**

Originally posted by reh321

I feel sorry for someone using an ‘aging’ body, but hopefully they have a backup plan.

Your sympathy is appreciated, but unfortunately there is no backup plan for my aging body!

Kunzite · 02-18-2021, 08:34 AM

Mr. Nozomi Tanaka:
Nozomi Tanaka: "I had the impression that it was completely different from the K-3 / K-3 II, another dimension, and the image was better than the K-1 Mark II." :w00t:

https://twitter.com/thisistanaka/status/1362223910310137856

How on Earth is that possible?

normhead · 02-18-2021, 08:40 AM

Quote:

How on Earth is that possible?

I always suspect they know stuff we don't.

Kunzite · 02-18-2021, 08:41 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by normhead

I always suspect they know stuff we don't.

Well, sure, but the K-1 II is still competitive in this area - and it has a larger, higher resolution sensor.
Now I'm hating the delay even more!

**Serkevan** · 02-18-2021, 08:54 AM

Originally posted by Kunzite

Mr. Nozomi Tanaka:
Nozomi Tanaka: "I had the impression that it was completely different from the K-3 / K-3 II, another dimension, and the image was better than the K-1 Mark II." :w00t:

https://twitter.com/thisistanaka/status/1362223910310137856

How on Earth is that possible?

The Deepl translation seems a bit less categorical:
"I've used the prototype and it's a fascinating camera, a completely different camera from the K-3/K-3 II, a different dimension, and I think it takes better pictures than the K-1 Mark II." (As-is, emphasis mine). All the options the translator gives for tweaking involve similar wording ("probably", "maybe", etc.).

Still, it's looking very good. Considering the Pentax tendency to focus on IQ as they don't have to use OSPDAF, I'm even more excited for the K-1iii now

mtgmansf · 02-18-2021, 09:04 AM

Wow, over three years since the discontinuation of the K3II aps-c flagship, with (still) no replacement in sight. Thank God I am not holding my breath...

biz-engineer · 02-18-2021, 09:16 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by jersey

I think it has nothing to do with market share and everything with earnings. If Ricoh earn money on Pentax cameras they will make them. They will not care about marketshare.

Nothing to do with market share? Ah ah? So if they would sell 10000 cameras they would turn a profit? Would they still make profit if they sell 1000 cameras? 100 cameras? 10 cameras? Who pays the fixed costs?

---------- Post added 18-02-21 at 17:18 ----------

Originally posted by Kunzite

How on Earth is that possible?

They licensed Topaz Gigapixels AI to run in camera?

reh321 · 02-18-2021, 09:19 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by biz-engineer

Nothing to do with market share? Ah ah? So if they would sell 10000 cameras they would turn a profit? Would they still make profit if they sell 1000 cameras? 100 cameras? 10 cameras? Who pays the fixed costs?

We don't know what their 'break-even" point is - and that is not our concern.
Ricoh has stated that it is not their focus, which is good enough for me.

biz-engineer · 02-18-2021, 09:29 AM

Did Ricoh say that the K3 mk III is delayed but the D-FA 21 will instead come earlier (for us , full frame users)? That's good news.

**Serkevan** · 02-18-2021, 09:44 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by biz-engineer

Nothing to do with market share? Ah ah? So if they would sell 10000 cameras they would turn a profit? Would they still make profit if they sell 1000 cameras? 100 cameras? 10 cameras? Who pays the fixed costs?

That's implicit in the "earn money" part, don't nitpick

. Of course there's a minimum they need to sell, but the point is that such minimum is lower than what would be considered a "meaningful" market share.

02-18-2021, 07:29 AM - 10 Likes	#122
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,225	It could be solving the global chip shortage caused some confusion... Imagine Ricoh QA people digging through the final menus... “what is ‘traction control’? Where’s AF-S? All I see is ABS?” Meanwhile, at Toyota city... “Shake reduction? Astro Tracer? What kind of car is this?” -Eric Last edited by gatorguy; 02-18-2021 at 07:40 AM.

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02-18-2021, 07:25 AM - 1 Like	#121
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	I see news of product launches being cancelled across basically all types of products. It's quite amazing (stupid but completely in line with the demands of the economy) how incredibly centralised the economy is. There are like at best five manufacturers of any given product globally. There may be more brands but the guts come from the same handful of places. It must be extremely frustrating for Pentax. First their own slowness and then worsened by covid and now supply issues. I sure hope that Ricoh puts up with this kind of delay. There are just so few products coming out it feels like outside events like this might be the hair that breaks the camels back.

02-18-2021, 07:32 AM - 3 Likes	#123
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by TwoUptons Astro Tracer? What kind of car is this?” Well, we're lucky it went to Toyota and not Tesla... don't let Elon anywhere near that, he'll get ideas

02-18-2021, 07:37 AM - 1 Like	#124
uccemebug Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 962	Originally posted by JPT The Japanese version doesn't say the word development (開発) in that part of the announcement. I don't think too much should be read into that word. It sounds like a parts issue. It also wouldn't surprise me if someone's inline comments in a Word document got into the English text that was distributed.

02-18-2021, 07:53 AM - 2 Likes	#125
jersey Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: 3City agglomeration Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,062	Originally posted by biz-engineer What can you expect from a company that has less than 3% market share in a total market of less than 15 Million units? I'm glad RI are still trying to make Pentax cameras, because I know other companies who would have just pulled the plug. I think it has nothing to do with market share and everything with earnings. If Ricoh earn money on Pentax cameras they will make them. They will not care about marketshare.

02-18-2021, 08:21 AM - 6 Likes	#126
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by reh321 I feel sorry for someone using an ‘aging’ body, but hopefully they have a backup plan. Your sympathy is appreciated, but unfortunately there is no backup plan for my aging body!

02-18-2021, 08:34 AM	#127
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Mr. Nozomi Tanaka: Nozomi Tanaka: "I had the impression that it was completely different from the K-3 / K-3 II, another dimension, and the image was better than the K-1 Mark II." :w00t: https://twitter.com/thisistanaka/status/1362223910310137856 How on Earth is that possible?

02-18-2021, 08:40 AM	#128
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Quote: How on Earth is that possible? I always suspect they know stuff we don't.

02-18-2021, 08:41 AM - 1 Like	#129
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by normhead I always suspect they know stuff we don't. Well, sure, but the K-1 II is still competitive in this area - and it has a larger, higher resolution sensor. Now I'm hating the delay even more!

02-18-2021, 08:54 AM	#130
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by Kunzite Mr. Nozomi Tanaka: Nozomi Tanaka: "I had the impression that it was completely different from the K-3 / K-3 II, another dimension, and the image was better than the K-1 Mark II." :w00t: https://twitter.com/thisistanaka/status/1362223910310137856 How on Earth is that possible? The Deepl translation seems a bit less categorical: "I've used the prototype and it's a fascinating camera, a completely different camera from the K-3/K-3 II, a different dimension, and I think it takes better pictures than the K-1 Mark II." (As-is, emphasis mine). All the options the translator gives for tweaking involve similar wording ("probably", "maybe", etc.). Still, it's looking very good. Considering the Pentax tendency to focus on IQ as they don't have to use OSPDAF, I'm even more excited for the K-1iii now

02-18-2021, 09:04 AM	#131
mtgmansf Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 321	Wow, over three years since the discontinuation of the K3II aps-c flagship, with (still) no replacement in sight. Thank God I am not holding my breath...

02-18-2021, 09:16 AM - 2 Likes	#132
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,247	Originally posted by jersey I think it has nothing to do with market share and everything with earnings. If Ricoh earn money on Pentax cameras they will make them. They will not care about marketshare. Nothing to do with market share? Ah ah? So if they would sell 10000 cameras they would turn a profit? Would they still make profit if they sell 1000 cameras? 100 cameras? 10 cameras? Who pays the fixed costs? ---------- Post added 18-02-21 at 17:18 ---------- Originally posted by Kunzite How on Earth is that possible? They licensed Topaz Gigapixels AI to run in camera?

02-18-2021, 09:19 AM - 3 Likes	#133
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by biz-engineer Nothing to do with market share? Ah ah? So if they would sell 10000 cameras they would turn a profit? Would they still make profit if they sell 1000 cameras? 100 cameras? 10 cameras? Who pays the fixed costs? We don't know what their 'break-even" point is - and that is not our concern. Ricoh has stated that it is not their focus, which is good enough for me.

02-18-2021, 09:29 AM	#134
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,247	Did Ricoh say that the K3 mk III is delayed but the D-FA 21 will instead come earlier (for us , full frame users)? That's good news.

02-18-2021, 09:44 AM - 2 Likes	#135
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by biz-engineer Nothing to do with market share? Ah ah? So if they would sell 10000 cameras they would turn a profit? Would they still make profit if they sell 1000 cameras? 100 cameras? 10 cameras? Who pays the fixed costs? That's implicit in the "earn money" part, don't nitpick . Of course there's a minimum they need to sell, but the point is that such minimum is lower than what would be considered a "meaningful" market share.