Originally posted by pentaxdude I have been waiting for the announcement of the k3 for some time.Now that the camera is out and seeing the pics and seeing "ricoh on the back of the screen turns me off.Only a matter of time before we see Ricoh on the front of the camera.I think ricoh just shot themselves in the foot.My reasoning behind this is I make a living in photography.I shoot lots of weddings and It seems more people ask on what camera I'am using.I have had quite a few people turn me down because I shoot with pentax.They just know canon and nikon.I l was turned down on other major sporting events because I shoot with Pentax.This all happened a few years back and I will admit that some people are starting to recognize that pentax can keep up with the big guys.If Ricoh puts their name in front of the camera I feel it will throw them back to the dark ages..I'am quite happy with my k5s and all my pentax glass and will continue to shoot pentax,but hesitating to by new equiptment because of this matter.I do also own nikon and canon slr's but I'am a pentaxian and as long as it says Pentax on the front of the camera I'am happy.
I completely agree with the original poster. Like it or not, as a professional you have to consider your client's perception of the brand of gear you use as well as your brand's ability to support you as a professional, which, in the case of Pentax, appears to be non-existent. I have colleagues that use both Canon and Nikon and the one advantage they have is the professional services organization that supports them.
As an amateur/enthusiast photographer I don't have those same considerations....but if Ricoh were to ever put their name on top of the pentaprism, that would be the end of my brand loyalty to the Pentax name. What's funny is that I actually owned one of the original K-mount Ricoh-branded SLRs back in the day before I got my first Pentax ME in high school and later an LX.
Terry