[Pål Jensen]

They are looking to pursue medium-format for documentation and so the first action would be to drop the 645D line? As far as MFD, the 645D seems to be a success, so they will drop it? They just released the 645 25mm, which Ricoh would have known about, so then they drop the line? And because they have been sold to a richer company, they will now drop the 645D?

Naturally, if you can find a more detailed statement about product line development in any merger press release, please let me know. Hasselblad just got sold and the buyer's statement is even more vague.

If Ricoh is wanting to build their photo division, they will build on successes, not eliminate them. Like Sony before them, this purchase is a great way to enter photographic markets like DSLRs and MFD. I think the cache of being in the MFD market is going to help their image, no pun intended.

I really don't understand the panic this merger has caused.

Can you pleeease stop making so much sense. My head hurts!

[Thomas]

......I really don't understand the panic this merger has caused.

Agree. Hoya made it quite clear they had no interest in cameras. The positives under Hoya (K5, 645D) were likely motivated to make the camera division more attractive to a buyer, not part of a long range development plan. Pentax was in more danger with Hoya than Ricoh, who clearly have stated intentions to pursue camera sales.

[Blue]

They are looking to pursue medium-format for documentation and so the first action would be to drop the 645D line? As far as MFD, the 645D seems to be a success, so they will drop it? They just released the 645 25mm, which Ricoh would have known about, so then they drop the line? And because they have been sold to a richer company, they will now drop the 645D?

Naturally, if you can find a more detailed statement about product line development in any merger press release, please let me know. Hasselblad just got sold and the buyer's statement is even more vague.

If Ricoh is wanting to build their photo division, they will build on successes, not eliminate them. Like Sony before them, this purchase is a great way to enter photographic markets like DSLRs and MFD. I think the cache of being in the MFD market is going to help their image, no pun intended.

I really don't understand the panic this merger has caused.

You seem to be a Ricoh employee given all the certainty you have. But lets get one thing straight hoss, I am not in a panic. I was using a Nikon digital body and Pentax film bodies when Pentax released the *istD. I shifted to Pentax digital bodies in 2008 to replace the D70s. If the supply of k-mount digital bodies aren't available in the future, there are other options excluding canon.

[Smolk]

You seem to be a Ricoh employee given all the certainty you have.

No, it's just common sense. Although nothing is ever certain, going to a company which actively wants a dslr system, even in two formats at least, isn better than one which purchased Pentax for the non-camera patents and expertise.

[Zygonyx]

They are looking to pursue medium-format for documentation and so the first action would be to drop the 645D line? As far as MFD, the 645D seems to be a success, so they will drop it? They just released the 645 25mm, which Ricoh would have known about, so then they drop the line? And because they have been sold to a richer company, they will now drop the 645D?

Naturally, if you can find a more detailed statement about product line development in any merger press release, please let me know. Hasselblad just got sold and the buyer's statement is even more vague.

If Ricoh is wanting to build their photo division, they will build on successes, not eliminate them. Like Sony before them, this purchase is a great way to enter photographic markets like DSLRs and MFD. I think the cache of being in the MFD market is going to help their image, no pun intended.

I really don't understand the panic this merger has caused.

I fully support your statement.
There are several opportunities to see our preferate brand get the turbo that was lacking with Hoya... let's wait confidently and hope Ricoh will soon give indications of what they intend exactly !

[Blue]

My concern about Ricoh hasn't been what they hope to do but by the fact that they have been in black ink compared to Sony and Fuji. That said not by a lot. Furthermore, on May 26 they announced that they would be laying off 10,000 workers world wide over the next 3 years which is 9% of their work force. The best answer from the debates on this is "oh, it is just business as usual." It is likely that Ricoh knew they would be buying Pentax or were at least in the negotiations at the time. Does that 10,000 include some Pentax employees? Will Ricoh acquire the Vietnam plant and will the acquire the Philippine plant?

My hunch is that Ricoh sees changes in their existing business endeavors and want to attempt to bolster their photography side to offset that. There are a lot of aspects that can effect an acquisition that isn't as easily addressed by bean counters. I was concerned by some of the lens designers that Hoya essentially dumped. Maybe Ricoh will try to get 1 of those people in particular back. But acquiring them and then start wholesale layoffs could hammer morale. The additional thing is potential animosity from some of the existing Ricoh work force if there is a perception that some of the Pentax people are replacing some Ricoh people or vice verse.

All that said, I am certain the k-mount dSLR line and 645D line is Ricoh's interest. It certainly isn't the lackluster Optio line. The Q I don't really have a read on other than it was a PR splash just before the announcement of the Ricoh acquisition.

[Zygonyx]

I think Ricoh have made clear in the joint agreement with Hoya that they were buying "Pentax VN" as the plant subsidiary (my expression), including all production sites.

The fact that they plan to hammer roughly 10% of their workforce within 3 years should not be in first approach a big risk for the Pentaxian workers, as Hoya just finalised a big restructuring of their japaneese staff about one year ago, killing some 400 posts... and i dont think the Ricoh management is stupid enough not to give a sort of reinsurance to the new-comers. The risk should not lie in the R&D workforce in my opinion, but rather in the commercial networks. Hence the not so comfortable position for several Pentax overseas subsidiairies, where the common agreement has not yet been as precise as could have been expected.

[Fontan]

If document archive is the first thing out of their mouth in regards to medium format, I am not sure how I feel about that. Not all that positive, really. But, having said that, I won't be in a hurry to list my 645d on eBay. I feel like I already have what I need.

[Zygonyx]

They might be tempted to produce a medium format sensor GRX...

I agree the aim sounds a bit empty, but i think it is too early to panic. Let us know about your sale, never know.

[Yamanobori]

Did anyone read the July 1st letter from Hoya stating that there no planned changes to the Pentax line?

Digital Cameras and Accessories - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site

[RonHendriks1966]

Maybe Ricoh will put 645D-II in production with KAF50100 50 megapixel sensor wich uses the same layout as the currently used sensor and can be put in the same platform as is used in 645D.

[-Linus-]

Imho...

they first should switch to the new Fujitsu Controller.

-Linus-

[Fotojoh]

I was nervous when I first heard the news, but the more I read and think about it, the less concerned I am. Hence, I just took delivery of my 645d two days ago. Along with the Leica S2, I have to say it is the most well integrated MF body on the market and Ricoh will do well to push the system as aggressively as possible while the fire is hot. My bigger concern is that they aren't scheduled to take the reins until October and important lens development activity will continue to languish. I'd certainly love to see a lot more digital-optimize lenses in the stable.