Originally posted by nosnoop No, I don't see that at all. Right now, FF market is still minuscule.
The demand for FF is not high, even in this forum, as shown in previous polls. If and when FF drops to sub-$1500 or sub-$1300 level, the market may start growing. Then, Pentax would consider if it is worth their while competing in that segment. I simply don't see any sound business reason to enter the risky FF market at its current state.
I dunno which poll you are refering to, but it would be interesting to see a poll like what you are saying. and which market are you refering to? you must remember that there are market categories as well. if you are referring to the basic dslr consumer market, Pentax met that demand by introducing the entry level $500 dslr. midrange would be the K-7, and certainly Pentax doesn't have a semi/pro to offer above the K-7 with a price point above the $1500 premium. and you don't expect all of the semi/pro category would readily shell out $9,000 on the 645D either. what do you think is the purpose of Pentax for releasing the 645D which has surely has a much smaller market compared to people that are buying a Leica, APS-H and FF dslr with a premium ranging from $1,800-$5,000 ? from this, the 645D gamble does not or is not even sounder business.
I'm not sure which risk is there at building a Pentax FF since CANIKONY have something to offer and are doing just fine with it and satisfying the needs of the semi/pro market. Pentax has already competed at the entry and midrange level, so I dunno what is the reason why would they still pull back at offering something at another market category?
if it's funding, I'm pretty sure HOYA has a lot of it. Pentax is no longer Pentax itself. it got itself a financier.
I'm sure that people that are in the semi/pro category are more than willing to pay more than $1500 Pentax FF dlsr. that is the target market of Pentax and not the entry level budget conscious/constraint market. also, the people that made the switch or had 2 or 3 systems, surely would had not only paid $1,300 just to get a FF dslr. that alone speaks that budget is not an issue when it comes to demand for a Pentax FF dslr. I myself would not even whine about a Pentax FF dslr being sold at $2,500. what you are saying about a $1,300 Pentax FF dlsr is rather trying to influence the FF market to go dirt cheap and forcing the other players to do the same thing inorder to protect their niche market.
Last edited by Pentaxor; 07-18-2010 at 12:58 AM.