[philbaum]

Possibly I misinterpreted some of the enthusiasm I thought I read here and elsewhere for the GXR? It seemed like some were suggesting it might be an alternative to high-end interchangeable lens systems.

Les, the poll is interesting. A ton of full frame interest and more pro level cameras.

The area that the poll doesn't explore much in hindsight, is exactly what do we recommend that Ricoh/Pentax do about the compact mirrorless camera niche. I'm not willing to give up my K5 anytime soon, but it would be fun to have a mirrorless, aps camera with a full K mount adapter on it that i could use prime lenses on.

If i could buy a SINGLE K-mount module (with aps sensor) with the GXR shell, that i could use my DA21, DA35, M100mm, A135 lenses with, for about $600-700; i would buy it tomorrow. Obviously, this K mount adapter would not be a sealed module adapter, so one would only need one adapter. I think several Pentax owners would be interested in such a setup as a second camera to their main one.

Plus, Ricoh would not have to stop with adapters for the Leica mount (which apparently is already planned) and the K mount, they could offer adapters for other mounts as well, if the license fees and size of market warranted it.

I'm not interested in the Pentax Q mount, but i was wrong before about the appeal of the multi colored Kx bodies, so i've been trying to keep my mouth shut

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Last edited by philbaum; 07-10-2011 at 11:15 AM.

[philbaum]

I think I must have missed that option. Does it exist, or is it a wish list kind of thing? I only read about lens/sensor modules. It might be interesting indeed to have a sensor plus adapter that would accept all K-mount lenses.

Les,
This is the Leica M lens Ricoh mount press announcement dating from Feb 2011:

Recent Press Releases / Digital Cameras | Ricoh Global

The K mount unit is a wish list item at the moment. But why would Ricoh not build one for their own House Brand (i.e. Pentax) if they can build one for Leica?

[les3547]

Les,
This is the Leica M lens Ricoh mount press announcement dating from Feb 2011:

Recent Press Releases / Digital Cameras | Ricoh Global

The K mount unit is a wish list item at the moment. But why would Ricoh not build one for their own House Brand (i.e. Pentax) if they can build one for Leica?

Very cool, thanks Phil.

[RonHendriks1966]

The area that the poll doesn't explore much in hindsight, is exactly what do we recommend that Ricoh/Pentax do about the compact mirrorless camera niche. I'm not willing to give up my K5 anytime soon, but it would be fun to have a mirrorless, aps camera with a full K mount adapter on it that i could use prime lenses on.

If i could buy a SINGLE K-mount module (with aps sensor) with the GXR shell, that i could use my DA21, DA35, M100mm, A135 lenses with, for about $600-700; i would buy it tomorrow. Obviously, this K mount adapter would not be a sealed module adapter, so one would only need one adapter. I think several Pentax owners would be interested in such a setup as a second camera to their main one.

Well making a K-mount module with APS-C sensor for GXR would be a mirroless option. I wouldn't buy it since I have APS-C in my current K-5. So this gives me nothing new. I guess it would be attractive to some people and an addonn for GXR.

A Full Frame sensor module with K-mount would be very different and a new option. I think this would only come to market when Ricoh descide not to make a Full Frame camera for real as a DSLR anytime soon. Then we could use this module for some years, and that would be a great thing.

Not cheap, GXR camera (probably a new one, needs faster processing I guess), Full Frame K-mount module, all three FA primes (31, 43 and 77mm) and you would have some nice set to go with. At a big price if you don't own any of it at the time.

[bjake]

Building a ff camera with the best sensor on the market would be good for business.
Jake

[RioRico]

Building a ff camera with the best sensor on the market would be good for business.

The trick is to find the highest quality FF sensor (that isn't monopolized by CaNikon) at an affordable price, and building it into a body that surpasses CaNikon offerings at an affordable price. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

[jeffshaddix]

The trick is to find the highest quality FF sensor (that isn't monopolized by CaNikon) at an affordable price, and building it into a body that surpasses CaNikon offerings at an affordable price. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

I think the body won't be a problem; both the K5 and 645D sport a class-competing if not leading design. As long as Ricoh keeps the same engineers around I doubt there would be any issue. The sensor is certainly tricky, the first company that comes to mind is Sony, but I wonder if Samsung has any FF sensor offerings?

Even after the camera is designed, in order for it to sell well, Pentax will need to develop the pro-level support of CaNikon. Ricoh could prove a valuable partner on that front.