Sooooooo..Ricoh said that Pentax is just a brand not a company...What do you think ?

gmans · 04-17-2014, 06:33 AM

Why I like Pentax is the backwards capability of the the K mount, when i first bought the K1000 years ago I had no idea of Brand and or SLR cameras, but over the years I learnt more and it is the combination of the fine engineering and optics that has kept me with the brand. Ricoh has a shared history with the K mount and if they keep the K mount evolving and compatibility, will stick with them Ricoh or Pentax or horse with another name. 2cents.

ChristianRock · 04-17-2014, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by DuyNguyen

...as i said Ricoh please do not sink the Pentax name down as Sony did to Minolta . Happy Easter everyone

That was a different story. Sony bought the Minolta operations but they were not allowed the use of the name.
I don't know if they'd use it if they were allowed, but that is besides the point. Sony had no option there, they had to rename the cameras Sony due to legal arrangements. Konica Minolta stayed in the copier business.

Regarding RIcoh/Pentax, this has come by so many times now, it's a bit of a dead issue... Ricoh has kept the Pentax brand, which was always just a brand, as people mentioned here. Only in 2002-2006 was there ever a company called Pentax. Before that Pentax was a brand of Asahi, and after that it was a brand of Hoya and Ricoh. I guess Pentax being its own company would be the recipe for its demise and that almost happened, so I'm just happy to see it stay around and release great products. I have a good feeling about the future, I'm sure full frame is just around the corner so things are looking up. Long live Pentax! And good on Ricoh for keeping the brand around and building on it.

gmans · 04-17-2014, 07:29 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

Regarding RIcoh/Pentax, this has come by so many times now, it's a bit of a dead issue.

Come on kick the tin around again.

**Rondec** · 04-17-2014, 07:44 AM

The K mount is far more important to me than the brand name. If Pentax had remained Pentax, but ditched the k mount -- a la Olympus or, Sony, or, Canon -- I would have been upset. If Pentax had remained Pentax, but ditched digital camera operations, I would have been upset as well.

It isn't even as though Pentax "sold its soul." It was purchased in a hostile take over, divided and sold again. Somehow, despite all the down times, I can see good times ahead with Ricoh at the helm and that pleases me.

Clavius · 04-17-2014, 07:49 AM

Obviously it continues to bother people. And I think it's dumb to make fun of those people, because there is a point. Just imagine the same thing happening to a brand with a more substantial user base, like Nikon. Imagine the Mitsubishi Group demoting Nikon corp to a mere product line of Mitsubishi. That would certainly stir things up! And that's not so strange. Why are they allowed to have that pride and Pentaxians aren't?

**wtlwdwgn** · 04-17-2014, 08:09 AM

Originally posted by Steve.Ledger

You don't like seeing PENTAX on the front now?

I LOVE having PENTAX on the front! I just don't like that newfangled rendition of it. It's oogly!

Volvo244T · 04-17-2014, 08:20 AM

Originally posted by Clavius

Obviously it continues to bother people. And I think it's dumb to make fun of those people, because there is a point. Just imagine the same thing happening to a brand with a more substantial user base, like Nikon. Imagine the Mitsubishi Group demoting Nikon corp to a mere product line of Mitsubishi. That would certainly stir things up! And that's not so strange. Why are they allowed to have that pride and Pentaxians aren't?

This.

HOWEVER - I wouldn't mind if they went back to the old-school logo and and put "RICOH PENTAX" on the front like "ASAHI PENTAX" on the old cameras, or "HONEYWELL PENTAX" on the even older still cameras.

But to see the Pentax name disappear entirely...my jimmies would be rustled for sure. Like others have said, it's the K-mount that's most important to me...but I like the name as well.

cali92rs · 04-17-2014, 08:29 AM

Originally posted by fgaudet

Brand loyalty is overrated in Pentax's case. ...

I think brand loyalty is overrated in any case.

The minute a camera (or car, or computer, or cell phone) company pays me, instead of the other way around, is when i become loyal.

DuyNguyen · 04-17-2014, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by cali92rs

I think brand loyalty is overrated in any case.

The minute a camera (or car, or computer, or cell phone) company pays me, instead of the other way around, is when i become loyal.

Cmt of the day happy shooting everyone

ChristianRock · 04-17-2014, 08:41 AM

Originally posted by Clavius

Obviously it continues to bother people. And I think it's dumb to make fun of those people, because there is a point. Just imagine the same thing happening to a brand with a more substantial user base, like Nikon. Imagine the Mitsubishi Group demoting Nikon corp to a mere product line of Mitsubishi. That would certainly stir things up! And that's not so strange. Why are they allowed to have that pride and Pentaxians aren't?

The difference is that Nikon historically was a company. Pentax historically was a brand.

There can still be brand loyalty. Here in the US there's a lot of Mustang and Camaro fanatics. Those are just brands.

Also, it's a moot point because Ricoh said they'll keep the Pentax name on the ILCs and so far they have been doing that. So this is just worry about something that could happen. You know, the world could also end tomorrow, but I'm not going to lose sleep on what hasn't happened yet.

**boriscleto** · 04-17-2014, 08:49 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

The difference is that Nikon historically was a company. Pentax historically was a brand.

Nikon did not become the Nikon Corporation until 1988. Before that it was Nippon Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushikigaisha (Japan Optical Industries Co., Ltd), founded in 1917. The Nikon brand of cameras dates to 1947. It's a merging of Nippon and Ikon. (Pentax is a merging of Pentaprism and Contax, originally trademarked by Zeiss Ikon).

The Nikkor brand dates back to the 1930s. It's a westernized version of Nikkō. From 1963 to 1968 the Nikon F was branded Nikkor.

They also used the Joico brand for microscopes.

**wtlwdwgn** · 04-17-2014, 09:23 AM

Actually, PENTAX is PENTAprism refleX.

6BQ5 · 04-17-2014, 12:04 PM

We'll be talking about this same topic 10 years from now. It will never get old!

VoiceOfReason · 04-17-2014, 12:06 PM

Has Full Frame entered this topic yet?

**Lowell Goudge** · 04-17-2014, 12:33 PM

Many moons ago, my first camera was a Ricoh XR2s. Kind of a poor man's K2DMD. While it served me well, and it still works, it was not as solid as the pentax bodies it competed against.

As long as the cameras remain under the design control of the pentax team,and do not fall into just the bottom end of the spectrum, I could care less what name is on it.

04-17-2014, 08:49 AM	#41
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by ChristianRock The difference is that Nikon historically was a company. Pentax historically was a brand. Nikon did not become the Nikon Corporation until 1988. Before that it was Nippon Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushikigaisha (Japan Optical Industries Co., Ltd), founded in 1917. The Nikon brand of cameras dates to 1947. It's a merging of Nippon and Ikon. (Pentax is a merging of Pentaprism and Contax, originally trademarked by Zeiss Ikon). The Nikkor brand dates back to the 1930s. It's a westernized version of Nikkō. From 1963 to 1968 the Nikon F was branded Nikkor. They also used the Joico brand for microscopes. Last edited by boriscleto; 04-17-2014 at 08:58 AM.

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04-17-2014, 06:33 AM	#31
gmans Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Hunter Valley,NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,466	Why I like Pentax is the backwards capability of the the K mount, when i first bought the K1000 years ago I had no idea of Brand and or SLR cameras, but over the years I learnt more and it is the combination of the fine engineering and optics that has kept me with the brand. Ricoh has a shared history with the K mount and if they keep the K mount evolving and compatibility, will stick with them Ricoh or Pentax or horse with another name. 2cents.

04-17-2014, 07:17 AM	#32
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Originally posted by DuyNguyen ...as i said Ricoh please do not sink the Pentax name down as Sony did to Minolta . Happy Easter everyone That was a different story. Sony bought the Minolta operations but they were not allowed the use of the name. I don't know if they'd use it if they were allowed, but that is besides the point. Sony had no option there, they had to rename the cameras Sony due to legal arrangements. Konica Minolta stayed in the copier business. Regarding RIcoh/Pentax, this has come by so many times now, it's a bit of a dead issue... Ricoh has kept the Pentax brand, which was always just a brand, as people mentioned here. Only in 2002-2006 was there ever a company called Pentax. Before that Pentax was a brand of Asahi, and after that it was a brand of Hoya and Ricoh. I guess Pentax being its own company would be the recipe for its demise and that almost happened, so I'm just happy to see it stay around and release great products. I have a good feeling about the future, I'm sure full frame is just around the corner so things are looking up. Long live Pentax! And good on Ricoh for keeping the brand around and building on it.

04-17-2014, 07:29 AM	#33
gmans Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Hunter Valley,NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,466	Originally posted by ChristianRock Regarding RIcoh/Pentax, this has come by so many times now, it's a bit of a dead issue. Come on kick the tin around again.

04-17-2014, 07:44 AM	#34
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	The K mount is far more important to me than the brand name. If Pentax had remained Pentax, but ditched the k mount -- a la Olympus or, Sony, or, Canon -- I would have been upset. If Pentax had remained Pentax, but ditched digital camera operations, I would have been upset as well. It isn't even as though Pentax "sold its soul." It was purchased in a hostile take over, divided and sold again. Somehow, despite all the down times, I can see good times ahead with Ricoh at the helm and that pleases me.

04-17-2014, 07:49 AM	#35
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Obviously it continues to bother people. And I think it's dumb to make fun of those people, because there is a point. Just imagine the same thing happening to a brand with a more substantial user base, like Nikon. Imagine the Mitsubishi Group demoting Nikon corp to a mere product line of Mitsubishi. That would certainly stir things up! And that's not so strange. Why are they allowed to have that pride and Pentaxians aren't?

04-17-2014, 08:09 AM	#36
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,845	Originally posted by Steve.Ledger You don't like seeing PENTAX on the front now? I LOVE having PENTAX on the front! I just don't like that newfangled rendition of it. It's oogly!

04-17-2014, 08:20 AM	#37
Volvo244T Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bettendorf, IA / wherever the truck is parked Photos: Albums Posts: 99	Originally posted by Clavius Obviously it continues to bother people. And I think it's dumb to make fun of those people, because there is a point. Just imagine the same thing happening to a brand with a more substantial user base, like Nikon. Imagine the Mitsubishi Group demoting Nikon corp to a mere product line of Mitsubishi. That would certainly stir things up! And that's not so strange. Why are they allowed to have that pride and Pentaxians aren't? This. HOWEVER - I wouldn't mind if they went back to the old-school logo and and put "RICOH PENTAX" on the front like "ASAHI PENTAX" on the old cameras, or "HONEYWELL PENTAX" on the even older still cameras. But to see the Pentax name disappear entirely...my jimmies would be rustled for sure. Like others have said, it's the K-mount that's most important to me...but I like the name as well.

04-17-2014, 08:29 AM	#38
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by fgaudet Brand loyalty is overrated in Pentax's case. ... I think brand loyalty is overrated in any case. The minute a camera (or car, or computer, or cell phone) company pays me, instead of the other way around, is when i become loyal.

04-17-2014, 08:40 AM	#39
DuyNguyen New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: TX Posts: 22 Original Poster	Originally posted by cali92rs I think brand loyalty is overrated in any case. The minute a camera (or car, or computer, or cell phone) company pays me, instead of the other way around, is when i become loyal. Cmt of the day happy shooting everyone

04-17-2014, 08:41 AM	#40
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Originally posted by Clavius Obviously it continues to bother people. And I think it's dumb to make fun of those people, because there is a point. Just imagine the same thing happening to a brand with a more substantial user base, like Nikon. Imagine the Mitsubishi Group demoting Nikon corp to a mere product line of Mitsubishi. That would certainly stir things up! And that's not so strange. Why are they allowed to have that pride and Pentaxians aren't? The difference is that Nikon historically was a company. Pentax historically was a brand. There can still be brand loyalty. Here in the US there's a lot of Mustang and Camaro fanatics. Those are just brands. Also, it's a moot point because Ricoh said they'll keep the Pentax name on the ILCs and so far they have been doing that. So this is just worry about something that could happen. You know, the world could also end tomorrow, but I'm not going to lose sleep on what hasn't happened yet.

04-17-2014, 09:23 AM	#42
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,845	Actually, PENTAX is PENTAprism refleX.

04-17-2014, 12:04 PM	#43
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	We'll be talking about this same topic 10 years from now. It will never get old!

04-17-2014, 12:06 PM	#44
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	Has Full Frame entered this topic yet?

04-17-2014, 12:33 PM	#45
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	Many moons ago, my first camera was a Ricoh XR2s. Kind of a poor man's K2DMD. While it served me well, and it still works, it was not as solid as the pentax bodies it competed against. As long as the cameras remain under the design control of the pentax team,and do not fall into just the bottom end of the spectrum, I could care less what name is on it.