Ricoh Booth at McBain Tradeshow

Dr_who · 11-09-2014, 02:18 PM - **2 Likes**

I had the lucky opportunity to have my telescope setup on display in the Ricoh/Pentax booth at the Edmonton Photographic Tradeshow by McBain Camera the other weekend. I had quite a few people come to me with interest and questions. I thought it was a very interesting experience as I've never done anything like that before.

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LensBeginner · 11-09-2014, 03:20 PM

Nice to see Ricoh-Pentax reaching out and trying to get known...
I'm not an astro expert (quite the contrary actually, just barely looked at the moon and confirmed that Saturn indeed has rings with a cheapo reflector

), and your reflector setup looks like the real deal...
So congratulations both to you and Ricoh!

asahi67 · 11-09-2014, 03:21 PM

Cool to see, thanks for the share. A lot of my Pentax gear I have ordered from McBain, items usually arrive here in Victoria in less than 20 hours.

Not a Number · 11-09-2014, 03:30 PM

Thanks for sharing.

I can't wait for all the criticism from the negative nancys about the size of the booth, Pentax banners and amateurish displays.

LensBeginner · 11-09-2014, 03:34 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Thanks for sharing.

I can't wait for all the criticism from the negative nancys about the size of the booth, Pentax banners and amateurish displays.

Looks ok to me...
There's neatly arranged leaflets, there's colored camera bodies, there's a pro-looking tele, there's ruggedized compacts, there's niche markets (the telescope), brands are strongly stated, the colors are quite consistent (black, red, white) and there's a tidy lens display case...

JimmyDranox · 11-09-2014, 04:25 PM

Congrats. A very good initiative. Especially because many astro photographers don't know that a Pentax camera can take very good astro images.

Your mount is an H-EQ5?

tvdtvdtvd · 11-09-2014, 04:32 PM - **1 Like**

I'm trying to wrap my head around "The power to wonder what if is always with you." Despite being a confirmed
abuser of the English language, that sentence makes my head hurt.

I'll offer an alternative for Ricoh: "What if? = Can do!"

Same sentiment, much easier to read and process, much more immediate impact. A FA31 in exchange would be
just fine on this end.

MarkJerling · 11-09-2014, 04:41 PM

Originally posted by tvdtvdtvd

I'm trying to wrap my head around "The power to wonder what if is always with you." Despite being a confirmed
abuser of the English language, that sentence makes my head hurt.

I'll offer an alternative for Ricoh: "What if? = Can do!"

Same sentiment, much easier to read and process, much more immediate impact. A FA31 in exchange would be
just fine on this end.

You're right. That is a scary sentence! Possibly a "lost in translation" moment?

tvdtvdtvd · 11-09-2014, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by MarkJerling

You're right. That is a scary sentence! Possibly a "lost in translation" moment?

I was going to suggest that, but didn't want to make stereotypical assumptions.

Just as likely, they let an
exec do the slogans to save on the marketing budget.

At least it didn't read something like: "Pentax is good, no?"

MarkJerling · 11-09-2014, 04:58 PM

Originally posted by tvdtvdtvd

I was going to suggest that, but didn't want to make stereotypical assumptions.

Just as likely, they let an
exec do the slogans to save on the marketing budget.

At least it didn't read something like: "Pentax is good, no?"

Reading some overseas printed manuals can be particularly scary. My son's new radio-controlled 4x4 is a good example. It's English - and it's not English, is the best way to describe it.

**Mikesul** · 11-09-2014, 05:26 PM

I guess the various comments above on language are meant well but it does seem odd in a world where most or all of our equipment comes from countries where English is not the native language to always be complaining if "our company" doesn't phrase things in simple North American dialect. Although content of the phrase "imagine what if" is silly the idea is clear. It sounds like just the thing a contemporary American ad agency would dream up. Sort of like 'An Army of One."

**hjoseph7** · 11-09-2014, 05:44 PM

Yeah Pentax ! It's about time...

Marktax · 11-09-2014, 05:58 PM

Pentax has long had some translation problems. They need to hire an editor (such as me) to refine what their translators render. The slogan here is trying to say: "The power to wonder 'What if?' is always with you." (Not that it is such a great slogan, but that's the intended meaning.) They are pushing the "always with you" theme, I think, because of the compactness of the K-S1 and Q-S1.

tvdtvdtvd · 11-09-2014, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by Mikesul

I guess the various comments above on language are meant well but it does seem odd in a world where most or all of our equipment comes from countries where English is not the native language to always be complaining if "our company" doesn't phrase things in simple North American dialect. Although content of the phrase "imagine what if" is silly the idea is clear. It sounds like just the thing a contemporary American ad agency would dream up. Sort of like 'An Army of One."

"An Army of One" may be a contradiction but it's a simple analogy that readily conveys a descriptive image.
"The Power To Imagine What If Is Always With You." would be cumbersome and clunky in any language.

And to be fair, Bonjour Croissant is an abomination. Poor communication is not endemic to English
translations.

---------- Post added 11-09-2014 at 07:25 PM ----------

Originally posted by Marktax

Pentax has long had some translation problems. They need to hire an editor (such as me) to refine what their translators render. The slogan here is trying to say: "The power to wonder 'What if?' is always with you." (Not that it is such a great slogan, but that's the intended meaning.) They are pushing the "always with you" theme, I think, because of the compactness of the K-S1 and Q-S1.

I think you are indeed correct. It's still clunky but the added punctuation helps the awkward if > is transition.

MarkJerling · 11-09-2014, 06:31 PM

Originally posted by Marktax

Pentax has long had some translation problems. They need to hire an editor (such as me) to refine what their translators render. The slogan here is trying to say: "The power to wonder 'What if?' is always with you." (Not that it is such a great slogan, but that's the intended meaning.) They are pushing the "always with you" theme, I think, because of the compactness of the K-S1 and Q-S1.

Thanks for clarifying. Those " " ? simbols really make all the difference!

11-09-2014, 03:21 PM	#3
asahi67 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Rainforest of Canada Vancouver Island and the sagebrush of southern Okanagan, BC Posts: 123	Ricoh and McBain Camera Cool to see, thanks for the share. A lot of my Pentax gear I have ordered from McBain, items usually arrive here in Victoria in less than 20 hours.

11-09-2014, 06:21 PM	#14
tvdtvdtvd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,665	Originally posted by Mikesul I guess the various comments above on language are meant well but it does seem odd in a world where most or all of our equipment comes from countries where English is not the native language to always be complaining if "our company" doesn't phrase things in simple North American dialect. Although content of the phrase "imagine what if" is silly the idea is clear. It sounds like just the thing a contemporary American ad agency would dream up. Sort of like 'An Army of One." "An Army of One" may be a contradiction but it's a simple analogy that readily conveys a descriptive image. "The Power To Imagine What If Is Always With You." would be cumbersome and clunky in any language. And to be fair, Bonjour Croissant is an abomination. Poor communication is not endemic to English translations. ---------- Post added 11-09-2014 at 07:25 PM ---------- Originally posted by Marktax Pentax has long had some translation problems. They need to hire an editor (such as me) to refine what their translators render. The slogan here is trying to say: "The power to wonder 'What if?' is always with you." (Not that it is such a great slogan, but that's the intended meaning.) They are pushing the "always with you" theme, I think, because of the compactness of the K-S1 and Q-S1. I think you are indeed correct. It's still clunky but the added punctuation helps the awkward if > is transition. Last edited by tvdtvdtvd; 11-09-2014 at 09:34 PM.

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11-09-2014, 03:20 PM	#2
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Nice to see Ricoh-Pentax reaching out and trying to get known... I'm not an astro expert (quite the contrary actually, just barely looked at the moon and confirmed that Saturn indeed has rings with a cheapo reflector ), and your reflector setup looks like the real deal... So congratulations both to you and Ricoh!

11-09-2014, 03:30 PM	#4
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Thanks for sharing. I can't wait for all the criticism from the negative nancys about the size of the booth, Pentax banners and amateurish displays.

11-09-2014, 03:34 PM	#5
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by Not a Number Thanks for sharing. I can't wait for all the criticism from the negative nancys about the size of the booth, Pentax banners and amateurish displays. Looks ok to me... There's neatly arranged leaflets, there's colored camera bodies, there's a pro-looking tele, there's ruggedized compacts, there's niche markets (the telescope), brands are strongly stated, the colors are quite consistent (black, red, white) and there's a tidy lens display case...

11-09-2014, 04:25 PM	#6
JimmyDranox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ploiesti, Romania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,632	Congrats. A very good initiative. Especially because many astro photographers don't know that a Pentax camera can take very good astro images. Your mount is an H-EQ5?

11-09-2014, 04:32 PM - 1 Like	#7
tvdtvdtvd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,665	I'm trying to wrap my head around "The power to wonder what if is always with you." Despite being a confirmed abuser of the English language, that sentence makes my head hurt. I'll offer an alternative for Ricoh: "What if? = Can do!" Same sentiment, much easier to read and process, much more immediate impact. A FA31 in exchange would be just fine on this end.

11-09-2014, 04:41 PM	#8
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,408	Originally posted by tvdtvdtvd I'm trying to wrap my head around "The power to wonder what if is always with you." Despite being a confirmed abuser of the English language, that sentence makes my head hurt. I'll offer an alternative for Ricoh: "What if? = Can do!" Same sentiment, much easier to read and process, much more immediate impact. A FA31 in exchange would be just fine on this end. You're right. That is a scary sentence! Possibly a "lost in translation" moment?

11-09-2014, 04:48 PM	#9
tvdtvdtvd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,665	Originally posted by MarkJerling You're right. That is a scary sentence! Possibly a "lost in translation" moment? I was going to suggest that, but didn't want to make stereotypical assumptions. Just as likely, they let an exec do the slogans to save on the marketing budget. At least it didn't read something like: "Pentax is good, no?"

11-09-2014, 04:58 PM	#10
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,408	Originally posted by tvdtvdtvd I was going to suggest that, but didn't want to make stereotypical assumptions. Just as likely, they let an exec do the slogans to save on the marketing budget. At least it didn't read something like: "Pentax is good, no?" Reading some overseas printed manuals can be particularly scary. My son's new radio-controlled 4x4 is a good example. It's English - and it's not English, is the best way to describe it.

11-09-2014, 05:26 PM	#11
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	I guess the various comments above on language are meant well but it does seem odd in a world where most or all of our equipment comes from countries where English is not the native language to always be complaining if "our company" doesn't phrase things in simple North American dialect. Although content of the phrase "imagine what if" is silly the idea is clear. It sounds like just the thing a contemporary American ad agency would dream up. Sort of like 'An Army of One."

11-09-2014, 05:44 PM	#12
hjoseph7 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,047	Yeah Pentax ! It's about time...

11-09-2014, 05:58 PM	#13
Marktax Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Washington DC Photos: Albums Posts: 610	Pentax has long had some translation problems. They need to hire an editor (such as me) to refine what their translators render. The slogan here is trying to say: "The power to wonder 'What if?' is always with you." (Not that it is such a great slogan, but that's the intended meaning.) They are pushing the "always with you" theme, I think, because of the compactness of the K-S1 and Q-S1.

11-09-2014, 06:31 PM	#15
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,408	Originally posted by Marktax Pentax has long had some translation problems. They need to hire an editor (such as me) to refine what their translators render. The slogan here is trying to say: "The power to wonder 'What if?' is always with you." (Not that it is such a great slogan, but that's the intended meaning.) They are pushing the "always with you" theme, I think, because of the compactness of the K-S1 and Q-S1. Thanks for clarifying. Those " " ? simbols really make all the difference!