Will Ricoh-Pentax ever create k-mount mirrorless camera?

talkskiwon · 07-11-2016, 09:26 PM

Just wondering, but certainly hope so.

Adam · 07-11-2016, 09:31 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by talkskiwon

Just wondering, but certainly hope so.

They already did, and it didn't do too well. Not sure anything can be changed to make a K-mount mirrorless make sense. The mirror doesn't really make things any bulkier due to the way the mount is designed. The only option would be to make mirrorless-only lenses along with an adapter for existing lenses, an idea that was floated around at CP+ 2012 but subsequently abandoned (see the photo below).

**pentaxus** · 07-11-2016, 11:09 PM

Maybe Pentax could get a deal on Samsung's camera division and adapt to those.
Camera | New Camera News
Seriously, as Adam says, for mirrorless to make sense it has to be smaller. The K mount flange to sensor distance is just too far. Mirrorless is becoming increasingly popular ( some say it is the future ) so you would hope that Pentax would come out with mirrorless that can be adapted to K mount.

shaolen · 07-11-2016, 11:35 PM

I full heartedly think they need a k-02 with pretty much the same body but with phase detect AF and gear it towards video

---------- Post added 07-11-16 at 10:37 PM ----------

mirrorless k-mount makes perfect sense for video as dslrs don't use their mirror in video mode so videographers would never need a mirror

D1N0 · 07-12-2016, 02:18 AM

Ricoh is stretched already. A mirrorless line is not likely. They will probably only do it when Canon and Nikon also get serious about mirrorless and DSLR's really become a niche product (which they are not now and won't be for some time). They may however do something like Hasselblad did with the X1D. But for that to be a success they will have to set up a software design team. Ricoh is weak in software. Their apps, DCU 5, camera interface (while practical it is anciënt and not ready for a touch interface) are all pretty basic and limited and DCU is plain ugly and outdated.

automorphism · 07-12-2016, 02:19 AM

I would enjoy an APS-C Pentax mirrorless camera like the K-01, but which has:
- Stops down lenses automatically when aperture ring is used, instead of green button usage (though I guess we already have M42 lenses for that)
- Has an EVF

However, I guess other mirrorless cameras do this well already with an adapter.

victormeldrew · 07-12-2016, 04:43 AM

Do any other manufacturers make a compact mirrorless body that is directly compatible with their DSLR lenses?
Is it even possible/practical/sensical? Makes much more sense both in design and economics to produce new lenses for people to buy.

D1N0 · 07-12-2016, 04:53 AM

Only Sigma: http://www4.pcmag.com/media/images/495704-sigma-sd-quattro.jpg The K-01 was the only dslr mount mirrorless before this one I believe unless you count slt's. It's not very practical because of the long flange distance that isn't needed. A lot of empty space to carry around.

victormeldrew · 07-12-2016, 05:04 AM

Yeah the K-01 is hardly what I'd call compact, which is surely the main benefit of mirrorless.

**PJ1** · 07-12-2016, 05:09 AM - **1 Like**

But - as has been observed in other threads - they could make K-01 follow up in FF. The K-01 suffered a bit for its styling which (looking at the styling of the current crop of mirrorless) was simply ahead of its time. In FF it could be a Cinderella rather than the ugly (to some) step sister. It could be kept simple and relatively low cost. I would buy one. But that may be its biggest negative. A mirrorless FF in the form of a re-vamped K-01 might cut in to K-1 sales too much.

normhead · 07-12-2016, 05:43 AM

Interesting though, since I often take me K-01 as a second body, and I want a K-1 mainly for landscape, I'd be quite happy with a slightly larger than the k-01 K-02. That would be perfect, especially if they knocked 3 or 4 hundred off the price. It would be awesome, but I don't expect it.

For landscape I don't need a viewfinder, I don't need a fast frame rate, all I need is a good basic camera in small portable package. The K-1 is actually more than I need.

Kunzite · 07-12-2016, 05:48 AM

Originally posted by PJ1

But - as has been observed in other threads - they could make K-01 follow up in FF.

If it fails, try again. Just make sure it will really fail this time

wombat2go · 07-12-2016, 05:49 AM

To me, the biggest screw-up with the design of the K-01 was the lack of a click-on viewfinder,
as used on the Olympus M43.
I had an M43 for a long time. As soon as I got a vf, I started to use the camera a lot more.

I rarely use the K-01 now.

normhead · 07-12-2016, 06:03 AM

Same here, I rarely use it, but, it's often in my camera bag. With the 40XS on it or even the 21ltd. it fits really nice in my bag, and is a nice compliment to the longer lens that's usually on my K-3.

**RobA_Oz** · 07-12-2016, 06:05 AM

Originally posted by victormeldrew

Yeah the K-01 is hardly what I'd call compact, which is surely the main benefit of mirrorless.

The main advantage of a mirrorless ILC is the potential for reduced weight, compared with an equivalent DSLR. Overall size may be a secondary advantage, but both are offset to some extent by the size and weight of the system lenses.

A follow-on from the K-01 with an in-built EVF, and a more traditional body styling could find a greater success.

07-11-2016, 09:26 PM	#1
talkskiwon Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 90	Will Ricoh-Pentax ever create k-mount mirrorless camera? Just wondering, but certainly hope so.

07-11-2016, 09:31 PM - 2 Likes	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	Originally posted by talkskiwon Just wondering, but certainly hope so. They already did, and it didn't do too well. Not sure anything can be changed to make a K-mount mirrorless make sense. The mirror doesn't really make things any bulkier due to the way the mount is designed. The only option would be to make mirrorless-only lenses along with an adapter for existing lenses, an idea that was floated around at CP+ 2012 but subsequently abandoned (see the photo below). Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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07-11-2016, 11:09 PM	#3
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,312	Maybe Pentax could get a deal on Samsung's camera division and adapt to those. Camera \| New Camera News Seriously, as Adam says, for mirrorless to make sense it has to be smaller. The K mount flange to sensor distance is just too far. Mirrorless is becoming increasingly popular ( some say it is the future ) so you would hope that Pentax would come out with mirrorless that can be adapted to K mount.

07-11-2016, 11:35 PM	#4
shaolen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 1,047	I full heartedly think they need a k-02 with pretty much the same body but with phase detect AF and gear it towards video ---------- Post added 07-11-16 at 10:37 PM ---------- mirrorless k-mount makes perfect sense for video as dslrs don't use their mirror in video mode so videographers would never need a mirror

07-12-2016, 02:18 AM	#5
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	Ricoh is stretched already. A mirrorless line is not likely. They will probably only do it when Canon and Nikon also get serious about mirrorless and DSLR's really become a niche product (which they are not now and won't be for some time). They may however do something like Hasselblad did with the X1D. But for that to be a success they will have to set up a software design team. Ricoh is weak in software. Their apps, DCU 5, camera interface (while practical it is anciënt and not ready for a touch interface) are all pretty basic and limited and DCU is plain ugly and outdated.

07-12-2016, 02:19 AM	#6
automorphism Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 791	I would enjoy an APS-C Pentax mirrorless camera like the K-01, but which has: - Stops down lenses automatically when aperture ring is used, instead of green button usage (though I guess we already have M42 lenses for that) - Has an EVF However, I guess other mirrorless cameras do this well already with an adapter.

07-12-2016, 04:43 AM	#7
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	Do any other manufacturers make a compact mirrorless body that is directly compatible with their DSLR lenses? Is it even possible/practical/sensical? Makes much more sense both in design and economics to produce new lenses for people to buy.

07-12-2016, 04:53 AM	#8
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	Only Sigma: http://www4.pcmag.com/media/images/495704-sigma-sd-quattro.jpg The K-01 was the only dslr mount mirrorless before this one I believe unless you count slt's. It's not very practical because of the long flange distance that isn't needed. A lot of empty space to carry around.

07-12-2016, 05:04 AM	#9
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	Yeah the K-01 is hardly what I'd call compact, which is surely the main benefit of mirrorless.

07-12-2016, 05:09 AM - 1 Like	#10
PJ1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,481	But - as has been observed in other threads - they could make K-01 follow up in FF. The K-01 suffered a bit for its styling which (looking at the styling of the current crop of mirrorless) was simply ahead of its time. In FF it could be a Cinderella rather than the ugly (to some) step sister. It could be kept simple and relatively low cost. I would buy one. But that may be its biggest negative. A mirrorless FF in the form of a re-vamped K-01 might cut in to K-1 sales too much.

07-12-2016, 05:43 AM	#11
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,448	Interesting though, since I often take me K-01 as a second body, and I want a K-1 mainly for landscape, I'd be quite happy with a slightly larger than the k-01 K-02. That would be perfect, especially if they knocked 3 or 4 hundred off the price. It would be awesome, but I don't expect it. For landscape I don't need a viewfinder, I don't need a fast frame rate, all I need is a good basic camera in small portable package. The K-1 is actually more than I need.

07-12-2016, 05:48 AM	#12
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by PJ1 But - as has been observed in other threads - they could make K-01 follow up in FF. If it fails, try again. Just make sure it will really fail this time

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07-12-2016, 05:49 AM	#13
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	To me, the biggest screw-up with the design of the K-01 was the lack of a click-on viewfinder, as used on the Olympus M43. I had an M43 for a long time. As soon as I got a vf, I started to use the camera a lot more. I rarely use the K-01 now.

07-12-2016, 06:03 AM	#14
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,448	Same here, I rarely use it, but, it's often in my camera bag. With the 40XS on it or even the 21ltd. it fits really nice in my bag, and is a nice compliment to the longer lens that's usually on my K-3.

07-12-2016, 06:05 AM	#15
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,191	Originally posted by victormeldrew Yeah the K-01 is hardly what I'd call compact, which is surely the main benefit of mirrorless. The main advantage of a mirrorless ILC is the potential for reduced weight, compared with an equivalent DSLR. Overall size may be a secondary advantage, but both are offset to some extent by the size and weight of the system lenses. A follow-on from the K-01 with an in-built EVF, and a more traditional body styling could find a greater success.