Why no Pentax K-5 at Olympics?

RonHendriks1966 · 08-09-2012, 09:28 AM

Well the market of sportsphotography is very competative and Pentax isn't in that market at the time. When you look at the stock that Canon and Nikon hold onside for support of the pro-shooters you know that at the time Pentax isn't able to be there. For this olympics it would be great to have one or two photographers covering the Olympics with K-5 and 645D, but more isn't in it. Who knows how the world of photography looks like in 2016 in Rio?

rawr · 08-09-2012, 09:35 AM

There is such a variety of photography pros - wedding pros, sports pros, photojournalism pros, fashion pros, stock pros, real estate pros, portrait pros. Etc.

If Pentax just catered for sports pros at big events like the Olympics I think that would be nice, but sports pros are still a pretty narrow part of the pro market.

eddie1960 · 08-09-2012, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by rawr

There is such a variety of photography pros - wedding pros, sports pros, photojournalism pros, fashion pros, stock pros, real estate pros, portrait pros. Etc.

If Pentax just catered for sports pros at big events like the Olympics I think that would be nice, but sports pros are still a pretty narrow part of the pro market.

agreed, sports pro's in fact are likely the narrowest part of the market for the most part, but to the public they are the most visible. supporting them is really about marketing costs. The pro market is pretty diverse beyond that. a focus on improving flash and pursuing the wedding pro market probably has a greater return for ricoh for instance

tuco · 08-09-2012, 01:18 PM

It sounds like all you have to do is supply a sports pro with a K-5 and they will FINALLY see the light? Not likely. Apart from pro features like focus speeds in that other brand, there is also the support infrastructure behind it that you may need to depend on. Pentax has a lot of work to do at having a leading, world-class support structure, I feel. And it takes years if not a decade to build that up. They need enough presence where you could go into any decent size city around the world and rent a BFL (big F-en lens) for your Pentax, for instance.

Last edited by tuco; 08-09-2012 at 01:33 PM.

Arpe · 08-09-2012, 02:30 PM

Pentax not only doesn't make sports-oriented cameras, but they also don't make sports-oriented lenses, they don't even have a 70-200/f2.8, the most basic sports lens there is, not to mention the 1.4x TC that lots use. Are they still making a 300/2.8, 400/2.8, 500 or 600 f4?.

It would take a mammoth effort for them to get the infrastructure and equipment needed to compete with C&N in that field.

rawr · 08-09-2012, 03:40 PM

I guess a benefit of Pentax making an effort to go after high-visibility sports by producing some pro level gear would be the trickle-down effect for average non-pro schmucks like me - the availability of good long WR lenses for birding (used/new), more options for fast Pentax primes and zooms, more cool accessories, more lens rental options.

The same would probably apply if they made a big effort to target wedding or any other pros I guess.

So go for it Pentax.

RonHendriks1966 · 08-09-2012, 03:56 PM

Originally posted by tuco

Not likely. Apart from pro features like focus speeds in that other brand, there is also the support infrastructure behind it that you may need to depend on. Pentax has a lot of work to do at having a leading, world-class support structure, I feel. And it takes years if not a decade to build that up.

Even Sony doesn´t compete in that arena anymore and they did have plans to do soo.

Clicker · 08-09-2012, 08:33 PM

Canon and Nikon have this area pretty much wrapped up.

eddie1960 · 08-10-2012, 05:20 AM

Originally posted by Clicker

Canon and Nikon have this area pretty much wrapped up.

of all the pro areas sports will be the toughest and most expensive to crack, building in the other areas first likely has a much higher ROI. then use that ROI to pursue the sport category if that is what ricoh wants

yhzgirl · 08-10-2012, 07:07 AM

Though I'm not professional the Olympics was the first run I had with my new K5 and wow have I been impressed! Fencing shots in really difficult light from nearly the farthest point from the fencers in the joint, and still I got some impressive shots.

As well as this photo of some dark clouds over the Basketball court in the Park.

Loving it! Up next the closing ceremony. Don't think my zoom will quite cut it from where I'll be sitting in the stadium stay tuned....

RonHendriks1966 · 08-10-2012, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by yhzgirl

Loving it! Up next the closing ceremony. Don't think my zoom will quite cut it from where I'll be sitting in the stadium stay tuned....

enjoy it.

Make some pictures of the spice girls

**j0n4hpk** · 12-27-2015, 10:09 PM

I mentioned something similar sometime ago. And being that anyone can take technically good photos with a smartphone or even a tablet, makes it more important that Ricoh / Pentax show some prescence in televised and upper professional sports. I understand that it may be expensive to setup a Professional Support desk with one or 2Pro Pentax photographers, but this is the price of marketting and Ricoh should be willing pay it as part of their Pentax investment.

**jlstrawman** · 12-28-2015, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by j0n4hpk

I mentioned something similar sometime ago.

You do realize that you responded to a nearly 3 1/2 year old thread?

08-10-2012, 07:07 AM	#25
yhzgirl New Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: London Photos: Gallery Posts: 7	Olympics Though I'm not professional the Olympics was the first run I had with my new K5 and wow have I been impressed! Fencing shots in really difficult light from nearly the farthest point from the fencers in the joint, and still I got some impressive shots. As well as this photo of some dark clouds over the Basketball court in the Park. Loving it! Up next the closing ceremony. Don't think my zoom will quite cut it from where I'll be sitting in the stadium stay tuned....

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08-09-2012, 09:28 AM	#16
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Well the market of sportsphotography is very competative and Pentax isn't in that market at the time. When you look at the stock that Canon and Nikon hold onside for support of the pro-shooters you know that at the time Pentax isn't able to be there. For this olympics it would be great to have one or two photographers covering the Olympics with K-5 and 645D, but more isn't in it. Who knows how the world of photography looks like in 2016 in Rio?

08-09-2012, 09:35 AM	#17
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	There is such a variety of photography pros - wedding pros, sports pros, photojournalism pros, fashion pros, stock pros, real estate pros, portrait pros. Etc. If Pentax just catered for sports pros at big events like the Olympics I think that would be nice, but sports pros are still a pretty narrow part of the pro market.

08-09-2012, 09:43 AM	#18
eddie1960 Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,663	Originally posted by rawr There is such a variety of photography pros - wedding pros, sports pros, photojournalism pros, fashion pros, stock pros, real estate pros, portrait pros. Etc. If Pentax just catered for sports pros at big events like the Olympics I think that would be nice, but sports pros are still a pretty narrow part of the pro market. agreed, sports pro's in fact are likely the narrowest part of the market for the most part, but to the public they are the most visible. supporting them is really about marketing costs. The pro market is pretty diverse beyond that. a focus on improving flash and pursuing the wedding pro market probably has a greater return for ricoh for instance

08-09-2012, 01:18 PM	#19
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 10,418	It sounds like all you have to do is supply a sports pro with a K-5 and they will FINALLY see the light? Not likely. Apart from pro features like focus speeds in that other brand, there is also the support infrastructure behind it that you may need to depend on. Pentax has a lot of work to do at having a leading, world-class support structure, I feel. And it takes years if not a decade to build that up. They need enough presence where you could go into any decent size city around the world and rent a BFL (big F-en lens) for your Pentax, for instance. Last edited by tuco; 08-09-2012 at 01:33 PM.

08-09-2012, 02:30 PM	#20
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,427	Pentax not only doesn't make sports-oriented cameras, but they also don't make sports-oriented lenses, they don't even have a 70-200/f2.8, the most basic sports lens there is, not to mention the 1.4x TC that lots use. Are they still making a 300/2.8, 400/2.8, 500 or 600 f4?. It would take a mammoth effort for them to get the infrastructure and equipment needed to compete with C&N in that field.

08-09-2012, 03:40 PM	#21
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	I guess a benefit of Pentax making an effort to go after high-visibility sports by producing some pro level gear would be the trickle-down effect for average non-pro schmucks like me - the availability of good long WR lenses for birding (used/new), more options for fast Pentax primes and zooms, more cool accessories, more lens rental options. The same would probably apply if they made a big effort to target wedding or any other pros I guess. So go for it Pentax.

08-09-2012, 03:56 PM	#22
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by tuco Not likely. Apart from pro features like focus speeds in that other brand, there is also the support infrastructure behind it that you may need to depend on. Pentax has a lot of work to do at having a leading, world-class support structure, I feel. And it takes years if not a decade to build that up. Even Sony doesn´t compete in that arena anymore and they did have plans to do soo.

08-09-2012, 08:33 PM	#23
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	Canon and Nikon have this area pretty much wrapped up.

08-10-2012, 05:20 AM	#24
eddie1960 Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,663	Originally posted by Clicker Canon and Nikon have this area pretty much wrapped up. of all the pro areas sports will be the toughest and most expensive to crack, building in the other areas first likely has a much higher ROI. then use that ROI to pursue the sport category if that is what ricoh wants

08-10-2012, 10:50 AM	#26
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by yhzgirl Loving it! Up next the closing ceremony. Don't think my zoom will quite cut it from where I'll be sitting in the stadium stay tuned.... enjoy it. Make some pictures of the spice girls

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12-27-2015, 10:09 PM	#27
j0n4hpk Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 280	I mentioned something similar sometime ago. And being that anyone can take technically good photos with a smartphone or even a tablet, makes it more important that Ricoh / Pentax show some prescence in televised and upper professional sports. I understand that it may be expensive to setup a Professional Support desk with one or 2Pro Pentax photographers, but this is the price of marketting and Ricoh should be willing pay it as part of their Pentax investment.

12-28-2015, 10:39 AM	#28
jlstrawman Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Midwest US Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,044	Originally posted by j0n4hpk I mentioned something similar sometime ago. You do realize that you responded to a nearly 3 1/2 year old thread?