Originally posted by Kunzite Being committed means having some lenses (at least one) available from day one, followed by a consistent series of new lenses.
Being committed does not means launching a mount with no lenses for it.
What do you mean, built-in adapter?
Why would one buy K-mount lenses if he doesn't want to become a K-mount user? If all he wants is a MILC, not a SLR, not to deal with legacy stuff?
It makes sense for migrating users, and cheap flea market lenses; but not to support a new system.
Really, it's so complicated it can't possibly work. Launching a system with one expensive, niche camera targetted for a smaller market, no lenses, using legacy ones hoping the users wouldn't mind... does it even have a purpose?
I'll spell it out! It is actually very simple.
The camera has a mount similar to a K-mount but with a smaller registration distance. From day one there is an adapter that when added to that mount turns it into a full K-mount. That adapter may even be built into the camera, so that in position "1" it is bit like a K-mount but with a short registration distance, while in position "2" it is a full K-mount.
So: depending on whether the camera has been designed with a separate or a built-in adapter (a choice to be made by Ricoh/Pentax):
A no separate adapter = position "1" of a built-in adapter, both giving a short registration
B separate adapter = position "2" of a built-in adapter, both giving a current K-mount registration
In case
B, the camera handles every lens that a K-5IIs can handle, and in exactly the same way.
In case
A, lenses that benefit from being designed with a short registration distance can be used.
I emphasise; at launch, that camera will support every lens that (say) a K-5IIs supports, in the same way.
But there is for evermore the option for Ricoh/Pentax (and others) to supply extra lenses that can benefit from that smaller registration distance. No-one is compelled to buy them because the camera will support all other lenses. It is an extra option available to be exploited when there are advantages for users and/or Ricoh/Pentax.