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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
05-23-2019, 07:22 PM
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I doubt either is a serious possibility, unless Ricoh were to bale and sell the brand to one or the other, and I doubt that’s a possibility, too.
A comparatively straightforward and not-excessively-costly strategy would be to push the KP specialty line into twin sister EVF/OVF versions, much like the *ist/*istD duo at the changeover from film to digital. That way, the Pentax mainstream dedication to DSLRs is not impacted, the brand has a comparatively small (albeit APS-C) body in the MILC market segment, it gains further experience with EVF technology and the lens development program is not further interrupted.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
05-21-2019, 09:12 PM
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Lenses are key to any new mirrorless offering from Ricoh. A new mount will mean a new range of lenses, even if a successful adapter for existing lenses can be created and launched simultaneously. Even so, without at least a few starter lenses in the new mount, potential buyers will be hesitant, as it indicates a possible lack of commitment to the new mount. I think we’d be more likely to see a Ricoh-badged mirrorless entrant using the Leica L-mount, than a Pentax-badged mirrorless using a new mount, but not by much, as it would likely diminish their return on investment in DSLRs. While I wouldn’t completely rule out a K-mount mirrorless, I suspect anything else would be a non-starter.
A hybrid viewfinder version of the K-1 replacement, launched in parallel with a conventional DSLR version is the most likely outcome of Ricoh’s “studies”, IMHO. That’s if they can make the hybrid EVF/OVF work to the satisfaction of users.
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Forum: Photographic Industry and Professionals
05-21-2019, 02:48 PM
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I hadn’t thought of this previously, but of course that offers the possibility of deleting the rear screen on the camera body, thereby reducing bulk and weight, and cost. That may not be popular in some quarters but, recalling the experience with the K-3 and the FLU-card (not to mention the K-1), a smart phone can be just as useful in replacing the rear screen, if you feel you need one.
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