RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: K-r Discontinued Completely (Official)

Friday, December 02, 2011

K-r Discontinued Completely (Official)

The news about K-r's discontinuation was first reported here on Nov. 8 (standard black and colour versions first, quoted) and verified on Nov. 23 (at B&H). Today, Pentax Japan has announced at Twitter that the last order for the K-r will be accepted until December 9, for the custom colour versions, after which order will not be accepted. That means that the K-r will be discontinued completely. (Credit: VoiceOfReason)

But once again, I feel obliged to point out that it is rather an uncommon practice and really abnormal for first discontinued a product but without any replacement of it, which has never happened before for Pentax no matter who owned the brand. So, what has Ricoh been thinking and planning for the time being? :-o

After all, here comes the most worrisome thing: Considering that K-r is the ONLY Entry Level DSLR model in the Pentax DSLR lineup, is that simply hinted that actually the lineup is being aborted? Oh, NO! Tell us something more please, Ricoh! Please *kindly* clarify! >:-(

Comments (22)

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Alex · 694 weeks ago

Stop the BS, we'll see the K-r's replacement early next year.
By the way, if it's only about the color K-r (for now) it make sense to discontinue it earlier: Pentax wouldn't want to be caught with some weird colors no one would buy, when they'll launch the new models. So they're trying to get rid of those combinations that sells in smaller numbers.
Black and the "standard"colors are easier to sell.

15 replies · active 694 weeks ago

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RiceHigh 110p · 694 weeks ago

Read all the previous information and reports before making your real bullshit, the black and standard colour version of the K-r were discontinued even earlier, for the last time!

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Alex · 694 weeks ago

What reports, BHPhotovideo saying the black body-only K-r (only BhPhotovideo and only this K-r version) being discontinued?
Anyway, the BS is trying to conclude "is that simply hinted that actually the lineup is being aborted?" and pretending that Ricoh should "clarify" something.
Ricoh already stated they want to grow Pentax, by the way. This can't be done without the K-mount.

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RiceHigh 110p · 694 weeks ago

Read back my report on Nov 8. What the Japanese user told is now proven to be dead accurate!

But the problem of you is: You really need to learn reading first! Or, you just couldn't face what have been shown?

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Alex · 694 weeks ago

Obviously, I can't remember (and I won't even read) everything you're writing on your blog. OK, my mistake - you posted something on 8th November about K-r being discontinued.
So what? I'm not sure you realize this, but I knew from when the K-r was announced it will be eventually discontinued (did anyone expect it to sell forever?).
The issue here is you making silly comments like "the lineup is being aborted" and asking Ricoh explanations.

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RiceHigh 110p · 694 weeks ago

But even more obviously, you just simply hadn't read a bit more carefully and completely my this Blog post before you rebutted! Had you?

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Alex · 694 weeks ago

You know I would have to double and triple check everything - and sometimes I just can't be bothered - so I would simply ask for evidence.
Now, after your 2 seconds of glory (hurray, you were "right" over a completely insignificant issue) - how about retracting that stupid FUD which is actually the subject of our argument?

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RiceHigh 110p · 694 weeks ago

At the end of the day, it seems that Ricoh's PR work on product succession is even poorer than what Hoya did. Sad.

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Alex · 694 weeks ago

Oh, so you know all about Ricoh's plans even before seeing them?

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Guest · 694 weeks ago

Well, the fact that this leaves only 1 dslr in the Pentax line up and YOU (nor I nor RH) don't have a clue what Ricoh's plans are would lead me to believe RH is correct - poor PR on Pentax's part.

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RiceHigh 110p · 694 weeks ago

Alex should know something about it! ;-)

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Alex · 694 weeks ago

For the first time, we agree! ;)

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RiceHigh 110p · 694 weeks ago

No problem! But it's your take now, tell us about what's new is coming!

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Alex · 694 weeks ago

Hey, I said I know _something_, not _everything_! So no specs from me. :p
But let's say I'm pretty confident Pentax won't stay with just one K-mount camera for long. It wouldn't match with RIcoh's intentions.

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Alex · 694 weeks ago

By the way, there's public information available and credible rumors that strongly suggest your "the lineup is being aborted" statement is ridiculous. One doesn't have to know all their plans in the smallest detail, and you shouldn't ask for such level of information to counter some stupid, made-up FUD.

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Alex · 694 weeks ago

Wrong, I do have a clue about Ricoh's plans. They aren't about killing Pentax, quite the opposite ;)
We don't know (yet) why they started discontinuing the K-r NOW (again: a replacement should soon come). Maybe they didn't wanted to sell a camera with issues (this theory will make RH happy ;) ). Maybe they couldn't get sensors for another production run, due to certain natural disasters (quite likely, IMO - isn't the K-r the only camera left using the 12MP sensor?) . Maybe they're already busy making the next model.

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flomat · 694 weeks ago

As others did, I'd say they just try to completely clear their stocks of k-5 and k-r and - just speculating - they will present two bodies in march12 at photokina, k-r² (16MP, 600EUR) and k-3 (20-24MP, 1500EUR), delivering 1-2 months later. I am sure they consulted capable marketing specialists on this. Many will bargain now, others will wait and buy the new bodies in spring, its just to maximize sales. Impatience increases willingness to pay. The prices of the k-5 are very tempting now, 788 EUR instead of 1.550 in the beginning. I think will hit here, though prices seem to continue falling and k-r² could hopefully lack the AF-trouble.

1 reply · active 694 weeks ago

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Alex · 694 weeks ago

Photokina is in September.

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Rene · 694 weeks ago

Maybe Ricoh wil also discontinue the K-5. With so many problems in the K-r and K-5, a year on, and with the new Sony sensors so much better, it should be not a surprise that these cameras cannot compete and are discontinued. Some new models may be in the works to place them, but it could take time as Pentax cannot just do what it did before, i.e. put in the latest and greatest Sony sensor and just make a few minor improvements in the old camera. For example, the AF is so outclassed even without the tungsten issue and also the exposure metering system is also outdated. Same for the flash system. And also some much needed lenses, faster lenses and longer lenses. And proper QC for all these upgraded products/systems. A complete overhaul will be needed for a DSLR that can sell in sufficient quantity for Pentax business to be viable. If all these seem to hard, then start praying.

2 replies · active 693 weeks ago

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Michael A. · 694 weeks ago

If the new Sony sensors are so much better, why did they earned worse rating from DxOMark than the "old" K-5's 16MP? :o))