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Monday, October 01, 2012

The Last Wave of Pentax Interviews at Photokina

First, the PF's interview with the Pentax officials in transcript has finally arrived:-

http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/photokina-pentax-interview-transcript.html

Next, Quesabesde also interviewed the Ricoh seniors (Google translation here), via 1001 Noisy Cameras.

Just read and digest yourself for what are being told and judge if those are pure marketing talks or not and feel for yourself about the present and future of Pentax. I blog, you decide! :-D

Btw, it seems that Pentax tells in both interviews that the development of the K-01 "line" has been halted. So, we can understand now why those retracted rear focus lenses, one of which was shown in the CP+ back to March, have not been displayed in this Photokina! It was also once officially disclosed about the development of such lenses, which could only be used with the K-01 (line), but now the wind direction has completely changed! :-(
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John's avatar

John · 649 weeks ago

Well it's official, the K-01, the Marc Newson designed Edsel of modern cameras was an epic fail. There will be many who view this odd camera as a huge mistake, but others will find it a sublime collectable in days to come.
An audacious experiment for sure. Who does that nowadays?
3 replies · active 649 weeks ago
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RiceHigh's avatar - Go to profile

RiceHigh 110p · 649 weeks ago

The K-01 camera actually does have its point IMHO, i.e. a mirrorless body in K-mount. It failed in the market mainly because of the lack of a swivel monitor and an EVF, not even an optional, both are not that difficult to include indeed. I am afraid PR has aborted the line too quickly, but not to think why it has failed and what they should do so that they could revive the line, instead. At the end of the day, their poor ability to see what the market needs and crappy virtually non-existent marketing are the two top reasons for their repeated failure.
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zosX's avatar

zosX · 649 weeks ago

I think they should have made another go at it. Truth is, I don't think pentax has the tech that olympus and pentax have for mirrorless. They would have to source all the parts, so an evf would be pricey whereas panny builds them inhouse. The future is mirrorless. Just because early efforts fail they shouldn't be so short sighted. I imagine we will see another mirrorless attempt sooner or later. The market is moving that w ay fast.
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ogl's avatar

ogl · 649 weeks ago

Wrong. K-01 is the camera more for world of design and glamour, freaks and young users, for enthusiasts than for mainstream...
K-01 was started to present on the fashion weeks and another glamour parties. No any special advertising for ordinary users.

If Pentax really wanted to make K-mount EVIL system, K-01 would be another in engineering terms. Don't forget that Pentax started to develop K-01 at least 1 year before release. .They said in interview that K-mount and mirrorless camera have no good compatibility.
It's simple as day.
Ricoh has mirrorless system and no any sense to compete inside one company.
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zosX's avatar

zosX · 649 weeks ago

Yay! Rice is back to bash on pentax some more lol. I just took some killer shots with my k-5. What did you do today rice?
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daedbird's avatar

daedbird · 649 weeks ago

I think Rice is right here, that not including at least the option of an EVF, or making the screen swivel, was a reason the K-01 failed. I also think the fact that the thing was not super slim - outside of the mirror less box - appearing like a brick, was an issue, as was the fact that there was rubber covering up major ports, like the SD slot (and many worried those covers would break).

I also think that a mirror less K-mount could be a real seller. Just think of everything right about the K-01: 1. that 16mp sensor; 2. Used the same battery as the K5 (high capacity); 3. mic port; 4. Aluminum construction; 5 K-mount; 6. it had a different look, thats for sure.

I think the price, like the price of the original Q, was too high. I think the AF could be faster. I also think that if I can get one for under $400 I am going to grab it because it would be good for video, and makes a good backup to the K5IIs I want to buy.

I think what Pentax needs to do is join a mirror less format and create an adapter that brings along full K-mount AF capabilities. With Hasselblad joining the E-Mount, I wonder if Sony would be willing, and if it would be possible to build an adapter. Otherwise there is the NX format - back in business with Samsung.
1 reply · active 649 weeks ago
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drakkar's avatar

drakkar · 649 weeks ago

I've done my time peering at screens in sunshine, I will never again buy a camera without a viewfinder.
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Ying's avatar

Ying · 649 weeks ago

Agree with what's being said that - the 01 is just a half hearted attempt restricted by limited funding and purely lazy.
Pentax, you are not Apple, remember that.
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Barbarosa's avatar

Barbarosa · 649 weeks ago

K-01 should be followed by K-02 with evf and maybe swivel display.
Thickness of body can be corrected with mount that extend when is camera on, like lenses in some p&s cameras that extend when pressing on button.
2 replies · active 649 weeks ago
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Fred's avatar

Fred · 649 weeks ago

Thickness of body could also be remedied with the use of folding optics. Simply put the sensor to the side.
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RiceHigh's avatar - Go to profile

RiceHigh 110p · 649 weeks ago

I think making a collapsible mount is complicated and impractical whilst collapsible optics may be more practical, but yet it is still inconvenient to the user.

My own thinking is to change the shape and holding form of the camera, a Ricoh Mirai or Pentax Optio MX alike design would be very nice and it will create a new style of both video and still picture shooting. Adding an EVF and a swivel monitor also, it could be a real winner.
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Piotr's avatar - Go to profile

Piotr · 649 weeks ago

Rice thank you for your comments. They are full of criticism and lack of faith. But hey, Pentax is just a company so why we should have faith in it? They have great engineers but they make many mistakes. So thank you for your voice of criticism. This voice mean thay you are still thinking about Pentax.
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Barbarosa's avatar

Barbarosa · 649 weeks ago

Collapsible mount is not big deal, a bit of precise mechanic is necessary but if they could made things like K and M lenses to last why not make simple 4 rail folding box with motor clip and electric contacts

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