Pentax User Survey

 https://questant.jp/q/86PT0EYA

News from Ricoh - K-1 III is Still Under Development and etc.

From a latest post in the Xitek Pentax forum, an interview with the Ricoh senior officials (from the product development and planning divisions) in a recent marketing event in Taipei was cited.

The key messages delivered are summarised as follows: 

 

1. The K-1 III is still under development. More time is required with a higher precision aimed on the design as well as owing to the difficulty in sourcing certain components and parts for the new camera.

2. The film camera project is in good progress but further details will not be disclosed. Nonetheless, collaboration with other film product manufacturers will be made for determining a right selling price and marketing strategy.

3. Feasibility for the revival of the Q system is being carried out, subject to the requests made by the Pentax fans in Japan. But considering the limitation of the Q system, it would be unlikely.

4. The 645 system is in its end of development, production of the remaining products will last for a certain period of time.

5. Mirrorless is not a viable option for Pentax.

6. New DFA* wide angle lens(es) and replacement of the DA*50-135 are being considered according to market needs.

K-3 III and GR T-shirts (by UNIQLO)

by UNIQLO..

Ricoh Imaging Business Strategy Update (March 15)

Ricoh Imaging Japan gave a briefing about their latest business strategy on cameras and products on March 15. The following presentation screenshot refers:

All in all, the interchangeable lens business will be "re-launched" whilst the 360 business will fade out. Ricoh will focus more in industrial / professional optical and related products and components in more areas such as those in the automation and innovative technology areas.

Nonetheless, it would be interesting to see how they could "re-launch" the Pentax lineups, actually I would say *revive* instead, IMHO.

Ricoh to Abandon Sales Distribution and to Stop Mass Production for Pentax

See what PetaPixel reports. And, their quoted official Ricoh source is here (in Japanese, Google English translation here).

After all, it seems that Pentax the brand is diminishing.. :-(

Three New Pentax/Ricoh Cameras in the Pipeline?

Source: e-Sertifikasi Portal (in Indonesia) via Nokishita @Twitter (in Japanese)

The models R02020, R03030 and R05010 are new, which should be under development. Whether they are in the Ricoh or Pentax brand is yet unknown, though. Furthermore, I list below the recent registered R-numbered camera models by Ricoh for your better wild guessing. ;-p

R01010: Pentax K-1 Mark II

R02010: Ricoh GR III

R03010: Pentax K-3 Mark IIIkey

BCN Japanese Camera Market Shares in 2020

https://www.bcnaward.jp/award/gallery/detail/contents_type=251

(Google translated English page here)

Note that the "Award" in early each year is all about the sales figures and results in the preceding whole year in the Japanese home market. A quick capture of what's reported is as below:

DSLR Shares: No. 1 Canon 51.9%, No. 2 Nikon 44.8%, No. 3 Ricoh Imaging 3.0%, Remaining 0.3%

Mirrorless Shares: No. 1 Sony 27.4%, No. 2 Canon 23.8%, No. 3 Olympus 23.4%, Remaining 25.4%

And, looking at the share figures of our persistent 2nd runner-up (since Year 2013) of the Ricoh Imaging in the past years, the up/down trend is summarised as follows:

2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013
3%	2.4%	3.1%	4.2%	4.8%	6.7%	4.5%	5.2%

Surprisingly, there is a slight increase of the market share by Ricoh in +0.6% when compared to the previous year. Congrats, Ricoh! ;-P

Fstoppers Talk about Pentax's Chaotic DSLR Strategy

https://fstoppers.com/originals/pentaxs-chaotic-dslr-strategy-501074

PetaPixel Supports the DSLR Niche Strategy of Pentax/Ricoh

https://petapixel.com/2020/07/18/why-pentax-is-making-the-right-call-in-sticking-with-dslrs/

The author may have a point. But the market trend is towards interchangeable lens Mirrorless, especially Full Frame ones. Who will jump boat to the Pentax brand because of Reflex? Is it just the wishful thinking of Pentax/Ricoh themselves? :-o After all, the reverse may be true.

New Video about the New APS-C Flagship, on July 22

Again at 1900 hours Japanese time. Congrats to Pentax/Ricoh for becoming a YouTuber or a KOL online!

What is the Value of Pentax Cameras in Future?

Ricoh Imaging Japan writes at Twitter that they will put online a video on 16 July (at 1900 hrs Japanese time, or 1000 hrs UTC) for briefing us about the future of Pentax cameras and their value. So, stay tuned.

p.s. They haven't published the URL of their upcoming video, though. Please look at their above twitter page or official Japanese website by then.

Pentax Aperture Block Problem Class Action Lawsuit

https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/electronics/pentax-camera-class-action-alleges-aperture-defect/

"A camera owner has filed a class action lawsuit against Ricoh USA Inc. over claims that the company’s line of Pentax camera products are defective in a way that causes them to produce useless, almost completely dark photographs."

Ricoh Will Release More Info of the New Flagship Soon

A post at the Chinese Xitek forum reveals that Ricoh is going to release more info about their new APS-C flagship via some channels and by phases, subsequent to the cancellation of the CP+, claimed source is from the Japanese Yaotomi Camera:

It is mentioned that Ricoh is still working hard to materialise the launch of the product, although it is delayed.

CP+ 2020 Cancelled

Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA; President: Masaya Maeda) has announced the cancellation of CP+2020.

"Given there is no effective treatment or containment measures to deal with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), organizers of CP+2020 have decided to cancel the event due to overall concerns, mainly the risk to the health and safety of visitors and exhibitors. The event was originally scheduled to be held over 4 days at PACIFICO Yokohama from February 27.
CP+ is a trade show for consumers. The main feature of this show is that visitors can actually handle the newest camera and related equipment to get a feel for how they operate. The event attracts around 70,000 unspecified visitors and therefore we cannot completely eliminate the risk of infection. The CIPA believes it is important to avoid such risk at all cost. While it is truly regrettable, we have decided to cancel this year’s show. We ask for your cooperation and understanding concerning this matter."

In conjunction, Ricoh has also put a quick notice at their CP+ webpage:

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/news/cpplus2020/

Ricoh Booth at CP+ 2019

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/news/cpplus2019/

Japanese Camera Market Share in 2017 (BCN Data)

Source: Nikon Rumor

Production of Pentax (Star) Lenses has been Moved back to Japan?

Image Source: EXIF shows that picture was taken in late September 2017.

Image Source: This is a new DA*200 F2.8 lens.

Official Ricoh Announcement of the Two New Star Lenses

http://photoplus.vporoom.com/2017-10-26-Ricoh-Announces-Next-Generation-High-Performance-PENTAX-Star-Series-Lens-Line

BREAKING NEWS: Ricoh To Cease Pentax Production In 2018!

https://www.pixelrond.com/pentax-vers-une-production-sur-commande/
(in French)

Ricoh Announcing Cost Cuts in Face of Crisis

https://www.dpreview.com/news/3586946955/ricoh-announced-cost-cuts-in-order-to-survive

"At this point it is not clear if and how Ricoh's imaging brands, such as Pentax, the Theta 360 degree cameras or the R Development
kit live-streaming VR camera will be impacted by the cost reductions."