[Klaus]

... long live RICOH! ;-)



http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110701D01EE459.htm

[arvydas]

or [url="http://www.ricoh.com/release/2011/0701_1.html"]vice versa[/url] <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />

[Klaus]

[quote name='arv' timestamp='1309507402' post='9671']

or [url="http://www.ricoh.com/release/2011/0701_1.html"]vice versa[/url] <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />

[/quote]



Yeah, I reckon this is the end of the Ricoh GXR and I feel that the GR will also be history due to the Q.

[PuxaVida]

[quote name='Klaus' timestamp='1309506652' post='9670']

... long live RICOH! ;-)



[url="http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110701D01EE459.htm"]http://e.nikkei.com/...701D01EE459.htm[/url]

[/quote]



concerning the the business line in Hoya, yes it seems so... But the brand name Pentax will be in use. It wouldn't be wise to change the name of the DSLR products immediately. Anyway, after this merger, I assume Ricoh will place it's DSLR in the market sooner or later.



Serkan

[Steinar1]

Pentax also has some very good compacts and I think the combination of Ricoh and Pentax could be good for Pentax. W>e shall see, but uncertainty is never good for the brand!!<img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[Klaus]

[quote name='Vieux loup' timestamp='1309511510' post='9675']

Pentax also has some very good compacts and I think the combination of Ricoh and Pentax could be good for Pentax. W>e shall see, but uncertainty is never good for the brand!!<img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[/quote]



Well, there is certainty now I think. Ricoh is serious about digicams. They didn't leave the market despite marginal revenues and marginal success. This just shows that they're serious. Certainly more so than Hoya who was always a little reluctant on what to do with all that.



The only problem is that a merger requires time and it is the question whether there's spare time just for organizational stuff.

[Albert]

I was hoping Samsung would do that... Pentax really needs a giant who can and is willing to spare some time and money on DSLR. Anyway it is great to see Hoya finally let pentax go... What a nightmare it all has been for pentax under Hoya... But still it makes me feel sad to see a former king being sold and bought like a slave time and time again.

[Guest]

Bit surprise; I know that pentax had a rocky start after hoya purchase; but it seems like the past 12 to 18 months things have been going well - haven't been paying attention to actual sales; but from the chatter I see here and else where the latest slr and 645 have been above average. Of course there is still a lot of gripes about pentax lack of support and ssm motors failing left and right so all was not rosy.

[netrex]

[quote name='Klaus' timestamp='1309506652' post='9670']

... long live RICOH! ;-)



http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110701D01EE459.htm

[/quote]

I seriously doubt that Pentax is dead <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

[Martin_MM]

[quote name='Alexander ' timestamp='1309574999' post='9715']

I seriously doubt that Pentax is dead <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

[/quote]





I´m not overly optimistic concerning Pentax... The "Q" mirorless solution will be a total flop (fiasco) IMHO. The 645 system is very marginal for profits and still when EOS 1Ds mk.IV and Nikon D4x hi-res cameras enter the scene later this/next year, it will have even harder times. The Pentax DSLR line has improved for sure but still they have no full frame solution and their DX line seems to be held back by average lenses (..and the quality control too) on the whole.. Last but not least, their compact cameras are just a total average too.



In essence, partly except the 645 system, Pentax hasn´t got any breakthrough solution or pro-quality DSLRs... Add a very second-rate marketing effort and it has a very dampening effect on the Pentax in the long run.



Lets see what Ricoh managements does, obviously I´m also quite curious. Pentax has certainly been one of the big players in the past with very competitive qualitites back in the film era and I personally wish it were back "in the sun". Unfortunately, until they start changing their limiting issues mentioned above (...and the introduction of the already dead "Q" mirorless system is definitely NOT it), they are heading steadily towards Minolta grave... IMHO, of course.