[davidmanze]

Aaand... we're getting closer to the real issue

 

  Having been a Pentaxian, I still have a soft spot for the brand, so any criticisms I discuss here are because I do think Pentax could do better, for shooters and for themselves.

  We have seen the writing on the wall as to ML, some of it is panic mode, and some is just plain actualities and is happening right under our noses.

  The K1 brought a huge wave of enthusiasm to the brand but Pentax are testing their clients fidelity to the limit by taking an age to bring out standard glass in a timely manner....

   .....and Tamron have them all,  all those missing lenses.....better to have a reasonable slice of a lot than a large slice of very little...and all a Pentaxian can do is gaze longingly over the fence at the huge amount of new glass flooding the market.

  

  A super risky business plan in my view and one which I foresee not lasting the course!

 

 

   As for the DA 560mm and it's odd design, but I wouldn't call it crappy,  however, it is below the level of the competition in IQ, with a stop less light......(btw it also suffers from purple fringing)

 

           The Nikor 200-500mm is also F5.6 constant and only 60mm less in FL, for around $1400 (or so)  and it is more compact and zooms out to 200mm with VR.... a no brainer F5.6............. the Tammy G2 is only 1/3rd of a stop slower and goes to 600mm! (for a bunch of peanuts)

 

                    When one puts things in perspective and compares the DA against it's bountiful competitive lenses,  it doesn't stack up well......bring it down to $2250 and the picture looks a little more rosy!

 

   Ricoh's business is also suffering from falling photocopier sales.......which can't be helping.

 

  I just wish I could write something positive about the future of the K mount....... I really do!

   

 

 

       To your last post Kunzite;

 

  The Tammy G1 is out of production now anyway so not worth re-badging as the G2 is it's replacement, they re-badged the 24-70mm F2.8 Tamron, after a year their G2 version is available and has de-moded the PK version. 

 The 150-500mm Sigma was a lack lustre lens, worse than the 50-500mm that I owned.

  Why Sigma? they have made it clear they no longer want to serve the K mount? Tamron still has a business relationship with Pentax.