A bit sad to see this...

Now it is totally Ricoh... and Pentax is now just a sub-brand of it...

The lens has got Pentax written on it. I don't think I've ever read a lens manual anyway.

Good point!
https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/new-hd-pentax-da-lenses-44926

I'm not sure I see sad as my reaction to this, it's inevitable and it's still very much Pentax with more investment poured in. Of course as time goes by the label will be more Ricoh, and eventually we won't be able to say what was input from the Pentax days.

It doesn't really matter as long as the products are the products we want to use, does it?

Be sadder if these products didnt exist...

Yeah it saddens Me also

I think we should be glad, not sad. Ricoh are putting their name front and centre, along with that big letter 'K', and this suggests they are serious about vamping up the Pentax range and investing in the K mount.

At least all these recent changes suggest they have some sort of joined-up plan, and are enthusiastic, unlike the previous owners

This is actually a good idea, ricoh probably has more brand awareness than Pentax. For customers making a buying decision over Pentax could actually help sell more Pentax equipment by shieingbpentax is part of a major brand with the power to show brand integrity and more importantly brand reassurance.

Personally I think its great news. Investment into what was a languishing company. We are now seeing new products. Cameras and lenses. More importantly. Ones we want to purchase.

I'm not sure it's so sad. There's been more positive development around the K system since Pentax was sold to Ricoh, as well as improvements in other product lines (better Q body, finally a decent high end compact with the MX-1).

The real commitment to develop and build on a somewhat neglected baseline is great and from the specs of the new K-3 it looks as if the heritage of innovation hasn't gone away either. I really don't mind if a good quality K mount lens comes in a box with Ricoh on the front - they used to sell loads of great K mount film cameras and it's good for us to have them back. The quality of the products is what matters, rather than the badge (ditto the rear LCD of the K-3).

Agreed, so long as they don't put the Ricoh pin back on the lens mount!

John K

Well, so far Ricoh seem to be doing more than Hoya ever did.

It would be nice to keep the Pentax name on the front though

As long as they keep the K mount and carry on making quality product I couldn't care less about the name on the camera/lens.

Was it a problem or sad when it said Asahi Opt. Co. before PENTAX?

I dont think so and I dont see any problem at all with it.

Pentax has always been a camera brand manufactured by another company.

Branding aside, I'd love to know how the HD bit could make the DA70 better.

Not doubting it but it is already a favorite of mine and I'd love to hear how much better it could be!