kr being discontinued..

I suppose the way the k-5 is coming down in price ............. Mmmm.

'tis difficult - a bit like trying to play the stock markets without someone on the inside to tell you what's going on. Speculation and Chinese whispers = intrigue and PANIC!

All electronic models are discontinued at some point and replaced by others. Why the surprise?

Probably because the replacement is normally announced first.

That link is old; if I recall correctly, at that time it could still be ordered via the Japanese site (special order). Never tried though.

If Pentax don't make an entry level body then the company will probably disappear- the business plan cant exist around one model! Unless that's the Q!! (in which case Pentax are in very big trouble)

I would expect them to bring out a new model next spring. It does seem a bit odd that whilst Canikon are struggling (Thailand floods) that Ricoh aren't pushing home the advantage- maybe Pentax are just as badly affected.

Then again- all speculation.

So much negativity all because a dealer says a model has been discontinued. There will hardly be a struggle to buy a new k-r they will be around for months.

As for new models they have just launched the q range.... hardly a company about to go down the pan is it????

Weren't there exactly the same concerns when the K-x was approaching the end?

He wasn't giving anything away, but the Pentax chap I talked to for a while at the SRS open day on the 19th seemed to be quite excited about next year. And very positive indeed about the Ricoh takeover - especially in comparison with the Hoya era.

Ah, yes, but they haven't actually announced that the K-r is being discontinued yet, have they?

Perhaps we can start a rumour about a new model and then all will be ok.

Source: Photo Rumors (although that the above is not a rumour)

B&H still have K-r kits for sale.
Plenty of other webshops have the K-r body only still available.
Maybe B&H are dropping the body only in favour of kits - after all as the "starters" model they probably sell more kits than bodies only.

Time will tell. I can't see a need for panic at this point.

As you know B&H are one of the most important camera retailers in the US. I think it is highly unlikely that they have somehow got the wrong end of the stick on this.

Presumably a new model is on the cards, and that could also go for the K5 given the way pricing is developing; FWIW, Sony seem to be moving to 24mpix sensors and as such a model change may to a certain extent be enforced.

One other point I’d like to make is that although Ricoh may only have formally acquired Pentax from the beginning of last month, they have undoubtedly held effective management control since around the time the acquisition was announced with a final price formula (they just needed an audited balance sheet at 30 September)

As such they have surely been directing product strategy for sufficient time to have taken decisions on replacement models and market positioning relative to Ricoh’s existing offerings.

I can see three easy developments.. a k5 replacement with the new sony sensor.. a kr replacament which might just be a slightly down graded k5 as in the existing k5 internals in a non weather proof body...
and an evil class cam with the new fuji organic sensors... all plausible.... If ricoh wants to push Pentax as a "Premium" brand then a high end mirrorless in kmount to compete with the new Leicas would definately fit that marketing strategy...

Sounds groovy. . . I see colours, man.

The Kodak sensor business has just been sold, so those new owners will also be keenly looking for new customers. They already deal with Pentax for the 645D.

I read a report Lieca was dropping the kodak for Fuji's sensor, also that Canon views the new fuji sensors as a serious threat to thier FF sensors, image quality wise...

So it stands to reason, if the 645 is still getting sensors, great but what about future upgrades? that gets a little murky to forsee right now..