Pentax/Ricoh and Sigma.

Do you think Ricoh/Pentax will take notice of the number of times the name Sigma is used on this forum, fingers crossed.

It would be nice if Sigma and Tamron took notice too. Sigma are bringing out less lenses in Pentax fit, and Tamron seem to have abandoned us all together.

Makes sense because they know they are not as good as Pentax lenses!

Never tried the Pentax 150-500mm

or the 120-400

I have always been an advocate of 3rd party lenses supporting a brand, means a healthy brand. It may have not come across like that in the past - why would a camera make be interested in what a 3rd party make does?

Well it comes down to this, If a brand (like Pentax) is successful, then the Tamrons and Sigmas of this world will want to have a piece for the lens market, and hence will increase the range of lenses for that mount, with the hope of getting some of the market share.
The reverse is also true. If a mount is not worthy of a lens, due to it being too small a brand, or heaven forbid, a declining brand, then they won't engineer a lens accordingly.
Yes, directly Ricoh/Pentax might not be interested in what Tamron/Sigma do, but indirectly they are. It's a vicious business circle.
What Ricoh/Pentax had to do is show that they are in for the long term, and a viable alternative to the CaNikonY's of this world, by showing the third parties that they are to stay with an increasing number of premium fast lenses, especially at the long end. Then, we can get some of the superior third party lenses on the Pentax mount, and hence make the mount more accessable to all.

I'm sorry if this is a rant, but its the way that I see it. Plus I would love to get hold of the Siggy 180 macro, the Tamron 60 macro, the Siggy 120-300 and 300-800.....

??? A lot of third party lenses are at least as good as the Pentax equivalents, particularly zooms, if you ask me. There are some very notable exceptions of course, mainly primes. Pentax don't just need to provide more choice, they need to raise their game... in the meantime, improved third party support will be just fine.

Also the buying public will hesitate to buy into a brand in which they see 3rd party manufacturers don't see the worth in supporting.

It that why all Sigma lenses operate as if there is sand in the mechanism?

I have two Sigmas, both brilliant lenses and no feeling of sand in the mechanism.
They don't hunt, they are sharp and they behave themselves.

Pentax needs Sigma and Tamron more than they need Pentax tbh.

I maybe off the mark here but, could Sigma decide that Richo will be making legendary lenses again,to the standard of,250-600, 600 f4, 300 2.8,or cheaper 150,500 which is very popular, Richo have said they want to increase the camera side of the business,that is the reason for buying Pentax.

This would lead to a costly development for Sigma, that may not match the quality of pentax, or even price.

Seriously I think there will always be a market for third party lenses, provided they are there to buy.
The likes of Sigma make the same lens for different camera fittings, so once the initial design of the lens is done it is relatively easy for them to just fit the right bayonet to it, especially now they leave the OS on Sony and Pentax fit lenses.
I think Ricoh would struggle to make lenses for Pentax only at a price to match Sigma or Tamron and match the quality of them too.
Gone are the days when Sigma or Tamron lenses were the cheap cheerful option where price meant more than IQ.

I Hope we can agree to disagree Gwyn Pentax have their price structure, and it could be different with Richo,why will sigma be cheaper than Richo,the quality and price the 18-50 and the 55- 300 kit lenses are good, why not continue on this line of lenses,and make more of the longer lenses.