Ricoh M mount

See Here http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/Ricoh_releases_GXR_Mmount_price_news_3...

Is this what will happen ffrom Ricoh allowing K mount use?

Does it signal the end of th Pentax body as we know it.

Thoughts and discussion please.

I don't see a set up that costs 999.00 being much of a threat! Besides Pentax bodies have coexisted with other K mount bodies in the past.

Problem there HG is if Pentax stopped making K mount bodies then they would also stop making K mount lenses, making your suggestion a bit redundant

The end of the DSLR as we know it is already happening with EVF's and Sonys translucent mirror etc, the translucent mirror is such a good idea I'm surprised Pentax didn't think of it first.

Alan, is this very different to the Pellicle mirror Canon had in there EOS RT over 20 years ago?

Yes.

I was just asking the question as there are plenty of K mount lenses out there made by a host (well 2 or 3) of manufacturers.

If Ricoh produced this adaptor how would it effect the DSLR market for Pentax bodies?

The pellicle mirror failed because it made the viewfinder too dim. The Sony solution is to use an EVF, but although acceptable that isn't yet good enough IMHO.

I think the real problem would be keeping the relatively prominent mirror clean enough. We think we have dust problems now.......?

Not keen in the Pellacle mirror myself due to its inherent problem of only allowing 70% of the light through to the sensor. This means that you have to increase the time by 30%, reduce the shutter speed by 30% or raise the ISO by 30%. However the bonus is that Sony have to produce impressive performing sensors as a result, so us Pentaxians and indeed Nikonites have impressive low light sensors.

Now to that Ricoh. Long term it could be good generally, as you already have the "body", and all Ricoh have to do is to produce improved modules, thereby you only have to buy them long term, rather than keep buying all new cameras everytime.

I do not think Leica are quaking in their boots and cancelling production of the M9. Indeed they are hard pressed to meet the demand for lenses.

The production of a K mount module could increase the sales of Pentax lenses, specially the Limiteds and might even encourage the third party lens manufacteres to issue more lenses in Pentax mount.

Ricoh seems to be quite an innovative camera manufacturer capable of making distinctively different products rather than competing directly with the big boys.

I am quite optimistic about the future of Pentax under the new ownership.