Ricoh on the forum

I see that across on the right "Latest News and Articles" is now updating us on the launch of new Ricoh models.

I did notice the USA forum has had Ricoh sections for a while now, presumably because it's all one company.

Is it time a Ricoh section was opened on here?

I've already asked for one, so let's see what happens.

While we are at it - where does the MX-1 belong? - it is not an Optio and does not really belong in the 'mirrorless' category - and I have not seen much discussion of it, Why not just change the 'Optio' category to 'Pentax/Ricoh compact cameras'?

We now have a Pentax Ricoh camera section. After all, the new GR is being marketed by Pentax and is now firmly under the wing of Pentax.

This is a closer relationship than the Samsung DSLRs ever were, so we discussed those freely enough and there's every reason to embrace the Ricoh branded cameras from now onwards.

They do seem to have transformed into a Pentax-Ricoh hybrid already.

That was quick.

Amilner's point is being looked at as well.

I saw a MX-1 at the weekend, I was surprised at the size of it.

It certainly isn't an Optio and seems to fit in the 'Mirrorless' section better than anywhere else.

Shame they didn't put the 'Q' mount on it though....

Thank you for creating this additional area, as it was me who posted the Ricoh GR announcement.

As Ricoh have purchased Pentax imaging, it is the Pentax arm that is responsible for all future cameras, both Pentax and Ricoh. The "Other" forum have already done that, so in many ways it makes sense.

Apart from my K-5 I have a Ricoh R8 which is a brilliant little camera for just sticking in your pocket. What after all is the use of a camera when it's at home? And I should add that service by the Ricoh people in Germany is exemplary, should you occasionally be a bit careless. Michael Gailer

The Ricoh cameras do seem to be aimed at the keen photographer and have very nice ergonomics in a small package. I have the GXR which is a most interesting unique and versatile system which is much smaller than a DSLR - even a Pentax.

I think we are beginning to see some benefits of integrating Ricoh and Pentax. For example Ricoh has had focus peaking for several years and it has now been adopted by Pentax. The new Ricoh GR seems to have adopted some of the Pentax attributes such as TAV setting on the control dial.

So far both brand names are being maintained. The future looks interesting.

From my understanding, the Pentax UK website is referring to Pentax-Ricoh imaging and the new GR appears to fall into that category (as does the MX-1).

As a GR1s owner (recently dug out of the cupboard), I'd forgotten how good it was (is). There's a lot of extremely good engineering that went into it.

My question is, should this forum include historic Ricoh products (many of which were based on the 'K' mount in the first place)? My suggestion is that it should.

John.

No, we're not aiming to cover historic Ricoh products, only the new Pentax Ricoh ones.

The previous products are not Pentax related, apart from any K mount lenses of course, but this section is not for that.

OK, thanks John.

John.

I see the reasoning behind keeping the forum Pentax only, and have been a strong advocate of this in the past, but I can't see any reason not to have a separate section for K mount equipment, and not just Ricoh.

There are plenty of people out there with third party K mount gear, and they probably own it because of the fact they use Pentax.

If these people can't discuss it on here then they'll find somewhere else to do it, and who's to say they'll return if they happen to find another forum where not only can they talk about Pentax but all the other K mount goodies in their possession too.

What makes you think that we don't discuss K mount items on the forum? The forum is full of discussion of K mount gear, because it's Pentax related.

Otherwise, how could we discuss Manfrotto tripods, Sigma lenses, Studio flash, Photoshop.....

I think you're misinterpreting what Pentax only means Alan, but a Ricoh K mount body would obviously be usable with Pentax K kit lenses of all makes, for example.

What isn't relevant are older Ricoh compact cameras, which have no Pentax-relevance at all, any more than an Olympus Trip would have. or a discussion of TLRs, totally off topic. Or someone extolling the virtues of Canon full frame DSLRs, etc.....

Hope that clarifies it for you.