The camera industry, as sales figures indicate, is facing significant challenges. It would be an odd time for Pentax User not to carry a discussion of some of the issues wrapped into this thread. I don't think it need be seen as somehow 'anti-Pentax' to do so.

I am glad to have a Pentax, and it is in my narrow self-interest to see the marque prosper. But I reserve the loyalties in my life for people, not brands. I would switch camera makes without getting too fussed about it if became a reasonable thing to do.

Perhaps I misread your early post, but you seemed to acknowledge the susceptibility of online polls to rigging

A range of positive reviews from credible sources is worth far more. But, sure, for PR purposes announce the result of the vote from the rooftops.

Hard for you to judge that, I'd have thought, without having a detailed appreciation of how they'd use the photographs.

'whining'? 'bragging rights'? That's hardly a fair characterisation. Some people, me included, are simply inclined to believe FF will become increasingly common in dSLRs and that holding on to an APSC-only approach could become a costly error for Pentax. I can see there is a counter argument. I can see, too, that for many purposes none of us 'needs' FF -- but that is really irrelevant if the market persuades itself otherwise.

I'm pretty ignorant about contemporary music, but even if I can't be impressed by who you've photographed, I can at least admire the quality of the photography...

There’s a well known joke about a tourist in Ireland who asks one of the locals for directions to Dublin. The Irishman replies: ‘Well sir, if I were you, I wouldn’t start from here’. That, pretty much, represents the pickle those companies heavily invested in APSC find themselves in. APSC no longer has the strength of logic behind it that was present in earlier years, when what was feasible technologically is different from now. If you were (rashly) starting a camera company today, why would you go for the APSC format? APSC cameras do have some advantages, but they don't seem as compelling as they once did.

Dr Orloff has put the issue clearly in his post. I don't know his view, but mine is pretty straightforward. Currently, my APSC-format camera serves me well. I'm not agitating to change it. But when the time comes for a new model, I will look carefully at FF. Format is far from being the sole deciding factor in choice of camera, but it is a significant consideration. I hope Pentax are actively planning a FF camera to wow us. It does have to be innovative. A me-too model would be so disappointing. Nikon and more recently Sony have shown the kind of impact that can be made with bold new models. Neither set of models is irresistible (to me), the Sony currently hobbled by lack of AF lenses, a mistake Pentax should take care not to repeat if they do go for FF.

A highly accomplished set. My favourites are the two beach-grass shots.

I'm sure you are not the only one on this forum to have relevant experience. In my neck of the woods, sales directors might (or might not) have sympathised with your 'remedy', not least because they are attuned to see matters largely in terms of increased turnover. I don't mean that they are blind to profit -- far from it -- but at a strategic level it is not an area of direct concern to them. They leave that to their colleagues. The argument that lower prices will enhance revenue is, in most cases, irrefutable. But it can be (and often is) a Siren song. There is nothing easier than to cut prices or give away additional discount, whichever suits the purpose, but few things are tougher than holding on to an adequate margin in the mere hope of jam tomorrow.

You ask what I would do. I would not pretend to have any more informed solutions than those discussed in the Ricoh boardroom. In fact, the best any of us can do is speculate because none of us can bring to bear on the problem all the considerations that will be obvious to Pentax. At best, we can (and do) say what we'd like to see happen. That's all.

A fine collection. Nos. 2 and 3 are the stand-outs for me. What did you say to agitate the faux-medieval Frenchman in no. 9?

Yes, absolutely agree. Some of the suggestions (50% off the Q's price, make a loss on the system, reap the benefits 20-odd years hence) are ill-founded and simply not sane business practice.

A good and varied crop in 2013. I particularly like the first one, expressive of the effort involved in getting some photographs, and the one of the woman on the steps.