They must have been appalled at what they found!

G

Dr Orloff.

Putting up prices will ALWAYS increase the margin, which is the difference between cost and sales price.

Depending on the elasticity of demand, the advantage of a higher margin may be outweighed by a more than proportional fall in sales volumes (as you said).

This is the fear. However, none of us work for Pentax, and none of us are privy to the information on which Pentax has based its marketing decisions. I find the assumption by many people here that Pentax doesn't know the principles of supply and demand to be comical.

As for Ricoh being in bad shape, it's true that they had a bad year in 2009. They were not alone, of course. They made reasonable profits for the years to March 2010 and 2011, and a profit for the half year to September 2011. They are forecasting a profit for 2012 which will be approximately 10% up on 2011, which in turn was 10% upon 2010.

So I think the bad shape stuff is historical. If my income was both reasonable and rising 10% every year, I would not be complaining.

G

It is very common for large companies to use agents for PR, and since Nicola Littlewood is Pentax's authorised agent, she speaks for Pentax just as much as a direct employee would.

There is no advantage to her or Pentax to provide inaccurate information. She was clearly told by Pentax that Jessops had agreed to stock the full Pentax line, and was unaware that they didn't.

It's a pity she wasn't greeted more warmly. With such a reception, it would not be surprising if she decided never to return. And that would be a shame.

G

Three and a half months and you're still nursing a grudge?

Move on, Dougie.

G

Welcome back, Dougie.

Charming and witty as ever.

G

Not all of us, old chap.

Some of these unhappy people are not even Pentax users. Others are angry that Pentax does not have a 135-format body in the line-up.

Anyway, welcome to the site!

G

Agreed. If I am to take one lens with me on a stroll around a city, it will be the 12-24, and I wish it were actually 8-24.

A shift lens would be even better.

G

Think of a pre-war Rolls-Royce.

The mechanicals were produced at Crewe by RR, but often the body would be designed and made by a coach-builder, such as Hooper, Mulliner, or Park Ward.

Mr Newson's input was to design the body, including the exterior of the lens. He had nothing to do with the mechanics, optics, or electronics.

Nowadays, packaging is all.

G

It shows that instinctively you think like a photographer.

Whether that's good or bad depends on your budget for new lenses.

G

Over the nearest garden wall?

G