RicTax sounds like rictus, not so good!

I doubt that an alliance would mean any branding changes, it would just be a working technology partnership with each company. I think that's what Suzuki really meant. I think everyone is reading too much into his statement.

Like Pentax, the Ricoh camera division also looses money, so a joint development/manufacturing and distribution/servicing partnership could actually benefit both companies.

I know many people think that the sensor is the crucial component in today's digital cameras, but I disagree to some degree, the difference in modern sensor performance is not that massively different. I think other aspects such as ergonomics, the processor pipeline, lens designs and other features actually matter more. It wouldn't worry me unduly if my K20D has a Sony 12MP CMOS sensor instead of the Samsung unit, but all the other features are much more important to me.

It was the same in the days of film cameras. All could use the same films, but it was the feature set and system that mattered and was the basis of choice.

I was informed yesterday by SilkypixUK, that there is currently no upgrade deal available for post 60 day (from release date) upgrades. My previous information was based on mis-information!

After the 60 day offer has ended, a "New user" licence is required. So if you are a current Silkypix user, it's time to upgrade!

If you aren't a UK based user of the English version, please contact SilkypixUK for details of how to upgrade.

However, SillkypixUK are offering all Silkypix SE users (v2.0SE and v3.0SE) a discounted upgrade to Silkypix Developer Studio Pro for only £129. That's a saving of £30 off the full price. Please note that "proof of purchase" conditions apply, so please contact them for further information.

US distributors Shortcut are offering the same deal for $199 instead of $249.

New licence users are free to purchase from either supplier irrespective of location. I'm reliably informed that the UK version user manual is different to the US version.

Additional licence costs are due to be announced shortly.

It is intended that more camera profiles will soon be added to those currently available to UK licensed users, including Pentax , as well as some new video tutorials.

For all enquiries please contact SilkypixUK directly at: [email protected].

They did indeed use the K mount in their film SLR's and M42 before that.

In fact there are those who would love to see a micro-APS based Ricoh and there has even been some wild rumours including faked Photoshop images of a possible interchangeable lens design with a Pentax lens!

You can see more about it on this Ricoh blog, link




They also made a Rikenon 2.8/45 Pancake lens that is shown here fitted to their Ricoh XR-8 Super Date SLR.




Lots of common ground, and also a degree of enthusiasm within the Ricoh user base as well.

At first it may seem way off base, but I think Ricoh would be a great choice. They are a large company who are happy to have a small very specialist niche division producing some of the finest compacts available. Being able to add a similar DSLR marque with a similar philosophy to the division would seem an ideal mix and retain the "core ideology" of Pentax as it's very similar to Ricoh's. They have the electronic, optical and precision mechanical engineering and manufacturing capability as well. They don't possess sensor technology, but that is already available from Samsung or Sony, both who make suitable CMOS sensors (de rigeur these days).

Ricoh are smaller, but somewhat similar to Canon, in that they are also involved in the document imaging/printer/photocopier market and have considerable resources worldwide, plus they are a Japanese company with a culture that could suit Pentax/Hoya.

Their after sales and service are superb and they are held in very high regard by the independent dealer network, I know many dealers who stock Ricoh that don't stock much in the way of any DSLR maker including Pentax.

I think it would be a superb mix, I don't think Samsung, Fuji or Kodak would be such a good solution.

Another possibility is Sanyo as they already manufacture all of Pentax's P&S models as well as those for many other brands.

But I still like the idea of Ricoh!

Buy from Silkypix UK, send a mail in to John Nevill via link quoting your SYL-xxxxx product code and reg key, he will send you a discount code to apply to the checkout when you order the full licence version of Pro, the price will be discounted down to £50.

If you had bought your original version of Silkypix from Shortcut and not ISL (Japan) then you are supposed to order your upgrade from the USA (this applies to UK users who bought from SC as well), which by the way is more expensive and their "US English" manual is different to the UK version, the UK version is grammatically corrected as well as for spelling.

Full details regarding upgrade policy can be found here link

Anyone who is resident in the UK, or outside of the US, who would prefer to have the UK version (including their superior support :wink, even if they bought from Shortcut originally, I suggest that you contact John Nevill at Silkypix UK using the first link above, or contact ISL Japan directly.

Who knows?!

v.3 was released in November 2006. I would guess that Pro will be around for a fair while, all incremental upgrades within a version are free.

Remember - The £50 upgrade is only for the first 60 days, so do it before the period expires! I've just done mine!

For those who have been patiently (:wink waiting for Silkypix Pro, it is now available.

New licence is £159 (UK) and $249 (US). Windows only at the moment.

Special Limited Time (60 days) promotional upgrade from v.3 to Pro is £50 for UK users and $99 for US

UK info - http://www.silkypixuk.com/index.php/Contact/Contact-Us

US info - http://www.shortcutinc.com/cms/sp_promo.html

Upgrades after the promotional 60 day period will be £119.25 (UK) and $199 (US).

Sorry to have missed you all.

On top of packing up ready to move house next week, our (very) old cat Jasmine started coughing and sneezing yesterday and had to get her to the vet today as she is now very frail and has low resistance.




Luckily it looks like she is going to be okay.

A flash shot of the moon? Are you kidding! I'd need a flashgun powered by nuclear fusion!

Actually, come to think of it, it WAS lit by such a device - The SUN!

At 6am the sky was a beautiful blue, lit by the sun just before sunrise.

Everything and anything!

Although, I would say, street, people, gardens and flowers, architecture and landscapes (stitched panoramas wherever I can as I find using a wide angle lens just doesn't give enough detail and the perspective is wrong). I also do some macro's, but find it very challenging.

However, my skill is is another issue completely!