I believe that is a complete misuse of the term. If there was a "postmodern design" (and I don't think there is such a thing) it would be about specificity of material and influence, a rejection of totalising ideologies, the erasing of previous boundaries (say, between "high" and "low" art), an interest in the vernacular, and so on. I'd be fascinated to see a design school that claimed to be postmodern and said that form should not follow function.

There is no doubt that the Olympus PEN is an extraordinarily elegant design. It literally turns heads. (Though it is not without functional flaws.)

The approach I would have taken with the K-01 is to build around the constraints... which is what design is supposed to be all about, right? Since the K-mount constrains the depth of the camera to significantly more than the competition, it follows that Pentax cannot play the "I'm thinner than you" game. Let Sony or Panasonic win that one.

Instead, the body should be oriented around the depth, not width. This would lead to a design closer to the shape of a videocam, a form factor that's been tried and tested. Make sure there's a hinged screen and hybrid viewfinder.

The actual styling could then reference a true Pentax classic, the 645. Imagine that in a small form factor, optional wooden handle and all!

Say what now? Postmodernism? What does that have to do with this?

It was a cheap eBay adapter. I find the one flaw is that my FA Limiteds do not lock into place properly. It makes them dangerous to use. Every other lens works flawlessly. Others have not noticed the same problem, so it's down to exactly which cheap adapter one ends up with.

It sure is fun using Pentax lenses -- Leica also! This way I can demonstrate for myself, on an even playing field, that Pentax glass is superior.

All Pentax needs to do now is come out with a superior mirrorless body. Not this time, apparently, but maybe when they learn a few lessons.

Believe me I know the difference, having worked as project leader for software teams on both desktop and web-based products. And in other lives having designed magazines, CD covers, posters, books, etc.

So, why are the rear rosette positions different on the K-01? Why are K-5 shooting modes missing? Why is HDR now considered a mode? Do any of these choices make any sense at all?

Are large brick-like cameras now the "in thing"? Do they appeal to the kidz? Is yellow the new black? Does anyone in the real world even know who this designer is?

The K-5 is a nicely designed camera with great Pentax ergonomics. This is... a big mistake. It trashes the Pentax reputation. Just read what people are writing about it on other forums!

Olympus E-P1 is an insane bargain. It meters better than Pentax and does not have a crippled mount for Pentax lenses!! Not convinced about the Voigtlander which has pretty darned awful optics. I have used my Pentax 50mm f/1.2 instead!

Quite the opposite. It makes the beautiful and carefully designed X1-Pro, -- complete with viewfinder and a system of fast lenses, unique sensor technology, no AA filter, manual control dials, etc. -- look like the work of a photographic company. And well worth the money. (Not that I can afford it.)

The K-01, by contrast, needs a brown paper bag to hide in. It's a broken version of the K-5. Ricoh actually thinks it will sell on design!!

As for attracting the kids, they are too busy using their increasingly-more-capable phones. A camera has to be extremely slim, quick and trendy or kids are not going to buy it. Panasonic, Olympus, Sony, etc. already offer much more capable solutions than the K-01, which is like the ugly kid who comes late to the party.

After four Pentax cameras my last one was an Olympus. It shoots better with K-mount lenses than any of the Pentax models. No crippled mount. Perfect exposure curve. Better LiveView. No viewfinder, but the thing cost me under 150 quid!

People here give Pentax way too much slack. They need a kick in the posterior by people like us who care about the art of photography.

That is one of the saddest things I have read.

So, they're counting on design and then release the ugliest camera in recent years?

They have no features to sell and no idea why the camera exists? Good to see all my criticisms are validated by Pentax marketing!

I don't think enough people are going to buy this camera for it to affect pricing. But wait a year and it'll be cheap!

Some Pentaxians will like the K-01 for a backup, but it offers nothing special for everyone else.

We'll see.

I am actually happy with what I have. And furthermore only happy
to post here once every two months. I wonder if there is a connection?

But if I had to, I'd take one each of all the Zeiss, Leica and Voigtlander lenses, adapted for K-mount where necessary. Then I could demonstrate that my FA Limiteds are better anyway.