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Tell your friends about us!Anything new from Ricoh?
- Thread starter wok64
- Start date
Tom Caldwell
New Member
Fizzzz-pop!
Ricoh traditionally has not used trade shows to announce new product, but it is a weak excuse on my part.
Tom
Ricoh traditionally has not used trade shows to announce new product, but it is a weak excuse on my part.
Tom
Tom Caldwell
New Member
There was obviously the possibility of "nothing". Leaving it not pre-announced leaves it open to needing to be earth-shattering for best effect. Therefore anything not terribly exciting would be just another version of "Pffft".
So the crowds will be at Sony and Leica stands and the jokers looking for a laugh at Hasselblads?
Maybe we will get an announcement of something in the pipeline at the show, or they have a secret box of bits under the counter (grin). Obviously anything ready for prime-time would be enjoying the prime-time exposure. It certainly is a slow business down at Ricoh new products dept. Let's hope that those manning the Ricoh stand have something to talk about. Possibly "how alike the new Leica M typ240 is getting to a FF GXR-M"?
.... but not even a new CX model?
Tom
So the crowds will be at Sony and Leica stands and the jokers looking for a laugh at Hasselblads?
Maybe we will get an announcement of something in the pipeline at the show, or they have a secret box of bits under the counter (grin). Obviously anything ready for prime-time would be enjoying the prime-time exposure. It certainly is a slow business down at Ricoh new products dept. Let's hope that those manning the Ricoh stand have something to talk about. Possibly "how alike the new Leica M typ240 is getting to a FF GXR-M"?
.... but not even a new CX model?
Tom
thelps
Active Member
Looking from Ricoh's point of view perhaps any announcement is best done from a Japanese camera show standpoint.
After all this is where most of their customer base is. Its likely they have a lot of stuff in the pipeline even some they could announce but choose to do so on their own turf first.
Just because Photokina is big to us, doesn't mean it is to them. Sure Sony have gone ahead but perhaps their fruit is ripe, plus they are more a worldwide company.
Just a thought?! :!:
After all this is where most of their customer base is. Its likely they have a lot of stuff in the pipeline even some they could announce but choose to do so on their own turf first.
Just because Photokina is big to us, doesn't mean it is to them. Sure Sony have gone ahead but perhaps their fruit is ripe, plus they are more a worldwide company.
Just a thought?! :!:
Tom Caldwell
New Member
I am not an expert on Ricoh new product releases. But from what I have noticed they seem to release product in Japan and at their own timing and ignore trade shows. Myself I generally ignore trade shows as well. If something is released at a trade show it just pops up on my radar much the same as any release anywhere at any time.
It is just this time there was an expectancy generated because of the previous dearth of news. So it was our expectancy and Ricoh has probably carried on as usual completely nonplussed and probably even slightly amused by it's loyal subject's fascinations.
After all new product development is hard to synchronise to the timing of trade shows. Once it is ready to market and there is no trade show handy then you are want to market it anyway without waiting or a trade show to happen by. Similarly it would be false logic to hurry up an announcement of product not yet ready for the prime time of being actually available. It Jupiter aligns with Mars then it could be useful.
I am quite good at providing "rational explanations"
Tom
It is just this time there was an expectancy generated because of the previous dearth of news. So it was our expectancy and Ricoh has probably carried on as usual completely nonplussed and probably even slightly amused by it's loyal subject's fascinations.
After all new product development is hard to synchronise to the timing of trade shows. Once it is ready to market and there is no trade show handy then you are want to market it anyway without waiting or a trade show to happen by. Similarly it would be false logic to hurry up an announcement of product not yet ready for the prime time of being actually available. It Jupiter aligns with Mars then it could be useful.
I am quite good at providing "rational explanations"
Tom
Tom Caldwell
New Member
Of course I am curious to see what Ricoh might bring for us but in essence I am still learning "tricks" with the very deep and complex present GXR gear to keep me amused for some time to come. Hardly necessary for me to have to learn a new set of dance moves before I have completely mastered the present ones.
I found the first GRD so simple and positive and the Samsung NX10 of likewise character. The NX20 has yet to light any fires for me and I have no interest in acquiring one. The GRDIII/IV and the GXR are conversely highly configurable beasts that you actually have to "learn to use" and it takes some time to explore their depths.
Point and shoot they can be but they do reward a bit of going back to school and learn "proper old-fashioned photography". So indeed there might be some wonder initiative in each new camera product that is released but there is another simple process called learning to use what you have already got in your hands that provides a great deal of interest and enjoyment. This contrasts with the auto everything - press/click - amazing shot - I wonder how I did it? - mentality. Great camera but was there any personal photographic skills learned?
So there is every reason that if there were no more GXR products (I certainly hope this is not true) then the enjoyment of the basic and rewarding GRD/GXR at its fundamental level will outlive many more technically advanced products where the camera where sheer automatic capability will surely baffle the need for any thought. Hard to express but once realised the GXR (especially the A12 mount) Just gets better and better each day. Maybe I must be learning as much as just using?
Tom
I found the first GRD so simple and positive and the Samsung NX10 of likewise character. The NX20 has yet to light any fires for me and I have no interest in acquiring one. The GRDIII/IV and the GXR are conversely highly configurable beasts that you actually have to "learn to use" and it takes some time to explore their depths.
Point and shoot they can be but they do reward a bit of going back to school and learn "proper old-fashioned photography". So indeed there might be some wonder initiative in each new camera product that is released but there is another simple process called learning to use what you have already got in your hands that provides a great deal of interest and enjoyment. This contrasts with the auto everything - press/click - amazing shot - I wonder how I did it? - mentality. Great camera but was there any personal photographic skills learned?
So there is every reason that if there were no more GXR products (I certainly hope this is not true) then the enjoyment of the basic and rewarding GRD/GXR at its fundamental level will outlive many more technically advanced products where the camera where sheer automatic capability will surely baffle the need for any thought. Hard to express but once realised the GXR (especially the A12 mount) Just gets better and better each day. Maybe I must be learning as much as just using?
Tom
I think the time will come if Sony sell their new sensors to others. I guess they don't sell them yet for large productions but this will come in couple of weeks. In my opinion Photokina is just to early for Ricohs prime Products.
Another Possible Reason is surely still the backlog because of the worst Tsunami impact.
On the other hand, Photokina is only every 2 years and it shall be a good period to prepare something nice.
Another Possible Reason is surely still the backlog because of the worst Tsunami impact.
On the other hand, Photokina is only every 2 years and it shall be a good period to prepare something nice.
Blow-in
Active Member
About the only thing that is happening on the Ricoh Global web-site is that it now features Pentax products (http://www.ricoh.com/r_dc/) and that seems to be where all the news is. Perhaps all these new products were in the pipeline before the merger? Pentax clearly majors on compact DSLRs while Ricoh have the GXR approach (and the quirky 'work' cameras) but there does seem to be some overlap in the middle ground (CX versus R18?). I suspect the new company is still trying to refine its market strategy and somehow I feel that the Ricoh range may shrink to just the 'high end niche' products but without access to sales figures it is difficult to make an informed guess. Perhaps the next release will be a short telephoto fixed focal length GXR lensor (A12) currently missing from the line-up and a GRD5 with the new Sony (RX100) sensor together with a new lens? Who knows?
Richard
Richard
Tom Caldwell
New Member
busch63":2ezg6d52 said:
I think you are probably right.
Ricoh don't seem to pay a lot of attention to trade shows. Neither do I normally, but it has been a long while since Ricoh showed a positive direction and I had hoped that they would use their booth at Photokina to announce something.
Some product announcement will possibly come but there is no inkling of when that might be. I suggest we will just have to forget about their products and get on with something more productive.
Tom
Tom Caldwell
New Member
Perhaps Pavel can get some sense out of Ricoh?
Hey Pavel, I believe that Ricoh is just resting, pretending to be asleep and something interesting is happening in a back workshop.
Do you think this is true or are they really truly asleep?
Unfortunately the lack of much feedback from Ricoh for quite a while combined with a booth at Photokina has raised an expectation. This was probably unwarranted as Ricoh Inc probably thought that their booth at Photokina was like a foot in the door to show off their existing product and show that they were still around. It probably never crossed any senior executives mind that Ricoh fans were expecting something, anything, to make them feel that their favourite camera manufacturer was alive and still making radical believable niche camera gear.
Even if the had to wait a bit to see the results. The longer the wait the greater the expectation and the further the fall when expectations are dashed.
Tom
Hey Pavel, I believe that Ricoh is just resting, pretending to be asleep and something interesting is happening in a back workshop.
Do you think this is true or are they really truly asleep?
Unfortunately the lack of much feedback from Ricoh for quite a while combined with a booth at Photokina has raised an expectation. This was probably unwarranted as Ricoh Inc probably thought that their booth at Photokina was like a foot in the door to show off their existing product and show that they were still around. It probably never crossed any senior executives mind that Ricoh fans were expecting something, anything, to make them feel that their favourite camera manufacturer was alive and still making radical believable niche camera gear.
Even if the had to wait a bit to see the results. The longer the wait the greater the expectation and the further the fall when expectations are dashed.
Tom
Wouter
New Member
Yesterday I was at the Pentax Ricoh booth and the lack of feedback not only seemed to hinder customers, but also the personel of Ricoh (Europe at least). At many stages it seems that Pentax will be in charge since they have the better organized network.
What I learned though was that Pentax was surprised how cleverly Ricoh designed and developes their cameras and firmware with limiting resources.
As far as I learned though there is no roadmap for the Ricoh cameras. The GRD will remain a stable companion in their line up. For the rest there seem to be too many uncertainties.
What I learned though was that Pentax was surprised how cleverly Ricoh designed and developes their cameras and firmware with limiting resources.
As far as I learned though there is no roadmap for the Ricoh cameras. The GRD will remain a stable companion in their line up. For the rest there seem to be too many uncertainties.
wok64
New Member
Thank you for your report Wouter. It really bothers me a bit. The main purpose of an event like photokina is to link up the dealers and distributors with the vendors. The customers are not the main target group of photokina (whether we like it or not). Ricoh missing out on presenting new innovative products at this event doesn't look like a smart move to me.
Wolfgang
Wolfgang
AlbertTRAL
Member
Thanks for the update Wouter. You have just confirmed what was already obvious but we did not want to accept. There is always a positive view...our pockets are smiling!
andrewteee
New Member
Wouter, thanks for the update. It sounds like at least we will continue to get GRDs and for that I am thankful. The future of the GXR sounds uncertain and in fact the future of all non-GRD cameras sounds uncertain. So be it.
Wouter
New Member
It is far too soon to speculate. Even though Ricoh acquired Pentax it is in my opinion Pentax that is bringing the knowledge, the most mature product line, and the network. Maybe Pentax will sacrifice their smaller cameras for the Ricoh compacts (which seems logical in my opinion).
And remember that Ricoh's presence outside Japan has never been large. They always had one of the smallest booth at Photokina. It was still busy backdoors with dealers, distributors, and vendors.
I don't think the Q will last that long, but have my doubts too about the GXR and the K-01.
And remember that Ricoh's presence outside Japan has never been large. They always had one of the smallest booth at Photokina. It was still busy backdoors with dealers, distributors, and vendors.
I don't think the Q will last that long, but have my doubts too about the GXR and the K-01.
andrewteee
New Member
I was surprised to see a new Q and the new lens. Maybe at the current price it is selling well? From a comment on another forum it sounds like the K-01 is not selling very well.
I've personally written off any GXR updates.
I've personally written off any GXR updates.
streetshooter
New Member
Unfortunately Wouter, your words speak more truth than any of us wants to face. Even if the long awaited FF M module is released, I doubt it could secure the future of the GXR. In the near future more options will be available by other companies the are much larger than Ricoh to have an M mount or something.
Yeah, yeah, in time even Sony will figure out about UI.
The only thing that will keep Ricoh prosperous is its dedicated users and unfortunately, that number is way to small to support the task at hand.
For me, I'll buy 2 more GRD4's in the next few months so I know atleast I won't need a camera for the next 20 years.
Don
Yeah, yeah, in time even Sony will figure out about UI.
The only thing that will keep Ricoh prosperous is its dedicated users and unfortunately, that number is way to small to support the task at hand.
For me, I'll buy 2 more GRD4's in the next few months so I know atleast I won't need a camera for the next 20 years.
Don
andrewteee
New Member
streetshooter":3a5w23jp said:
Don, That thought occurred to me too. The white one is discounted right now.
In the current market the GXR is not sustainable. Virtually everyone who would buy one already has. Without new growth or at least periodic updates the system is stalled and not a money maker for Ricoh. In the current market what both Ricoh and Pentax need is a solid (interchangable-lens) mirrorless camera. The GXR is not it and the Pentax K-01 is not it either. Unless Ricoh has something new up its sleeve then they simply have nothing. Can the GRD alone sustain the Ricoh brand? No, and in the current market even it is at risk when compared to new offerings.
Sadly, you're right Don. We alone cannot sustain Ricoh.