Will this company ever market?

[macsareback]

As I await my new Ricoh GXR arriving tomorrow, I wonder why this brand doesn't get more appreciation or praise. Some of the photos I saw in reviews that weren't processed were amazing. I kind of wish they didn't have to share their technology by using other companies to make their sensors, but what can you do?

I would like to see this brand grow more in the USA, and I would hope they stay serious about cameras, considering most of their money comes from copy machines and such.

 

[socket]

No, too expensive for the amount of coverage they have in North America, which is 4 stores.

For a niche player like them, 'word of mouth' is the most effective advertising.

Even with such thin coverage, many professional photographers (Sean Reid, Thom Hogan, Cal Garrard, Steve Huff etc.) still review the cameras. And so do amateur photobloggers like Cristian Sorega and Wouter Brandsma. That's a lot of free publicity for zero advertising dollars and shows how seriously Ricoh is taken in photography circles.

I think the important thing to remember about Ricoh is that they have been making cameras since the 1930s. They are not a start up company trying to make their name in the market place.

http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Ricoh

 

[macsareback]

So they're kind of like an Apple for cameras, minus the fact they haven't gotten a massive increase in sales yet. I'm sure the sales are good, but I think they are smart for making compacts, some may wish they made a full frame SLR. I think they'd be getting into a much crowded area if doing that. I want to see the brand do well. I look forward to using mine.