"JIT (just in time) programs are developed for this reason. In my view it reflects a changed supply chain management, and not necessarily the end of FA77 or so."
See my upcoming post on the FA 77.
What I don't understand is why Pentax won't ramp up production to meet the initial demand when lenses such as the DA 16-45 and DA 14 are newly introduced. Since they will be introducing many new lenses, the extra capacity could be shifted continually to whatever lens is newly introduced. That is, once initial demand for the DA 16-45 is satisfied, keep producing it at a slower rate and shift the extra production capacity to the DA 14. Then shift capacity to the macro lenses, or whatever gets introduced next.
If I did not have the DA 16-45 I would be looking closely at Sigma's forthcoming 18-50 f2.8 for APS-sized sensors, given the unavailability of the Pentax lens. In other words, this is a manufacturing strategy that is bound to cost Pentax sales. As I have pointed out, while Pentax sleeps Sigma is bringing out an attractive and diverse list of lenses for APS-sized sensors.
Joe
