Mark wrote: J.C., I'm absolutely serious. I agree that full K/M compatibility is more valuable than partial K/M compatibility to K/M lens owners and potential K/M lens owners. That was not my question, however. I asked about the value of adding full K/M compatibility TO PENTAX THE COMPANY. Specifically, I asked about how many more camera body sales Pentax might have lost by not including full K/M compatibility. I also asked for estimates of the costs related to adding the capability. Let me clarify my question and ask you for an estimate of how many camera body sales (of any model) Pentax might have lost (or may lose in the future) by including only partial K/M compatibility across their entire DSLR line. Care to publish some estimates?
REPLY: Extremely few are interested in "old" lenses. Most buy their digital cameras with a couple of new lenses. In addition, many with old lenses are switching to newer ones anyway to get added features like AF and better zoom lenses. Judging from recent Pentax statements they seem to view their DSLR as starting on scratch. This is probably due to the fact that they don't have many loyal customers left. When the likes of Canon and Nikon sells 100 000 DSLR's a month trying to please an extremely limited cult doesn't make any sense at all. Pentax have an incredible tough job ahead getting decent market share in DSLR's. In order to do that they need really compelling products. A feature that increases cost and is of no importance to 99.99% of they buying public won't do. I'm not very optimistic; not because I don't think Pentax can deliver but because of what history tell us: All slr manufacturers that droped below a certain threshold in system acceptance and popularity have lost out. That was in the film days but I think it will be amplified in the digital era. Examples include Ricoh (made great bodies with value for money - some were close to state of the art); Mamiya (in spite of manufacturing the most advanced camera on the market in the early 80's they flopped); Miranda (great mechanical engineering probably better than Nikon - their last electronic camera was on level with the MX); Petri (value fopr money camera but nobody cared so they bought perhaps a Pentax instead); etc etc...The slr buyer have stayed away from niche players and gravitated towards those with large selections and systems. The next year will be crucial for Pentax in the DSLR market. It isn't enough with competitive products. They need to be ultra-compelling... Pål
