Pentax to sell Tokyo HQ, Discontinues 645D Development

Leuf said:

The part you're missing is where Hoya publicly stated they weren't
interested in Pentax's camera division, just their medical
division. That's why the planned merger blew up in the first place.

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-Thanks , I was in a bit of a hurry and missed that vital bit of information.

But I do think it is interesting that they are still considering a "management inegration". Hopefully Pentax will only go along with a deal that keeps the camera division.

**** K

if Pentax was to be acquired by HOYA eventually, the camera division will be sold or dumped in no time.
--
Alan Chan
http://www.pbase.com/wlachan

Pentax cameras will probably eventually survive as Samsung.

Richard DK said:

Greater than sign

Richard DK said:

Richard DK said:

3 greater than signs

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360 minutes from the prime meridian. (-5375min, 3.55sec) 1093' above sea level.

'The exposure meter is calibrated to some clearly defined standards and the user needs to adjust his working method and his subject matter to these values. It does not help to suppose all kinds of assumptions that do not exist.'
Erwin Puts

Sad as it was to see Minolta sell its camera division to sony, its clear to me at least, that Samsung will be the company that buys them out.

This need not be a disaster........I want pentax to survive..but its tough going out there.

Sony have cash....so A mount carries on. Samsung are massive also........the will carry the torch.

Maybe these large electronics comanies will break the Canikon stranglehold on the market. I sure hope someone does.
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Clint is on holiday! Soon to return! ;-)

"Launching a hostile takeover bid before the deadline for negotiations passes is rude, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters"
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20070421a2.html
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360 minutes from the prime meridian. (-5375min, 3.55sec) 1093' above sea level.

'The exposure meter is calibrated to some clearly defined standards and the user needs to adjust his working method and his subject matter to these values. It does not help to suppose all kinds of assumptions that do not exist.'
Erwin Puts

Pentax announced discontinuing the film medium format bodies way more than a year ago. the ostensible reason was because of the EU requirement for lead-free electronic equipment. in reality, sales were already so low, no-one noticed.

Herb...

I'm sure both Pentax and Pentax fans would rather that Pentax remains/survives as a separate entity, but business realities may dictate otherwise. I think being bought by Samsung would not be a bad idea, given they already have a level of co-operation and Samsung has the resources to add new camera models and lenses, perhaps even re-awaken the 645D project... Samsung means business, they have already jumped over some traditional photography companies in terms of digital camera market share although they are still not at the same level as the big names in terms of quality (according to published reviews).

wlachan said:

if Pentax was to be acquired by HOYA eventually, the camera
division will be sold or dumped in no time.
--
Alan Chan
http://www.pbase.com/wlachan

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New blog: http://1001noisycameras.blogspot.com
Current blog: http://photographyetc.livejournal.com

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Full frame cameras for those who want 'em. APS for those who don't.

HOYA's hooked Pentax till the end of MAY, at which time they are free to "seek others" for help. SPARX want's their profit and is squeaking as loud as it can to further their agenda.
Not to mention a few tidbits gathered from here and there like this:
However, HOYA
found it difficult to achieve integration through a share swap merger due to the

circumstances of certain shareholders of PENTAX as well as the existing contract between
PENTAX and the third party.
...... from the HOYA pdf linked here
http://www.popphoto.com/photonews/4055/pentax-and-hoya-merger-in-turmoil.html
..................
or (from the joint statement.......

"Imaging systems area: (Major products include: digital cameras, binoculars, etc.) In order to

enhance business value, the new company will differentiate its offerings by specializing in

high-value added products with unique technology and will focus on areas where it has a

competitive edge. This area will be positioned as a foundation for development of new

optical-related equipment and is expected to diversify into the life care and security business
areas.

......... I really don't see DSLR cameras in this Pentax, though good, does not have a competitive edge here.......

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360 minutes from the prime meridian. (-5375min, 3.55sec) 1093' above sea level.

'The exposure meter is calibrated to some clearly defined standards and the user needs to adjust his working method and his subject matter to these values. It does not help to suppose all kinds of assumptions that do not exist.'
Erwin Puts

Well, there is a bright side here.

If Pentax has killed of the 645D development, that most likely will mean they will do a course correction on the K mount bodies. Up till now, Pentax has clearly been planning to stick with APS, thus the release of all those DA lenses, even at focal lengths DA makes zero sense.

They could do this because their pro body was the 645D. With that gone, Pentax will be more motivated to make a FF body at some point to give users something to work up to.

The possible issue I can perceive is that should Pentax imaging division being accquired by Samsung eventually, future cameras/lenses direction/quality won't be the same anymore. For that reason alone there might be little reason for existing Pentax fans to stay.
--
Alan Chan
http://www.pbase.com/wlachan

Seriously, how good was the 645D ever going to be? Pentax couldn't afford to spend too much on development of it (and even if they had a huge pile of money, you can't afford to go p*ing that away on a niche market product), and it was taking far too long. Every time they got a working plan for it, their competitors in that space - Canon in particular - raise the bar.

Yes, Canon. No, Canon don't have a MF DSLR, but they do have the 1Ds II and (presumably) a 1Ds III before too long. These are bodies that have had a ton of money spent on them, and have an awesome range of lenses available. Yup, they are "small" with a mere 35mm sensor, but they nevertheless set the benchmark for pro-level cameras. For a 645D to be possible, it would have to be a major step up from a 1Ds III.

Buyers will wear a certain amount of clunkiness and some limitations if the MF sensor delivers the IQ, but if Pentax's necessarily low budget MF body doesn't eat the 1Ds for delivered image quality, then who is going to buy it?

And if they take it too far upmarket, in a bit to comprehensively trump the FF 35mm Canons, then they run too close to the digital back market.

It's a no-win situation. Dammed if the do and dammned if they don't. The only rational thing to do is admit that the 645D is in a deep hole, and stop digging!

As a Pentax fan, I'm pleased to see this news. Let Pentax get on with doing what they do best.

LOL you're not being serious are you? It was going to use more or less the same sensor as other medium format cameras and people still buy those. We're not talking about cell phone image sensor devices here.

Tannin said:

Buyers will wear a certain amount of clunkiness and some
limitations if the MF sensor delivers the IQ, but if Pentax's
necessarily low budget MF body doesn't eat the 1Ds for delivered
image quality, then who is going to buy it?

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I am waiting for the official press release for confirmation. I have checked other news wires reports, and other financial news reports, and none mentioned anything about medium format cameras or 645D being canceled; all of them only reported the sale of Tokyo HQ. So I am wondering if the Nikkei.net report was just its own reporter's interpretation, which, of course, is subjected to errors.

http://www.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP/idUST3146520070510

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/loafer/

loafair said:

http://www.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP/idUST3146520070510

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As you can see, no mention of medium format cameras, just "small printers"!
Anyways, we will probably hear the confirmation on Friday.

loafair said:

http://www.reuters.com/article/technology-media-telco-SP/idUST3146520070510

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More to be revealed Friday this week.

http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=UST3146520070510

UPDATE 2-Pentax aims to double profit to Y10 bln by 2009/10

Wed May 9, 2007 10:03PM EDT

TOKYO, May 10 (Reuters) -

Pentax Corp. plans to unveil a midterm business plan on Friday that will outline how it can boost profit on its own instead of accepting a takeover bid by Hoya Corp., sources familiar with the situation said.

The Japanese camera and medical equipment maker will aim to almost double its annual operating profit in three years to 10 billion yen ($83 million) in 2009/10, up from 5.5 billion yen expected for the year ended March, the sources said.

Pentax had been asked by top shareholder Sparx Asset Management to present an alternative plan on Friday that would be more beneficial to shareholders than accepting Hoya's bid, which the investment group sees as currently the best scenario for Pentax, the sources said.

However, other people familiar with the situation have said Pentax could still consider other options such as a possible management buyout.

Such proposals would not materialise until June because Pentax is required to talk exclusively with Hoya until May 31 under an agreement signed in December, and would have to pay a penalty of 3 billion yen if it talks to a third party before then, the sources said. Pentax President Takashi Watanuki told Reuters in an interview last week his company is still considering the tender bid from high-tech glass maker Hoya, which has offered to pay 770 yen per a share.

Shares in Pentax rose 0.3 percent to 769 yen as of 0140 GMT, while Hoya stock fell 1.6 percent to 3,700 yen.

As part of the midterm strategy, Pentax plans to sell its Tokyo headquarters and quit less profitable businesses such as small printers, the sources said.

Tokyo-based Pentax is scheduled to announce its annual earnings results on Friday.

http://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/s/article/2007051001000299.html

Any helping hand much appreciated. Thanks.

Tannin,

If you didn't know (perhaps you never shot film), pentax was one of the leading MF camera makers. They sort of just made 35mm as a side show, MF was their show. They never considered 35mm professional.

That said, digital is a differet game. The 1Ds provides incredible IQ and who knows if the Kodak based Pentax 645D would blow away the market.

While I'm a bit saddened by this news, I don't feel like any of my investment (10 years worth) is in jeopardy. Pentax just built new lens factories and I'm certain someone will pick up the K/KAF/KSDM mount and continue producing fine cameras under a different name (or even under the Pentax name).

Quite frankly I'd be happier being a Pentax user if Samsung bought my brand, then Sony (as with Minolta). Samsung is every bit the giant of Sony and almost every product I've ever used I've been happy with. Sony on the other hand I can't say the same.

Regardless, it's a turbulent market out there. Pentax was late to the game in DSLR development and DSLRs cost a ton of money to produce and innovate. Sales must be strong to keep feeding the viscious cycle of R&D.

I'm not jumping off any bridges yet. These things have a way of working out. And if not, well then I will probably be shooting a Samsung camera in the near future. God knows, Samsung is a bit bigger then Pentax, and if they put their all into DSLR developement it might be a good thing. Or I suppose there is a Nikon with my name on it somewhere

Tannin said:

Seriously, how good was the 645D ever going to be? Pentax couldn't
afford to spend too much on development of it (and even if they had
a huge pile of money, you can't afford to go p*ing that away on a
niche market product), and it was taking far too long. Every time
they got a working plan for it, their competitors in that space -
Canon in particular - raise the bar.

Yes, Canon. No, Canon don't have a MF DSLR, but they do have the
1Ds II and (presumably) a 1Ds III before too long. These are bodies
that have had a ton of money spent on them, and have an awesome
range of lenses available. Yup, they are "small" with a mere 35mm
sensor, but they nevertheless set the benchmark for pro-level
cameras. For a 645D to be possible, it would have to be a major
step up from a 1Ds III.

Buyers will wear a certain amount of clunkiness and some
limitations if the MF sensor delivers the IQ, but if Pentax's
necessarily low budget MF body doesn't eat the 1Ds for delivered
image quality, then who is going to buy it?

And if they take it too far upmarket, in a bit to comprehensively
trump the FF 35mm Canons, then they run too close to the digital
back market.

It's a no-win situation. Dammed if the do and dammned if they
don't. The only rational thing to do is admit that the 645D is in a
deep hole, and stop digging!

As a Pentax fan, I'm pleased to see this news. Let Pentax get on
with doing what they do best.

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--
Justin Serpico
Mountain Visions Photography