Re: The Flagship Direction.....
Hi, At 26 Feb 2001 17:01:06 +0900, Takehiko Ueda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote; > Alan wrote: > > Exactly, but then I think they have stocked too many > > MZ-5n at the moment (just a guess). > > So they have decided to introduce MZ-5n into Japanese > market, just to dispose all the stock?! They only replaced MZ-5 with MZ-5n. They stopped producing MZ-5, I heard. Just an info. -- Yoshihiko Takinami Osaka, Japan [EMAIL PROTECTED] - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: The Flagship Direction.....
Erwin wrote: > I think the MZ5n introduction in Japan is to prepare for the future. I think > it will become a "keeper", like the MZ-M. [snip] > In this line-up the MZ-2 would be the N80 etc.. competitor, while the MZ5n > and the MZ-M position would be more towards a "timeless appeal", doing a > hard to improve job of having the "right" features for little money. I certainly agree with this. The MZ-M and MZ-5n are certainly timeless stayers. I can't see what can be done to upgrade the MZ-5n and still stay with the concept. If you add more AF points you probably have to change the interface in order to select between them. And are the MZ-5n customer base interested in more AF points? Also, it will mean an increase in price. No, I have more faith in an MZ-2 or MZ-1 that complements the MZ-5n. This camera could be a upgraded MZ-7 to more Z-1p-like feature set and interface. Pål - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: The Flagship Direction.....
Hi, I think the MZ5n introduction in Japan is to prepare for the future. I think it will become a "keeper", like the MZ-M. The MZ-5 lacks a few features to be the "keeper" of the original MZ concept, the MZ-3 would sit in the way of a new (MZ-2 or so) upgrade in the mid class. So in 2 years or so, I would expect a worlwide line-up: MZ-S, MZ-2, MZ-5n, MZ-7, MZ-30, MZ-M. In this line-up the MZ-2 would be the N80 etc.. competitor, while the MZ5n and the MZ-M position would be more towards a "timeless appeal", doing a hard to improve job of having the "right" features for little money. Looks like a nice combination, MZ-30 and MZ-7 for the people that want an SLR, withouth having to study photography. MZ5n and MZ-M for people who start in photography by reading a book, or taking a course, about photography. MZ-2 and a cheaper digital brother for the "bang for the buck" types who compare the feature lists. MZ-S and expensive digital brother as expert upgrade from whatever direction you come. And then depending on the success of the MZ-S, and the impact of digital story, the future top of the lines could go the Limited/FM3a direction as well as the MZ-S with booster direction, or none of those, or both of those if the MZ-S becomes a real succes. (Otherwise 8 different 35mm bodies, 9 if you include the LX in Japan, would be a lot) Just my opinion. Erwin - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: The Flagship Direction.....
>from what i can see they shold lower the price of the MZ3 and discontinue >the MZ5n. Exactly, but then I think they have stocked too many MZ-5n at the moment (just a guess). The idea of the current MZ-5n was stupid, the MZ-3 should really be the MZ-5n in the first place. regards, Alan Chan _ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: The Flagship Direction.....
>I think that the very price disparity between the MZ-S and the MZ-3 >actually >marginalized the existence of the MZ-3 as the top MZ series camera, hence >Pentax may have introduced the MZ-5n to scoop up more profit at the mid >level market. With the coexistence of the MZ-S, the MZ-3 and the MZ-5n, >who >would buy the MZ-3? >But who knows? This is just my speculation. With almost identical features and built quality, I am surprised the MZ-3 costed significantly more. regards, Alan Chan _ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: The Flagship Direction.....
on 2/24/01 9:31 PM, Alan Chan at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > But if the estimated USD1000 was correct, the price difference between MZ-S > and MZ-3 would be too much to drop the MZ-3 or MZ-5n, don't you think? Hi Alan, I think that the very price disparity between the MZ-S and the MZ-3 actually marginalized the existence of the MZ-3 as the top MZ series camera, hence Pentax may have introduced the MZ-5n to scoop up more profit at the mid level market. With the coexistence of the MZ-S, the MZ-3 and the MZ-5n, who would buy the MZ-3? But who knows? This is just my speculation. Cheers, Ken - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: The Flagship Direction.....
>Brian Walsh (who empathizes with those who sadly realize that their >silver Limited lenses will look unsightly mounted on the black MZ-S, and >who will be pleased to help out those disconsolate folk who have to >dispose of their now-useless glass in any way that he can. . . ) Silver Limited lens on the black MZ-S is not the worst. The worst part was if Pentax decided to drop the silver Limited and manufactured black Limited only, then my Limited lenses collection (silver only) would never be completed. 8-( regards, Alan Chan _ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: The Flagship Direction.....
>Probably the accurate reading as the MZ-3s are heavily discounted in Japan >(as I understand) and it was recently packaged as a black special edition >kit. This indicates to me that the MZ-3 days are counted. Recent >introduction of MZ-5n in the Japanese market, if not for getting rid of >overstocking in overseas market, may be the final nail on the MZ-3's >coffin. >With the release of MZ-S, perhaps MZ-3 might disappear? I just think that >the profit margin of MZ-5n is much larger for Pentax (without 1/4000 >shutter >unit). But if the estimated USD1000 was correct, the price difference between MZ-S and MZ-3 would be too much to drop the MZ-3 or MZ-5n, don't you think? regards, Alan Chan _ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: The Flagship Direction.....
Paal wrote: "Back in '96 Pentax engineers said they were working on a sturdy, professional slr closer to the LX than the Z-1p. I don't think the MZ-S is that camera but I do believe the MZ-S may have inherited some characteristics from that camera: the built quality and the user interface." Since Nikon and Canon have both indicated that their current flagships may well be the last of their film-based premium lines, is it likely that the MZ-S may have the same position, and the film-based "flagship" that was rumored/hoped for will never appear? Brian Walsh (who empathizes with those who sadly realize that their silver Limited lenses will look unsightly mounted on the black MZ-S, and who will be pleased to help out those disconsolate folk who have to dispose of their now-useless glass in any way that he can. . . ) - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: The Flagship Direction.....
Pal wrote: > I'm quite surprised that Pentax indeed market the MZ-S. Its a rather risky > proposal; its very different from the competition. A top fps speed of 2,5 and > economy in exposure options (compared to the Z-1p) will make many to consider > it expensive. It signalizes that Pentax have made it for their customer base > and that they have pretty mnuch ignored the competitions approach to this > market segment. I'm still asthonished on how close it is to the wishes > expressed on this forum regarding the "MZ-1"; the compact, lightweight pro > class camera. That's very astute. It seems to me you've hit an important nail on the head. Most Japanese firms--well, sorry, most large firms of any nationality--do have a propensity to copycat. I've often complained that all entry-level SLRs are similar, all top-of-the-line SLRs are similar, and there isn't enough vision in camera design. The idea that Pentax has gone out on a limb to make a camera that's _conceptually_ somewhat different from the competition seems true. Of course, Leica did the same with the R8, and it may cost it its future--sales are poor and that camera may never recoup its investment. Let's hope Pentax does better than that with the MZ-S. Somehow I think it will. --Mike - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: The Flagship Direction.....
Dosk wrote: > But in reading back posts recently, I did notice something that stuck out. > And that is, the new camera's greater resemblance to a ZX5n than a PZ1p > (ie; 1.8fps advance, aperture priority set by physically moving aperture > ring off "A", shutter priority set the same way with a speed control top > knob) > Sounds just like a ZX-5n here, no? > No Hyper P or Hyper M modes? > No Av or Tv dial wheels? > So to me it looks like Pentax is now shifting its R+D priorities over to the > MZ/ ZX line, and away from the PZ's > I wonder why? The reason is simple; the MZ-series is hugely sucessful and is a money maker. The Z-1p is not; it has been dead in most market a long time and in some it has never been alive at all. In addition, Pentax upper level customer base is founded on the LX. Hence, a user interface that maintain the logic of the LX makes sense. The MZ-S does have hyper modes albeit in a different way than the Z-1p. The MZ-S is a very much more capable machine than the MZ-5n. The LX comparison is probably not a coincidence. Its price makes it comparable to the LX. Its user interface as well based on a traditional usage of the aperture ring (wich practically rules out future lenses without aperture rings) and a shutterspeed dial placed where it traditionally was. They have removed seldom used features among LX owners: how many use interchangeable viewfinders and own the motor drive? Back in '96 Pentax engineers said they were working on a sturdy, professional slr closer to the LX than the Z-1p. I don't think the MZ-S is that camera but I do believe the MZ-S may have inherited some characteristics from that camera: the built quality and the user interface. I'm quite surprised that Pentax indeed market the MZ-S. Its a rather risky proposal; its very different from the competition. A top fps speed of 2,5 and economy in exposure options (compared to the Z-1p) will make many to consider it expensive. It signalizes that Pentax have made it for their customer base and that they have pretty mnuch ignored the competitions approach to this market segment. I'm still asthonished on how close it is to the wishes expressed on this forum regarding the "MZ-1"; the compact, lightweight pro class camera. Pål - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: The Flagship Direction.....
dosk Skip wrote: > So to me it looks like Pentax is now shifting its R+D priorities over to the > MZ/ ZX line, and away from the PZ's > I wonder why? It may be just because the MZ/ZX line has proven to be an unprecedented(?) financial success for Pentax, while the PZ's, while very good (and maybe still one of the best price/quality offers there are in AF SLRs) actually (and unfortunately) didn't sell that well... Lasse - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
