Re: The Flagship Direction.....

2001-02-26 Thread Erwin Vereecken

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




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Re: The Flagship Direction.....

2001-02-26 Thread Pål Jensen

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. 


Pl


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Re: The Flagship Direction.....

2001-02-26 Thread Yoshihiko Takinami
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?!s

They only replaced MZ-5 with MZ-5n.
They stopped producing MZ-5, I heard.

Just an info.
--
Yoshihiko Takinami
Osaka, Japan
[EMAIL PROTECTED]



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Re[2]: The Flagship Direction.....

2001-02-26 Thread Takehiko Ueda

Sorry, I was just joking...  (Very similar to Lasse's
case:-))

At any rate, I appreciate Pentax's upgrade in the Japanese
market, too.  However, I'm afraid many photo mags would
insist there's little difference, if not "no", between MZ-3
and MZ-5n, and many would recommend MZ-3 for just a little
more budget...

Sincerely,


Take Ueda, Osaka, Japan
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://members.tripod.co.jp/hayatama/photo/

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MZ-3 MZ-5n (WAS: The Flagship Direction)

2001-02-26 Thread Pentaxclover

Hello,
In Europe, the MZ-5n has no Quartz Date back !
And every MZ-3 in Euope has it, so the difference is enhance (about
1000Francs, about 140$)
I own a MZ-3 because I get it for a nice price (half price  !!!)
Regards



- Original Message -
From: "Jaume Lahuerta" [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: lundi 26 fvrier 2001 17:14
Subject: MZ-3  MZ-5n (WAS: The Flagship Direction)



 --- Takehiko Ueda [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:

  At any rate, I appreciate Pentax's upgrade in the
  Japanese
  market, too.  However, I'm afraid many photo mags
  would
  insist there's little difference, if not "no",
  between MZ-3
  and MZ-5n, and many would recommend MZ-3 for just a
  little
  more budget...

 Some European magazines that I have read recommended
 the MZ-5n vs. the MZ-3 (quoted as 'overpriced')
 because the little feature difference didn't justify
 the big difference in price (at least in Europe).

 Regards,
 Jaume
 MZ-5n owner... :-)

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RE: MZ-3 MZ-5n (WAS: The Flagship Direction)

2001-02-26 Thread Ramesh Kumar_C

Hi
In Dubai, MZ-5n is sold with Date back and without Date back.  

Bye
Ramesh

-Original Message-
From: Pentaxclover [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2001 12:57 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: MZ-3  MZ-5n (WAS: The Flagship Direction)


Hello,
In Europe, the MZ-5n has no Quartz Date back !
And every MZ-3 in Euope has it, so the difference is enhance (about
1000Francs, about 140$)
I own a MZ-3 because I get it for a nice price (half price  !!!)
Regards



- Original Message -
From: "Jaume Lahuerta" [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: lundi 26 fvrier 2001 17:14
Subject: MZ-3  MZ-5n (WAS: The Flagship Direction)



 --- Takehiko Ueda [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:

  At any rate, I appreciate Pentax's upgrade in the
  Japanese
  market, too.  However, I'm afraid many photo mags
  would
  insist there's little difference, if not "no",
  between MZ-3
  and MZ-5n, and many would recommend MZ-3 for just a
  little
  more budget...

 Some European magazines that I have read recommended
 the MZ-5n vs. the MZ-3 (quoted as 'overpriced')
 because the little feature difference didn't justify
 the big difference in price (at least in Europe).

 Regards,
 Jaume
 MZ-5n owner... :-)

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Re: The Flagship Direction.....

2001-02-25 Thread Alan Chan

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

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Re: The Flagship Direction.....

2001-02-25 Thread Alan Chan

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
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Re[2]: The Flagship Direction.....

2001-02-25 Thread Takehiko Ueda

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?!s

Sincerely,


Take Ueda, Osaka, Japan
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://members.tripod.co.jp/hayatama/photo/

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The Flagship Direction.....

2001-02-24 Thread dosk

I haven't been much involved with the many MZ-S discussions in Pentaxia,
figuring I didn't want to spend that much for a camera I didn't particularly
want anyway.
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?
Skip

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Re: The Flagship Direction.....

2001-02-24 Thread Lasse Karlsson

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


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Re: The Flagship Direction.....

2001-02-24 Thread Pål Jensen

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.


Pl


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Re: The Flagship Direction.....

2001-02-24 Thread Maggie Che

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. . . )
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Re: The Flagship Direction.....

2001-02-24 Thread Alan Chan

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

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Re: The Flagship Direction.....

2001-02-24 Thread Alan Chan

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

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