Meet the architect behind Ricoh GR IV + the future of Pentax (interview with Ricoh/Pentax in Japan)
Bobby Tonelli published an interview with Tetsuya Iwasaki, the Department Manager of Product Planning at Ricoh Imaging, where he discusses the future of the Ricoh GR system and the Pentax brand:
Here is a recap of the interview:
- Interview Overview: Bobby Tonelli interviews Tetsuya Iwasaki, Department Manager of Product Planning at Ricoh Imaging, at the Ricoh GR space in Tokyo, discussing the Ricoh GR system, Pentax brand, and future developments.
- Ricoh and Pentax Philosophy: Emphasizes joy in photography, individuality, ease of use, and the process over spec competition; Pentax commits to optical viewfinders (OVF) in DSLRs for direct light interaction, resisting the shift to mirrorless.
- Pentax 17 Film Camera Success: Surpassed expectations with appeal to young and experienced users; highlights film photography’s resurgence, valuing the time-intensive process like developing over digital convenience.
- Potential Film GR Camera: Ricoh appreciates the 30-year legacy of the original film GR and notes user demand, but no confirmation; decisions hinge on meeting user expectations for film-style snapshots.
- No EVF in GR Series: Aligns with “snapshot” concept focusing on portability, high image quality, quick shooting, and miniaturization; screen-only design aids pocketability and rapid composition, with optional external viewfinders available; debate on OVF vs. LCD notes benefits of each—OVF for eye-level focus, LCD for instant review.
- Younger Generation’s Trends: Core photography values like capturing meaningful moments persist, but expression and sharing evolve with tech, from photo books to social media, involving constant photo-taking and viewing.
- Ricoh GR IV Monochrome Confirmation: Developed due to popular monochrome use in GR snapshots, emphasizing light and shadow; offers a dedicated black-and-white experience from capture.
- Sensor Details: Features a newly developed sensor based on the K-3 Mark III Monochrome’s tech, with refinements for better monochrome image quality and processing.
