Spotted a Pentax at National Camera Exchange!

*LeDave* · 10-21-2009, 02:46 PM

I spotted a Pentax K-7 on shelf at National Camera Exchange in Bloomington, MN. I was feeling it and touching it and stuff, it only had a Tamron attached to it, I was too busy looking at the camera that I forgot to check out which Tamron it is. They also had the new Sony a500 and a550 on stock too, so I played with them too. The K-7 feels so much much better than the a500 and a550 of course, the build is just solid and heavy which I like. The a500 and a550 makes a weird clunk noise when the shutter is pressed, I could not hear much of the K-7 at all, it made a shhh-shhh noise really fast. I was seriously going to buy the K-7 until I asked is that what you guys are retailing for? They said yes, and it was 1299, I was going to tell them that Amazon sells it for 1050 but decided not too since too many customers were around.

I went to the National Camera Exchange in Burnsville, MN afterward. They didn't have a Pentax this time, I asked them if they had a Pentax and they said they aren't going to put any up until Pentax gets their act together. I did feel the a850 that they had on display this time and I was surprised by the build quality, it was just as sturdy as the K-7. Both stores didn't have the Sony a700 that I was trying to find and play with though, they said that every time they put up a used one, it's gone really fast. Both stores had a huge variety of used Pentax manual focus glasses for pretty cheap, like around eBay prices.

Buschmaster · 10-21-2009, 03:03 PM

I love Nat Cam because they'll let you play around with anything and for however long you want.

I usually go to the Burnsville one simply because it's closest to my house.

Any thoughts beyond that on the K-7?

flippedgazelle · 10-21-2009, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by LeDave

I was feeling it and touching it and stuff...

That sounds creepy...

*res3567* · 10-21-2009, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by LeDave

II went to the National Camera Exchange in Burnsville, MN afterward. They didn't have a Pentax this time, I asked them if they had a Pentax and they said they aren't going to put any up until Pentax gets their act together.

what do they mean by that?

Jasvox · 10-21-2009, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by res3567

what do they mean by that?

It means they obviously know more than Pentax does and they will hold their pee until Pentax recognizes this.

Jason

*Ratmagiclady* · 10-23-2009, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Jasvox

It means they obviously know more than Pentax does and they will hold their pee until Pentax recognizes this.

Jason

Sounds more like it means if they don't have something in that particular store, they want you to disregard what they don't have, honestly. Easier to say 'Pentax is going out of business' than 'Err, we kinda suck on this count right now.'

Didn't do Ritz any good, though.

*pxpaulx* · 10-24-2009, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by res3567

what do they mean by that?

The burnsville store is the closest national camera to me as well. There are what 6 or 8 national camera stores in the Twin Cities? Anyways, the employees at this location I have found always quickest to put Pentax down - they are usually patronizing to me at best if I ask an honest question. Typically the younger employees are more open but the older seasoned ones chomp at the Pentax bit whenever I bring it up. In short, as was said they just want to sell what they have on the shelf, and this particular location doesn't stock any Pentax gear at all.

Ledave, back when the a700 was pretty new I played around with one in best buy down in apple valley (happened to be there today while my wife was shopping, they don't have it anymore of course!). I think that on their higher end bodies, sony have some great ergonomics, and feel like they were built for a photographer - lots of control, and where laid out logically. Seems as though their entry level bodies are another story entirely - man are their entry level dslrs an eyesore!

*Steve Beswick* · 10-25-2009, 06:57 PM

You guys have a camera store in your sate that sells Pentax? Man are you guys lucky.

jsherman999 · 10-25-2009, 07:07 PM

There isn't one in Bloomington - did you mean Edina?

*LeDave* · 10-25-2009, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by jsherman999

There isn't one in Bloomington - did you mean Edina?

Yes! Sorry, that's what I meant. I go to Normandale Community College and it's kind of close to there, so I thought it was in Bloomington. But yeah that's what I meant, it's in Edina.

*pxpaulx* · 10-25-2009, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by jsherman999

There isn't one in Bloomington - did you mean Edina?

probably meant the richfield location I am guessing - they are pretty nice there!