Pentax CDN Prices going up (and in some cases...WAY UP :o - Page 5

legacyb4 · 04-01-2009, 03:22 PM

Prices at the local Vancouver shop (Broadway Camera) lists the following prices on their website (pre-announcement pricing at ProDigital2000, (expected increase), [today's price at Broadway Camera]:

FA 31/1.8 ---- $966 (+360) [not listed]
FA 43/1.9 -- $483 (+360) [C$890]
FA 77/1.8 -- $762 (+280) [not listed]

DA 16-50/2.8 -- [C$940]
DA 50-135/2.8 -- $851 (+640) [C$1,700]

DA 200/2.8 -- [C$1180]
DA 300/4 -- $1,182 (+120) [not listed]

DA 21/3.2 -- [C$610]
DA 35 --- $470 (+200) [C$660]
DA 40/2.8 -- $279 (+160) [C$470]
DA 70/2.4 -- $648 [C$609]

Originally Posted by legacyb4

If those increases are accurate, might be worth putting down on some of the lower lenses just on the resell value alone...

ajuett · 04-01-2009, 06:16 PM

Yup, I just saw those earlier today. I've written Pentax a short, polite letter on the subject. Whether they take note or not to my letter, it is up to them. Pentax is going to do nothing but hurt themselves with this move.

nyu3 · 04-02-2009, 01:37 PM

I have the FA31 + FA77 right now as both are GREAT on aps sensor.

I wanted to wait for a FF body before completing the FA limited set because (imho) the FA43 isn't that good on cropped sensor.

But looks like I should buy before the price jumps is everywhere.

legacyb4 · 09-22-2009, 10:08 AM

Just a quick note to help track changing prices on lenses; these are today's prices at Broadway Camera in Vancouver. Looks like prices have more or less held since that last round of increases earlier this year. Equivalent ProDigital2K prices based on today's prices in US$.

FA 31/1.8 ---- not listed | not listed
FA 43/1.9 -- C$890
FA 77/1.8 -- not listed | US$800

DA* 55mm -- C$890 | not listed
DA* 16-50/2.8 -- C$1,030 | US$830
DA* 50-135/2.8 -- C$1,150 | US$970
DA* 200/2.8 -- C$1,180 | US$1,000
DA* 300/4 -- not listed | US$1,200
DA* 60-250 -- C$1,800 | not listed

DA 15/4.0 -- C$780 | not listed
DA 21/3.2 -- C$610 | US$435
DA 35 --- C$660 | US$550
DA 40/2.8 -- C$470 | not listed
DA 70/2.4 -- C$570 | not listed
DA 12-24 -- C$1,230 | not listed
DA 16-45 -- C$390 | US$319
DA 17-70 -- C$700 | not listed
DA 55-300 -- C$470 | US$400

Originally Posted by legacyb4

Prices at the local Vancouver shop (Broadway Camera) lists the following prices on their website (pre-announcement pricing at ProDigital2000, (expected increase), [today's price at Broadway Camera]:

FA 31/1.8 ---- $966 (+360) [not listed]
FA 43/1.9 -- $483 (+360) [C$890]
FA 77/1.8 -- $762 (+280) [not listed]

DA 16-50/2.8 -- [C$940]
DA 50-135/2.8 -- $851 (+640) [C$1,700]

DA 200/2.8 -- [C$1180]
DA 300/4 -- $1,182 (+120) [not listed]

DA 21/3.2 -- [C$610]
DA 35 --- $470 (+200) [C$660]
DA 40/2.8 -- $279 (+160) [C$470]
DA 70/2.4 -- $648 [C$609]

*nostatic* · 09-22-2009, 11:40 AM

If it is any consolation, Canon will be raising prices on 1Oct09 - again.

Angevinn · 09-22-2009, 01:09 PM

Nikon raised their prices too. From what I've read most camera manufacturers have raised their prices in the last year to offset losses from the sagging economy. Some manufacturers increase prices yearly even in good economic times.

lesmore49 · 09-22-2009, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by nostatic

If it is any consolation, Canon will be raising prices on 1Oct09 - again.

It's no consolation, in fact I'm a bit surprised that camera companies have raised their prices in these recessionary times.

Even Canon is a surprise, given that the camera division seems to be doing the best of the Canon corporation.

For the most part expensive camera equipment, unles you're a pro are luxury goods that people can live without.

I think they need to be careful about killing the golden goose.

I would of been in the market for a Pentax 12-24...but not at the newer outrageous price.

I'll look at my options.

Alfisti · 09-22-2009, 03:21 PM

Man I picked up a 77 and a 12-24 from a B+M store (Aden) for under $625 CDN each brand spanking new just 12 months ago. I should have bought 10 of them!

MikePerham · 09-23-2009, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by legacyb4

Just a quick note to help track changing prices on lenses; these are today's prices at Broadway Camera in Vancouver. Looks like prices have more or less held since that last round of increases earlier this year. Equivalent ProDigital2K prices based on today's prices in US$.

DA* 55mm -- C$890 | not listed

I am in the market for a DA* 55/1.4 so checking prices today. Vistek lists $849.95 and saying $50 off. Henry's only listing 3 Pentax lenses and no DA*s at all, just had a big Pentax promo so maybe low on stock. The Camera Store in Calgary lists at $828.62. I have bought from them before, so guess it's the Camera Store for this purchase.

feronovak · 09-23-2009, 01:00 PM

Is Pentax really trying to get all people away from Pentax?

I mean, I love Pentax I have had DS, k10d, k20d and was planning on getting k7 and also have some lenses like 43mm ltd, 16-50mm and again was planning on getting some longer lenses but ...

... they lost biggest advantage over C/N/S brand and that's cheaper lenses comparing to those manufacturers ... So why would you buy Pentax with this insane prices when you can get more popular N/C/S and lenses same price or cheaper ... It doesnt make any sense to me.

If I was to sell 16-50mm today I would make around 300 pounds more on it, 43mm ltd would be at least 200 more pounds than originally bought ... Selling k20d + flash and manual bodies would probably give me enough money to think about 5d k2 or sony a850 ... I dont think it is right ...

thibs · 09-23-2009, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by feronovak

Is Pentax really trying to get all people away from Pentax?

Well in this case, all photo company do...

Rondec · 09-23-2009, 06:58 PM

Getting big by being the cheapest is a losing proposition. Pentax has to figure out a way to be "the best" at something and sell things at reasonable prices (read comparable to similar quality Canon and Nikon products). There will always be manual focus, older lenses out there, but for more recent, limited quality lenses, consumers need to be willing to pay for the quality.

As to why photography companies raise prices now, it's really simple. Their costs are relatively fixed. Therefore if they sell less product, they need to charge more per item in order to break even or, (occasionally) make a profit.

thibs · 09-24-2009, 02:05 AM

Originally Posted by Rondec

Getting big by being the cheapest is a losing proposition. Pentax has to figure out a way to be "the best" at something and sell things at reasonable prices (read comparable to similar quality. Canon and Nikon products).

Exactly what they are trying to do. Old Pentax was cheapest. Hoya's Pentax changes that

Rondec · 09-24-2009, 10:54 AM

The problem really is that people assume that you sell a lot more lenses by having them cheaper. There definitely is some point at which higher price does drive away buyers, but a lot of purchasers buy based on perceived need, rather than based on cost. Most people who buy dSLRs don't buy extra lenses, particularly primes.

In order to make money they have to charge enough for each lens to cover costs. On the other hand, if the K7 and kx sell well, they may sell more lenses over all and be able to stabilize prices.

That said, I don't really understand the FA 50 issue. It is an ancient design and an old lens. Surely all R and D costs are covered and the only costs are material and over head costs. I wouldn't think that would jump 100 percent in a year, but maybe they just want to drive people to buy the DA* 55.

equinox · 09-24-2009, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Rondec

The problem really is that people assume that you sell a lot more lenses by having them cheaper. There definitely is some point at which higher price does drive away buyers, but a lot of purchasers buy based on perceived need, rather than based on cost. Most people who buy dSLRs don't buy extra lenses, particularly primes.

And you are 100% correct. Unfortunately for Pentax they have primed us to be cheap!

The bad part of Pentax is most people have never heard of them, so to charge as much or really close to C and N lens pricing is suicide. Also, Pentax Canada for example charges between $600-800 more for the DA*60-250 in Canada vs. the USA. This is down right greed! So I say UP YOURS Pentax Canada with your lens pricing. (And I am not alone)

The new Kx is relatively close in price to USA pricing so I will buy one here.