FA50/1.4 for $699??

Jasvox · 09-12-2009, 01:03 AM

Amazon.com: Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens: Camera & Photo

I didn't know whether to laugh loud or laugh louder when I came across this at Amazon.

Jas

**Damn Brit** · 09-12-2009, 02:42 AM

I think this might be the third time someone has posted about this recently.
If you look at pretty much any lens or camera on Amazon and view all the buying options, there is usually at least one seller selling at a way over the top price.
I think they do it to take advantage of the occasional shortage of supply from the normally priced sellers.
In this case, no one else has new ones so this guy gets to the front of the line.

krypticide · 09-12-2009, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Jasvox

Amazon.com: Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens: Camera & Photo

I didn't know whether to laugh loud or laugh louder when I came across this at Amazon.

Jas

Always check if Amazon is directly selling the item. If they are, the prices are always reasonable. In fact, I prefer to buy from Amazon.

This 3rd party seller is just trying to take advantage of limited availability and competition on Amazon.

jogiba · 09-12-2009, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Jasvox

Amazon.com: Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens: Camera & Photo

I didn't know whether to laugh loud or laugh louder when I came across this at Amazon.

Jas

Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens - View price & availability, track | camelcamelcamel.com

**Marc Sabatella** · 09-12-2009, 12:35 PM

Right - reputable dealers (eg, B&H) are still selling this for $250. I suspect the problem isn't Pentax raising prices but rather cutting production makig it harder to stock.

*monochrome* · 09-12-2009, 12:55 PM

Further explanation here http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/739434-post10.html

C'mon, people, everything is mucked up. Nobody can get capital for anything, even ridiculously sound companies like Hoya. They've all reduced their inventories and cut manufacturing to the bone. That's why US unemployment is 9.7%.

Of course, as soon as they figure out that people want to buy things that aren't in the stores they'll start asking for production loans; and banks will lend; and at first the remaining people will just make more stuff (happening right now - productivity/profit increases dramatically); then they'll re-hire, putting money in more peoples' jeans, who will have pent-up demand to buy stuff, which begets hiring, which begets cash in the jeans, which begets . . . . .

Well, you get the picture.

Jasvox · 09-12-2009, 01:53 PM

I am glad I bought mine when I did...$179 new, about 2 years ago.

Jason