Pentax DA18-135mm available in Australia for A$799 now

raider · 10-03-2010, 04:15 PM

Just giving a heads up to all oz pentaxians that the newly released DA 18-135 is now available for A$799 here:

PENTAX smc DA 18-135mmF3.5-5.6ED AL IF DC WR Lens :: Digidirect Australia

HeavyD · 10-03-2010, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by raider

Just giving a heads up to all oz pentaxians that the newly released DA 18-135 is now available for A$799 here:

PENTAX smc DA 18-135mmF3.5-5.6ED AL IF DC WR Lens :: Digidirect Australia

Is that U.S. dollars??? $799 is in the Canon L price range for lenses on ebay. I just sold my K7 and am waiting for the K5 and 18-135mm kit to come out. I've also been cruising ebay and may get a used Canon 40d and 24-105 L for $950. Pentax has really let me down lens wise.

HeavyD · 10-03-2010, 04:30 PM

I just did the conversion. $776 is way to much for that lens, weather sealed or not. If I'm going to spend that much it will be for a Canon L, or Leica, not a DA lens.

Adam · 10-03-2010, 04:31 PM

Looks like AUD.

However, it doesn't say anywhere on the site whether or not the lens is actually in stock!

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

**wizofoz** · 10-03-2010, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by HeavyD

Is that U.S. dollars??? $799 is in the Canon L price range for lenses on ebay. I just sold my K7 and am waiting for the K5 and 18-135mm kit to come out. I've also been cruising ebay and may get a used Canon 40d and 24-105 L for $950. Pentax has really let me down lens wise.

Aussie dollars and US dollars are almost the same at the moment. As I look at my currency converter 1 AUD = .9722 USD.

This seems to be a preliminary pricing, reports are that the lens should retail for around $500AU or less when purchased as part of a kit.

Reportage · 10-03-2010, 04:55 PM

my guess is they want people to buy the lens + body option?

Douf · 10-03-2010, 05:48 PM

I think I'll grab this one as the kit lens when the K5 comes out.. only question for me is if I buy it as soon as it's out or when the price starts dropping.... hmmm!

Eagle_Friends · 10-03-2010, 06:20 PM

Can't imagine anyone buying that lens outside of the K5 combo.

Unless they're rich, but if so, they would just get a 50-135

raider · 10-03-2010, 08:45 PM

I too think that the price is a bit steep. But apart from the Sigma 18-125, i dont see any other similar lens for the pentax mount, and the sigma 18-125 is not a stella performer as per the photozone review. If the pentax 18-125 is a sharp lens, perhaps it is worth this much money.

Pentaxor · 10-04-2010, 12:03 AM

it depends on how really good it is. if it's only a step higher than the kit lens, then you are better off with a faster 2 lens combo.

**Ash** · 10-04-2010, 04:12 AM

I'm also dubious about the price of this lens.
Of course not having seen any of its results, I'd be reserving judgement, but for that price there are many options that seem more appealing - not just faster...

Even for stunning results wide open, we're still talking f/5.6 maximum at 135mm - not the most versatile all-rounder - can't ask for too much from the lens I suppose...

Having had the DA 18-250 discontinued sounds more disheartening now...

ShowMeTheMoney · 10-04-2010, 04:48 AM

If one really needed the WR I suppose.

Sad thing is, it's probably going to be around that price, or likely even more expensive here in my place. Just consider that the DA15 is currently going for ~$822 USD here in Manila...

steve1307 · 10-04-2010, 05:05 AM

I've seen digidirect prices go up and down like a.......< not appropriate phrase >

The have had a couple of good pricings for what I have been after in the past but I have seen them vary by 20% up or down. I was lucky, I bought a DA70ltd from them and then they increased by $120! overnight I've had my eye on a DA100-WR it was $679 and now it's gone altogehter.

Last week they had K-5 with 18-135 for $1899 (raised my eyebrow) - I wondered if they'd honour it?
This week it is K-5 with 18-135 for $2399 (lowered eyebrow again) - no way!

18-135 for $799 sounds a lot since it will be 530USD +60frt = about AUD$600 landed.

The 18-250 was a lot higher than this last year locally when it was still available.

Digidirect dont have any of the new releases in stock of course, not until November at least I would guess.
I was in the smaller of their 3 stores today (just passing) they had 2 Kx's and a K-7 and thats it, no other lenses.

pop4 · 10-04-2010, 05:14 AM

Note that DigiDirect may not necessarily have the lens in stock, and at the end of the day, they'll have to wait to get it from CR Kennedy. I ordered my Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 HSM from their online store, and had to wait 4 weeks before they got stock in from CR Kennedy. So while you can certainly order the lens from DigiDirect, you may not actually get it for a while yet.

raider · 10-04-2010, 03:43 PM

yes. digidirect price seem to go up and down a bit but for some lenses they are still the cheapest.

i bought my DA35 Ltd from them at a good price...almost the same if i would order it from BHPhoto after paying for the freight charges. i also got the k-x with sigma 17-70 combo from now at a good price as well.

10-03-2010, 04:15 PM	#1
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989	Pentax DA18-135mm available in Australia for A$799 now Just giving a heads up to all oz pentaxians that the newly released DA 18-135 is now available for A$799 here: PENTAX smc DA 18-135mmF3.5-5.6ED AL IF DC WR Lens :: Digidirect Australia

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Pentax A 50mm f1.4 / Takumar 135mm 3.5 / 200mm f 4 Australia	Westoz	Sold Items	2	07-18-2010 04:40 PM
Sigma 70-200mm HSM for Pentax. US$799.	Reportage	Ask B&H Photo!	3	05-27-2010 09:50 AM
New Canon 70-200mm L IS MK2 = £ 2,799	LeDave	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	4	01-10-2010 10:16 PM
Pentax DA18-55mm kit lens	madisonphotogrl	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	32	07-24-2008 08:23 PM

10-03-2010, 04:26 PM	#2
HeavyD Inactive Account Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York Posts: 155	Originally posted by raider Just giving a heads up to all oz pentaxians that the newly released DA 18-135 is now available for A$799 here: PENTAX smc DA 18-135mmF3.5-5.6ED AL IF DC WR Lens :: Digidirect Australia Is that U.S. dollars??? $799 is in the Canon L price range for lenses on ebay. I just sold my K7 and am waiting for the K5 and 18-135mm kit to come out. I've also been cruising ebay and may get a used Canon 40d and 24-105 L for $950. Pentax has really let me down lens wise.

10-03-2010, 04:30 PM	#3
HeavyD Inactive Account Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York Posts: 155	I just did the conversion. $776 is way to much for that lens, weather sealed or not. If I'm going to spend that much it will be for a Canon L, or Leica, not a DA lens.

10-03-2010, 04:31 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Looks like AUD. However, it doesn't say anywhere on the site whether or not the lens is actually in stock! Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

10-03-2010, 04:33 PM	#5
wizofoz Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Outer east. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,695	Originally posted by HeavyD Is that U.S. dollars??? $799 is in the Canon L price range for lenses on ebay. I just sold my K7 and am waiting for the K5 and 18-135mm kit to come out. I've also been cruising ebay and may get a used Canon 40d and 24-105 L for $950. Pentax has really let me down lens wise. Aussie dollars and US dollars are almost the same at the moment. As I look at my currency converter 1 AUD = .9722 USD. This seems to be a preliminary pricing, reports are that the lens should retail for around $500AU or less when purchased as part of a kit.

10-03-2010, 04:55 PM	#6
Reportage Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 739	my guess is they want people to buy the lens + body option?

10-03-2010, 05:48 PM	#7
Douf Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 58	I think I'll grab this one as the kit lens when the K5 comes out.. only question for me is if I buy it as soon as it's out or when the price starts dropping.... hmmm!

10-03-2010, 06:20 PM	#8
Eagle_Friends Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 971	Can't imagine anyone buying that lens outside of the K5 combo. Unless they're rich, but if so, they would just get a 50-135

10-03-2010, 08:45 PM	#9
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989 Original Poster	I too think that the price is a bit steep. But apart from the Sigma 18-125, i dont see any other similar lens for the pentax mount, and the sigma 18-125 is not a stella performer as per the photozone review. If the pentax 18-125 is a sharp lens, perhaps it is worth this much money.

10-04-2010, 12:03 AM	#10
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	it depends on how really good it is. if it's only a step higher than the kit lens, then you are better off with a faster 2 lens combo.

10-04-2010, 04:12 AM	#11
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	I'm also dubious about the price of this lens. Of course not having seen any of its results, I'd be reserving judgement, but for that price there are many options that seem more appealing - not just faster... Even for stunning results wide open, we're still talking f/5.6 maximum at 135mm - not the most versatile all-rounder - can't ask for too much from the lens I suppose... Having had the DA 18-250 discontinued sounds more disheartening now...

10-04-2010, 04:48 AM	#12
ShowMeTheMoney Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Metro Manila, Philippines Posts: 80	If one really needed the WR I suppose. Sad thing is, it's probably going to be around that price, or likely even more expensive here in my place. Just consider that the DA15 is currently going for ~$822 USD here in Manila...

10-04-2010, 05:05 AM	#13
steve1307 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,130	I've seen digidirect prices go up and down like a.......< not appropriate phrase > The have had a couple of good pricings for what I have been after in the past but I have seen them vary by 20% up or down. I was lucky, I bought a DA70ltd from them and then they increased by $120! overnight I've had my eye on a DA100-WR it was $679 and now it's gone altogehter. Last week they had K-5 with 18-135 for $1899 (raised my eyebrow) - I wondered if they'd honour it? This week it is K-5 with 18-135 for $2399 (lowered eyebrow again) - no way! 18-135 for $799 sounds a lot since it will be 530USD +60frt = about AUD$600 landed. The 18-250 was a lot higher than this last year locally when it was still available. Digidirect dont have any of the new releases in stock of course, not until November at least I would guess. I was in the smaller of their 3 stores today (just passing) they had 2 Kx's and a K-7 and thats it, no other lenses.

10-04-2010, 05:14 AM	#14
pop4 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: YMML Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,879	Note that DigiDirect may not necessarily have the lens in stock, and at the end of the day, they'll have to wait to get it from CR Kennedy. I ordered my Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 HSM from their online store, and had to wait 4 weeks before they got stock in from CR Kennedy. So while you can certainly order the lens from DigiDirect, you may not actually get it for a while yet.

10-04-2010, 03:43 PM	#15
raider Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,989 Original Poster	yes. digidirect price seem to go up and down a bit but for some lenses they are still the cheapest. i bought my DA35 Ltd from them at a good price...almost the same if i would order it from BHPhoto after paying for the freight charges. i also got the k-x with sigma 17-70 combo from now at a good price as well.