Pentax DA 18-250mm Price Wars

**tomwil** · 10-10-2010, 06:08 PM

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Lately, I've noticed a price increase on what this lens (and the Tamron equivalent) has been fetching on the Marketplace and eBay.

However, this eBay auction seems to be going over the top at $675 with 6 days to go. Wonder where it will end?

Eruditass · 10-10-2010, 06:15 PM

What the heck? $675, 6 days, no returns?

Something smells Zenitary.

hcc · 10-10-2010, 06:56 PM

I feel that these prices are un-reasonable. It would be better to consider the newer Sigma 18-250mm OS HSM which received, to date, some good users' comments. It is listed at US$479 at www.adoroma.com.

shnikus · 10-10-2010, 08:17 PM

During the last couple of weeks I was looking to buy that lens, and therefore kept track of any auctions and listings. The average price on it was around $400-$450. I've seen NIB samples go for as much as $550, and used ones with missing caps or hoods for as low as $350.

I got lucky and found one in mint condition on local Craigslist for $360.

Unsinkable II · 10-11-2010, 05:34 AM

Ultrazoom + SR + distortion correction + CA correction +JPEG = a very enticing prospect for a P&S upgrader. The K-x is utterly begging for this lens.

Quite why Pentax have walked out of the room on this is beyond me.

These prices demonstrate beyond doubt the market opportunity.

Jasvox · 10-11-2010, 06:35 AM

I bought my copy (Tamron, that is) about 3 years ago and love this lens when needing a do-it-all.

Jason

r0ckstarr · 10-11-2010, 06:48 AM

$675? Wow. I may sell mine!

steve1307 · 10-11-2010, 07:05 AM

Originally posted by r0ckstarr

$675? Wow. I may sell mine!

me too!
but we'll have to find a clueless n00b like the guy bidding

zero feedback and 10 bids in 20minutes from 270 up to I guess 700.

r0ckstarr · 10-11-2010, 07:30 AM

Originally posted by steve1307

zero feedback and 10 bids in 20minutes from 270 up to I guess 700.

Shill bidding maybe?

yusuf · 10-11-2010, 10:19 AM

definitely shill bidding.

**dadipentak** · 10-11-2010, 11:20 AM

Originally posted by Jasvox

I bought my copy (Tamron, that is) about 3 years ago and love this lens when needing a do-it-all.

Jason

Same here--it was actually my first lens.

r0ckstarr · 10-11-2010, 12:23 PM

Originally posted by dadipentak

Same here--it was actually my first lens.

Ha! My first lens as well. When I first got it, I didn't know much about lenses and thought that I would never need another lens again since it covered such a huge focal range in one lens.

**dadipentak** · 10-11-2010, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by r0ckstarr

Ha! My first lens as well. When I first got it, I didn't know much about lenses and thought that I would never need another lens again since it covered such a huge focal range in one lens.

Ha!, back at ya

steve1307 · 10-25-2010, 04:02 AM

??? Just got an email from ebay. "an item you've been watching has been re-listed" Huh?!!

This DA18-250 that went for a crazy $675 is back.
Seems a newbie bidder didn't cough up the dough. Or maybe some thing more dodgy going on.

Now theres a note in bold red letters "Bidders with zero feedback contact me first before you bid"

Pentax smc DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL IF Lens NEW - eBay (item 220687094248 end time Oct-30-10 18:01:24 PDT)

pxpaulx · 10-25-2010, 05:34 AM

Originally posted by steve1307

??? Just got an email from ebay. "an item you've been watching has been re-listed" Huh?!!

This DA18-250 that went for a crazy $675 is back.
Seems a newbie bidder didn't cough up the dough. Or maybe some thing more dodgy going on.

Now theres a note in bold red letters "Bidders with zero feedback contact me first before you bid"

Pentax smc DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL IF Lens NEW - eBay (item 220687094248 end time Oct-30-10 18:01:24 PDT)

As was stated above, pretty obvious shill bidding - their buddy bid up the auction, doesn't pay and the buyer sends the next highest real bidder a 2nd chance buy option at their highest bid. They'll likely do the same thing until someone bites, I would skip that seller in a heartbeat.

10-10-2010, 06:08 PM	#1
tomwil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: Maryland USA Posts: 778	Pentax DA 18-250mm Price Wars Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Lately, I've noticed a price increase on what this lens (and the Tamron equivalent) has been fetching on the Marketplace and eBay. However, this eBay auction seems to be going over the top at $675 with 6 days to go. Wonder where it will end?

10-10-2010, 06:56 PM	#3
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	I feel that these prices are un-reasonable. It would be better to consider the newer Sigma 18-250mm OS HSM which received, to date, some good users' comments. It is listed at US$479 at www.adoroma.com. Last edited by hcc; 10-10-2010 at 10:10 PM.

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10-10-2010, 06:15 PM	#2
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	What the heck? $675, 6 days, no returns? Something smells Zenitary.

10-10-2010, 08:17 PM	#4
shnikus Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Denver, Colorado Photos: Gallery Posts: 32	During the last couple of weeks I was looking to buy that lens, and therefore kept track of any auctions and listings. The average price on it was around $400-$450. I've seen NIB samples go for as much as $550, and used ones with missing caps or hoods for as low as $350. I got lucky and found one in mint condition on local Craigslist for $360.

10-11-2010, 05:34 AM	#5
Unsinkable II Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,352	Ultrazoom + SR + distortion correction + CA correction +JPEG = a very enticing prospect for a P&S upgrader. The K-x is utterly begging for this lens. Quite why Pentax have walked out of the room on this is beyond me. These prices demonstrate beyond doubt the market opportunity.

10-11-2010, 06:35 AM	#6
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	I bought my copy (Tamron, that is) about 3 years ago and love this lens when needing a do-it-all. Jason

10-11-2010, 06:48 AM	#7
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	$675? Wow. I may sell mine!

10-11-2010, 07:05 AM	#8
steve1307 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,130	Originally posted by r0ckstarr $675? Wow. I may sell mine! me too! but we'll have to find a clueless n00b like the guy bidding zero feedback and 10 bids in 20minutes from 270 up to I guess 700.

10-11-2010, 07:30 AM	#9
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Originally posted by steve1307 zero feedback and 10 bids in 20minutes from 270 up to I guess 700. Shill bidding maybe?

10-11-2010, 10:19 AM	#10
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	definitely shill bidding.

10-11-2010, 11:20 AM	#11
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by Jasvox I bought my copy (Tamron, that is) about 3 years ago and love this lens when needing a do-it-all. Jason Same here--it was actually my first lens.

10-11-2010, 12:23 PM	#12
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Originally posted by dadipentak Same here--it was actually my first lens. Ha! My first lens as well. When I first got it, I didn't know much about lenses and thought that I would never need another lens again since it covered such a huge focal range in one lens.

10-11-2010, 07:00 PM	#13
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by r0ckstarr Ha! My first lens as well. When I first got it, I didn't know much about lenses and thought that I would never need another lens again since it covered such a huge focal range in one lens. Ha!, back at ya

10-25-2010, 04:02 AM	#14
steve1307 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,130	??? Just got an email from ebay. "an item you've been watching has been re-listed" Huh?!! This DA18-250 that went for a crazy $675 is back. Seems a newbie bidder didn't cough up the dough. Or maybe some thing more dodgy going on. Now theres a note in bold red letters "Bidders with zero feedback contact me first before you bid" Pentax smc DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL IF Lens NEW - eBay (item 220687094248 end time Oct-30-10 18:01:24 PDT)

10-25-2010, 05:34 AM	#15
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	Originally posted by steve1307 ??? Just got an email from ebay. "an item you've been watching has been re-listed" Huh?!! This DA18-250 that went for a crazy $675 is back. Seems a newbie bidder didn't cough up the dough. Or maybe some thing more dodgy going on. Now theres a note in bold red letters "Bidders with zero feedback contact me first before you bid" Pentax smc DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL IF Lens NEW - eBay (item 220687094248 end time Oct-30-10 18:01:24 PDT) As was stated above, pretty obvious shill bidding - their buddy bid up the auction, doesn't pay and the buyer sends the next highest real bidder a 2nd chance buy option at their highest bid. They'll likely do the same thing until someone bites, I would skip that seller in a heartbeat.