Pentax DA 12-24mm -- not available at most places

**EsBee** · 07-21-2011, 11:16 PM

Anyone knows why Pentax DA 12-24 is not available at most (popular) places?

PentaxImaging.com seems to have them in stock but at an exuberant price. The lens is obviously in production but Pentax authorized dealers don't seem to have any in stock.

Having tried Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 briefly before returning it because of extreme soft corners, I'd like to try Pentax 12-24 but haven't seen (m)any here on PF or anywhere else recently so just wondering.

paperbag846 · 07-21-2011, 11:19 PM

Originally posted by EsBee

Anyone knows why Pentax DA 12-24 is not available at most (popular) places?

PentaxImaging.com seems to have them in stock but at an exuberant price. The lens is obviously in production but Pentax authorized dealers don't seem to have any in stock.

Having tried Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 briefly before returning it because of extreme soft corners, I'd like to try Pentax 12-24 but haven't seen (m)any here on PF or anywhere else recently so just wondering.

Try an online store with a return policy, or just buy one in the marketplace. I never see much interesting Pentax gear in the stores. Hopefully that will change.

Adam · 07-21-2011, 11:42 PM

Indeed looks like they're sold out almost everywhere- you can try asking in our BH forum for an estimated arrival date!

**EsBee** · 07-21-2011, 11:53 PM

Originally posted by Adam

Indeed looks like they're sold out almost everywhere- you can try asking in our BH forum for an estimated arrival date!

It turns out I wasn't the only one wondering

Pentax DA 12-24mm f4 Availability at B&H Photo

Kameraten · 07-22-2011, 11:39 AM

Some Pentax lenses seem to disappear and reappear in the stores intermittently. It seems all lenses are not produced all the time but rather in batches and then stored/distributed for sale. It would make sense for a low-volume brand.
My guess is it will reappear one day soon. And it's more useful than the mentioned Sigma lens mostly because of the more practical range and the speed. I've had the Sigma, and daily use the 12-24.

RonHendriks1966 · 07-22-2011, 02:31 PM

Well it costs 839 euro and my favorite store has it on stock. Crazy expensive.

**Kammerer** · 07-22-2011, 08:33 PM

May be they are re-tooling the line for the DA* 12-35.

northcoastgreg · 07-22-2011, 08:50 PM

Originally posted by Kameraten

It seems all lenses are not produced all the time but rather in batches and then stored/distributed for sale. It would make sense for a low-volume brand.

That's exactly what's going on. And it's not just because Pentax is a low-volume brand: all companies make lenses in batches, and periodically run out of stock before running off a new batch (particularly of the high-end lenses). And of course the lens last runs out of stock where it's priced the highest -- which explains why pentaximaging still has some in stock.

Pentaxor · 07-22-2011, 09:34 PM

about a month or two ago, there were copies being sold in the marketplace. maybe some are still left available.

funny though that we seem to look for something when they are on their rare occurrence. probably due to financial capacity during that time?

Kameraten · 07-23-2011, 09:24 AM

Originally posted by RonHendriks1966

Well it costs 839 euro and my favorite store has it on stock. Crazy expensive.

Historically that's not expensive for this lens. It was up there above 1100 e at worst.

**Priscilla Turner** · 08-08-2011, 03:00 PM

Hasn't it been discontinued in the Japanese market? Henry's in Toronto still offer it, but at a really steep price. It's going to be hard to replace mine, which was stolen probably by an FSA employee not many days ago.

civiletti · 08-08-2011, 04:55 PM

Try the Sigma 8-16, a great lens

**EsBee** · 08-08-2011, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by civiletti

Try the Sigma 8-16, a great lens

Just a bit too late although I pondered it for a while. Ordered another copy of the same Sigma I tried before just a few days ago. If that doesn't work out, may be will go for another Sigma, or Pentax. Or even Tamron!

Where the heck is Tokina with its 11-16 for Pentax mount?

Kameraten · 08-08-2011, 10:56 PM

It's still quite available in numerous European web shops. The prices are between 900 and 1140 euros. Why sell to Americans then?
Actually I still think it's worth the price if you really need a WA. And when you have it your realize that you do.

**EsBee** · 08-09-2011, 09:42 PM

Originally posted by Kameraten

It's still quite available in numerous European web shops. The prices are between 900 and 1140 euros. Why sell to Americans then?
Actually I still think it's worth the price if you really need a WA. And when you have it your realize that you do.

Damn, for that many Euros, I'd step back, pano with my 16-xx zoom and hand-stitch my photos. Thank you.

07-21-2011, 11:16 PM	#1
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739	Pentax DA 12-24mm -- not available at most places Anyone knows why Pentax DA 12-24 is not available at most (popular) places? PentaxImaging.com seems to have them in stock but at an exuberant price. The lens is obviously in production but Pentax authorized dealers don't seem to have any in stock. Having tried Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 briefly before returning it because of extreme soft corners, I'd like to try Pentax 12-24 but haven't seen (m)any here on PF or anywhere else recently so just wondering.

07-21-2011, 11:42 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Indeed looks like they're sold out almost everywhere- you can try asking in our BH forum for an estimated arrival date! 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:

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07-21-2011, 11:19 PM	#2
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by EsBee Anyone knows why Pentax DA 12-24 is not available at most (popular) places? PentaxImaging.com seems to have them in stock but at an exuberant price. The lens is obviously in production but Pentax authorized dealers don't seem to have any in stock. Having tried Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 briefly before returning it because of extreme soft corners, I'd like to try Pentax 12-24 but haven't seen (m)any here on PF or anywhere else recently so just wondering. Try an online store with a return policy, or just buy one in the marketplace. I never see much interesting Pentax gear in the stores. Hopefully that will change.

07-21-2011, 11:53 PM	#4
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam Indeed looks like they're sold out almost everywhere- you can try asking in our BH forum for an estimated arrival date! It turns out I wasn't the only one wondering Pentax DA 12-24mm f4 Availability at B&H Photo

07-22-2011, 11:39 AM	#5
Kameraten Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 214	Some Pentax lenses seem to disappear and reappear in the stores intermittently. It seems all lenses are not produced all the time but rather in batches and then stored/distributed for sale. It would make sense for a low-volume brand. My guess is it will reappear one day soon. And it's more useful than the mentioned Sigma lens mostly because of the more practical range and the speed. I've had the Sigma, and daily use the 12-24.

07-22-2011, 02:31 PM	#6
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Well it costs 839 euro and my favorite store has it on stock. Crazy expensive.

07-22-2011, 08:33 PM	#7
Kammerer Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Hampton Roads Photos: Albums Posts: 367	May be they are re-tooling the line for the DA* 12-35.

07-22-2011, 08:50 PM	#8
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	Originally posted by Kameraten It seems all lenses are not produced all the time but rather in batches and then stored/distributed for sale. It would make sense for a low-volume brand. That's exactly what's going on. And it's not just because Pentax is a low-volume brand: all companies make lenses in batches, and periodically run out of stock before running off a new batch (particularly of the high-end lenses). And of course the lens last runs out of stock where it's priced the highest -- which explains why pentaximaging still has some in stock.

07-22-2011, 09:34 PM	#9
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	about a month or two ago, there were copies being sold in the marketplace. maybe some are still left available. funny though that we seem to look for something when they are on their rare occurrence. probably due to financial capacity during that time?

07-23-2011, 09:24 AM	#10
Kameraten Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 214	Originally posted by RonHendriks1966 Well it costs 839 euro and my favorite store has it on stock. Crazy expensive. Historically that's not expensive for this lens. It was up there above 1100 e at worst.

08-08-2011, 03:00 PM	#11
Priscilla Turner Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 22	Hasn't it been discontinued in the Japanese market? Henry's in Toronto still offer it, but at a really steep price. It's going to be hard to replace mine, which was stolen probably by an FSA employee not many days ago.

08-08-2011, 04:55 PM	#12
civiletti Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 1,435	Try the Sigma 8-16, a great lens

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08-08-2011, 05:33 PM	#13
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739 Original Poster	Originally posted by civiletti Try the Sigma 8-16, a great lens Just a bit too late although I pondered it for a while. Ordered another copy of the same Sigma I tried before just a few days ago. If that doesn't work out, may be will go for another Sigma, or Pentax. Or even Tamron! Where the heck is Tokina with its 11-16 for Pentax mount?

08-08-2011, 10:56 PM	#14
Kameraten Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 214	It's still quite available in numerous European web shops. The prices are between 900 and 1140 euros. Why sell to Americans then? Actually I still think it's worth the price if you really need a WA. And when you have it your realize that you do.

08-09-2011, 09:42 PM	#15
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kameraten It's still quite available in numerous European web shops. The prices are between 900 and 1140 euros. Why sell to Americans then? Actually I still think it's worth the price if you really need a WA. And when you have it your realize that you do. Damn, for that many Euros, I'd step back, pano with my 16-xx zoom and hand-stitch my photos. Thank you.