Pentax-D FA* 85mm 1.4 or no?

Jeff · 04-28-2021, 12:52 PM - **1 Like**

Prices in the UK are steep and I can get one from B&H, including taxes and customs, for £300 less than the best deal here, or, £500 off the MSRP.

That equates to 25% discount off the full retail price... whereas the best I think one could hope for is a 10% discount from somewhere like SRS or Wex etc.

I've been very keen on this lens since Day One.

Question is, do you think it Ricoh will ever offer a 25% discount on this lens in the UK, or anywhere? Or should I buy now - I've saved for a long time so maybe now's the time...now's the [bleeping] time! (to paraphrase O-Ren Ishii in Kill Bill).

I know what I want to do.

Should I?

I know how we love to spend other people's money here. Feel free!

**jatrax** · 04-28-2021, 01:05 PM

I've no idea whether you should or not. But Ricoh offering 25% off on a still newly released lens is a bit far fetched. Highly unlikely. On the other hand you said "ever" which is a long time. So sure, maybe, someday, like in 2045.

Jeff · 04-28-2021, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

I've no idea whether you should or not. But Ricoh offering 25% off on a still newly released lens is a bit far fetched. Highly unlikely. On the other hand you said "ever" which is a long time. So sure, maybe, someday, like in 2045.

I'll be dead by then!

**Kevin B123** · 04-28-2021, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by Jeff

That equates to 25% discount off the full retail price

You will get hit with an import tax, and the warranty will be shorter and costly as well as difficult to access should you need it.

I wouldn't buy from B&H in the UK, maybe some one has and can chime in.

Adam · 04-28-2021, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by Kevin B123

You will get hit with an import tax, and the warranty will be shorter and costly as well as difficult to access should you need it.

I wouldn't buy from B&H in the UK, maybe some one has and can chime in.

I think it's still cheaper even after taxes, interestingly enough.

Jeff · 04-28-2021, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by Adam

I think it's still cheaper even after taxes, interestingly enough.

It is!

B&H take care of all taxes and customs duties, and even with that added, it's still cheaper - the the tune of £500, which is... a lot of dollars!

Bertrand3000 · 04-28-2021, 02:23 PM

If you want it, you need it. If you need it, then buy it. This is how to deal with LBA.

I am not used to buy from abroad such costly things, but it looks like b&h is the reasonable choice given the price difference.

AfterPentax Mark II · 04-28-2021, 02:25 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Jeff

Prices in the UK are steep and I can get one from B&H, including taxes and customs, for £300 less than the best deal here, or, £500 off the MSRP.

That equates to 25% discount off the full retail price... whereas the best I think one could hope for is a 10% discount from somewhere like SRS or Wex etc.

I've been very keen on this lens since Day One.

Question is, do you think it Ricoh will ever offer a 25% discount on this lens in the UK, or anywhere? Or should I buy now - I've saved for a long time so maybe now's the time...now's the [bleeping] time! (to paraphrase O-Ren Ishii in Kill Bill).

I know what I want to do.

Should I?

I know how we love to spend other people's money here. Feel free!

Look at this! Search Results Page. This is not too far off of the US prices and perhaps you get a longer warranty period. Especially if you want a silver edition.

mr.b.snowden · 04-28-2021, 03:04 PM - **1 Like**

Do it! It is such a great lens. Bokeh and sharpness are top notch. I was an early adopter (one month after release) and paid full price. It is really worth every penny, as it makes taking great pictures very easy, just like the DFA*50.

**bwgv001** · 04-28-2021, 04:49 PM

The big difference that you see might be the taxes. Be sure that you will not have to pay any import tax...Some folks get surprised by that.
I would be surprised if B&H actually pay your import taxes.

**clackers** · 04-28-2021, 05:02 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Jeff

Prices in the UK are steep and I can get one from B&H, including taxes and customs, for £300 less than the best deal here, or, £500 off the MSRP.

But that three hundred pounds gets you a three year local warranty versus twelve months where you have to send it back to the States, right, Jeff?

Magnificent lens, obviously. If you love what you do in your spare time, you couldn't do better!

**caliscouser** · 04-28-2021, 07:26 PM

FWIW, Ricoh don't seem to be going for the big sales that much anymore.

I know black Friday the last couple of times around has been pretty much a non-event for Pentax sales.
It's not like the old days.

Sandy Hancock · 04-28-2021, 08:08 PM - **1 Like**

I don't buy big ticket items from overseas stores any more. I'd rather pay a bit extra for the local warranty cover.

That said - if now is the time, go for it. It is a gob-smackingly superb lens.

wkadruje · 04-29-2021, 12:38 AM

sound like you really want it

and is Pentax/Ricoh ever going to discount their stuff - seems to me like they actually want to have that premium tag attached. I suppose that they can't compete on sales figures with more popular brands so high price is a must. Right now I suppose they go for this elite, artisan quality image.

Jeff · 04-29-2021, 01:00 AM

Thank you all for giving your thoughts - I appreciate you giving of your time.

I'm still none the wiser as to which route to take, although I see that SRS have a 10% discount on the black edition, and a 15% discount on the silver one (thanks AfterPentax!).

I have a black K1 - I don't know how the silver would look on it. Does anyone have the combination and if so, what do you think of it?

04-28-2021, 12:52 PM - 1 Like	#1
Jeff Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Berkshire, England Posts: 837	*Pentax-D FA 85mm 1.4 or no?** Prices in the UK are steep and I can get one from B&H, including taxes and customs, for £300 less than the best deal here, or, £500 off the MSRP. That equates to 25% discount off the full retail price... whereas the best I think one could hope for is a 10% discount from somewhere like SRS or Wex etc. I've been very keen on this lens since Day One. Question is, do you think it Ricoh will ever offer a 25% discount on this lens in the UK, or anywhere? Or should I buy now - I've saved for a long time so maybe now's the time...now's the [bleeping] time! (to paraphrase O-Ren Ishii in Kill Bill). I know what I want to do. Should I? I know how we love to spend other people's money here. Feel free!

04-28-2021, 01:44 PM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by Kevin B123 You will get hit with an import tax, and the warranty will be shorter and costly as well as difficult to access should you need it. I wouldn't buy from B&H in the UK, maybe some one has and can chime in. I think it's still cheaper even after taxes, interestingly enough. 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:

04-28-2021, 02:25 PM - 1 Like	#8
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,462	Originally posted by Jeff Prices in the UK are steep and I can get one from B&H, including taxes and customs, for £300 less than the best deal here, or, £500 off the MSRP. That equates to 25% discount off the full retail price... whereas the best I think one could hope for is a 10% discount from somewhere like SRS or Wex etc. I've been very keen on this lens since Day One. Question is, do you think it Ricoh will ever offer a 25% discount on this lens in the UK, or anywhere? Or should I buy now - I've saved for a long time so maybe now's the time...now's the [bleeping] time! (to paraphrase O-Ren Ishii in Kill Bill). I know what I want to do. Should I? I know how we love to spend other people's money here. Feel free! Look at this! Search Results Page. This is not too far off of the US prices and perhaps you get a longer warranty period. Especially if you want a silver edition. Last edited by AfterPentax Mark II; 04-28-2021 at 02:26 PM. Reason: forgot the silver edition

04-28-2021, 04:49 PM	#10
bwgv001 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 697	The big difference that you see might be the taxes. Be sure that you will not have to pay any import tax...Some folks get surprised by that. I would be surprised if B&H actually pay your import taxes. Last edited by bwgv001; 04-28-2021 at 04:50 PM. Reason: adding some extra

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04-28-2021, 01:05 PM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I've no idea whether you should or not. But Ricoh offering 25% off on a still newly released lens is a bit far fetched. Highly unlikely. On the other hand you said "ever" which is a long time. So sure, maybe, someday, like in 2045.

04-28-2021, 01:07 PM	#3
Jeff Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Berkshire, England Posts: 837 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax I've no idea whether you should or not. But Ricoh offering 25% off on a still newly released lens is a bit far fetched. Highly unlikely. On the other hand you said "ever" which is a long time. So sure, maybe, someday, like in 2045. I'll be dead by then!

04-28-2021, 01:14 PM	#4
Kevin B123 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,176	Originally posted by Jeff That equates to 25% discount off the full retail price You will get hit with an import tax, and the warranty will be shorter and costly as well as difficult to access should you need it. I wouldn't buy from B&H in the UK, maybe some one has and can chime in.

04-28-2021, 01:48 PM	#6
Jeff Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Berkshire, England Posts: 837 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam I think it's still cheaper even after taxes, interestingly enough. It is! B&H take care of all taxes and customs duties, and even with that added, it's still cheaper - the the tune of £500, which is... a lot of dollars!

04-28-2021, 02:23 PM	#7
Bertrand3000 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 2,009	If you want it, you need it. If you need it, then buy it. This is how to deal with LBA. I am not used to buy from abroad such costly things, but it looks like b&h is the reasonable choice given the price difference.

04-28-2021, 03:04 PM - 1 Like	#9
mr.b.snowden Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 683	Do it! It is such a great lens. Bokeh and sharpness are top notch. I was an early adopter (one month after release) and paid full price. It is really worth every penny, as it makes taking great pictures very easy, just like the DFA*50.

04-28-2021, 05:02 PM - 1 Like	#11
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Jeff Prices in the UK are steep and I can get one from B&H, including taxes and customs, for £300 less than the best deal here, or, £500 off the MSRP. But that three hundred pounds gets you a three year local warranty versus twelve months where you have to send it back to the States, right, Jeff? Magnificent lens, obviously. If you love what you do in your spare time, you couldn't do better!

04-28-2021, 07:26 PM	#12
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	FWIW, Ricoh don't seem to be going for the big sales that much anymore. I know black Friday the last couple of times around has been pretty much a non-event for Pentax sales. It's not like the old days.

04-28-2021, 08:08 PM - 1 Like	#13
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	I don't buy big ticket items from overseas stores any more. I'd rather pay a bit extra for the local warranty cover. That said - if now is the time, go for it. It is a gob-smackingly superb lens.

04-29-2021, 12:38 AM	#14
wkadruje Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 145	sound like you really want it and is Pentax/Ricoh ever going to discount their stuff - seems to me like they actually want to have that premium tag attached. I suppose that they can't compete on sales figures with more popular brands so high price is a must. Right now I suppose they go for this elite, artisan quality image.

04-29-2021, 01:00 AM	#15
Jeff Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Berkshire, England Posts: 837 Original Poster	Thank you all for giving your thoughts - I appreciate you giving of your time. I'm still none the wiser as to which route to take, although I see that SRS have a 10% discount on the black edition, and a 15% discount on the silver one (thanks AfterPentax!). I have a black K1 - I don't know how the silver would look on it. Does anyone have the combination and if so, what do you think of it?