D FA 21mm out of stock?

bilybianca · 03-31-2023, 12:09 AM

Does anyone on the forum have insight in Pentax/Ricoh's production and distribution routines?
I've finally pulled the trigger for a D FA 21mm f2.4 from the leading Swedish on-line retailer Cyberphoto. The lens is stated as "on back-order, delivery time unknown". Checking with the Swedish importer/agent FocusNordic the message is the same. Do they have problems getting delivery from Japan? Are Ricoh themselves out of stock? How do they plan their production runs?
It would feel a bit akward having to turn to the second hand market to get hold on their latest lens!

Kjell

AfterPentax Mark II · 03-31-2023, 12:29 AM

Originally posted by bilybianca

Does anyone on the forum have insight in Pentax/Ricoh's production and distribution routines?
I've finally pulled the trigger for a D FA 21mm f2.4 from the leading Swedish on-line retailer Cyberphoto. The lens is stated as "on back-order, delivery time unknown". Checking with the Swedish importer/agent FocusNordic the message is the same. Do they have problems getting delivery from Japan? Are Ricoh themselves out of stock? How do they plan their production runs?
It would feel a bit akward having to turn to the second hand market to get hold on their latest lens!

Kjell

If you go to Pentax.eu you will see it is on Spring-offer and available. What I notice is that retailers have problems with keeping their stock at a minimum level. Most of the Ricoh/Pentax sellers have problems with getting the items in time. Perhaps what you and I are confronted with is the new style of doing business, that is from Ricoh straight to the customer (like they do in Japan). I have even problems with acquiring a new K-1 Mark II with any of the retailers in my country. Which means that I will withdraw the order and go on with my KP and K-3 Mark II. Another problem is: if the retailers do not get new camera's and lenses they do not trade in older Ricoh/Pentax gear. Ricoh/Pentax themselves have no trade in program. I guess that this is their way to convert Pentax-users to buying from Ricoh instead of the usual retailer at home....

Sandy Hancock · 03-31-2023, 12:35 AM - **2 Likes**

Pentax Australia only has one left in stock.
I would appear the initial production run sold very well, which I guess is good news for Pentax, but frustrating for those late to the party.

Not a Number · 03-31-2023, 12:40 AM

The lens appears to be in stock on the US Ricoh webstore as well as the big e-tailers like Adorama and B&H Photo. As far as I can tell it is in stock on the Ricoh Japan webstore - at least I can add it to the cart.

I believe there are regional allocations of how many lenses are shipped to distributors. It is not listed as discontinued on the Ricoh site.

You may be able to find it in stock elsewhere in the EU.

house · 03-31-2023, 12:41 AM

Originally posted by bilybianca

Does anyone on the forum have insight in Pentax/Ricoh's production and distribution routines?
I've finally pulled the trigger for a D FA 21mm f2.4 from the leading Swedish on-line retailer Cyberphoto. The lens is stated as "on back-order, delivery time unknown". Checking with the Swedish importer/agent FocusNordic the message is the same. Do they have problems getting delivery from Japan? Are Ricoh themselves out of stock? How do they plan their production runs?
It would feel a bit akward having to turn to the second hand market to get hold on their latest lens!

Kjell

I bought mine from the pentax.eu site instead of cyberphoto.se where I've previously bought a fair bit of gear.

I iddn't fully examine the consequences of this but on the surface it looked like the downsides were minor and the price significantly lower.

**JensE** · 03-31-2023, 12:48 AM

Some (reliable) German retailers list both the DFA21 Ltd. and K-1 II in stock and actually have discounts on them, I guess we're somewhat lucky here.

AfterPentax Mark II · 03-31-2023, 02:29 AM

Originally posted by house

I bought mine from the pentax.eu site instead of cyberphoto.se where I've previously bought a fair bit of gear.

I iddn't fully examine the consequences of this but on the surface it looked like the downsides were minor and the price significantly lower.

In my country Pentax.eu has the same prices as the retailers, but only offers a two year warranty and the retailers give you a five years warranty. (Unfortunately Pentax.eu only gives a six month warranty on refurbished items. The original webshop (before Luzern took over) it was the same warranty as a new item.)

**Papa_Joe** · 03-31-2023, 03:58 AM

I would guess, there is no Ricoh warehouse for Pentax products in sweden. Now, if a dealer has no stock available he has to get it from the main partner in sweden, which seems to be focus nordic in göteborg or else from somewhere else in europe. Next guess, if it is getting to complicated for your local store, they just quit trying to get the gear for you and tell you it is out of stock. They just loose a Pentax customer and seem not to care for that. To much effort for no benefit.

**mlag** · 03-31-2023, 12:46 PM

The list out of stock lenses on focusnordic seems quite numerous, I have impression they have intentionally low stock ( or very successful sales recently...)

bilybianca · 04-01-2023, 12:33 AM

Originally posted by Papa_Joe

I would guess, there is no Ricoh warehouse for Pentax products in sweden. Now, if a dealer has no stock available he has to get it from the main partner in sweden, which seems to be focus nordic in göteborg or else from somewhere else in europe. Next guess, if it is getting to complicated for your local store, they just quit trying to get the gear for you and tell you it is out of stock. They just loose a Pentax customer and seem not to care for that. To much effort for no benefit.

I'm afraid that's precisely what's going on. "The other" big online retailer in Sweden, Scandinavian Photo, has quitted selling Pentax gear altogether.
If Ricoh wants to have this direct producer-consumer relation, their presence on national markets needs to be stronger. The Swedish market, as small as it might be, is large enough to make them produce manuals in Swedish, as well as in-body menues.
Buying from any country within the EU isn't a problem (thanks to Ireland English is still a EU language). It's when it comes to warranty issues there might be a problem. You'd want to explain the fine details in your own mothertongue.

Kjell

**Digitalis** · 04-01-2023, 02:00 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

I would appear the initial production run sold very well, which I guess is good news for Pentax

I'll admit to feeling a trifle smug about this, some of my colleagues thought the DFA21 wouldn't sell so well due to the existence of third party and legacy glass.

They all owe me a bottle of lagavulin.

Pentax K-1 - DFA21mm f/2.4 ED ASPH Limited @ f/11 hand blended HDR.

Sandy Hancock · 04-01-2023, 04:01 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Digitalis

They all owe me a bottle of Lagavulin.

I can see you on that, and raise you one.
Early adopter's tax is feeling pretty good right now

**mikesbike** · 04-02-2023, 11:49 AM

Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II

In my country Pentax.eu has the same prices as the retailers, but only offers a two year warranty and the retailers give you a five years warranty.

As far as know, unless we buy a longer contract, here in the US, the standard for new Pentax lenses is we get just one year!

angerdan · 04-04-2023, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by JensE

Some (reliable) German retailers list both the DFA21 Ltd. and K-1 II in stock and actually have discounts on them, I guess we're somewhat lucky here.

Two actually:
https://www.heise.de/preisvergleich/?cat=acamobjo&xf=227_24%7E2715_APS-C%2FK...t=p&bl1_id=100

gatorguy · 04-04-2023, 10:51 AM - **1 Like**

Mine came direct from Ricoh/Pentax. Refurbished at $1099 US. That condition doesn't concern me at all, and in fact might be a plus. A factory refurb means they already got a return and with a report of an issue with that specific lens, fixed it, double-checked that it was corrected, and then put it back up for sale. That's potentially better than a new lens IMHO.

03-31-2023, 12:09 AM	#1
bilybianca Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hassleholm, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 334	D FA 21mm out of stock? Does anyone on the forum have insight in Pentax/Ricoh's production and distribution routines? I've finally pulled the trigger for a D FA 21mm f2.4 from the leading Swedish on-line retailer Cyberphoto. The lens is stated as "on back-order, delivery time unknown". Checking with the Swedish importer/agent FocusNordic the message is the same. Do they have problems getting delivery from Japan? Are Ricoh themselves out of stock? How do they plan their production runs? It would feel a bit akward having to turn to the second hand market to get hold on their latest lens! Kjell

03-31-2023, 12:35 AM - 2 Likes	#3
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,267	Pentax Australia only has one left in stock. I would appear the initial production run sold very well, which I guess is good news for Pentax, but frustrating for those late to the party. Last edited by Sandy Hancock; 03-31-2023 at 12:47 AM.

04-01-2023, 02:00 AM - 3 Likes	#11
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock I would appear the initial production run sold very well, which I guess is good news for Pentax I'll admit to feeling a trifle smug about this, some of my colleagues thought the DFA21 wouldn't sell so well due to the existence of third party and legacy glass. They all owe me a bottle of lagavulin. Pentax K-1 - DFA21mm f/2.4 ED ASPH Limited @ f/11 hand blended HDR. Last edited by Digitalis; 04-01-2023 at 02:37 AM.

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03-31-2023, 12:29 AM	#2
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,458	Originally posted by bilybianca Does anyone on the forum have insight in Pentax/Ricoh's production and distribution routines? I've finally pulled the trigger for a D FA 21mm f2.4 from the leading Swedish on-line retailer Cyberphoto. The lens is stated as "on back-order, delivery time unknown". Checking with the Swedish importer/agent FocusNordic the message is the same. Do they have problems getting delivery from Japan? Are Ricoh themselves out of stock? How do they plan their production runs? It would feel a bit akward having to turn to the second hand market to get hold on their latest lens! Kjell If you go to Pentax.eu you will see it is on Spring-offer and available. What I notice is that retailers have problems with keeping their stock at a minimum level. Most of the Ricoh/Pentax sellers have problems with getting the items in time. Perhaps what you and I are confronted with is the new style of doing business, that is from Ricoh straight to the customer (like they do in Japan). I have even problems with acquiring a new K-1 Mark II with any of the retailers in my country. Which means that I will withdraw the order and go on with my KP and K-3 Mark II. Another problem is: if the retailers do not get new camera's and lenses they do not trade in older Ricoh/Pentax gear. Ricoh/Pentax themselves have no trade in program. I guess that this is their way to convert Pentax-users to buying from Ricoh instead of the usual retailer at home....

03-31-2023, 12:40 AM	#4
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,525	The lens appears to be in stock on the US Ricoh webstore as well as the big e-tailers like Adorama and B&H Photo. As far as I can tell it is in stock on the Ricoh Japan webstore - at least I can add it to the cart. I believe there are regional allocations of how many lenses are shipped to distributors. It is not listed as discontinued on the Ricoh site. You may be able to find it in stock elsewhere in the EU.

03-31-2023, 12:41 AM	#5
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Originally posted by bilybianca Does anyone on the forum have insight in Pentax/Ricoh's production and distribution routines? I've finally pulled the trigger for a D FA 21mm f2.4 from the leading Swedish on-line retailer Cyberphoto. The lens is stated as "on back-order, delivery time unknown". Checking with the Swedish importer/agent FocusNordic the message is the same. Do they have problems getting delivery from Japan? Are Ricoh themselves out of stock? How do they plan their production runs? It would feel a bit akward having to turn to the second hand market to get hold on their latest lens! Kjell I bought mine from the pentax.eu site instead of cyberphoto.se where I've previously bought a fair bit of gear. I iddn't fully examine the consequences of this but on the surface it looked like the downsides were minor and the price significantly lower.

03-31-2023, 12:48 AM	#6
JensE Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Leipzig Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,964	Some (reliable) German retailers list both the DFA21 Ltd. and K-1 II in stock and actually have discounts on them, I guess we're somewhat lucky here.

03-31-2023, 02:29 AM	#7
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,458	Originally posted by house I bought mine from the pentax.eu site instead of cyberphoto.se where I've previously bought a fair bit of gear. I iddn't fully examine the consequences of this but on the surface it looked like the downsides were minor and the price significantly lower. In my country Pentax.eu has the same prices as the retailers, but only offers a two year warranty and the retailers give you a five years warranty. (Unfortunately Pentax.eu only gives a six month warranty on refurbished items. The original webshop (before Luzern took over) it was the same warranty as a new item.)

03-31-2023, 03:58 AM	#8
Papa_Joe Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: SW Bavaria Posts: 559	I would guess, there is no Ricoh warehouse for Pentax products in sweden. Now, if a dealer has no stock available he has to get it from the main partner in sweden, which seems to be focus nordic in göteborg or else from somewhere else in europe. Next guess, if it is getting to complicated for your local store, they just quit trying to get the gear for you and tell you it is out of stock. They just loose a Pentax customer and seem not to care for that. To much effort for no benefit.

03-31-2023, 12:46 PM	#9
mlag Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Zuiderkempen - Grote Netewoud - Belgium Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,387	The list out of stock lenses on focusnordic seems quite numerous, I have impression they have intentionally low stock ( or very successful sales recently...)

04-01-2023, 12:33 AM	#10
bilybianca Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hassleholm, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 334 Original Poster	Originally posted by Papa_Joe I would guess, there is no Ricoh warehouse for Pentax products in sweden. Now, if a dealer has no stock available he has to get it from the main partner in sweden, which seems to be focus nordic in göteborg or else from somewhere else in europe. Next guess, if it is getting to complicated for your local store, they just quit trying to get the gear for you and tell you it is out of stock. They just loose a Pentax customer and seem not to care for that. To much effort for no benefit. I'm afraid that's precisely what's going on. "The other" big online retailer in Sweden, Scandinavian Photo, has quitted selling Pentax gear altogether. If Ricoh wants to have this direct producer-consumer relation, their presence on national markets needs to be stronger. The Swedish market, as small as it might be, is large enough to make them produce manuals in Swedish, as well as in-body menues. Buying from any country within the EU isn't a problem (thanks to Ireland English is still a EU language). It's when it comes to warranty issues there might be a problem. You'd want to explain the fine details in your own mothertongue. Kjell

04-01-2023, 04:01 AM - 1 Like	#12
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,267	Originally posted by Digitalis They all owe me a bottle of Lagavulin. I can see you on that, and raise you one. Early adopter's tax is feeling pretty good right now

04-02-2023, 11:49 AM	#13
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,547	Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II In my country Pentax.eu has the same prices as the retailers, but only offers a two year warranty and the retailers give you a five years warranty. As far as know, unless we buy a longer contract, here in the US, the standard for new Pentax lenses is we get just one year!

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04-04-2023, 09:36 AM	#14
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,639	Originally posted by JensE Some (reliable) German retailers list both the DFA21 Ltd. and K-1 II in stock and actually have discounts on them, I guess we're somewhat lucky here. Two actually: https://www.heise.de/preisvergleich/?cat=acamobjo&xf=227_24%7E2715_APS-C%2FK...t=p&bl1_id=100

04-04-2023, 10:51 AM - 1 Like	#15
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,089	Mine came direct from Ricoh/Pentax. Refurbished at $1099 US. That condition doesn't concern me at all, and in fact might be a plus. A factory refurb means they already got a return and with a report of an issue with that specific lens, fixed it, double-checked that it was corrected, and then put it back up for sale. That's potentially better than a new lens IMHO.