The FA 31mm f/1.8 limited getting more expensive

vandamro · 06-10-2009, 03:32 AM

Hi Everyone,

I've been tracking the price of the FA 31mm f/1.8 limited lens for the last couple of months while I save up for it. Does anyone have any idea why its gone up about 200USD in the last three months? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Voe · 06-10-2009, 04:34 AM

Don't know why, but I suppose it's caused by the strong japanese yen against the american dollar.
I've been delaying buying this lens for too long now. I bought so many cheeper lenses as a possible replacement instead of paying too much for the 31mm Limited, but nothing can replace the real thing.
Tomorrow the "queen" is coming home, to join the 43mm and the 77mm family of FA Limiteds

K-9 · 06-10-2009, 04:44 AM

Just get the FA 35mm f2. A lot cheaper.

vandamro · 06-10-2009, 04:59 AM

Already had the FA35 F2.0. It felt really "flat" to me. I was going to replace it with FA 31mm right away but then I need a good portrait lens so I got the FA 77. Great lens but I'm definitely kicking myself for not getting the FA31 straight away.

GeneV · 06-10-2009, 06:09 AM

Originally posted by K-9

Just get the FA 35mm f2. A lot cheaper.

The A (MF) version of that lens, along with a 28/2 will be my substitute for a while as well. The price increase is quite a jolt. The FA77 has jumped in price as well to the point where I don't know if I would have gone for it today, despite how much I like it. Hopefully, the situation will change. For the four figure price, I probably need some good glass at the long end more.

Kguru · 06-10-2009, 06:45 AM

$850 at TriState (4.2/5 buyer's ratings), or $870 at Amazon Marketplace with lens pen & a few extra bits thrown in. That's not much higher than last year I think.

Gooshin · 06-10-2009, 06:57 AM

whats up with all these price hike posts, people actually act surprised, its been in the works for the last 4 months!

USA is just the place place to get hit.

Biro · 06-10-2009, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by K-9

Just get the FA 35mm f2. A lot cheaper.

A great idea... but now those of us - including me - who waited on the FA 35mm f/2 will have to buy used if we really want it. It's been out of production for a while and it looks like supplies of new examples have finally dried up. For a while, Pentax had a DA* 31mm on its lens road map, but it seems to be gone now. We can always hope it'll return. In the meantime, there's the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for about the price of the Pentax 35mm f/2:

Sigma | 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax | 300109

redpigeons · 06-10-2009, 10:26 AM

Originally posted by Kguru

$850 at TriState (4.2/5 buyer's ratings), or $870 at Amazon Marketplace with lens pen & a few extra bits thrown in. That's not much higher than last year I think.

that's what I payed last year as well at B&H + NYC taxes and its worth every dime

it is a lot of money thou I had to save for quite a while

lpfonseca · 06-10-2009, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by vandamro

Hi Everyone,

I've been tracking the price of the FA 31mm f/1.8 limited lens for the last couple of months while I save up for it. Does anyone have any idea why its gone up about 200USD in the last three months? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Prices of everything go up every year. It's called inflaction.

If there's inflaction in Japan, then prices go up in yen.

When yen/your currency goes up you see the prices going even higher. Just look at what's happening in England.

The british pound took a dive last year making lenses cheap for the rest of us europeans. Now the prices are going up to adjust to the new yen/pound rate.

Buy now if you can. Those prices won't be the same anytime soon.

nulla · 06-10-2009, 03:31 PM

Even with inflation and dollar adjustments its well worth it... the FA31 limited is brilliant

Neil

xxxxx · 06-10-2009, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by Kguru

$850 at TriState (4.2/5 buyer's ratings), or $870 at Amazon Marketplace with lens pen & a few extra bits thrown in. That's not much higher than last year I think.

I got mine from ebay. After 8% Live/Bing cashback, it comes out about $720.

Unlocker · 06-10-2009, 05:44 PM

Really don't think you guys have as much to complain about as we do!

31mm Ltd over here is £699 inc tax - $1143 at current rates.

We had an across the board price rise on 1st June and the new RRP from Pentax for the 12-24 is, wait for it! £1199! Thats $1961 to you!

Obviously street prices will be lower, but it is a bit shocking!

Unlocker · 06-10-2009, 05:46 PM

Originally posted by xxxxx

I got mine from ebay. After 8% Live/Bing cashback, it comes out about $720.

To me, that's £440, so an absolute bargain!

If you want one, surely at those cheap prices you can't go wrong!

mrcrontab · 06-10-2009, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by Unlocker

Really don't think you guys have as much to complain about as we do!

31mm Ltd over here is £699 inc tax - $1143 at current rates.

We had an across the board price rise on 1st June and the new RRP from Pentax for the 12-24 is, wait for it! £1199! Thats $1961 to you!

Obviously street prices will be lower, but it is a bit shocking!

Currency conversion comparison doesn't really work though. Your wages are typically higher, as is cost of living, and tax, and in the end it is nearly a direct conversion with no math.

For example a teacher in the UK makes around 40k gbp, while in the US they make around 40-45k usd. There aren't many teachers in the US pulling down 65k usd.

Also you have VAT which runs 15-20% and the US doesn't pay tax on out of state purchases. Pull that off the top and you'll have a more comparable number, but remember your wages are set with the current taxes in mind, so you would have to adjust that as well.

06-10-2009, 03:32 AM	#1
vandamro Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 84	The FA 31mm f/1.8 limited getting more expensive Hi Everyone, I've been tracking the price of the FA 31mm f/1.8 limited lens for the last couple of months while I save up for it. Does anyone have any idea why its gone up about 200USD in the last three months? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

06-10-2009, 04:34 AM	#2
Voe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 719	Don't know why, but I suppose it's caused by the strong japanese yen against the american dollar. I've been delaying buying this lens for too long now. I bought so many cheeper lenses as a possible replacement instead of paying too much for the 31mm Limited, but nothing can replace the real thing. Tomorrow the "queen" is coming home, to join the 43mm and the 77mm family of FA Limiteds Last edited by Voe; 06-10-2009 at 05:11 AM.

06-10-2009, 06:09 AM	#5
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by K-9 Just get the FA 35mm f2. A lot cheaper. The A (MF) version of that lens, along with a 28/2 will be my substitute for a while as well. The price increase is quite a jolt. The FA77 has jumped in price as well to the point where I don't know if I would have gone for it today, despite how much I like it. Hopefully, the situation will change. For the four figure price, I probably need some good glass at the long end more. Last edited by GeneV; 06-10-2009 at 06:27 AM.

06-10-2009, 06:20 PM	#15
mrcrontab Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Photos: Gallery Posts: 43	Originally posted by Unlocker Really don't think you guys have as much to complain about as we do! 31mm Ltd over here is £699 inc tax - $1143 at current rates. We had an across the board price rise on 1st June and the new RRP from Pentax for the 12-24 is, wait for it! £1199! Thats $1961 to you! Obviously street prices will be lower, but it is a bit shocking! Currency conversion comparison doesn't really work though. Your wages are typically higher, as is cost of living, and tax, and in the end it is nearly a direct conversion with no math. For example a teacher in the UK makes around 40k gbp, while in the US they make around 40-45k usd. There aren't many teachers in the US pulling down 65k usd. Also you have VAT which runs 15-20% and the US doesn't pay tax on out of state purchases. Pull that off the top and you'll have a more comparable number, but remember your wages are set with the current taxes in mind, so you would have to adjust that as well. Last edited by mrcrontab; 06-10-2009 at 10:08 PM. Reason: reworded

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FA 31mm limited, FA 43mm limited, 40mm F2.8	Sheridan	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	14	07-28-2010 12:30 PM
FA 31mm F1.8 Limited in Black	anthonysemone	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	04-12-2007 10:06 PM
31mm Limited	benjikan	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	19	04-09-2007 09:22 PM

06-10-2009, 04:44 AM	#3
K-9 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,971	Just get the FA 35mm f2. A lot cheaper.

06-10-2009, 04:59 AM	#4
vandamro Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 84 Original Poster	Already had the FA35 F2.0. It felt really "flat" to me. I was going to replace it with FA 31mm right away but then I need a good portrait lens so I got the FA 77. Great lens but I'm definitely kicking myself for not getting the FA31 straight away.

06-10-2009, 06:45 AM	#6
Kguru Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Perth - WestAust Posts: 602	$850 at TriState (4.2/5 buyer's ratings), or $870 at Amazon Marketplace with lens pen & a few extra bits thrown in. That's not much higher than last year I think.

06-10-2009, 06:57 AM	#7
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	whats up with all these price hike posts, people actually act surprised, its been in the works for the last 4 months! USA is just the place place to get hit.

06-10-2009, 10:04 AM	#8
Biro Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,200	Originally posted by K-9 Just get the FA 35mm f2. A lot cheaper. A great idea... but now those of us - including me - who waited on the FA 35mm f/2 will have to buy used if we really want it. It's been out of production for a while and it looks like supplies of new examples have finally dried up. For a while, Pentax had a DA* 31mm on its lens road map, but it seems to be gone now. We can always hope it'll return. In the meantime, there's the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for about the price of the Pentax 35mm f/2: Sigma \| 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax \| 300109

06-10-2009, 10:26 AM	#9
redpigeons Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 943	Originally posted by Kguru $850 at TriState (4.2/5 buyer's ratings), or $870 at Amazon Marketplace with lens pen & a few extra bits thrown in. That's not much higher than last year I think. that's what I payed last year as well at B&H + NYC taxes and its worth every dime it is a lot of money thou I had to save for quite a while

06-10-2009, 12:47 PM	#10
lpfonseca Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lisbon Posts: 143	Originally posted by vandamro Hi Everyone, I've been tracking the price of the FA 31mm f/1.8 limited lens for the last couple of months while I save up for it. Does anyone have any idea why its gone up about 200USD in the last three months? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Prices of everything go up every year. It's called inflaction. If there's inflaction in Japan, then prices go up in yen. When yen/your currency goes up you see the prices going even higher. Just look at what's happening in England. The british pound took a dive last year making lenses cheap for the rest of us europeans. Now the prices are going up to adjust to the new yen/pound rate. Buy now if you can. Those prices won't be the same anytime soon.

06-10-2009, 03:31 PM	#11
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	Even with inflation and dollar adjustments its well worth it... the FA31 limited is brilliant Neil

06-10-2009, 05:30 PM	#12
xxxxx Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 52	Originally posted by Kguru $850 at TriState (4.2/5 buyer's ratings), or $870 at Amazon Marketplace with lens pen & a few extra bits thrown in. That's not much higher than last year I think. I got mine from ebay. After 8% Live/Bing cashback, it comes out about $720.

06-10-2009, 05:44 PM	#13
Unlocker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 169	Really don't think you guys have as much to complain about as we do! 31mm Ltd over here is £699 inc tax - $1143 at current rates. We had an across the board price rise on 1st June and the new RRP from Pentax for the 12-24 is, wait for it! £1199! Thats $1961 to you! Obviously street prices will be lower, but it is a bit shocking!

06-10-2009, 05:46 PM	#14
Unlocker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 169	Originally posted by xxxxx I got mine from ebay. After 8% Live/Bing cashback, it comes out about $720. To me, that's £440, so an absolute bargain! If you want one, surely at those cheap prices you can't go wrong!