Does the price hike of Pentax lenses affect your purchase plans (new body)?

Peter Zack · 07-01-2009, 04:41 PM

There have been a number of posts around these and other forums about the huge price increases in most markets and these prices are showing up in the USA now. Some as much as double. I've posted my thoughts elsewhere but I'll leave that from this thread.

I want to know if you will stay or go when faced with these new lens costs. Adorama with 77mm Ltd over $1000 and Amazon $499 for a DA40mm for example.

All the hype over the K-7 has already driven used lenses up everywhere you look but there are still good 3rd party lenses available. Particularly Sigma.

So if your camera broke tomorrow (I hope not), what would you buy an new Pentax or look elsewhere? Have you already decided?

I'd also love to hear everyone's thoughts and reasons.

Last edited by Peter Zack; 07-01-2009 at 04:47 PM.

deejjjaaaa · 07-01-2009, 04:58 PM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

Adorama with 77mm Ltd over $1000.

wasn't it corrected already, was it ?

Peter Zack · 07-01-2009, 05:04 PM

Nope I just checked again. $1049.95 and whoop-dee-do, free shipping.

jem · 07-01-2009, 05:17 PM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

Nope I just checked again. $1049.95 and whoop-dee-do, free shipping.

Peter, I just put one in the cart at Adorama and it was listed at $699.00 USD in the cart. Are you seeing something different?

One thing I did note: the top banner said "Welcome Florida Shoppers!" Maybe they are dialing in prices based on IP address location...

Edit: I tried the same thing at Amazon (selecting Adorama as the source) $699.00 USD.
Also, Ace Photo has them for $638.00 USD

Last edited by jem; 07-01-2009 at 05:22 PM. Reason: Additional info

gokenin · 07-01-2009, 05:28 PM

voted none of the above. I am happy with the K200d and I have all the lens that I feel that I need so I am happy with the kit I have now so nothing coming out really is interesting to me.

redpigeons · 07-01-2009, 05:29 PM

I love Pentax mostly the the older FA lenses .
the current DA line is great for what it is ... you get reasonable quality for reasonable price.
no new Pentax lens ( most of them slower the f/2.8) should cost more then $1K

for $1400 prime lens I would switch to leica (which are also completely over the top) but at least with a real German rangefinder

redpigeons · 07-01-2009, 05:35 PM

Originally posted by deejjjaaaa

wasn't it corrected already, was it ?

Adorama $669 for now
B&H selling the 77mm for more then $700

amazon selling the 77mm for over a $1000

eBay price are all over the place all of the new 77mm are over $900

so yeah this is getting nasty... this is one lens that worth the price . the 50-135 as nice as it is can not be canon L price, there is no reason in the world

Nesster · 07-01-2009, 05:38 PM

I would buy the new body to use with vintage lenses -- and buy more vintage lenses -- and wait for the current hot high priced lenses to be available more cheaply in a while. I do not actually need any of the new lenses, not at any price... though at a lower price, I could use some

jem · 07-01-2009, 05:52 PM

Originally posted by redpigeons

Adorama $669 for now
B&H selling the 77mm for more then $700

amazon selling the 77mm for over a $1000

eBay price are all over the place all of the new 77mm are over $900

so yeah this is getting nasty... this is one lens that worth the price . the 50-135 as nice as it is can not be canon L price, there is no reason in the world

Interesting, I still see Adorama at $699.00 USD (both direcly through their website and through Amazon).

Ace Photo ( through Amazon) at $638.00.

Amazon doesn't show any stocked direct through them.

B&H at $729.95

Strange...

**Sailor** · 07-01-2009, 06:03 PM

I just looked at Adorama, and the lens - in their "kit" - is about 740 bucks (US). Maybe, given it's more-or-less the cocktail hour in the Western Hemisphere, we should just relax and see what happens.

Jer

redpigeons · 07-01-2009, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by jem

Interesting, I still see Adorama at $699.00 USD (both direcly through their website and through Amazon).

Ace Photo ( through Amazon) at $638.00.

Amazon doesn't show any stocked direct through them.

B&H at $729.95

Strange...

Amazon just updated their website

I have no idea what happend this morning with all the websites?

I hope its over and we are back to earth

jem · 07-01-2009, 06:39 PM

Originally posted by redpigeons

Amazon just updated their website

I have no idea what happend this morning with all the websites?

I hope its over and we are back to earth

Agreed.

FYI: Just peeked at Amazon again - the Ace Photo & Digital 77mm Ltd at $638.00 are gone...

FotoPete · 07-01-2009, 06:52 PM

Haha gotta remember too that we've been facing greater and greater competition for legacy glass from other camera users like Canon, Olympus/Panasonic for the past few years now on top of the added popularity in Pentax cameras.

Just really disappointed that Pentax decided to raise their prices so high. Value was one advantage they had going for the brand. They lost alot of customers on this and alot of potential ones too. They don't make money off lenses sitting around on the store shelves and they don't make money on used lenses either. Its also kinda a moot point if you try to sell a customer a Pentax camera on "value" for the money if all the lenses sitting beside it are way overpriced.

sigh...

Ratmagiclady · 07-01-2009, 07:00 PM

It still appears the price rise may well have in fact been a mirage.

Could well be that rumor warfare fooled some stores today, or they even got hacked.

If I *wanted* to panic, I'd have to save and plan about fourteen months in advance to do anything about the price of an FA 77, anyway, so I'm in the 'chill and watch' camp. (Or, I guess I should say: the '' None of the above, cause I don't think this is real, and can't do much about it anyway camp. '

)

Though I think the poll is missing an option, for the event of if the Pentax digital broke: "Throw up hands, make big long raspberry sound and stock up on film."

raymeedc · 07-01-2009, 07:15 PM

As I shoot with *ist DS cameras, M42 screwmount & early K-mount lenses, it means less than nothing to me, fortunately.

View Poll Results: Does the price hike of pentax lenses affect your purchase plans (new body)?
I’d buy a new Pentax camera even with the lens costs.	41	16.21%
I’m re-thinking my next body purchase.	24	9.49%
Lens costs don;t concern me. (I have all I need and will buy a new body).	41	16.21%
I’m selling my gear and switching to another brand	6	2.37%
I’m on the fence and waiting to see if this settles down.	71	28.06%
I’ll stay Pentax and buy 3rd party or used.	49	19.37%
None of the above (post a reason please)	21	8.30%
Voters: 253. You may not vote on this poll

07-01-2009, 04:41 PM	#1
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Does the price hike of Pentax lenses affect your purchase plans (new body)? There have been a number of posts around these and other forums about the huge price increases in most markets and these prices are showing up in the USA now. Some as much as double. I've posted my thoughts elsewhere but I'll leave that from this thread. I want to know if you will stay or go when faced with these new lens costs. Adorama with 77mm Ltd over $1000 and Amazon $499 for a DA40mm for example. All the hype over the K-7 has already driven used lenses up everywhere you look but there are still good 3rd party lenses available. Particularly Sigma. So if your camera broke tomorrow (I hope not), what would you buy an new Pentax or look elsewhere? Have you already decided? I'd also love to hear everyone's thoughts and reasons. Last edited by Peter Zack; 07-01-2009 at 04:47 PM.

07-01-2009, 07:00 PM	#14
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	It still appears the price rise may well have in fact been a mirage. Could well be that rumor warfare fooled some stores today, or they even got hacked. If I wanted to panic, I'd have to save and plan about fourteen months in advance to do anything about the price of an FA 77, anyway, so I'm in the 'chill and watch' camp. (Or, I guess I should say: the '' None of the above, cause I don't think this is real, and can't do much about it anyway camp. ' ) Though I think the poll is missing an option, for the event of if the Pentax digital broke: "Throw up hands, make big long raspberry sound and stock up on film." Last edited by Ratmagiclady; 07-01-2009 at 07:07 PM.

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07-01-2009, 04:58 PM	#2
deejjjaaaa Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: steel city / rust belt Posts: 2,043	Originally posted by Peter Zack Adorama with 77mm Ltd over $1000. wasn't it corrected already, was it ?

07-01-2009, 05:04 PM	#3
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643 Original Poster	Nope I just checked again. $1049.95 and whoop-dee-do, free shipping.

07-01-2009, 05:17 PM	#4
jem Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 217	Originally posted by Peter Zack Nope I just checked again. $1049.95 and whoop-dee-do, free shipping. Peter, I just put one in the cart at Adorama and it was listed at $699.00 USD in the cart. Are you seeing something different? One thing I did note: the top banner said "Welcome Florida Shoppers!" Maybe they are dialing in prices based on IP address location... Edit: I tried the same thing at Amazon (selecting Adorama as the source) $699.00 USD. Also, Ace Photo has them for $638.00 USD Last edited by jem; 07-01-2009 at 05:22 PM. Reason: Additional info

07-01-2009, 05:28 PM	#5
gokenin Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: lowell,ma Posts: 1,899	voted none of the above. I am happy with the K200d and I have all the lens that I feel that I need so I am happy with the kit I have now so nothing coming out really is interesting to me.

07-01-2009, 05:29 PM	#6
redpigeons Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 943	I love Pentax mostly the the older FA lenses . the current DA line is great for what it is ... you get reasonable quality for reasonable price. no new Pentax lens ( most of them slower the f/2.8) should cost more then $1K for $1400 prime lens I would switch to leica (which are also completely over the top) but at least with a real German rangefinder

07-01-2009, 05:35 PM	#7
redpigeons Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 943	Originally posted by deejjjaaaa wasn't it corrected already, was it ? Adorama $669 for now B&H selling the 77mm for more then $700 amazon selling the 77mm for over a $1000 eBay price are all over the place all of the new 77mm are over $900 so yeah this is getting nasty... this is one lens that worth the price . the 50-135 as nice as it is can not be canon L price, there is no reason in the world

07-01-2009, 05:38 PM	#8
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	I would buy the new body to use with vintage lenses -- and buy more vintage lenses -- and wait for the current hot high priced lenses to be available more cheaply in a while. I do not actually need any of the new lenses, not at any price... though at a lower price, I could use some

07-01-2009, 05:52 PM	#9
jem Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 217	Originally posted by redpigeons Adorama $669 for now B&H selling the 77mm for more then $700 amazon selling the 77mm for over a $1000 eBay price are all over the place all of the new 77mm are over $900 so yeah this is getting nasty... this is one lens that worth the price . the 50-135 as nice as it is can not be canon L price, there is no reason in the world Interesting, I still see Adorama at $699.00 USD (both direcly through their website and through Amazon). Ace Photo ( through Amazon) at $638.00. Amazon doesn't show any stocked direct through them. B&H at $729.95 Strange...

07-01-2009, 06:03 PM	#10
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,205	I just looked at Adorama, and the lens - in their "kit" - is about 740 bucks (US). Maybe, given it's more-or-less the cocktail hour in the Western Hemisphere, we should just relax and see what happens. Jer

07-01-2009, 06:33 PM	#11
redpigeons Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 943	Originally posted by jem Interesting, I still see Adorama at $699.00 USD (both direcly through their website and through Amazon). Ace Photo ( through Amazon) at $638.00. Amazon doesn't show any stocked direct through them. B&H at $729.95 Strange... Amazon just updated their website I have no idea what happend this morning with all the websites? I hope its over and we are back to earth

07-01-2009, 06:39 PM	#12
jem Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 217	Originally posted by redpigeons Amazon just updated their website I have no idea what happend this morning with all the websites? I hope its over and we are back to earth Agreed. FYI: Just peeked at Amazon again - the Ace Photo & Digital 77mm Ltd at $638.00 are gone...

07-01-2009, 06:52 PM	#13
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	Haha gotta remember too that we've been facing greater and greater competition for legacy glass from other camera users like Canon, Olympus/Panasonic for the past few years now on top of the added popularity in Pentax cameras. Just really disappointed that Pentax decided to raise their prices so high. Value was one advantage they had going for the brand. They lost alot of customers on this and alot of potential ones too. They don't make money off lenses sitting around on the store shelves and they don't make money on used lenses either. Its also kinda a moot point if you try to sell a customer a Pentax camera on "value" for the money if all the lenses sitting beside it are way overpriced. sigh...

07-01-2009, 07:15 PM	#15
raymeedc Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 951	As I shoot with *ist DS cameras, M42 screwmount & early K-mount lenses, it means less than nothing to me, fortunately.