What is going on with Pentax prices

Taff · 09-02-2009, 06:02 AM

I know this has been raised recently, I would just like to add my experience today.
Went in to pick up my Sigma 70-200 from warranty repair, and decided to ask the price of FA 50 1.4 and was shocked to be told $699 ozzy dollars, I then decided to ask for the price on the New DA*55mm from Pentax and was told (after him mentioning it's a good lens) was only $1800. The only sound I remember after that was my head hitting the floor during my sudden faint.
Now Please, I know that I can probably purchase these at a slightly cheaper price online,
but I just can't remember the FA50 being so pricey, I am sure when I bought my K20D, this lens was under $300 ozzy.
Why can't Pentax bring out a 50mm 1.8 to match Canon and Nikon?
Depressed

**Ash** · 09-02-2009, 06:24 AM

Taff,
Prices are both getting rediculous and nebulous with regards to what they should be...
Some retailers just don't know the value of the equipment - I wonder how much it costs them to bring it into Australia?

In any case Taff, don't get mad, get even - let your money do the talking - take it elsewhere, where you know the gear is priced right - mostly that will be your B&H and the like (again, unfortunately for the lowly local retailer, but really, they should know better...)

Taff · 09-02-2009, 07:42 AM

Just checked the price on B&H for a FA50 1.4, (this is a U.S site?) gives me less than 300 US dollars so it would be less than 350 ozzy to my door including delivery, how the hell can stores justify the extortionate rates

**Ash** · 09-02-2009, 07:57 AM

B&H is US-based.
Shipping may be a little expensive, but the lens arrives in 3 days flat - and I mean 3 days from when you click 'Buy now'.
Leaves customer service of a lot of Aussie retailers for dead.
Their returns policy is also very good and the staff are responsive and very understanding.
Couldn't recommend them any higher.

Turn away from the over-zealous Aussie retailers and don't look back - perhaps one day, someday they'll get the hint...

Taff · 09-02-2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Turn away from the over-zealous Aussie retailers and don't look back - perhaps one day, someday they'll get the hint...

seems like they have driven me to do just this

reeftool · 09-02-2009, 09:45 AM

There is an interesting thread in Everything Else explaining some of what is currently going on with pricing.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/everything-else/71562-lensrentals-com-art...et-2009-a.html

Lloydy · 09-02-2009, 10:15 AM

I bought a 50-135DA here in the UK about 4 months ago for £500 , that's $973 Aus or $814 USA.

Now it's gone up to £879, which is $1,710 Aus and $1,431 USA.

The recomended retail price is a staggering £1,219 - $1,983 USA, or $2,374 Aus.

What really pisses me off is the fact that the same lens is so much cheaper in the USA, at B&H they list it at $799 whereas the best UK price is $1,431

I have no idea what Aussie prices are, but it's unlikely they get ripped off as much as UK consumers do.

**Ash** · 09-02-2009, 10:31 AM

Quite comparable actually...
See here:
Pentax Mount Lenses for Pentax Cameras

These are close to, or are, the cheapest retail prices in Australia at the moment...

Pentax Lens 50-135mm f/2.8 DA* ED IF $1,599.00
Pentax Lens 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM $1,599.00
Pentax Macro 50mm Lens SMC P-D FA f2.8 $729.00
Pentax Lens 55-300mm f/4-5.8 DA ED $670.00
Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro Lens $855.00
Pentax Lens 200mm f2.8 DA* ED (IF) SDM $2,469.00
Pentax Lens 300mm f/4 DA* ED (IF) SDM $2,476.00

Parallax · 09-02-2009, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by Ash

B&H is US-based...........................Couldn't recommend them any higher.......

B&H is probably one of the most reputable outfits, either brick and mortar or internet, that anybody could ever deal with. I have bought new and used, I have had to return once and traded in some equipment and I have never had a negative experience of any kind with them.

Leaf Fan · 09-02-2009, 11:47 AM

After reading and reading about them here I got my 50-135 from them. Lightning fast shipping and only 4 days across the US/Can border, which is almost a miracle. Excellent service, excellent speed, excellent prices, you can't go wrong.

wasim_altaf · 09-02-2009, 11:47 AM

Originally posted by Taff

Just checked the price on B&H for a FA50 1.4, (this is a U.S site?) gives me less than 300 US dollars so it would be less than 350 ozzy to my door including delivery, how the hell can stores justify the extortionate rates

Back in spring this was less $US200. Pentax lens prices have definitely gone up, even here in the US. Either the supply is low or they can't move enough volume, forcing them to further mark up the margin.

Gooshin · 09-02-2009, 11:50 AM

while my own wallet is hurting

this is good as it means random people with a little extra money to burn wont start buying pro equipment and saturating the market for those trying to make an honest living from it.

nulla · 09-02-2009, 12:46 PM

Originally posted by Taff

seems like they have driven me to do just this

Have purchased all lenses bar 2 from B&H, that was a kit lens and another zoom.. our prices are crazy and they take longer to deliver or get in stock than B&H from USA to my door.

I am about to shop with them again in the coming week or two as LBA has reared its lovely head

Neil

DanLoc78 · 09-02-2009, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by Lloydy

I bought a 50-135DA here in the UK about 4 months ago for £500 , that's $973 Aus or $814 USA.

Now it's gone up to £879, which is $1,710 Aus and $1,431 USA.

The recomended retail price is a staggering £1,219 - $1,983 USA, or $2,374 Aus.

What really pisses me off is the fact that the same lens is so much cheaper in the USA, at B&H they list it at $799 whereas the best UK price is $1,431

I have no idea what Aussie prices are, but it's unlikely they get ripped off as much as UK consumers do.

Why wouldn't you purchase it from BH and have it shipped to the UK?

**Ash** · 09-02-2009, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by nulla

Have purchased all lenses bar 2 from B&H, that was a kit lens and another zoom.. our prices are crazy and they take longer to deliver or get in stock than B&H from USA to my door.

I am about to shop with them again in the coming week or two as LBA has reared its lovely head

Neil

They're awesome, aren't they mate?
Why would anyone look any further for new gear?

09-02-2009, 06:02 AM	#1
Taff Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,612	What is going on with Pentax prices I know this has been raised recently, I would just like to add my experience today. Went in to pick up my Sigma 70-200 from warranty repair, and decided to ask the price of FA 50 1.4 and was shocked to be told $699 ozzy dollars, I then decided to ask for the price on the New DA*55mm from Pentax and was told (after him mentioning it's a good lens) was only $1800. The only sound I remember after that was my head hitting the floor during my sudden faint. Now Please, I know that I can probably purchase these at a slightly cheaper price online, but I just can't remember the FA50 being so pricey, I am sure when I bought my K20D, this lens was under $300 ozzy. Why can't Pentax bring out a 50mm 1.8 to match Canon and Nikon? Depressed

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09-02-2009, 06:24 AM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Taff, Prices are both getting rediculous and nebulous with regards to what they should be... Some retailers just don't know the value of the equipment - I wonder how much it costs them to bring it into Australia? In any case Taff, don't get mad, get even - let your money do the talking - take it elsewhere, where you know the gear is priced right - mostly that will be your B&H and the like (again, unfortunately for the lowly local retailer, but really, they should know better...)

09-02-2009, 07:42 AM	#3
Taff Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,612 Original Poster	Just checked the price on B&H for a FA50 1.4, (this is a U.S site?) gives me less than 300 US dollars so it would be less than 350 ozzy to my door including delivery, how the hell can stores justify the extortionate rates

09-02-2009, 07:57 AM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	B&H is US-based. Shipping may be a little expensive, but the lens arrives in 3 days flat - and I mean 3 days from when you click 'Buy now'. Leaves customer service of a lot of Aussie retailers for dead. Their returns policy is also very good and the staff are responsive and very understanding. Couldn't recommend them any higher. Turn away from the over-zealous Aussie retailers and don't look back - perhaps one day, someday they'll get the hint...

09-02-2009, 08:08 AM	#5
Taff Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,612 Original Poster	Quote: Turn away from the over-zealous Aussie retailers and don't look back - perhaps one day, someday they'll get the hint... seems like they have driven me to do just this

09-02-2009, 09:45 AM	#6
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	There is an interesting thread in Everything Else explaining some of what is currently going on with pricing. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/everything-else/71562-lensrentals-com-art...et-2009-a.html

09-02-2009, 10:15 AM	#7
Lloydy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK Posts: 1,114	I bought a 50-135DA here in the UK about 4 months ago for £500 , that's $973 Aus or $814 USA. Now it's gone up to £879, which is $1,710 Aus and $1,431 USA. The recomended retail price is a staggering £1,219 - $1,983 USA, or $2,374 Aus. What really pisses me off is the fact that the same lens is so much cheaper in the USA, at B&H they list it at $799 whereas the best UK price is $1,431 I have no idea what Aussie prices are, but it's unlikely they get ripped off as much as UK consumers do.

09-02-2009, 10:31 AM	#8
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Quite comparable actually... See here: Pentax Mount Lenses for Pentax Cameras These are close to, or are, the cheapest retail prices in Australia at the moment... Pentax Lens 50-135mm f/2.8 DA* ED IF $1,599.00 Pentax Lens 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM $1,599.00 Pentax Macro 50mm Lens SMC P-D FA f2.8 $729.00 Pentax Lens 55-300mm f/4-5.8 DA ED $670.00 Tamron SP AF 90mm F/2.8 Di Macro Lens $855.00 Pentax Lens 200mm f2.8 DA* ED (IF) SDM $2,469.00 Pentax Lens 300mm f/4 DA* ED (IF) SDM $2,476.00

09-02-2009, 10:46 AM	#9
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	Originally posted by Ash B&H is US-based...........................Couldn't recommend them any higher....... B&H is probably one of the most reputable outfits, either brick and mortar or internet, that anybody could ever deal with. I have bought new and used, I have had to return once and traded in some equipment and I have never had a negative experience of any kind with them.

09-02-2009, 11:47 AM	#10
Leaf Fan Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Canada eh! Photos: Gallery Posts: 673	After reading and reading about them here I got my 50-135 from them. Lightning fast shipping and only 4 days across the US/Can border, which is almost a miracle. Excellent service, excellent speed, excellent prices, you can't go wrong.

09-02-2009, 11:47 AM	#11
wasim_altaf Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Salem, MA Posts: 145	Originally posted by Taff Just checked the price on B&H for a FA50 1.4, (this is a U.S site?) gives me less than 300 US dollars so it would be less than 350 ozzy to my door including delivery, how the hell can stores justify the extortionate rates Back in spring this was less $US200. Pentax lens prices have definitely gone up, even here in the US. Either the supply is low or they can't move enough volume, forcing them to further mark up the margin.

09-02-2009, 11:50 AM	#12
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	while my own wallet is hurting this is good as it means random people with a little extra money to burn wont start buying pro equipment and saturating the market for those trying to make an honest living from it.

09-02-2009, 12:46 PM	#13
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	Originally posted by Taff seems like they have driven me to do just this Have purchased all lenses bar 2 from B&H, that was a kit lens and another zoom.. our prices are crazy and they take longer to deliver or get in stock than B&H from USA to my door. I am about to shop with them again in the coming week or two as LBA has reared its lovely head Neil

09-02-2009, 02:23 PM	#14
DanLoc78 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Philadelphia Photos: Gallery Posts: 915	Originally posted by Lloydy I bought a 50-135DA here in the UK about 4 months ago for £500 , that's $973 Aus or $814 USA. Now it's gone up to £879, which is $1,710 Aus and $1,431 USA. The recomended retail price is a staggering £1,219 - $1,983 USA, or $2,374 Aus. What really pisses me off is the fact that the same lens is so much cheaper in the USA, at B&H they list it at $799 whereas the best UK price is $1,431 I have no idea what Aussie prices are, but it's unlikely they get ripped off as much as UK consumers do. Why wouldn't you purchase it from BH and have it shipped to the UK?

09-02-2009, 02:29 PM	#15
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Originally posted by nulla Have purchased all lenses bar 2 from B&H, that was a kit lens and another zoom.. our prices are crazy and they take longer to deliver or get in stock than B&H from USA to my door. I am about to shop with them again in the coming week or two as LBA has reared its lovely head Neil They're awesome, aren't they mate? Why would anyone look any further for new gear?