Have lens prices gone up lately?

Marc Sabatella · 11-24-2009, 11:38 AM

DA40 is $340 from B&H, which is arguably the first place one should look, as they are probably the #1 Pentax retailer in the world (just a guess). Anyhow, use whatever search methods you like to find prices from other dealers, but you're doing yourself disservice if you don't look at B&H too.

Marc Sabatella · 11-24-2009, 11:46 AM

Originally posted by Alfisti

Put it this way, i nabbed my 77 and 12-24 for a little over $600 each, the 35/2 for $250.

Yeah, but those were probably one-time sale deals, and who's to say that won't happen again. But the "regular" prices for the those were normally higher, and even now, the ones that have not been discontinued (eg, the 77 and 12-24) are still only about 20% higher than historical averages. And has people have pointed out many times, that's almost exactly the amount the dollar has lost against the yen, and that's probably the source of the hikes.

Bottom line: people are overreacting. I could understand that when the hikes were new - what, around a year ago - but I don't understand why people are still perpetuating the myth that prices in general are any higher than the 20% or so that is to be expected given the difference in exchange rate as compared to a couple of years ago.

switters · 11-24-2009, 12:27 PM

Thanks for the tip, Marc! That's $160 less than it's listed for on B&H just for putting it in the cart. Nice. The DA40 is starting to look more appealing...

**Rondec** · 11-24-2009, 03:23 PM

The DA 40 is a perfect kid chasing prime. Extremely fast focus, very light. I've shot with my brother's Nikon 35 f1.8 and it focus much slower than the DA 40, for what it is worth. The other thing to remember is that shooting wider than f2.8 is hard with kids, because they are random and tend not to stay in you (narrow) depth of field.

Alfisti · 11-24-2009, 03:56 PM

Are you sure? Maybe uit's different in the US???

In Canada the 77 went from $650 to $950, the 12-24 from $680 to $1,250!!!!, the 50-135 from something like $700 to $1,100 .... HUGE increases.

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

Yeah, but those were probably one-time sale deals, and who's to say that won't happen again. But the "regular" prices for the those were normally higher, and even now, the ones that have not been discontinued (eg, the 77 and 12-24) are still only about 20% higher than historical averages. And has people have pointed out many times, that's almost exactly the amount the dollar has lost against the yen, and that's probably the source of the hikes.

Bottom line: people are overreacting. I could understand that when the hikes were new - what, around a year ago - but I don't understand why people are still perpetuating the myth that prices in general are any higher than the 20% or so that is to be expected given the difference in exchange rate as compared to a couple of years ago.

Marc Sabatella · 11-27-2009, 11:03 AM

You're probably right that it varies by country. But the 77 generally sold between $600 & $700 depending on whether someone was offering a sale or whether there were rebates active. The current B&H price is $785. The 23-24 is currently $720, the 50-135 is $820. None of these prices are more than $150 or so over typical prices two years ago.

NTW, when I checked Prodigital2000 (tghe only Canadian dealer I know) just now, all three lenses mentioned were under $1000. But I assume that's US dollars; not sure how it works buying in Canadian dollars.

tendim · 11-28-2009, 08:05 AM

Originally posted by Alfisti

In Canada the 77 went from $650 to $950, the 12-24 from $680 to $1,250!!!!, the 50-135 from something like $700 to $1,100 .... HUGE increases.

Alfisti, I notice that you're in Toronto, same as me!

Where were you seeing those prices?

Alfisti · 11-28-2009, 08:47 AM

Aden, if you ring and thrash out a deal, or prodigital2000.

Kguru · 11-28-2009, 08:56 AM

G'day switters, thought it was you so I looked up old PMs and sure enough, you sold me your FA43 for $330 two years ago. Had a great time with it but after getting a 31, I foolishly sold for A$400 (breaking even considering shipping cost to Australia & exchange rate). Both you and I are now kicking ourselves huh

joele · 11-28-2009, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

Yeah, but those were probably one-time sale deals, and who's to say that won't happen again. But the "regular" prices for the those were normally higher,

The 'regular' price for he FA35/2 on BHphoto and Adorama was $299 for as long as I could remember..

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11-24-2009, 11:38 AM	#16
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	DA40 is $340 from B&H, which is arguably the first place one should look, as they are probably the #1 Pentax retailer in the world (just a guess). Anyhow, use whatever search methods you like to find prices from other dealers, but you're doing yourself disservice if you don't look at B&H too.

11-24-2009, 11:46 AM	#17
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by Alfisti Put it this way, i nabbed my 77 and 12-24 for a little over $600 each, the 35/2 for $250. Yeah, but those were probably one-time sale deals, and who's to say that won't happen again. But the "regular" prices for the those were normally higher, and even now, the ones that have not been discontinued (eg, the 77 and 12-24) are still only about 20% higher than historical averages. And has people have pointed out many times, that's almost exactly the amount the dollar has lost against the yen, and that's probably the source of the hikes. Bottom line: people are overreacting. I could understand that when the hikes were new - what, around a year ago - but I don't understand why people are still perpetuating the myth that prices in general are any higher than the 20% or so that is to be expected given the difference in exchange rate as compared to a couple of years ago.

11-24-2009, 12:27 PM	#18
switters Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 346 Original Poster	Thanks for the tip, Marc! That's $160 less than it's listed for on B&H just for putting it in the cart. Nice. The DA40 is starting to look more appealing...

11-24-2009, 03:23 PM	#19
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	The DA 40 is a perfect kid chasing prime. Extremely fast focus, very light. I've shot with my brother's Nikon 35 f1.8 and it focus much slower than the DA 40, for what it is worth. The other thing to remember is that shooting wider than f2.8 is hard with kids, because they are random and tend not to stay in you (narrow) depth of field.

11-24-2009, 03:56 PM	#20
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	Are you sure? Maybe uit's different in the US??? In Canada the 77 went from $650 to $950, the 12-24 from $680 to $1,250!!!!, the 50-135 from something like $700 to $1,100 .... HUGE increases. Originally posted by Marc Sabatella Yeah, but those were probably one-time sale deals, and who's to say that won't happen again. But the "regular" prices for the those were normally higher, and even now, the ones that have not been discontinued (eg, the 77 and 12-24) are still only about 20% higher than historical averages. And has people have pointed out many times, that's almost exactly the amount the dollar has lost against the yen, and that's probably the source of the hikes. Bottom line: people are overreacting. I could understand that when the hikes were new - what, around a year ago - but I don't understand why people are still perpetuating the myth that prices in general are any higher than the 20% or so that is to be expected given the difference in exchange rate as compared to a couple of years ago.

11-27-2009, 11:03 AM	#21
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	You're probably right that it varies by country. But the 77 generally sold between $600 & $700 depending on whether someone was offering a sale or whether there were rebates active. The current B&H price is $785. The 23-24 is currently $720, the 50-135 is $820. None of these prices are more than $150 or so over typical prices two years ago. NTW, when I checked Prodigital2000 (tghe only Canadian dealer I know) just now, all three lenses mentioned were under $1000. But I assume that's US dollars; not sure how it works buying in Canadian dollars.

11-28-2009, 08:05 AM	#22
tendim Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 62	Originally posted by Alfisti In Canada the 77 went from $650 to $950, the 12-24 from $680 to $1,250!!!!, the 50-135 from something like $700 to $1,100 .... HUGE increases. Alfisti, I notice that you're in Toronto, same as me! Where were you seeing those prices?

11-28-2009, 08:47 AM	#23
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	Aden, if you ring and thrash out a deal, or prodigital2000.

11-28-2009, 08:56 AM	#24
Kguru Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Perth - WestAust Posts: 602	G'day switters, thought it was you so I looked up old PMs and sure enough, you sold me your FA43 for $330 two years ago. Had a great time with it but after getting a 31, I foolishly sold for A$400 (breaking even considering shipping cost to Australia & exchange rate). Both you and I are now kicking ourselves huh

11-28-2009, 05:41 PM	#25
joele Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,308	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella Yeah, but those were probably one-time sale deals, and who's to say that won't happen again. But the "regular" prices for the those were normally higher, The 'regular' price for he FA35/2 on BHphoto and Adorama was $299 for as long as I could remember..

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