FA35 available....

herzzreh · 01-07-2010, 01:17 AM

PentaxWebstore smcP FA 35mm f/2.0 AL

what gives? Is Pentax holding out stock on us?! How come B&H and likes say that it was discontinued?

jeffrey r · 01-07-2010, 07:28 AM

Recent discussion here:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/85748-came-my-senses.html

My view is that $300 was a fair and excellent price for the FA 35/2, I could probably stomach around $350 or a bit higher for it, but at $400 or above, I'd probably look at other options.

kenyee · 01-07-2010, 09:50 AM

Almost like they declared it "no longer manufactured" to make it feel more "limited" :-P
Wishing I bought the 31/1.8 last year....but I'd buy a 43 before the 35/2 at that price...

bilybianca · 01-07-2010, 11:15 AM

Originally posted by jeffrey r

My view is that $300 was a fair and excellent price for the FA 35/2, I could probably stomach around $350 or a bit higher for it, but at $400 or above, I'd probably look at other options.

USD474 (equiv) was the normal price in Sweden before the price hike. Now it's listed at Cyberphoto for USD1193 (equiv). Don't think they sell a lot of it...

I paid USD324 (equiv) for mine, used in near mint condition. No regrets, very priceworthy since it's sharp all the way down to f2.

Kjell

**Ash** · 01-07-2010, 02:39 PM

Sounds like what Disney do with their classic DVDs - in the 'vault' until they decide to release a few a year to keep their profits flowing...

jboyde · 01-07-2010, 02:49 PM

Originally posted by Ash

Sounds like what Disney do with their classic DVDs - in the 'vault' until they decide to release a few a year to keep their profits flowing...

And you see how good business has been for Disney in recent years.

Market manipulation of customers never works out long term. The sooner Pentax sees this the better!

Damn Brit · 01-07-2010, 02:52 PM

There will be limited numbers of the FA 35 left. With a low number, they can charge a high amount for it because someone will buy them.

stevebrot · 01-07-2010, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by Damn Brit

There will be limited numbers of the FA 35 left. With a low number, they can charge a high amount for it because someone will buy them.

It should be noted that the Pentax Web store sells at MSRP, not street price. MSRP for the FA 35/2 has been $475 for several years despite a street price of $299 before stock disappeared from the shelves in N. America. According to a comment on another thread, the FA 35/2 is readily available in brick-and-mortar stores in Japan. I don't know about pricing.

All things taken into account, the current pricing makes the DA 35/2.8 Macro Limited look like the value queen with a street price of only about $70 more. Ditto for the Sigma 30/1.4 for about $30 less than the FA 35/2.

It all boils down to needs. Need compatibility to film bodies? Need good manual focus abilities? Need better than F/2.8? Need corner-to-corner sharpness at all apertures?

Steve

herzzreh · 01-07-2010, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

According to a comment on another thread, the FA 35/2 is readily available in brick-and-mortar stores in Japan. I don't know about pricing.

Convert into your currency of choice:

Rakuten - [Free Shipping] PENTAX (Pentax) FA35mm F2AL ? Card No items

¥34,800 (around $380)

?????? ???????????????- ???? - ????

Used (rated 'mint'. Map Camera is stringent... their mint rating means essentially new) - ￥26,800 (around $280)

herzzreh · 01-07-2010, 05:55 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

According to a comment on another thread, the FA 35/2 is readily available in brick-and-mortar stores in Japan. I don't know about pricing.

Convert into your currency of choice:

Rakuten - [Free Shipping] PENTAX (Pentax) FA35mm F2AL ? Card No items

¥34,800 (around $380)

?????? ???????????????- ???? - ????

Used (rated 'mint'. Map Camera is stringent... their mint rating means essentially new) - ￥26,800 (around $280)

01-07-2010, 01:17 AM	#1
herzzreh Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Juneau, AK Posts: 72	FA35 available.... PentaxWebstore smcP FA 35mm f/2.0 AL what gives? Is Pentax holding out stock on us?! How come B&H and likes say that it was discontinued?

01-07-2010, 02:49 PM	#6
jboyde Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York Posts: 328	Originally posted by Ash Sounds like what Disney do with their classic DVDs - in the 'vault' until they decide to release a few a year to keep their profits flowing... And you see how good business has been for Disney in recent years. Market manipulation of customers never works out long term. The sooner Pentax sees this the better! Last edited by jboyde; 01-07-2010 at 02:50 PM. Reason: spelling

01-07-2010, 05:24 PM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Damn Brit There will be limited numbers of the FA 35 left. With a low number, they can charge a high amount for it because someone will buy them. It should be noted that the Pentax Web store sells at MSRP, not street price. MSRP for the FA 35/2 has been $475 for several years despite a street price of $299 before stock disappeared from the shelves in N. America. According to a comment on another thread, the FA 35/2 is readily available in brick-and-mortar stores in Japan. I don't know about pricing. All things taken into account, the current pricing makes the DA 35/2.8 Macro Limited look like the value queen with a street price of only about $70 more. Ditto for the Sigma 30/1.4 for about $30 less than the FA 35/2. It all boils down to needs. Need compatibility to film bodies? Need good manual focus abilities? Need better than F/2.8? Need corner-to-corner sharpness at all apertures? Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 01-07-2010 at 05:36 PM.

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01-07-2010, 07:28 AM	#2
jeffrey r Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 337	Recent discussion here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/85748-came-my-senses.html My view is that $300 was a fair and excellent price for the FA 35/2, I could probably stomach around $350 or a bit higher for it, but at $400 or above, I'd probably look at other options.

01-07-2010, 09:50 AM	#3
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	Almost like they declared it "no longer manufactured" to make it feel more "limited" :-P Wishing I bought the 31/1.8 last year....but I'd buy a 43 before the 35/2 at that price...

01-07-2010, 11:15 AM	#4
bilybianca Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hassleholm, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 334	Originally posted by jeffrey r My view is that $300 was a fair and excellent price for the FA 35/2, I could probably stomach around $350 or a bit higher for it, but at $400 or above, I'd probably look at other options. USD474 (equiv) was the normal price in Sweden before the price hike. Now it's listed at Cyberphoto for USD1193 (equiv). Don't think they sell a lot of it... I paid USD324 (equiv) for mine, used in near mint condition. No regrets, very priceworthy since it's sharp all the way down to f2. Kjell

01-07-2010, 02:39 PM	#5
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Sounds like what Disney do with their classic DVDs - in the 'vault' until they decide to release a few a year to keep their profits flowing...

01-07-2010, 02:52 PM	#7
Damn Brit Guest	There will be limited numbers of the FA 35 left. With a low number, they can charge a high amount for it because someone will buy them.

01-07-2010, 05:44 PM	#9
herzzreh Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Juneau, AK Posts: 72 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot According to a comment on another thread, the FA 35/2 is readily available in brick-and-mortar stores in Japan. I don't know about pricing. Convert into your currency of choice: Rakuten - [Free Shipping] PENTAX (Pentax) FA35mm F2AL ? Card No items ¥34,800 (around $380) ?????? ???????????????- ???? - ???? Used (rated 'mint'. Map Camera is stringent... their mint rating means essentially new) - ￥26,800 (around $280)

01-07-2010, 05:55 PM	#10
herzzreh Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Juneau, AK Posts: 72 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot According to a comment on another thread, the FA 35/2 is readily available in brick-and-mortar stores in Japan. I don't know about pricing. Convert into your currency of choice: Rakuten - [Free Shipping] PENTAX (Pentax) FA35mm F2AL ? Card No items ¥34,800 (around $380) ?????? ???????????????- ???? - ???? Used (rated 'mint'. Map Camera is stringent... their mint rating means essentially new) - ￥26,800 (around $280)