Pentax K-r @ Black Friday?

donsun · 10-25-2011, 09:08 AM

Hello,

I'm looking at buying a Pentax K-r and I was wondering if it's common to see deals on Pentax DSLR's on black friday considering that it's not as common as Canon/Nikon. The best price I've seen so far was $570 with the kit lens and I was wondering if that's a good deal on a new K-r or if I should wait and hold out to see if black friday lowers the price a bit more.

Thank you,
Donald

02insight · 10-25-2011, 10:01 AM

i'd say wait... unless you need one right away.

Pentax may be coming out with a replacement for the k-r, so you may find them on sale. Although its hard to find places that sell pentax in the first place.

donsun · 10-25-2011, 10:05 AM

When do they usually release their new products? (Assuming that they do it around the same time each year.) I'm looking to get a DSLR by December. I've been looking at the t3i, D5100, K-r as most other people are. I'll probably go with the one with the lowest price/best deal around black Friday time which is why I made this thread.

kenafein · 10-25-2011, 10:59 AM

Pentax kits show up on Woot from time to time.

top-quark · 10-25-2011, 11:04 AM

I just bought a Pentax K-r for £350, so I'd say that $570 is a little on the expensive side. Whatever price you pay, it's a lot of camera for the money - mid range features at an entry-level price. As for waiting for the next, best thing to come out, if you play that game you'll never actually buy anything.

pxpaulx · 10-25-2011, 11:21 AM

New cameras typically arrive anywhere from 14-18 months (usually on the longer end). However, with the change in company ownership I would guess it won't be until the beginning of next year that a new round of cameras arrives (or is even announced). I also don't think we'll be seeing much more in the way of price reductions, as after 1 year prices on current production models tends to bottom out.

I've never really seen any particular DSLR sales of any brands going on around the holidays (except perhaps big box retailers like bestbuy, at which Pentax isn't sold in-store). Online bestbuy does currently have a refurbished K-r with the 35mm F2.4 lens (rather than standard 18-55) for $599 (free ship, plus tax). That is a pretty good deal if you're willing to buy refurb (never been a problem in my book). You can pick up the regular kit lens for under $50 in the used section of the forum.

Last year Newegg.com did run a limited coupon giving 10% off upto $100 (might have been upto $150) off any DSLR, but it was quickly used up - you'd have to subscribe to their email blasts to get those types of notices. Otherwise I would suggest keeping an eye out on bfads.net - a great site for watching the black friday sales (and also pre/post black friday weekend sales that sometimes are just as good).

Philoslothical · 10-25-2011, 11:43 AM

I wouldn't hold my breath on a new model coming out in the next couple months. It's not just the change of ownership to Ricoh, it's also the after effects of the disasters in Japan that will slow down production of new models.

By all means shop around for the best price you can, but IMO, in the U.S. and Canada anything under about $600 for the K-r and a lens (either the 18-55 or the 35mm that Best Buy is offering) is a good deal for the quality of camera you're getting. Also look at the two lens kit, that comes with the 55-300mm lens, if your interests are appropriate to it. It's a very nice long zoom, and you can get it at a significant savings as part of the kit.

donsun · 10-25-2011, 11:48 AM

@top-quark, well £350 comes in at around $560 USD so I wouldn't say it's too much of a difference, and I've been looking for the white one which seems to be $20 or so more expensive than the black version. When I asked when the next one was coming out I meant it so the price of the k-r would be bumped down with the release of the new model.

@pxpaulx, I see, most of the previous years' DSLR deals seem to be 'packages' which allow the big retailers keep the price up. I have been subscribed to newegg but havn't seen too many deals on DSLR's

I guess I may just end up buying from adorama next week if nothing better comes up. On that note, does adorama have any promo codes or coupons? Also, anything useful accessories to buy with the camera at time of purchase?

Thank you

flyingP · 10-25-2011, 12:12 PM

I just purchased the one from BestBuy with 35mm lens for $599 with free shipping to store. I am waiting to pick it up but will post how that goes. This is only my second DSLR after an old Olympus E-510 which I was not that impressed with compared to the Canon S90 I had (Great camera but sold it to buy the K-R)

I was going through this as well. I almost decided on used K-X but once one takes into account the cost of the 35mm f2.4 (I wanted a fast prime) the K-R refurbished was only $100-120 more than the K-x. I am looking to eventually pick up the kit lens used and maybe a focusing screen for some older glass including my 50mm f1.7 mounted on my K1000.

loco · 10-25-2011, 12:51 PM

I don't think that's a bad price. That's about what I paid for mine back in March ($580), so prices don't seem to be falling much. I wouldn't expect them to fall much further until a new model is announced.

Woot has been having the K-x pretty regularly for around $430-ish with the kit lens if you want to try to wait on that.

donsun · 10-25-2011, 01:31 PM

hm I see, maybe it's worthwhile to wait for Woot or at least til black friday just in case. What would you say is a justifiable price difference between the k-x and k-r? (to clarify, a price difference that would make one a better value than the other)

Thanks

donsun · 10-25-2011, 06:15 PM

Found something online and was wondering if this was a good deal:

Pentax K-r (1500 actuations)

Tamron AF28-80 F/3.5-5.6 ASP
Tamron AF70-300 F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2
Sigma AF18-200 F/3.5-6.3 DC SLD
Pentax SMC DA-L 18-55 F/3.5-5.6
Focal MC 28mm F/2.8
Yashinon DS-M 50mm F/1.7
Pentax AF-360FGZ

List Price: $680

Personally I am a beginner so I'm not 100% sure what all these lenses do, but I figure if I'm going to learn and it's a good deal it should be worth it. Otherwise I guess I can part out the lenses afterwards.

Thanks! (Sorry if this is considered double posting but I figured it couldn't hurt since my post was already up top anyways)
-Donald

hangman43 · 10-25-2011, 06:44 PM

Originally posted by donsun

Found something online and was wondering if this was a good deal:

Pentax K-r (1500 actuations)

Tamron AF28-80 F/3.5-5.6 ASP
Tamron AF70-300 F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2
Sigma AF18-200 F/3.5-6.3 DC SLD
Pentax SMC DA-L 18-55 F/3.5-5.6
Focal MC 28mm F/2.8
Yashinon DS-M 50mm F/1.7
Pentax AF-360FGZ

List Price: $680

Personally I am a beginner so I'm not 100% sure what all these lenses do, but I figure if I'm going to learn and it's a good deal it should be worth it. Otherwise I guess I can part out the lenses afterwards.

Thanks! (Sorry if this is considered double posting but I figured it couldn't hurt since my post was already up top anyways)
-Donald

That looks like a pretty good deal since the flash sells from anywhere from 150 to 250 and the 70-300mm sells for about 170 and the 18-200 is over 200

Philoslothical · 10-25-2011, 07:23 PM

Sounds almost too good to be true. That's an excellent price for all that.

donsun · 10-25-2011, 07:36 PM

Well that's good to hear, now waiting to hear back from the seller and see if he's willing to ship it to me.

10-25-2011, 09:08 AM	#1
donsun New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 11	Pentax K-r @ Black Friday? Hello, I'm looking at buying a Pentax K-r and I was wondering if it's common to see deals on Pentax DSLR's on black friday considering that it's not as common as Canon/Nikon. The best price I've seen so far was $570 with the kit lens and I was wondering if that's a good deal on a new K-r or if I should wait and hold out to see if black friday lowers the price a bit more. Thank you, Donald

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10-25-2011, 10:01 AM	#2
02insight Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 25	i'd say wait... unless you need one right away. Pentax may be coming out with a replacement for the k-r, so you may find them on sale. Although its hard to find places that sell pentax in the first place.

10-25-2011, 10:05 AM	#3
donsun New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 11 Original Poster	When do they usually release their new products? (Assuming that they do it around the same time each year.) I'm looking to get a DSLR by December. I've been looking at the t3i, D5100, K-r as most other people are. I'll probably go with the one with the lowest price/best deal around black Friday time which is why I made this thread.

10-25-2011, 10:59 AM	#4
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Pentax kits show up on Woot from time to time.

10-25-2011, 11:04 AM	#5
top-quark Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Aylesbury, Bucks Photos: Albums Posts: 492	I just bought a Pentax K-r for £350, so I'd say that $570 is a little on the expensive side. Whatever price you pay, it's a lot of camera for the money - mid range features at an entry-level price. As for waiting for the next, best thing to come out, if you play that game you'll never actually buy anything.

10-25-2011, 11:21 AM	#6
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	New cameras typically arrive anywhere from 14-18 months (usually on the longer end). However, with the change in company ownership I would guess it won't be until the beginning of next year that a new round of cameras arrives (or is even announced). I also don't think we'll be seeing much more in the way of price reductions, as after 1 year prices on current production models tends to bottom out. I've never really seen any particular DSLR sales of any brands going on around the holidays (except perhaps big box retailers like bestbuy, at which Pentax isn't sold in-store). Online bestbuy does currently have a refurbished K-r with the 35mm F2.4 lens (rather than standard 18-55) for $599 (free ship, plus tax). That is a pretty good deal if you're willing to buy refurb (never been a problem in my book). You can pick up the regular kit lens for under $50 in the used section of the forum. Last year Newegg.com did run a limited coupon giving 10% off upto $100 (might have been upto $150) off any DSLR, but it was quickly used up - you'd have to subscribe to their email blasts to get those types of notices. Otherwise I would suggest keeping an eye out on bfads.net - a great site for watching the black friday sales (and also pre/post black friday weekend sales that sometimes are just as good).

10-25-2011, 11:43 AM	#7
Philoslothical Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,889	I wouldn't hold my breath on a new model coming out in the next couple months. It's not just the change of ownership to Ricoh, it's also the after effects of the disasters in Japan that will slow down production of new models. By all means shop around for the best price you can, but IMO, in the U.S. and Canada anything under about $600 for the K-r and a lens (either the 18-55 or the 35mm that Best Buy is offering) is a good deal for the quality of camera you're getting. Also look at the two lens kit, that comes with the 55-300mm lens, if your interests are appropriate to it. It's a very nice long zoom, and you can get it at a significant savings as part of the kit.

10-25-2011, 11:48 AM	#8
donsun New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 11 Original Poster	@top-quark, well £350 comes in at around $560 USD so I wouldn't say it's too much of a difference, and I've been looking for the white one which seems to be $20 or so more expensive than the black version. When I asked when the next one was coming out I meant it so the price of the k-r would be bumped down with the release of the new model. @pxpaulx, I see, most of the previous years' DSLR deals seem to be 'packages' which allow the big retailers keep the price up. I have been subscribed to newegg but havn't seen too many deals on DSLR's I guess I may just end up buying from adorama next week if nothing better comes up. On that note, does adorama have any promo codes or coupons? Also, anything useful accessories to buy with the camera at time of purchase? Thank you

10-25-2011, 12:12 PM	#9
flyingP New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 11	I just purchased the one from BestBuy with 35mm lens for $599 with free shipping to store. I am waiting to pick it up but will post how that goes. This is only my second DSLR after an old Olympus E-510 which I was not that impressed with compared to the Canon S90 I had (Great camera but sold it to buy the K-R) I was going through this as well. I almost decided on used K-X but once one takes into account the cost of the 35mm f2.4 (I wanted a fast prime) the K-R refurbished was only $100-120 more than the K-x. I am looking to eventually pick up the kit lens used and maybe a focusing screen for some older glass including my 50mm f1.7 mounted on my K1000.

10-25-2011, 12:51 PM	#10
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	I don't think that's a bad price. That's about what I paid for mine back in March ($580), so prices don't seem to be falling much. I wouldn't expect them to fall much further until a new model is announced. Woot has been having the K-x pretty regularly for around $430-ish with the kit lens if you want to try to wait on that.

10-25-2011, 01:31 PM	#11
donsun New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 11 Original Poster	hm I see, maybe it's worthwhile to wait for Woot or at least til black friday just in case. What would you say is a justifiable price difference between the k-x and k-r? (to clarify, a price difference that would make one a better value than the other) Thanks

10-25-2011, 06:15 PM	#12
donsun New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Found something online and was wondering if this was a good deal: Pentax K-r (1500 actuations) Tamron AF28-80 F/3.5-5.6 ASP Tamron AF70-300 F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 Sigma AF18-200 F/3.5-6.3 DC SLD Pentax SMC DA-L 18-55 F/3.5-5.6 Focal MC 28mm F/2.8 Yashinon DS-M 50mm F/1.7 Pentax AF-360FGZ List Price: $680 Personally I am a beginner so I'm not 100% sure what all these lenses do, but I figure if I'm going to learn and it's a good deal it should be worth it. Otherwise I guess I can part out the lenses afterwards. Thanks! (Sorry if this is considered double posting but I figured it couldn't hurt since my post was already up top anyways) -Donald

10-25-2011, 06:44 PM	#13
hangman43 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Hueytown, Alabama Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,508	Originally posted by donsun Found something online and was wondering if this was a good deal: Pentax K-r (1500 actuations) Tamron AF28-80 F/3.5-5.6 ASP Tamron AF70-300 F/4-5.6 Di LD Macro 1:2 Sigma AF18-200 F/3.5-6.3 DC SLD Pentax SMC DA-L 18-55 F/3.5-5.6 Focal MC 28mm F/2.8 Yashinon DS-M 50mm F/1.7 Pentax AF-360FGZ List Price: $680 Personally I am a beginner so I'm not 100% sure what all these lenses do, but I figure if I'm going to learn and it's a good deal it should be worth it. Otherwise I guess I can part out the lenses afterwards. Thanks! (Sorry if this is considered double posting but I figured it couldn't hurt since my post was already up top anyways) -Donald That looks like a pretty good deal since the flash sells from anywhere from 150 to 250 and the 70-300mm sells for about 170 and the 18-200 is over 200

10-25-2011, 07:23 PM	#14
Philoslothical Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,889	Sounds almost too good to be true. That's an excellent price for all that.

10-25-2011, 07:36 PM	#15
donsun New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Well that's good to hear, now waiting to hear back from the seller and see if he's willing to ship it to me.