Legitimate or not? Very low prices on Pentax equipment...

seventysixersfan · 02-14-2013, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by robtcorl

To me, it's kind of set up like Amazon with their 3rd party sellers, vendors or whatever. But this site does not identify who they are.

So it might be sort of like Priceline.com where you agree to buy something at a certain low price and then they reveal who the seller was after you've committed to purchase....

seventysixersfan · 02-14-2013, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by colonel00

Interested to see what he responds with. Tempted to pick up a 55-300 but still waiting on resolution after getting burned by an Amazon seller for a Q with 01 and a little gun shy now.

Yep, that's why I was wary. I think it might be worth a try if you're just spending $100 or so to get some toy Q lenses, or less than $200 for the DA-L primes, but I'm not sure I want to spend $300+ on this...

I'll be sure to let you know what Kevin says whenever he replies!

**baro-nite** · 02-14-2013, 11:35 AM

Thanks for checking things out. I went ahead and added myself to the list of Guinea Pigs, for the AF160FC ring flash.

ligonestra · 02-14-2013, 11:58 AM

I've talk with the same gay by phone .
I ordered 06 for $210 included shipping.
I'd like to buy the 01 camera w/. 40mm, but that way I could not buy any lobster for today (St. Valentine).
REPORT WILL FOLLOW

**Checking...jono** · 02-14-2013, 01:30 PM

I jumped in for the FA 50. That was most of my LBA budget and I really hope I didn't throw it away. At least Kevin called to verify shipping details so I won't worry for about a week.

seventysixersfan · 02-14-2013, 01:40 PM

What's funny is that I'm the original poster on this, and I've added a few replies, yet I probably won't be buying from them, despite the savings. I just don't think I really need any of the lenses that are being discounted today. The only ones that mildly interest me are DA 16-45 and DA 17-70 but I'm not sure it's worth getting either of those when I already have DA 18-135 and a Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 zoom. I would have jumped all over this if the DA 12-24 or 10-17 was on sale, but of course they're not! Neither are any of the limiteds or star lenses. Anyway, I think the FA 50 is a very good deal for a brand-new, under-warranty copy. I paid $100 more than that to get mine new from Amazon two years ago. And I don't need the DA 35 or DA 50 lenses, but if I did, those are definitely good prices, as is the price on the DA 40 XS, 55-300 and FA 50 macro.

Well, I'm hoping that the faith placed in the omnipresent Kevin is not a mistake! Best of luck!!

goshxii · 02-14-2013, 01:42 PM

Does it make sense to get FA 50mm having 40mm XS? All reviews claim it's too soft open and OK starting form 2.8. The main reason for me to get - low light photo wide open.

**baro-nite** · 02-14-2013, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by goshxii

Does it make sense to get FA 50mm having 40mm XS? All reviews claim it's too soft open and OK starting form 2.8. The main reason for me to get - low light photo wide open.

Every ultra-fast lens gets the "soft wide open" comment. If you need the speed, this is a good price on a new copy.

Originally posted by seventysixersfan

The only ones that mildly interest me are DA 16-45 and DA 17-70

I'm curious about the 16-45, as it has been discontinued for some time. Those are pretty easy to find used at a lower price. The 17-70 is tempting, though.

seventysixersfan · 02-14-2013, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by goshxii

The main reason for me to get - low light photo wide open.

on this point alone, yes, the FA 50's f/1.4 will get you shots in lower light than the 40 XS. It is a bit soft open but I actually like some of that "dreamy" bokeh quality for portraits. There are some times when you need all the light-gathering ability you can get, and the FA 50 will be better than 40 XS for those times when you "need" f/1.4

causey · 02-14-2013, 01:49 PM

Originally posted by goshxii

Does it make sense to get FA 50mm having 40mm XS? All reviews claim it's too soft open and OK starting form 2.8. The main reason for me to get - low light photo wide open.

Yes. I have the DA 40mm ltd, and I just ordered the FA 50 1.4. Different lens, for different purposes. The FA is not soft wide open with a hood. It doesn't come with one, but a cheap rubber hood will do.

seventysixersfan · 02-14-2013, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by baro-nite

I'm curious about the 16-45, as it has been discontinued for some time. Those are pretty easy to find used at a lower price. The 17-70 is tempting, though.

You're right about the 16-45, it is often available used on the PF Marketplace for much less than this sale price for a brand-new one. But the DA 17-70 is much rarer to find used, and when it is sold, it's for about $350 anyway, which is the asking price on this brand-new model. I'm concerned about the SDM reliability, though, because who knows if these DA 17-70s that are being sold by the website are newly manufactured (in 2012, when apparently SDM problems were fixed for newly made lenses), or older stock lenses that have a ticking-time-bomb of SDM failure. The reason the 17-70 tempts me, though, is the nice range and the optical quality that some have praised; I'm sure it's better than my DA 18-135 but is it really worth me having both lenses?

stormtech · 02-14-2013, 01:55 PM

Kind of funny - I was browsing their camera equipment catalog, and when you look at a Sigma or Tamron lens, there is nothing about which camera body it fits. The only description you get is "Fast standard lens for APS-C reflex cameras".

goshxii · 02-14-2013, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by seventysixersfan

on this point alone, yes, the FA 50's f/1.4 will get you shots in lower light than the 40 XS. It is a bit soft open but I actually like some of that "dreamy" bokeh quality for portraits. There are some times when you need all the light-gathering ability you can get, and the FA 50 will be better than 40 XS for those times when you "need" f/1.4

Not quite the answer I expected...now I have to buy it. I guess my Pentaxiism is getting worse - two Qs. a K-01, Q lenses, and now this...thank you, kind gentlemen...

tas 0425 · 02-14-2013, 01:58 PM

I just ordered the K-01 with lens. Used their chat line to inquire about specifying a color, came right back and said it seemed all they had was black which is what I wanted. We'll see.

goshxii · 02-14-2013, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by stormtech

Kind of funny - I was browsing their camera equipment catalog, and when you look at a Sigma or Tamron lens, there is nothing about which camera body it fits. The only description you get is "Fast standard lens for APS-C reflex cameras".

when you buy there is an option to choose mount...

02-14-2013, 11:58 AM	#34
ligonestra New Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 19	Bought 06 tele for pentax Q... I've talk with the same gay by phone . I ordered 06 for $210 included shipping. I'd like to buy the 01 camera w/. 40mm, but that way I could not buy any lobster for today (St. Valentine). REPORT WILL FOLLOW

02-14-2013, 01:58 PM	#44
tas 0425 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Florida Photos: Albums Posts: 206	K-01 I just ordered the K-01 with lens. Used their chat line to inquire about specifying a color, came right back and said it seemed all they had was black which is what I wanted. We'll see.

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02-14-2013, 11:13 AM	#31
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054 Original Poster	Originally posted by robtcorl To me, it's kind of set up like Amazon with their 3rd party sellers, vendors or whatever. But this site does not identify who they are. So it might be sort of like Priceline.com where you agree to buy something at a certain low price and then they reveal who the seller was after you've committed to purchase....

02-14-2013, 11:22 AM	#32
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054 Original Poster	Originally posted by colonel00 Interested to see what he responds with. Tempted to pick up a 55-300 but still waiting on resolution after getting burned by an Amazon seller for a Q with 01 and a little gun shy now. Yep, that's why I was wary. I think it might be worth a try if you're just spending $100 or so to get some toy Q lenses, or less than $200 for the DA-L primes, but I'm not sure I want to spend $300+ on this... I'll be sure to let you know what Kevin says whenever he replies!

02-14-2013, 11:35 AM	#33
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,295	Thanks for checking things out. I went ahead and added myself to the list of Guinea Pigs, for the AF160FC ring flash.

02-14-2013, 01:30 PM	#35
Checking...jono Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Northeastern Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 717	I jumped in for the FA 50. That was most of my LBA budget and I really hope I didn't throw it away. At least Kevin called to verify shipping details so I won't worry for about a week.

02-14-2013, 01:40 PM	#36
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054 Original Poster	What's funny is that I'm the original poster on this, and I've added a few replies, yet I probably won't be buying from them, despite the savings. I just don't think I really need any of the lenses that are being discounted today. The only ones that mildly interest me are DA 16-45 and DA 17-70 but I'm not sure it's worth getting either of those when I already have DA 18-135 and a Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 zoom. I would have jumped all over this if the DA 12-24 or 10-17 was on sale, but of course they're not! Neither are any of the limiteds or star lenses. Anyway, I think the FA 50 is a very good deal for a brand-new, under-warranty copy. I paid $100 more than that to get mine new from Amazon two years ago. And I don't need the DA 35 or DA 50 lenses, but if I did, those are definitely good prices, as is the price on the DA 40 XS, 55-300 and FA 50 macro. Well, I'm hoping that the faith placed in the omnipresent Kevin is not a mistake! Best of luck!!

02-14-2013, 01:42 PM	#37
goshxii Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 49	Does it make sense to get FA 50mm having 40mm XS? All reviews claim it's too soft open and OK starting form 2.8. The main reason for me to get - low light photo wide open.

02-14-2013, 01:48 PM	#38
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,295	Originally posted by goshxii Does it make sense to get FA 50mm having 40mm XS? All reviews claim it's too soft open and OK starting form 2.8. The main reason for me to get - low light photo wide open. Every ultra-fast lens gets the "soft wide open" comment. If you need the speed, this is a good price on a new copy. Originally posted by seventysixersfan The only ones that mildly interest me are DA 16-45 and DA 17-70 I'm curious about the 16-45, as it has been discontinued for some time. Those are pretty easy to find used at a lower price. The 17-70 is tempting, though.

02-14-2013, 01:48 PM	#39
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054 Original Poster	Originally posted by goshxii The main reason for me to get - low light photo wide open. on this point alone, yes, the FA 50's f/1.4 will get you shots in lower light than the 40 XS. It is a bit soft open but I actually like some of that "dreamy" bokeh quality for portraits. There are some times when you need all the light-gathering ability you can get, and the FA 50 will be better than 40 XS for those times when you "need" f/1.4

02-14-2013, 01:49 PM	#40
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	Originally posted by goshxii Does it make sense to get FA 50mm having 40mm XS? All reviews claim it's too soft open and OK starting form 2.8. The main reason for me to get - low light photo wide open. Yes. I have the DA 40mm ltd, and I just ordered the FA 50 1.4. Different lens, for different purposes. The FA is not soft wide open with a hood. It doesn't come with one, but a cheap rubber hood will do.

02-14-2013, 01:52 PM	#41
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054 Original Poster	Originally posted by baro-nite I'm curious about the 16-45, as it has been discontinued for some time. Those are pretty easy to find used at a lower price. The 17-70 is tempting, though. You're right about the 16-45, it is often available used on the PF Marketplace for much less than this sale price for a brand-new one. But the DA 17-70 is much rarer to find used, and when it is sold, it's for about $350 anyway, which is the asking price on this brand-new model. I'm concerned about the SDM reliability, though, because who knows if these DA 17-70s that are being sold by the website are newly manufactured (in 2012, when apparently SDM problems were fixed for newly made lenses), or older stock lenses that have a ticking-time-bomb of SDM failure. The reason the 17-70 tempts me, though, is the nice range and the optical quality that some have praised; I'm sure it's better than my DA 18-135 but is it really worth me having both lenses?

02-14-2013, 01:55 PM	#42
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Kind of funny - I was browsing their camera equipment catalog, and when you look at a Sigma or Tamron lens, there is nothing about which camera body it fits. The only description you get is "Fast standard lens for APS-C reflex cameras".

02-14-2013, 01:58 PM	#43
goshxii Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 49	Originally posted by seventysixersfan on this point alone, yes, the FA 50's f/1.4 will get you shots in lower light than the 40 XS. It is a bit soft open but I actually like some of that "dreamy" bokeh quality for portraits. There are some times when you need all the light-gathering ability you can get, and the FA 50 will be better than 40 XS for those times when you "need" f/1.4 Not quite the answer I expected...now I have to buy it. I guess my Pentaxiism is getting worse - two Qs. a K-01, Q lenses, and now this...thank you, kind gentlemen...

02-14-2013, 01:58 PM	#45
goshxii Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 49	Originally posted by stormtech Kind of funny - I was browsing their camera equipment catalog, and when you look at a Sigma or Tamron lens, there is nothing about which camera body it fits. The only description you get is "Fast standard lens for APS-C reflex cameras". when you buy there is an option to choose mount...