[michael markey]

So, why the price drop in bodies, but constant rise in lens prices? And why not the other way round. We don't buy one lens to share on multiple bodies, but the other way round.

There are a number of reasons.
People are using them on 4/3 cameras .
Some lenses esp Nikon are proving to be very good for video in this regard.
My Leica lenses have more than doubled in three years.
Also CV lenses and Canon RF lenses.
China is sucking in a lot of this stuff too.
I just about managed to get my hands on a mint Pentax 50/1.2.
I was told that they don`t stick around long .

[Clavius]

There are a number of reasons.
People are using them on 4/3 cameras .
Some lenses esp Nikon are proving to be very good for video in this regard.
My Leica lenses have more than doubled in three years.
Also CV lenses and Canon RF lenses.
China is sucking in a lot of this stuff too.
I just about managed to get my hands on a mint Pentax 50/1.2.
I was told that they don`t stick around long .

But wouldn't most of those reasons affect other brands in the same way? Clearly, Pentax glass prices are rising whilst those of it's competitors Canon, Nikon, etc are still level.

[Docrwm]

But wouldn't most of those reasons affect other brands in the same way? Clearly, Pentax glass prices are rising whilst those of it's competitors Canon, Nikon, etc are still level.

We have two distinct categories of Glass, but they are related to each other in the market. New glass is subject to the whims of Pentax in pricing, and to a lesser degree by distributors. Those prices have gone up, sometimes dramatically. The other is used glass. The used glass prices are more flexible, obviously, but are influenced by the prices of new glass - sometimes directly. For example, after the MAP announcement several copies of the 60-250 showed up on our Marketplace for prices very nearly what the new ones were priced under MAP. The owners never paid nearly that but were testing the market to see if they could make money on that lens. Pentax-Ricoh appears to have taken the printer/copier approach (surprise) to the Pentax lineup - sell the printer(Camera) cheaply to get them into your system and then sell them the toner/ink(lens) dearly to make your profit. This approach, and the advent of more cameras that can use K mount lenses either natively or with adapter, is driving the price rises IMHO.

[redrockcoulee]

So, why the price drop in bodies, but constant rise in lens prices? And why not the other way round. We don't buy one lens to share on multiple bodies, but the other way round.

I do. Either to share with my wife's K10D or when I can also to share with her and my film Pentax's.

As well if some of the price drop on bodies is due to the constant decrease in the cost of making electronic gears that may not reflect on optical glass.

[michael markey]

But wouldn't most of those reasons affect other brands in the same way? Clearly, Pentax glass prices are rising whilst those of it's competitors Canon, Nikon, etc are still level.

I`m afraid that I don`t know much about the prices of Canon or Nikon.
Although the prices of Nikon and Canon RF lenses are continuing to rise.
The price of Canon RF bodies also.

Some time ago DSLR users were favouring single coated lenses in order to tame highlights.
This contibuted to a price rise in those lenses.
I think also that a lot of people are investing in glass as bodies continue to change.

5 reasons why you should invest in glass | Japan Camera Hunter

[adam123445678]

Thats a great buy

[lytrytyr]

Pentax-Ricoh appears to have taken the printer/copier approach (surprise) to the Pentax lineup - sell the printer(Camera) cheaply to get them into your system and then sell them the toner/ink(lens) dearly to make your profit.

That analogy doesn't seem to work all the way.
.
Good lenses are forever,
while bodies are the consumable (by shutter-count) or rapidly obsolescent item.

Don't tell Pentax-Ricoh, though.
I'll be happy to use my fairly complete lens collection
on high-quality bodies priced as cheaply as the K-01 right now.

[Docrwm]

That analogy doesn't seem to work all the way.
.
Good lenses are forever,
while bodies are the consumable (by shutter-count) or rapidly obsolescent item.

Don't tell Pentax-Ricoh, though.
I'll be happy to use my fairly complete lens collection
on high-quality bodies priced as cheaply as the K-01 right now.

I did not say it was a great analogy but one that I think P-R is taking from the recent pattern of behavior.

[zbrueningsen]

I agree guys. Truly what you can pick up for some of the Pentax bodies is a steal. I'm a young guy (29), but I have been a junky since I first laid my hands on that sweet K1000 for journalism class. Had a couple of their good point and shoots (yes they existed), and have loved their DSLRs. At one point the K5 was half the price of the Canon 7D (the K5 was $100 more at release) this year. The only reason it didn't get a better rating than the 7D (lost by 1 point) was because of its price was higher. At half the price (800) what do you think they would rate it now? Pentax is essentially giving their camera bodies away after a year and they are spectacular. I ordered my K-01 and will be replacing my K-X with it. And we all know how great the K-X was/is! Their lenses are expensive partly due to how much market share they have and the fact that all the old K mount stuff works. Truthfully, I've never bought a new pentax lens aside from the kit I got with my K-X and the DA 35 2.4 (after its price drop). I'm good with how they do business.

[Clavius]

Maybe that's what they're hoping for: Getting as much Pentax bodies out there as possible. Which leads to a higher demand for lenses. Which in turn will eventually lead to (amongst other things) lowered prices.

[davidsladek]

Seems that the price drops have huge effect on sales! After rank 3 two weeks back, last week the white Q kit with standard prime was the top selling camera according to BCN Japan! (see for yourself ????????????????BCN?????????)

Here are all Pentax positions in top 80:

Q - 1, 13, 25, 46, 47, 78

Q10 - 16, 42

K-5IIs - 78

Congratulations, Pentax, we shall all have a drink to your achievement now!

David

[Docrwm]

Seems that the price drops have huge effect on sales! After rank 3 two weeks back, last week the white Q kit with standard prime was the top selling camera according to BCN Japan! (see for yourself ????????????????BCN?????????)

Here are all Pentax positions in top 80:

Q - 1, 13, 25, 46, 47, 78

Q10 - 16, 42

K-5IIs - 78

Congratulations, Pentax, we shall all have a drink to your achievement now!

David

Perhaps someone there has a basic understanding of critical mass in a system? Get more folks into the Q system and then you can offer a broader array of accessories, lenses, etc. It's just an outstanding little camera.

[BerndM]

I just ordered my K-01 last night from B&H Photo in NYC.
It comes WITH the 40mm f2.8 lens for $416 SHIPPED to the house.
I had the K30 but took it back and since the K01 will do most of what the K30 did for almost $300 less, it was a no brainer.
The differences between the K30 and K01 are insignificant for my purposes.
BTW...I chose the white one.

Regards
Bernd

[Fontan]

I just ordered my K-01 last night from B&H Photo in NYC.
It comes WITH the 40mm f2.8 lens for $416 SHIPPED to the house.
I had the K30 but took it back and since the K01 will do most of what the K30 did for almost $300 less, it was a no brainer.
The differences between the K30 and K01 are insignificant for my purposes.
BTW...I chose the white one.

Regards
Bernd

Probably not a bad move as long as you don't shoot in the rain.

[Lurch]