[LaurenOE]

A couple of observations from me that tie into the lens increases...and of course this is my opinion.

The GXR brain trust is dead and the folks that were part of that fiasco have to go somewhere. The sudden GR and Ricoh advertising on the Pentax FB page shows me, the Ricoh folks are moving into Pentax business processes. Further, that weird 360 pano-camera that was a Pentax product, has now been seen with Ricoh labels. The crowds at the recent photo conventions being interested in Pentax and not Ricoh breed internal resentment for Pentax.

(After all Ricoh *saved* Pentax and we/Pentax should be grateful for it)

It is now clear to the Ricoh folks, that Pentax is where it is at, and they are going to make Pentax more Ricoh-like because they (Ricoh/GXR) failed elsewhere.

If Ricoh can keep something like the GXR around for as long as they did, then their ideas like whacky pricing/ justification are in line now that they are moving into "Pentax".

I have seen this before when there is a successful part of a business - run by less powerful folks and the resentment the "higher-ups" feel.

When things go wrong - with the projects the "higher-ups" and more powerful groups are doing - they raid/cannibalize/resent other parts of the company.

The "powerful failures" in a company take it out on smaller more successful divisions.

Instead of just letting Pentax assume 100% control, some folks in Ricoh are now playing hardball and "spoiling" a good thing.

[VoiceOfReason]

I'm perfectly happy sticking with Sigma and Tamron lenses!

[mecrox]

I've only checked out about half the lenses on the list, but in dollars to British pounds the new prices still represent bargains compared to what we pay in the UK where prices are far higher, and quite likely in Europe and so euros too. An FA 43mm over here, for example, is the equivalent of $933 including sales tax. I imagine that sales taxes and other things in the USA might even things out a bit but my impression that these new prices aren't high in worldwide terms and for all I know could still be low. However, I suppose none of this is much consolation when faced with a price rise and, just when you thought the Pentax of old was dead and a new era of communication with customers had begun, the lid of the coffin begins to creak open ...

[beholder3]

[deleted]

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Last edited by beholder3; 08-11-2013 at 07:08 AM. Reason: [deleted]

[konraDarnok]

Looking at the lenses that are going up, I'd say it's the last of the stock. Not discontinued, but when they're not making any more, and the price reflects how ever long they want to keep the inventory in their line.

[lytrytyr]

I imagine that sales taxes and other things in the USA might even things out a bit but my impression that these new prices aren't high in worldwide terms and for all I know could still be low.

I did a specific comparison with Germany in the other thread:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/223525-insane-...ml#post2371179
The new prices match very closely.

[Quicksand]

Since the FA limiteds are out of production now and as it seems finally, this will definitely not be the highest prices you will see.

I'm not aware of any evidence of this whatsoever.

[Giklab]

As I posted on the other thread,
they're now bringing US prices into line
with their prices in other world markets.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/223525-insane-...ml#post2371179

This, this and this. Here are our prices: fotospecialist.besenicar.si - katalog izdelkov: za Pentax

[MSM]

I'm not aware of any evidence of this whatsoever.

Agreed. This is a rumor that gets recycled over and over. Obviously, one day it will be true. I suspect that when that happens, Pentax/Ricoh is calling it quits or much more likely, they will be released with new HD coatings, body style, and or weather sealing. To simply discontinue the Limiteds which is a huge draw for them is a bad move even by Pentax standards.

[Adam]

I'm not aware of any evidence of this whatsoever.

The FA's are NOT discontinued. See the official response from Pentax in the news & rumors forum.

[beholder3]

[deleted]

[Adam]

a link would help and a post number. Was that "official" answer a local rep?

No, Pentax USA's PR rep. Just click on the thread search link and type in my username, it'll show up.

[Docrwm]

If by significant increase you mean people are buying nothing but Sigma gear, then yes

Thanks, that is what I thought but I know you have actual numbers to compare to the pre-MAP insanity baseline.

[reeftool]

I likely won't be buying anything until around Black Friday anyhow. Anything in between will likely be a Sigma or Tammy if at all. I'm still laid up and on crutches and not getting out to shoot anything so I'm in no hurry to buy anything. I noticed a couple of the lenses getting the new "rebates" have had substantial price increases which makes the rebate not too big a deal. Since I'm not in the market for a new camera body, those deals mean nothing. I think they are banking on the idea that folks won't be willing to wait with summer rapidly approaching and they will go out and spend the money because they want it now. That strategy could very well bite them badly.

[Docrwm]

No sales means no profit though Even before this, B&H had trouble clearing inventory until Black Friday came around...

Most consumer photo gear has margins of 100% or more when comparing the wholesale price to the sticker price. I'm sure they already had plenty to work with...something else must be at work here.

Thank you. Sanity. 1000000% profit on 0 sales = $0 real dollars. 1% profit on $100000000 in sales = real profit. Pentax sales have been near 0 since MAP except when there were sales. If Pentax thinks that this will increase sales by having a higher price and then a fake rebate back to the old price.......I don't want to deal with people that do that sort of manipulation. Nikon's D7100 is looking better and better to me.