[konraDarnok]

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

"Discontinued" wasn't the phrase, "out of production" was. Which means something different. Just because something is in the active product line doesn't mean they're churning out new parts for it -- wherever they happen to be assembling them these days.

[Dan]

I think that this is fantastic! Given what I have seen of the new management under Ricoh Pentax I am thinking of liquidating my collection of Pentax lenses (which numbers more than 30 lenses, including a number of "high demand" lenses). These absurd prices for new Pentax lenses should help to support the market for used lenses. There's always a silver lining.

THANK YOU Ricoh Pentax!!

Dan

[jeffshaddix]

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

Are Canon and Nikon offerings in line with respect to price between US and other parts of the world?

[Quicksand]

In the insane lens-buying free-for-all following Black Friday last year, I took a long hard look at my needs, and instead of buying the DA*60-250 that I long wanted, I bought an FA43 and an FA77, which I thought I'd use more frequently.

And that's true -- I use them all the time. But nonetheless I have second-guessed that decision a good number of times, as those lenses stayed at the same prices while all the others shot back up again.

Feeling a bit better now, I suppose. But this whole situation still stinks.

[barbosas]

I'm already regretting that i've sold my FA35

[Raffwal]

Pentax is really doing their best ... in alienating current customers.

[cali92rs]

Maybe they are still trying to get into Target, and did not raise prices sufficiently before

[Winder]

I was hoping they would jack up the price of the 31mm LTD so I could sell my copy and buy the new Sigma 35mm.

Pentax recovered its R&D cost on these lenses years ago, and have moved production to Vietnam to save even more money. Pentax has to be making $$$$$$ on the FA Limited glass.

My Sigma 85mm is stellar.

[wildimages]

What if..........

Pentax America didn't care about you? You the current Pentax shooter that is.

They know they will never be able to compete against Canon and Nikon in the mass camera market. Nikon has as many current Full Frame model cameras alone as Pentax has cameras period.

So what if their strategy was to position themselves as a high end, exclusive, niche camera company that caters to the young, hip, outdoorsy, educated, moderately affluent and uppwardly mobile NEW customer?

In America, higher cost generally equates to higher quality. Right or wrong, that's a pretty common perception. As well, anything that's "Limited" is seen as having more value than something that isn't.

Is Pentax playing to the only strength they have? Anyone can buy a Nikon or a Canon. But to shoot a Pentax, with LIMITED lenses......to be Different.......to have that aura that comes from the Pentax brand......

It'll never happen if they sell their lenses at bargain basement prices. I think this is the beginning of a new marketing strategy for Pentax America, and they would just as soon get rid of their current user base and replace them with new customers who believe in the perception that shooting an exclusive high end camera like Pentax makes them not only different, but special too.

[Julie]

Seriously, Pentax?!

The old prices weren't that great to begin with, but raising them by 8-50%- what kind of move it that?
I was seriously considering the 10-17 and/or the 12-24, but not now... used Sigmas and Tamrons, here I come.

[Uluru]

They tried it once before and it flopped. Pentax users aren't Canikon users. But if they do this, they'll be Canikon users instead :-P

Now, this is totally ridiculous.
So in a way, you agree to pay Canon more, but refuse to pay Pentax .. because ...?

Although your reaction is impulsive and not rational, I understand why such reactions happen. When compared to Canon's offer, Pentax offers almost nothing: just two small, relatively outdated cameras you can use those lenses on. It's sad.

I think PRIC USA should be seriously spanked by users regarding this happening now. It would be better to be more thoughtful and rise prices in the light of new achievements — not in the absence of them! Because there are no achievements, no new bodies, no new technologies, nothing new — just price hikes and lots of promises. Which justifies people's remorse: why they pay similar price for an offer that can't hold a candle to the variety of the larger and much more vigorous, user-listening, and dedicated supplier?

[lukulele]

Many retailers do the high/low on a weekly basis in the US. The worst has got to be Kohls and their Saturday night price card games. I'll raise this to absurdity and drop it next week to our everyday "low" price. The Marketplace and the Sigma Outlet will be your friend. To paraphrase Orwell, "Pentax (Ricoh/Napoleon) is always right." Or not, or ever?

[digital029art]

Hey guess what? I just saved a ton of money on an 04 lens!

[jcdoss]

**sarcasm alert** Personally, I don't mind paying higher prices if I know I'm supporting a progressive company that's moving forward. Although, that new price on the 43mm might make me think real hard about earning my Limited Collector's Badge, I still might if something real and significant were also happening (ie, new lenses, new cameras, FF, anything!).

Don't also forget we're all going to see another price hike real soon, in the form of internet sales taxes. I'm pretty sure Congress will approve the collection of sales taxes in the not too distant future.

[L33tGreg]

Anybody think higher prices might just be inflation?