18-135mm lens being discontinued?

**caliscouser** · 05-23-2015, 07:25 PM

Looks like the one on eBay does not include the hood which is what, a $40 item?

6BQ5 · 05-24-2015, 07:49 AM

If there's no hood then I'd shy away from it. Those simple pieces of molded plastic are terribly important which makes them terribly expensive. The margins on those things must be 98%.

lesmore49 · 05-24-2015, 08:09 AM

Hope not. The 18-135 is one of my top go to lenses. A great all rounder.

**filoxophy** · 05-24-2015, 07:58 PM

Wouldn't trust Amazon for that type of information. And by "Ricoh USA", do you mean the Pentax Webstore? Because they are beyond clueless. If you mean actual Ricoh Imaging USA, then I would be astonished that someone answering the phones there would supply you with information that has not been officially announced through other channels.

John Shriver · 05-25-2015, 01:24 PM

Originally posted by mattb123

Their feedback is 98.7% positive which gives you pretty good odds, I think. Good price too.

98.7% feedback on eBay? That's AWFUL. Anything under 99.7% is DANGER ZONE.

6BQ5 · 05-25-2015, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by John Shriver

98.7% feedback on eBay? That's AWFUL. Anything under 99.7% is DANGER ZONE.

Your only assurance is eBay's satisfaction guarantee. If you, as the buyer, open a case then you are guaranteed to win. eBay will always side with the buyer except for the most extreme circumstances. All you stand to lose here is time and opportunity.

**monochrome** · 05-25-2015, 02:33 PM

Affiliates seelling on Amazon 'Discontinued' often means, 'I can't order direct from Pentax and the distributor is temporarily out-of-stock.'

DeadJohn · 05-25-2015, 09:08 PM

Heh, another photo site says "The Pentax DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR lens is now discontinued (confirmed by Ricoh)" and links to this thread. Their standards for being confirmed are pretty low.

Quicksand · 05-25-2015, 09:33 PM

Originally posted by DeadJohn

Heh, another photo site says "The Pentax DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR lens is now discontinued (confirmed by Ricoh)" and links to this thread. Their standards for being confirmed are pretty low.

Now all we need is someone to start a new thread about the PhotoRumors confirmation, maybe over in the SLR Lens Discussion subforum

Dr Orloff · 05-26-2015, 12:40 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by DeadJohn

Heh, another photo site says "The Pentax DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR lens is now discontinued (confirmed by Ricoh)" and links to this thread. Their standards for being confirmed are pretty low.

This thread should be discontinued and replaced by a high definition thread.

Clavius · 05-26-2015, 02:04 AM

I love my DA 18-135. It's my only WR zoom and because of that fact it gets to see a lot of action. Any weather condition or other risk like dust/sand that requires my precious primes to stay safely locked away, results in me taking along the 18-135 instead. It looks and feels quite used now, but still going strong as if its still brand new.

D1N0 · 05-26-2015, 12:17 PM

When it does get a HD coating the question is wil it have a red ring or a green one....

mee · 05-26-2015, 04:16 PM - **1 Like**

Would you please update the title.. the 18-135 is as far as we know NOT being discontinued. It is only going to start more unfounded rumors on other sites..

Adam · 05-26-2015, 04:17 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by caliscouser

Looks like the one on eBay does not include the hood which is what, a $40 item?

Those would be considered grey market and are more likely taken from lens kits.

Originally posted by mee

Would you please update the title.. the 18-135 is as far as we know NOT being discontinued. It is only going to start more unfounded rumors on other sites..

I added a question mark. Seems that the thread title alone was throwing a lot of people off...

**realitarian** · 05-27-2015, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by Adam

Those would be considered grey market and are more likely taken from lens kits.

I added a question mark. Seems that the thread title alone was throwing a lot of people off...

Thanks for all your responses. Still new to the Pentax world (almost exactly 1 year), sorry to create a stir. Yes, I talked to the Pentax Webstore and they confirmed - I just assumed that was the same as RICOH. I suppose not.

And the seller had decent feedback on eBay itself but if you google the seller store's name, there are a lot of negative reviews (on BBB, Yelp, etc).

In any case, I got the lens today. It is part of a kit (as the seller disclosed upfront in the eBay listing) so it came in a plain white box. It looks brand spanking new and DID come with a hood. Also the operating manual and a card with its serial number. Haven't tested it yet (just plugged the camera's battery into the charger) but will do so later today. So far I don't feel terribly displeased with this transaction. Shipping was quick, I got a $496 lens for $297. No warranty but I can live with that..I have the other WR kit lenses in case this one goes south.

Cheers!

05-26-2015, 04:17 PM - 1 Like	#29
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Originally posted by caliscouser Looks like the one on eBay does not include the hood which is what, a $40 item? Those would be considered grey market and are more likely taken from lens kits. Originally posted by mee Would you please update the title.. the 18-135 is as far as we know NOT being discontinued. It is only going to start more unfounded rumors on other sites.. I added a question mark. Seems that the thread title alone was throwing a lot of people off... Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is K-3 being discontinued?	jotagustavo	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	48	03-02-2015 05:38 PM
Trying to swap my 18-55 WR kit lens for its 18-135mm equivalent	Styx1284	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	13	01-21-2014 06:53 PM
645D being discontinued - for new model?	interested_observer	Pentax Medium Format	9	09-28-2012 11:35 AM
Tri-x (320) being discontinued in 120/220	Clicker	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	2	02-27-2010 09:33 PM
Are FA-Limiteds being discontinued or not?	KL Matt	Pentax DSLR Discussion	9	03-21-2007 09:15 PM

05-23-2015, 07:25 PM	#16
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	Looks like the one on eBay does not include the hood which is what, a $40 item?

05-24-2015, 07:49 AM	#17
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	If there's no hood then I'd shy away from it. Those simple pieces of molded plastic are terribly important which makes them terribly expensive. The margins on those things must be 98%.

05-24-2015, 08:09 AM	#18
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,337	Hope not. The 18-135 is one of my top go to lenses. A great all rounder.

05-24-2015, 07:58 PM	#19
filoxophy Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 1,132	Wouldn't trust Amazon for that type of information. And by "Ricoh USA", do you mean the Pentax Webstore? Because they are beyond clueless. If you mean actual Ricoh Imaging USA, then I would be astonished that someone answering the phones there would supply you with information that has not been officially announced through other channels.

05-25-2015, 01:24 PM	#20
John Shriver Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arlington, MA Posts: 160	Originally posted by mattb123 Their feedback is 98.7% positive which gives you pretty good odds, I think. Good price too. 98.7% feedback on eBay? That's AWFUL. Anything under 99.7% is DANGER ZONE.

05-25-2015, 01:56 PM	#21
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	Originally posted by John Shriver 98.7% feedback on eBay? That's AWFUL. Anything under 99.7% is DANGER ZONE. Your only assurance is eBay's satisfaction guarantee. If you, as the buyer, open a case then you are guaranteed to win. eBay will always side with the buyer except for the most extreme circumstances. All you stand to lose here is time and opportunity.

05-25-2015, 02:33 PM	#22
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Affiliates seelling on Amazon 'Discontinued' often means, 'I can't order direct from Pentax and the distributor is temporarily out-of-stock.'

05-25-2015, 09:08 PM	#23
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	Heh, another photo site says "The Pentax DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR lens is now discontinued (confirmed by Ricoh)" and links to this thread. Their standards for being confirmed are pretty low.

05-25-2015, 09:33 PM	#24
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	Originally posted by DeadJohn Heh, another photo site says "The Pentax DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR lens is now discontinued (confirmed by Ricoh)" and links to this thread. Their standards for being confirmed are pretty low. Now all we need is someone to start a new thread about the PhotoRumors confirmation, maybe over in the SLR Lens Discussion subforum

05-26-2015, 12:40 AM - 1 Like	#25
Dr Orloff Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Brighton, England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 512	Originally posted by DeadJohn Heh, another photo site says "The Pentax DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR lens is now discontinued (confirmed by Ricoh)" and links to this thread. Their standards for being confirmed are pretty low. This thread should be discontinued and replaced by a high definition thread.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

05-26-2015, 02:04 AM	#26
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	I love my DA 18-135. It's my only WR zoom and because of that fact it gets to see a lot of action. Any weather condition or other risk like dust/sand that requires my precious primes to stay safely locked away, results in me taking along the 18-135 instead. It looks and feels quite used now, but still going strong as if its still brand new.

05-26-2015, 12:17 PM	#27
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	When it does get a HD coating the question is wil it have a red ring or a green one....

05-26-2015, 04:16 PM - 1 Like	#28
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Would you please update the title.. the 18-135 is as far as we know NOT being discontinued. It is only going to start more unfounded rumors on other sites..

05-27-2015, 10:08 AM	#30
realitarian Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 221 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam Those would be considered grey market and are more likely taken from lens kits. I added a question mark. Seems that the thread title alone was throwing a lot of people off... Thanks for all your responses. Still new to the Pentax world (almost exactly 1 year), sorry to create a stir. Yes, I talked to the Pentax Webstore and they confirmed - I just assumed that was the same as RICOH. I suppose not. And the seller had decent feedback on eBay itself but if you google the seller store's name, there are a lot of negative reviews (on BBB, Yelp, etc). In any case, I got the lens today. It is part of a kit (as the seller disclosed upfront in the eBay listing) so it came in a plain white box. It looks brand spanking new and DID come with a hood. Also the operating manual and a card with its serial number. Haven't tested it yet (just plugged the camera's battery into the charger) but will do so later today. So far I don't feel terribly displeased with this transaction. Shipping was quick, I got a $496 lens for $297. No warranty but I can live with that..I have the other WR kit lenses in case this one goes south. Cheers!