Originally posted by swanlefitte Just found out the Spotmatic is discontinued!
My Spotmatic was discontinued by a broken shutter. After I put in a new one it lasted less than a year. The technician explained the shutter groove in the body was worn, so new shutters just weren't going to last very long. Then it got really discontinued.
But I have always wondered why people see "discontinued" marked on a web site and freak out. It's not like you can't still by them long after they are officially discontinued. And all discontinued usually means is "we are about to release a new upgraded model." I usually don't see that as a bad thing. I loved it when I found my SMC DA*200 in a close out. That saved me 100 bucks for a lens I would have paid full price for. I assumed they are making way for a new HD version, personally, SMC is good enough for me. I was happy to get the "discontinued" discount and avoid the price hike on a possible HD version.
The only time I actually care about "discontinued" is if, it's "Discontinued" and they are selling off existing stock at 50% off. Otherwise discontinued is often just matter of store policy and not worth paying attention to. IF there's nothing in it for me, I don't care what's discontinued. I only need one, and I'll be able to find it, whatever it is.
Incidentally look at this page...
Digital Camera Lenses - Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma | Henry's Camera - Henry's best camera store in Canada : Origin
You'll see the Sigma 8-16 listed. It was apparently discontinued more than 2 years ago. SO what exactly does discontinued mean? It doesn't mean you can't buy one, it doesn't mean it's any different than it was before it was discontinued. It doesn't even mean you can't find it in a store. It means if you want a new one, you only have a few months (or years) to pony up.
But for those of you wondering about why Sigma doesn't support Pentax, 2 years after Sigma discontinued the 8-16, Sigma Canada still has stock. And they would have shipped that stock anywhere in the world if someone had asked for it. Look at successful companies like Apple who build your product the day you order it and you can see the problem. Apple is successful by reducing the "inventory in stock" pipeline. Every modern company is trying to do the same. Two years after it's discontinued Sigma Canada s still carrying Pentax stock. That's has to really upset the company managers.
But I do wish they still had some FF 12-24s. Upsetting as that might be for them.