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philbaum · 01-24-2009, 12:23 PM

The only adequate camera store I have access to is 2 hours away, Kenmore Camera in Seattle, WA. I spent over an hour in there yesterday looking at tripods close to the sales desk.

For phone calls, i could only hear one side of the conversation, but many calls would go like this:

"Oh yeah, we've got several low priced DSLRs, the prices have really dropped. Yeah, the Canon Rebel is also very compact and easy to carry, if you would like that"

On the front of the store was this large banner " Canon Rebel XT $499"

I asked at the desk what Pentax they had, on the shelf was a Pentax K20D and they were waiting for the K2000's to come in. They do carry several used Pentax lenses. This isn't a chain store but a family started store, clerks are very knowledgeable and courteous without exception.

But if the conversations i heard yesterday (while dithering over which tripod to buy) were any indication - a significant part of their business seems to be folks buying low end DSLRs. Pentax was absolutely right to get a compact K2000 out, but how come they can't keep the stores stocked?

I bought the tripod from the lady who originally helped me 2 days before, she appreciated that i was aware that they worked on commission. She said she really liked the Pentax lenses.

Blue · 01-24-2009, 03:26 PM

Originally posted by philbaum

. . .

But if the conversations i heard yesterday (while dithering over which tripod to buy) were any indication - a significant part of their business seems to be folks buying low end DSLRs. Pentax was absolutely right to get a compact K2000 out, but how come they can't keep the stores stocked?

. . .

Perhaps because the head of Pentax Imaging in the U.S. is running around reviewing the Leica D-Lux 4.

NED BUNNELL

Mike.P® · 01-24-2009, 04:01 PM

Originally posted by Blue

Perhaps because the head of Pentax Imaging in the U.S. is running around reviewing the Leica D-Lux 4.

NED BUNNELL

You can just see the next Leica advert in the magazines can't you .....

jeffkrol · 01-24-2009, 04:08 PM

Originally posted by Mike.P®

You can just see the next Leica advert in the magazines can't you .....

I don't really know what to say about that.......... mind boggeling at best.
Doesn't say much for the Optio line (I know not the same "class") and though I like the truthfullness aspect it just seems..... WRONG..............

Branimir · 01-24-2009, 04:12 PM

Originally posted by philbaum

But if the conversations i heard yesterday (while dithering over which tripod to buy) were any indication - a significant part of their business seems to be folks buying low end DSLRs. Pentax was absolutely right to get a compact K2000 out, but how come they can't keep the stores stocked?

There was an interesting review in Practical Photography in which they roughly stated that K2000 (or K-m) is a nice camera, but Canon and Nikon (and Sony) are delivering equal or more for less, and that if you do not have legacy lens, it's not worth it.

It surprised me that K2000 is more expensive than K200D.

So, Pentax should revise prices and give best value as he once did. Maybe then it will be more popuar.

**RuiC** · 01-24-2009, 04:15 PM

Originally posted by jeffkrol

I don't really know what to say about that.......... mind boggeling at best.
Doesn't say much for the Optio line (I know not the same "class") and though I like the truthfullness aspect it just seems..... WRONG..............

Different worlds they belong to. No comparison possible.

Rui

Blue · 01-24-2009, 04:20 PM

I can appreciate Bunnel being a collector including new stuff. However, Leica is a niche market camera company and the market is currently very unpredictable and I don't see the need for the President of Pentax Imaging in the U.S. to be writing rave reviews for the competition. It would be kinda like the head of the Jeep division showing up to work every day driving a Rover. WTF.

Blue · 01-24-2009, 04:22 PM

Originally posted by Mike.P®

You can just see the next Leica advert in the magazines can't you .....

They would be blowing an excellent opportunity if they don't!

"Top Pentax Guy prefers Leica!"

300xcw · 01-24-2009, 04:45 PM

Phil,

While up there for work last summer, I found a place by accident in the Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, Tall's camera. They had the DA* lenses, and 4 or 5 other Pentax lenses and Pentax cameras. They even had a new Tamron 1.4x teleconvertor that works with the SDM . . .well . .they don't have it anymore as I selfishly globbed on to it. .

I purchased the pentax DFA 2.8 100mm macro there and he also had the 50mm macro. choices choices . .They weren't the cheapest, but just finding a place with a selection of Pentax is unusual.

GEli · 01-24-2009, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by Blue

I can appreciate Bunnel being a collector including new stuff. However, Leica is a niche market camera company and the market is currently very unpredictable and I don't see the need for the President of Pentax Imaging in the U.S. to be writing rave reviews for the competition. It would be kinda like the head of the Jeep division showing up to work every day driving a Rover. WTF.

No, it's like the head of the Jeep division showing up to work in a Bugatti Veyron. Sure a Jeep and a Veyron will both get you from point A to point B, but besides both combusting fuel they're completely different methods of transport

.

I've always found Pentax to be really well represented in my local camera stores (Don's Photo, Photo Central and Henry's). They even keep 3rd party lenses (Sigma, Tamron, etc.) in Pentax mount in stock.

Blue · 01-24-2009, 05:18 PM

Originally posted by GEli

No, it's like the head of the Jeep division showing up to work in a Bugatti Veyron. Sure a Jeep and a Veyron will both get you from point A to point B, but besides both combusting fuel they're completely different methods of transport

.

I've always found Pentax to be really well represented in my local camera stores (Don's Photo, Photo Central and Henry's). They even keep 3rd party lenses (Sigma, Tamron, etc.) in Pentax mount in stock.

A Bugatti can't go where a Jeep or Rover can go.

Also, Bunnell isn't the head of Pentax Canada. However, if I were in NY City, I could go into a plethora of stores and find a lot of Pentax and maybe in Atlanta and L.A. But in most of Florida, forget seeing Pentax on the shelves.

philbaum · 01-25-2009, 12:03 PM

[QUOTE]

Originally posted by 300xcw

Phil,

While up there for work last summer, I found a place by accident in the Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, Tall's camera. They had the DA* lenses, and 4 or 5 other Pentax lenses and Pentax cameras. They even had a new Tamron 1.4x teleconvertor that works with the SDM . . .well . .they don't have it anymore as I selfishly globbed on to it. .

I purchased the pentax DFA 2.8 100mm macro there and he also had the 50mm macro. choices choices . .They weren't the cheapest, but just finding a place with a selection of Pentax is unusual.[/QUOTE

Thanks, thats a good tip, i've heard the name of that store before, i'll be sure to check them out.

**GaryM** · 01-25-2009, 02:09 PM

Originally posted by Blue

Perhaps because the head of Pentax Imaging in the U.S. is running around reviewing the Leica D-Lux 4.

NED BUNNELL

I'm sure that's the reason that so many of my acquaintances bought DigiRebels and D40s recently. That, and "it's what the salesman told me was best", "the store doesn't stock Pentax", or "Pen-what?"

It has been suggested in other threads that Panasonic use Ned's traitorous act as an ad slogun, but that idea was shot down by Panasonic themselves when market research showed that nobody in any of the test groups even knew who Pentax was. Or that their primary competition has names like Nikon, Canon and Sony.

Blue · 01-25-2009, 05:04 PM

Originally posted by GaryM

. . .
It has been suggested in other threads that Panasonic use Ned's traitorous act as an ad slogun, but that idea was shot down by Panasonic themselves when market research showed that nobody in any of the test groups even knew who Pentax was. Or that their primary competition has names like Nikon, Canon and Sony.

I doubt Panasonic/Leica has discussed it much since Ned only posted that in his blog on Friday and it is just Sunday. Besides, anyone that goes, who is Pentax is likely to go, "who is Leica?"

nostatic · 01-25-2009, 05:26 PM

Originally posted by Blue

"who is Leica?"

And the follow up comment, "I sure do Leica this Canon Rebel!"

01-24-2009, 12:23 PM	#1
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	Camera Stores are selling low-priced DSLRs The only adequate camera store I have access to is 2 hours away, Kenmore Camera in Seattle, WA. I spent over an hour in there yesterday looking at tripods close to the sales desk. For phone calls, i could only hear one side of the conversation, but many calls would go like this: "Oh yeah, we've got several low priced DSLRs, the prices have really dropped. Yeah, the Canon Rebel is also very compact and easy to carry, if you would like that" On the front of the store was this large banner " Canon Rebel XT $499" I asked at the desk what Pentax they had, on the shelf was a Pentax K20D and they were waiting for the K2000's to come in. They do carry several used Pentax lenses. This isn't a chain store but a family started store, clerks are very knowledgeable and courteous without exception. But if the conversations i heard yesterday (while dithering over which tripod to buy) were any indication - a significant part of their business seems to be folks buying low end DSLRs. Pentax was absolutely right to get a compact K2000 out, but how come they can't keep the stores stocked? I bought the tripod from the lady who originally helped me 2 days before, she appreciated that i was aware that they worked on commission. She said she really liked the Pentax lenses.

01-24-2009, 04:08 PM	#4
jeffkrol Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wisconsin USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,434	Getting off topic but............ :o Originally posted by Mike.P® You can just see the next Leica advert in the magazines can't you ..... I don't really know what to say about that.......... mind boggeling at best. Doesn't say much for the Optio line (I know not the same "class") and though I like the truthfullness aspect it just seems..... WRONG..............

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01-24-2009, 03:26 PM	#2
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by philbaum . . . But if the conversations i heard yesterday (while dithering over which tripod to buy) were any indication - a significant part of their business seems to be folks buying low end DSLRs. Pentax was absolutely right to get a compact K2000 out, but how come they can't keep the stores stocked? . . . Perhaps because the head of Pentax Imaging in the U.S. is running around reviewing the Leica D-Lux 4. NED BUNNELL

01-24-2009, 04:01 PM	#3
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	Originally posted by Blue Perhaps because the head of Pentax Imaging in the U.S. is running around reviewing the Leica D-Lux 4. NED BUNNELL You can just see the next Leica advert in the magazines can't you .....

01-24-2009, 04:12 PM	#5
Branimir Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Photos: Gallery Posts: 145	Originally posted by philbaum But if the conversations i heard yesterday (while dithering over which tripod to buy) were any indication - a significant part of their business seems to be folks buying low end DSLRs. Pentax was absolutely right to get a compact K2000 out, but how come they can't keep the stores stocked? There was an interesting review in Practical Photography in which they roughly stated that K2000 (or K-m) is a nice camera, but Canon and Nikon (and Sony) are delivering equal or more for less, and that if you do not have legacy lens, it's not worth it. It surprised me that K2000 is more expensive than K200D. So, Pentax should revise prices and give best value as he once did. Maybe then it will be more popuar.

01-24-2009, 04:15 PM	#6
RuiC Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lisboa - The best destination in Europe Posts: 633	Originally posted by jeffkrol I don't really know what to say about that.......... mind boggeling at best. Doesn't say much for the Optio line (I know not the same "class") and though I like the truthfullness aspect it just seems..... WRONG.............. Different worlds they belong to. No comparison possible. Rui

01-24-2009, 04:20 PM	#7
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	I can appreciate Bunnel being a collector including new stuff. However, Leica is a niche market camera company and the market is currently very unpredictable and I don't see the need for the President of Pentax Imaging in the U.S. to be writing rave reviews for the competition. It would be kinda like the head of the Jeep division showing up to work every day driving a Rover. WTF.

01-24-2009, 04:22 PM	#8
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Mike.P® You can just see the next Leica advert in the magazines can't you ..... They would be blowing an excellent opportunity if they don't! "Top Pentax Guy prefers Leica!"

01-24-2009, 04:45 PM	#9
300xcw Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 6	Phil, While up there for work last summer, I found a place by accident in the Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, Tall's camera. They had the DA* lenses, and 4 or 5 other Pentax lenses and Pentax cameras. They even had a new Tamron 1.4x teleconvertor that works with the SDM . . .well . .they don't have it anymore as I selfishly globbed on to it. . I purchased the pentax DFA 2.8 100mm macro there and he also had the 50mm macro. choices choices . .They weren't the cheapest, but just finding a place with a selection of Pentax is unusual.

01-24-2009, 04:53 PM	#10
GEli Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 51	Originally posted by Blue I can appreciate Bunnel being a collector including new stuff. However, Leica is a niche market camera company and the market is currently very unpredictable and I don't see the need for the President of Pentax Imaging in the U.S. to be writing rave reviews for the competition. It would be kinda like the head of the Jeep division showing up to work every day driving a Rover. WTF. No, it's like the head of the Jeep division showing up to work in a Bugatti Veyron. Sure a Jeep and a Veyron will both get you from point A to point B, but besides both combusting fuel they're completely different methods of transport . I've always found Pentax to be really well represented in my local camera stores (Don's Photo, Photo Central and Henry's). They even keep 3rd party lenses (Sigma, Tamron, etc.) in Pentax mount in stock.

01-24-2009, 05:18 PM	#11
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by GEli No, it's like the head of the Jeep division showing up to work in a Bugatti Veyron. Sure a Jeep and a Veyron will both get you from point A to point B, but besides both combusting fuel they're completely different methods of transport . I've always found Pentax to be really well represented in my local camera stores (Don's Photo, Photo Central and Henry's). They even keep 3rd party lenses (Sigma, Tamron, etc.) in Pentax mount in stock. A Bugatti can't go where a Jeep or Rover can go. Also, Bunnell isn't the head of Pentax Canada. However, if I were in NY City, I could go into a plethora of stores and find a lot of Pentax and maybe in Atlanta and L.A. But in most of Florida, forget seeing Pentax on the shelves.

01-25-2009, 12:03 PM	#12
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659 Original Poster	[QUOTE] Originally posted by 300xcw Phil, While up there for work last summer, I found a place by accident in the Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, Tall's camera. They had the DA* lenses, and 4 or 5 other Pentax lenses and Pentax cameras. They even had a new Tamron 1.4x teleconvertor that works with the SDM . . .well . .they don't have it anymore as I selfishly globbed on to it. . I purchased the pentax DFA 2.8 100mm macro there and he also had the 50mm macro. choices choices . .They weren't the cheapest, but just finding a place with a selection of Pentax is unusual.[/QUOTE Thanks, thats a good tip, i've heard the name of that store before, i'll be sure to check them out.

01-25-2009, 02:09 PM	#13
GaryM Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montclair, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 426	Originally posted by Blue Perhaps because the head of Pentax Imaging in the U.S. is running around reviewing the Leica D-Lux 4. NED BUNNELL I'm sure that's the reason that so many of my acquaintances bought DigiRebels and D40s recently. That, and "it's what the salesman told me was best", "the store doesn't stock Pentax", or "Pen-what?" It has been suggested in other threads that Panasonic use Ned's traitorous act as an ad slogun, but that idea was shot down by Panasonic themselves when market research showed that nobody in any of the test groups even knew who Pentax was. Or that their primary competition has names like Nikon, Canon and Sony.

01-25-2009, 05:04 PM	#14
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by GaryM . . . It has been suggested in other threads that Panasonic use Ned's traitorous act as an ad slogun, but that idea was shot down by Panasonic themselves when market research showed that nobody in any of the test groups even knew who Pentax was. Or that their primary competition has names like Nikon, Canon and Sony. I doubt Panasonic/Leica has discussed it much since Ned only posted that in his blog on Friday and it is just Sunday. Besides, anyone that goes, who is Pentax is likely to go, "who is Leica?"

01-25-2009, 05:26 PM	#15
nostatic Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: socal Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,575	Originally posted by Blue "who is Leica?" And the follow up comment, "I sure do Leica this Canon Rebel!"

Camera Stores are selling low-priced DSLRs

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