Canadian Prices up already! Holy crap!

ajuett · 04-02-2009, 07:56 AM

The FA 43mm f/1.9 was $469 now it's $899, talk about insanity. Even though I don't have digital or AF now it is still upsetting to see Pentax do this.

I'm with J. Scott. I'm staying put with what I have and forgoting about anything new for a long time.

Gooshin · 04-02-2009, 08:06 AM

i'm sort of glad i havent started selling off my Super Takumar stuff,

before if i was to break one of my FA lenses i wouldnt feel bad, just go and buy another one, but with these prices, sheesh!

Sean Nelson · 04-02-2009, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by IsaacSteiner

The Pentax FA 50mm F/1.4 was $199 at Vistek, now it's $299..unreal!

You know, that 50/1.4 is really still a bargain even at 1.5X the price...

**rparmar** · 04-02-2009, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by IsaacSteiner

The Pentax FA 50mm F/1.4 was $199 at Vistek, now it's $299..unreal!

Bad example. That was an insane bargain in Canada before the price increase, which brings it in line with Europe and likely other zones.

Some of the other increases are totally unjustifiable, however.

**David Whiteley** · 04-02-2009, 12:38 PM

Peeked at photoprice.ca out of curiosity.

I didn't go through everything, but based on a representative sample, it looks to me like all the major online Canadian stores have now kicked in at the new pricing, except for McBain.

So best prices now generally look:

McBain
All american stores
The rest of the Canadian stores.

And yet McBain is the lone Canadian store with a price showing at photoprice.ca for the FA35--at it's up at $769!!! (Maybe they saw other stores were out & figured without competition they'd bump up the price on this particular lens).

Someone should rush over to the marketplace and buy Peter's 35 (I now *have one* and I almost did!). Or better yet, Peter should keep it--it's indeed a very sweet lens.

But for any other lens, you may have a bit of time to consider a McBain purchase, but otherwise hope has pretty much evaporated that these price hikes were exaggerated or mightn't translate into street prices.

Kei · 04-02-2009, 12:53 PM

Originally posted by David Whiteley

Peeked at photoprice.ca out of curiosity.

I didn't go through everything, but based on a representative sample, it looks to me like all the major online Canadian stores have now kicked in at the new pricing, except for McBain.

So best prices now generally look:

McBain
All american stores
The rest of the Canadian stores.

And yet McBain is the lone Canadian store with a price showing at photoprice.ca for the FA35--at it's up at $769!!! (Maybe they saw other stores were out & figured without competition they'd bump up the price on this particular lens).

Someone should rush over to the marketplace and buy Peter's 35 (I now *have one* and I almost did!). Or better yet, Peter should keep it--it's indeed a very sweet lens.

But for any other lens, you may have a bit of time to consider a McBain purchase, but otherwise hope has pretty much evaporated that these price hikes were exaggerated or mightn't translate into street prices.

If I didn't just bought the DA35 ltd for its macro I would've PM Peter for the FA35 already!

One thing to note is that McBain has a lot of lens in special order (ie: FA50 and DA40); so its not entirely sure that they will honor the pre-April prices even tho they still posted as such.

vizjerei · 04-02-2009, 01:24 PM

I see other companies start to sell FA 35mm f2 for $774.40 CDN... This is crazy, as I still remember it was not long ago I got it for around $260

Gooshin · 04-02-2009, 01:33 PM

Originally posted by vizjerei

I see other companies start to sell FA 35mm f2 for $774.40 CDN... This is crazy, as I still remember it was not long ago I got it for around $260

i bought, and sold, mine for 250 cash

KungPOW · 04-02-2009, 06:28 PM

These price changes are insane.

Did anyone notice that the "kit lens" level of glass has not increased as much?

I am thinking Pentax is about to release a series of lower cost primes, and this price bump is to give some space between the series.

Notwithstanding the reserection of the 645D, all Pentax seams to care about this last year is entry level gear. I would not be suprised to see a bunch of kit level primes (like the Nikon 35mm) to match with the K-m.

Or, this is just another price gouge.

I did notice though, that I could buy a Canon 50D and a 24-70 f2.8L for less money then I could buy all three FA Limiteds...

Maybe I should be planning my 135 format upgrade path around a company like Canon.

This is really something that is giving me pause to think about what I shoot with.

ajuett · 04-02-2009, 06:52 PM

In the digital world, if I had the money;

D700 $3290
20mm f2.8D AF Nikkor $639
50mm f1.4D AF Nikkor $369
total: $4298.00(!)

K20D $999
smc P-DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited $609
smc P-FA 50mm F1.4 $289
total: $1897.00

However, being an analog being I prefer analog devices when available...

Super Program $150 mint
M 50mm f/1.4 $125 mint
M 28mm f/3.5 $90 mint
total: $365.00 and FF

From another perspective...

That's $1532 to spend on film and developing only when comparing the K20D route.
(170 rolls, 24exp 400 ISO or 4080 photos. This includes developing, no prints.)
1 roll a week would give me 3.2 years of shots.

or

$3393 to spend on film and developing only when comparing the D700 route.
(377 rolls, 24exp 400 ISO or 9048 photos. This includes developing, no prints.)
1 roll a week would give me 7.25 years of shots.

In the case of digital 3 to 5 years estimate on a body replacement so I'd still be ahead of the game with a film SLR. Just showing figures on how realistic and relevant film still is. This is not putting digital down.
-

SimplyCreativePhotography · 04-02-2009, 08:25 PM

There was a guy on Kijiji earlier this week who was selling his 50-300 because he had upgraded to a DA*50-135. Because I was interested in a 50-135, I asked him how he liked it. In addition to telling me he loved it, he gave me a "heads up" regarding the anticipated price increase. If you can't trust a Pentaxian, who can you trust, so I quickly hopped online and bought my 50-135 from Calgary. I'll believe it when I see it but this guy saved me $600.

Makes me really glad I was lucky enough to get an FA31f1.8 from Prodigital at a best offer price of $650 USF in January. Seemed like a lot at the time but suddenly feels like a bargain.

KungPOW · 04-02-2009, 11:00 PM

If this price increase is just an exchange rate thing...

Then why are the bodies the same price, but selected lenses have jumped +60% in some cases?

I am really feeling bitter about this.

dazman · 04-03-2009, 02:58 AM

Originally posted by KungPOW

If this price increase is just an exchange rate thing...

Then why are the bodies the same price, but selected lenses have jumped +60% in some cases?

I am really feeling bitter about this.

This happened in Australia. All lenses increased 20-60%, but body prices didn't move a single dollar. We had two price increases, one in Dec 08 and again in Jan 09, with NO warning. I've been buying my lenses from Canada since the increase in Oz, but now Australia is cheaper than Canada (only just, the DA*50-135 is $1600 for example). I'll be buying from the US again now...if I decide to buy another new Pentax lens ever again?!...probably not!

I really feel for you all. Pentax is playing a dangerous game...I can understand price increases, but why not 3 or 18% across the range like Canon or Nikon? If US prices increase as well...

Samsungian · 04-03-2009, 05:40 AM

Its surprising really. Maybe Canon making glass for their own lenses really holds down costs to USA market. Many of their lenses are still boldly marked Made In Japan too & not outsourced to another country. I noticed for Australia the 5DMarkII went from $4299 to $4799 a few days ago, so thats a 10% increase on a camera.

I follow other sites: nikon & canon and both of their price increases were rumored a couple months ahead of time. I Believed, so I bought based on those rumors. These Rumors turned out to be true and for some nikon lenses quite a bit more than 18% price spike.

I'll guess USA will get hit with a sharp Pentax price increase too. But considering what I could have bought lenses from prodigital2000 2 months ago compared to B&H now I already see a sharp price increase. Like 35mm Macro LTD in Canada was $309 and B&H is $479. I passed on it at $309, why would I now want to add it at $479 or higher?

Heres the newest price link from Canon Australia:

http://www.canon.com.au/products/visual/cameras/digital_slr.html

If you ask me, Pentax is still a better value at these prices

Originally posted by dazman

This happened in Australia. All lenses increased 20-60%, but body prices didn't move a single dollar. We had two price increases, one in Dec 08 and again in Jan 09, with NO warning. I've been buying my lenses from Canada since the increase in Oz, but now Australia is cheaper than Canada (only just, the DA*50-135 is $1600 for example). I'll be buying from the US again now...if I decide to buy another new Pentax lens ever again?!...probably not!

I really feel for you all. Pentax is playing a dangerous game...I can understand price increases, but why not 3 or 18% across the range like Canon or Nikon? If US prices increase as well...

farfisa · 04-03-2009, 08:06 AM

Prodigital finally has a lens up! It's a 31 ltd for $769.99 US OBO (approx $958.18 CDN). So, still cheaper than B&H, way cheaper than anywhere in Canada right now.

I can't figure out Prodigital. Do they get US prices when they do US auctions and CDN prices when they do CDN auctions?

Originally posted by DanDriedger

There was a guy on Kijiji earlier this week who was selling his 50-300 because he had upgraded to a DA*50-135. Because I was interested in a 50-135, I asked him how he liked it. In addition to telling me he loved it, he gave me a "heads up" regarding the anticipated price increase. If you can't trust a Pentaxian, who can you trust, so I quickly hopped online and bought my 50-135 from Calgary. I'll believe it when I see it but this guy saved me $600.

Makes me really glad I was lucky enough to get an FA31f1.8 from Prodigital at a best offer price of $650 USF in January. Seemed like a lot at the time but suddenly feels like a bargain.

04-02-2009, 06:52 PM	#145
ajuett Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,100	In the digital world, if I had the money; D700 $3290 20mm f2.8D AF Nikkor $639 50mm f1.4D AF Nikkor $369 total: $4298.00(!) K20D $999 smc P-DA 21mm F3.2 AL Limited $609 smc P-FA 50mm F1.4 $289 total: $1897.00 However, being an analog being I prefer analog devices when available... Super Program $150 mint M 50mm f/1.4 $125 mint M 28mm f/3.5 $90 mint total: $365.00 and FF From another perspective... That's $1532 to spend on film and developing only when comparing the K20D route. (170 rolls, 24exp 400 ISO or 4080 photos. This includes developing, no prints.) 1 roll a week would give me 3.2 years of shots. or $3393 to spend on film and developing only when comparing the D700 route. (377 rolls, 24exp 400 ISO or 9048 photos. This includes developing, no prints.) 1 roll a week would give me 7.25 years of shots. In the case of digital 3 to 5 years estimate on a body replacement so I'd still be ahead of the game with a film SLR. Just showing figures on how realistic and relevant film still is. This is not putting digital down. - Last edited by ajuett; 04-02-2009 at 06:59 PM.

04-03-2009, 05:40 AM	#149
Samsungian Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado USA Posts: 1,337	Canon had a 3% increase last fall, Nikon 18% Feb 1st. Its surprising really. Maybe Canon making glass for their own lenses really holds down costs to USA market. Many of their lenses are still boldly marked Made In Japan too & not outsourced to another country. I noticed for Australia the 5DMarkII went from $4299 to $4799 a few days ago, so thats a 10% increase on a camera. I follow other sites: nikon & canon and both of their price increases were rumored a couple months ahead of time. I Believed, so I bought based on those rumors. These Rumors turned out to be true and for some nikon lenses quite a bit more than 18% price spike. I'll guess USA will get hit with a sharp Pentax price increase too. But considering what I could have bought lenses from prodigital2000 2 months ago compared to B&H now I already see a sharp price increase. Like 35mm Macro LTD in Canada was $309 and B&H is $479. I passed on it at $309, why would I now want to add it at $479 or higher? Heres the newest price link from Canon Australia: http://www.canon.com.au/products/visual/cameras/digital_slr.html If you ask me, Pentax is still a better value at these prices Originally posted by dazman This happened in Australia. All lenses increased 20-60%, but body prices didn't move a single dollar. We had two price increases, one in Dec 08 and again in Jan 09, with NO warning. I've been buying my lenses from Canada since the increase in Oz, but now Australia is cheaper than Canada (only just, the DA50-135 is $1600 for example). I'll be buying from the US again now...if I decide to buy another new Pentax lens ever again?!...probably not! I really feel for you all. Pentax is playing a dangerous game...I can understand price increases, but why not 3 or 18% across the range like Canon or Nikon? If US prices increase as well... Last edited by Samsungian; 04-03-2009 at 06:05 AM. Reason: I added Australia link*

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04-02-2009, 07:56 AM	#136
ajuett Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,100	The FA 43mm f/1.9 was $469 now it's $899, talk about insanity. Even though I don't have digital or AF now it is still upsetting to see Pentax do this. I'm with J. Scott. I'm staying put with what I have and forgoting about anything new for a long time.

04-02-2009, 08:06 AM	#137
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	i'm sort of glad i havent started selling off my Super Takumar stuff, before if i was to break one of my FA lenses i wouldnt feel bad, just go and buy another one, but with these prices, sheesh!

04-02-2009, 09:43 AM	#138
Sean Nelson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver BC Canada Posts: 353	Originally posted by IsaacSteiner The Pentax FA 50mm F/1.4 was $199 at Vistek, now it's $299..unreal! You know, that 50/1.4 is really still a bargain even at 1.5X the price...

04-02-2009, 11:06 AM	#139
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by IsaacSteiner The Pentax FA 50mm F/1.4 was $199 at Vistek, now it's $299..unreal! Bad example. That was an insane bargain in Canada before the price increase, which brings it in line with Europe and likely other zones. Some of the other increases are totally unjustifiable, however.

04-02-2009, 12:38 PM	#140
David Whiteley Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 372	Peeked at photoprice.ca out of curiosity. I didn't go through everything, but based on a representative sample, it looks to me like all the major online Canadian stores have now kicked in at the new pricing, except for McBain. So best prices now generally look: McBain All american stores The rest of the Canadian stores. And yet McBain is the lone Canadian store with a price showing at photoprice.ca for the FA35--at it's up at $769!!! (Maybe they saw other stores were out & figured without competition they'd bump up the price on this particular lens). Someone should rush over to the marketplace and buy Peter's 35 (I now have one and I almost did!). Or better yet, Peter should keep it--it's indeed a very sweet lens. But for any other lens, you may have a bit of time to consider a McBain purchase, but otherwise hope has pretty much evaporated that these price hikes were exaggerated or mightn't translate into street prices.

04-02-2009, 12:53 PM	#141
Kei Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 207	Originally posted by David Whiteley Peeked at photoprice.ca out of curiosity. I didn't go through everything, but based on a representative sample, it looks to me like all the major online Canadian stores have now kicked in at the new pricing, except for McBain. So best prices now generally look: McBain All american stores The rest of the Canadian stores. And yet McBain is the lone Canadian store with a price showing at photoprice.ca for the FA35--at it's up at $769!!! (Maybe they saw other stores were out & figured without competition they'd bump up the price on this particular lens). Someone should rush over to the marketplace and buy Peter's 35 (I now have one and I almost did!). Or better yet, Peter should keep it--it's indeed a very sweet lens. But for any other lens, you may have a bit of time to consider a McBain purchase, but otherwise hope has pretty much evaporated that these price hikes were exaggerated or mightn't translate into street prices. If I didn't just bought the DA35 ltd for its macro I would've PM Peter for the FA35 already! One thing to note is that McBain has a lot of lens in special order (ie: FA50 and DA40); so its not entirely sure that they will honor the pre-April prices even tho they still posted as such.

04-02-2009, 01:24 PM	#142
vizjerei Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,418	I see other companies start to sell FA 35mm f2 for $774.40 CDN... This is crazy, as I still remember it was not long ago I got it for around $260

04-02-2009, 01:33 PM	#143
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	Originally posted by vizjerei I see other companies start to sell FA 35mm f2 for $774.40 CDN... This is crazy, as I still remember it was not long ago I got it for around $260 i bought, and sold, mine for 250 cash

04-02-2009, 06:28 PM	#144
KungPOW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,699	These price changes are insane. Did anyone notice that the "kit lens" level of glass has not increased as much? I am thinking Pentax is about to release a series of lower cost primes, and this price bump is to give some space between the series. Notwithstanding the reserection of the 645D, all Pentax seams to care about this last year is entry level gear. I would not be suprised to see a bunch of kit level primes (like the Nikon 35mm) to match with the K-m. Or, this is just another price gouge. I did notice though, that I could buy a Canon 50D and a 24-70 f2.8L for less money then I could buy all three FA Limiteds... Maybe I should be planning my 135 format upgrade path around a company like Canon. This is really something that is giving me pause to think about what I shoot with.

04-02-2009, 08:25 PM	#146
SimplyCreativePhotography Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Drayton, Ontario, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 264	There was a guy on Kijiji earlier this week who was selling his 50-300 because he had upgraded to a DA*50-135. Because I was interested in a 50-135, I asked him how he liked it. In addition to telling me he loved it, he gave me a "heads up" regarding the anticipated price increase. If you can't trust a Pentaxian, who can you trust, so I quickly hopped online and bought my 50-135 from Calgary. I'll believe it when I see it but this guy saved me $600. Makes me really glad I was lucky enough to get an FA31f1.8 from Prodigital at a best offer price of $650 USF in January. Seemed like a lot at the time but suddenly feels like a bargain.

04-02-2009, 11:00 PM	#147
KungPOW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,699	If this price increase is just an exchange rate thing... Then why are the bodies the same price, but selected lenses have jumped +60% in some cases? I am really feeling bitter about this.

04-03-2009, 02:58 AM	#148
dazman Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,949	Originally posted by KungPOW If this price increase is just an exchange rate thing... Then why are the bodies the same price, but selected lenses have jumped +60% in some cases? I am really feeling bitter about this. This happened in Australia. All lenses increased 20-60%, but body prices didn't move a single dollar. We had two price increases, one in Dec 08 and again in Jan 09, with NO warning. I've been buying my lenses from Canada since the increase in Oz, but now Australia is cheaper than Canada (only just, the DA*50-135 is $1600 for example). I'll be buying from the US again now...if I decide to buy another new Pentax lens ever again?!...probably not! I really feel for you all. Pentax is playing a dangerous game...I can understand price increases, but why not 3 or 18% across the range like Canon or Nikon? If US prices increase as well...

04-03-2009, 08:06 AM	#150
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274 Original Poster	Prodigital finally has a lens up! It's a 31 ltd for $769.99 US OBO (approx $958.18 CDN). So, still cheaper than B&H, way cheaper than anywhere in Canada right now. I can't figure out Prodigital. Do they get US prices when they do US auctions and CDN prices when they do CDN auctions? Originally posted by DanDriedger There was a guy on Kijiji earlier this week who was selling his 50-300 because he had upgraded to a DA*50-135. Because I was interested in a 50-135, I asked him how he liked it. In addition to telling me he loved it, he gave me a "heads up" regarding the anticipated price increase. If you can't trust a Pentaxian, who can you trust, so I quickly hopped online and bought my 50-135 from Calgary. I'll believe it when I see it but this guy saved me $600. Makes me really glad I was lucky enough to get an FA31f1.8 from Prodigital at a best offer price of $650 USF in January. Seemed like a lot at the time but suddenly feels like a bargain.