Lens Price Drops, Toronto?

**Clarkey** · 12-23-2009, 07:29 AM

Originally posted by brecklundin

but...but...ummmm...you can buy the 50-135 for $819 at Amazon tonight and have it to your house by Wednesday for an extra $4 if you have Amazon Prime...Canada prices are still higher than the US price as a rule since the exchange rate is about even right now (94% of the CDN price gives a reasonable estimate of the price in USD)

Yeah, you are correct, still cheaper in US, just the warranty concerns and making sure you avoid UPS like the plague for "brokerage charges" = rip off. Also supporting local Pentax company (about 5mins up the road from where I live) and further price reductions.......

RBellavance · 12-23-2009, 07:50 AM

And you get a 2-year warranty if you buy in Canada, vs. the 1-year "international" warranty for items bought in the U.S.

Clicker · 12-23-2009, 04:59 PM

Was on my way to Aden in the local mall to get either or both K7 or/and 16-50/50-135 but they were busy so i was walking around ended up spending some of the budgeted cash for Fenix flashlights so either use CC or walk...i walked LOL, i'll try again tomorrow

When it comes to getting my own Christmas present i'm such a donkey most times

esman7 · 12-29-2009, 03:55 PM

Where would you guys suggest a 16-50mm DA* from? I know there's historic QA/QC issues, and I would prefer to buy it in the US (currently listed at $745 USD) vs. ~$900 + tax CAD up north.

If I buy in the US, can I get it serviced here in Canada if need be? Under the 1 year international warranty?

Or better yet... anyone know of a reputable e-tailer in Canada that's selling the lens <$850 CAD?

Thanks.

jamonation · 12-29-2009, 04:25 PM

esman, prodigital2000 on ebay has them for ~$915 CAD. That doesn't include taxes, but free shipping. Comes with a 1 year International warranty. Despite the fact that they ship with UPS, they're based out of southern Ontario, so no brokerage fees.

esman7 · 12-29-2009, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by jamonation

esman, prodigital2000 on ebay has them for ~$915 CAD. That doesn't include taxes, but free shipping. Comes with a 1 year International warranty. Despite the fact that they ship with UPS, they're based out of southern Ontario, so no brokerage fees.

Funny you mentioned that. Prodigital2000 was exactly who I was referring to

Thanks anyway jamonation.

Does anybody know if US-purchased lenses have to go to Golden, CO to be fixed or can they go to Mississauga, ON if you live in Canada but bought the lens down south?

brecklundin · 12-29-2009, 06:43 PM

Just in case ya din't know this but Pentax gear no longer goes to CO...CRIS in AZ is the company which does the repair work for Pentx in the US now.

It is my understanding the whole reason for getting the International Warranty card is so the lens will be service in your country...otherwise what would the point of having that option?

esman7 · 12-29-2009, 06:56 PM

Originally posted by brecklundin

Just in case ya din't know this but Pentax gear no longer goes to CO...CRIS in AZ is the company which does the repair work for Pentx in the US now.

It is my understanding the whole reason for getting the International Warranty card is so the lens will be service in your country...otherwise what would the point of having that option?

I agree, but I have no idea where and who does repairs.

Furansu · 12-29-2009, 11:32 PM

Got my DA* 16-50mm for Christmas at CAD 800$.

I saw the DA* 50-135mm at CAD 850$ after having bought it at CAD 1000$ last May 2009...

esman7 · 12-29-2009, 11:43 PM

Originally posted by Furansu

Got my DA* 16-50mm for Christmas at CAD 800$.

I saw the DA* 50-135mm at CAD 850$ after having bought it at CAD 1000$ last May 2009...

Where'd you get your 16-50mm from???

Furansu · 12-30-2009, 12:00 AM

The prices are from Broadway Camera (two stores in Vancouver and Richmond) : they do the sale until Jan 08, 2010.

To save you time, no need for you to go there, both of them have no more DA*16-50 or 50-135mm. But I saw the DA* 60-250mm at CAD 1600$.

So you go straight to your nearest London Drugs store where you can find these nice lenses, and when you're about to pay, you tell them that you saw a cheaper price at Broadway Camera. Couple of minutes after checking at Broadway's website, they'll be glad to offer you a CAD 300$ discount

esman7 · 12-30-2009, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by Furansu

The prices are from Broadway Camera (two stores in Vancouver and Richmond) : they do the sale until Jan 08, 2010.

To save you time, no need for you to go there, both of them have no more DA*16-50 or 50-135mm. But I saw the DA* 60-250mm at CAD 1600$.

So you go straight to your nearest London Drugs store where you can find these nice lenses, and when you're about to pay, you tell them that you saw a cheaper price at Broadway Camera. Couple of minutes after checking at Broadway's website, they'll be glad to offer you a CAD 300$ discount

That's exactly what I'll do

My only concern lies with the fact that some stores (e.g. Future Shop) will not match unless the product is in stock at the comparing merchant.

Furansu · 12-30-2009, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by esman7

That's exactly what I'll do

My only concern lies with the fact that some stores (e.g. Future Shop) will not match unless the product is in stock at the comparing merchant.

The same for London Drugs. But it is not written on the site of Broadway if they are out of stock or not. Otherwise, you still can go to London Drugs when Broadway's closed.
When I went there, Broadway was open, and they didn't even call. It was like they didn't mind lowering the price by CAD 300$.

jboyde · 12-30-2009, 02:27 PM

After reading this thread I checked Amazon. These price drops look real. For example, the Pentax 16-45 is $349. Wasn't it >$500 a few months ago? The FA50 is still about $350 though.

Hopefully these prices are leveling out after the Christmas rush. Right now, I can't complain about how much theyre charging. Its definitely more fair.

brecklundin · 12-30-2009, 11:50 PM

As I recall, the 16-45 was recently discontinued so that would explain the big price drop. That seems to be the pattern when old stock is being cleared out. In my book that's a super price for the lense even though it's a DA w/o aperture ring and only an f4, the shots posted here on PF seem consistently excellent.

But that price is likely only going to stick until stock excess is reduced to very low levels then it will increase because it's then harder to find a new copy. Same happened with the Sigma 24-60...it was $199 for about a year but now, if you can find a new copy it's around $350-$399US.

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12-23-2009, 07:29 AM	#16
Clarkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brampton, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,456 Original Poster	Originally posted by brecklundin but...but...ummmm...you can buy the 50-135 for $819 at Amazon tonight and have it to your house by Wednesday for an extra $4 if you have Amazon Prime...Canada prices are still higher than the US price as a rule since the exchange rate is about even right now (94% of the CDN price gives a reasonable estimate of the price in USD) Yeah, you are correct, still cheaper in US, just the warranty concerns and making sure you avoid UPS like the plague for "brokerage charges" = rip off. Also supporting local Pentax company (about 5mins up the road from where I live) and further price reductions.......

12-23-2009, 07:50 AM	#17
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	And you get a 2-year warranty if you buy in Canada, vs. the 1-year "international" warranty for items bought in the U.S.

12-23-2009, 04:59 PM	#18
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	Was on my way to Aden in the local mall to get either or both K7 or/and 16-50/50-135 but they were busy so i was walking around ended up spending some of the budgeted cash for Fenix flashlights so either use CC or walk...i walked LOL, i'll try again tomorrow When it comes to getting my own Christmas present i'm such a donkey most times

12-29-2009, 03:55 PM	#19
esman7 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 322	Where would you guys suggest a 16-50mm DA* from? I know there's historic QA/QC issues, and I would prefer to buy it in the US (currently listed at $745 USD) vs. ~$900 + tax CAD up north. If I buy in the US, can I get it serviced here in Canada if need be? Under the 1 year international warranty? Or better yet... anyone know of a reputable e-tailer in Canada that's selling the lens <$850 CAD? Thanks.

12-29-2009, 04:25 PM	#20
jamonation Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 364	esman, prodigital2000 on ebay has them for ~$915 CAD. That doesn't include taxes, but free shipping. Comes with a 1 year International warranty. Despite the fact that they ship with UPS, they're based out of southern Ontario, so no brokerage fees.

12-29-2009, 04:33 PM	#21
esman7 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 322	Originally posted by jamonation esman, prodigital2000 on ebay has them for ~$915 CAD. That doesn't include taxes, but free shipping. Comes with a 1 year International warranty. Despite the fact that they ship with UPS, they're based out of southern Ontario, so no brokerage fees. Funny you mentioned that. Prodigital2000 was exactly who I was referring to Thanks anyway jamonation. Does anybody know if US-purchased lenses have to go to Golden, CO to be fixed or can they go to Mississauga, ON if you live in Canada but bought the lens down south?

12-29-2009, 06:43 PM	#22
brecklundin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,674	Just in case ya din't know this but Pentax gear no longer goes to CO...CRIS in AZ is the company which does the repair work for Pentx in the US now. It is my understanding the whole reason for getting the International Warranty card is so the lens will be service in your country...otherwise what would the point of having that option?

12-29-2009, 06:56 PM	#23
esman7 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 322	Originally posted by brecklundin Just in case ya din't know this but Pentax gear no longer goes to CO...CRIS in AZ is the company which does the repair work for Pentx in the US now. It is my understanding the whole reason for getting the International Warranty card is so the lens will be service in your country...otherwise what would the point of having that option? I agree, but I have no idea where and who does repairs.

12-29-2009, 11:32 PM	#24
Furansu Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 69	Got my DA* 16-50mm for Christmas at CAD 800$. I saw the DA* 50-135mm at CAD 850$ after having bought it at CAD 1000$ last May 2009...

12-29-2009, 11:43 PM	#25
esman7 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 322	Originally posted by Furansu Got my DA* 16-50mm for Christmas at CAD 800$. I saw the DA* 50-135mm at CAD 850$ after having bought it at CAD 1000$ last May 2009... Where'd you get your 16-50mm from???

12-30-2009, 12:00 AM	#26
Furansu Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 69	The prices are from Broadway Camera (two stores in Vancouver and Richmond) : they do the sale until Jan 08, 2010. To save you time, no need for you to go there, both of them have no more DA16-50 or 50-135mm. But I saw the DA 60-250mm at CAD 1600$. So you go straight to your nearest London Drugs store where you can find these nice lenses, and when you're about to pay, you tell them that you saw a cheaper price at Broadway Camera. Couple of minutes after checking at Broadway's website, they'll be glad to offer you a CAD 300$ discount

12-30-2009, 12:31 PM	#27
esman7 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 322	Originally posted by Furansu The prices are from Broadway Camera (two stores in Vancouver and Richmond) : they do the sale until Jan 08, 2010. To save you time, no need for you to go there, both of them have no more DA16-50 or 50-135mm. But I saw the DA 60-250mm at CAD 1600$. So you go straight to your nearest London Drugs store where you can find these nice lenses, and when you're about to pay, you tell them that you saw a cheaper price at Broadway Camera. Couple of minutes after checking at Broadway's website, they'll be glad to offer you a CAD 300$ discount That's exactly what I'll do My only concern lies with the fact that some stores (e.g. Future Shop) will not match unless the product is in stock at the comparing merchant.

12-30-2009, 01:01 PM	#28
Furansu Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 69	Originally posted by esman7 That's exactly what I'll do My only concern lies with the fact that some stores (e.g. Future Shop) will not match unless the product is in stock at the comparing merchant. The same for London Drugs. But it is not written on the site of Broadway if they are out of stock or not. Otherwise, you still can go to London Drugs when Broadway's closed. When I went there, Broadway was open, and they didn't even call. It was like they didn't mind lowering the price by CAD 300$.

12-30-2009, 02:27 PM	#29
jboyde Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York Posts: 328	After reading this thread I checked Amazon. These price drops look real. For example, the Pentax 16-45 is $349. Wasn't it >$500 a few months ago? The FA50 is still about $350 though. Hopefully these prices are leveling out after the Christmas rush. Right now, I can't complain about how much theyre charging. Its definitely more fair.

12-30-2009, 11:50 PM	#30
brecklundin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,674	As I recall, the 16-45 was recently discontinued so that would explain the big price drop. That seems to be the pattern when old stock is being cleared out. In my book that's a super price for the lense even though it's a DA w/o aperture ring and only an f4, the shots posted here on PF seem consistently excellent. But that price is likely only going to stick until stock excess is reduced to very low levels then it will increase because it's then harder to find a new copy. Same happened with the Sigma 24-60...it was $199 for about a year but now, if you can find a new copy it's around $350-$399US.