[alsterling]

Well, even without all the details, NOW you got me thinking I bought too early? I just hauled off and bought the 16-45mm f4 zoom for my K10d through prodigital2000 in Eastern Canada. The "buy now" price on Ebay is $310 US, and that's FOB my destination here in SoCal. So now, I'm wondering if Pentax is giving that $50 kickback only to Canadian residents, or a US resident that purchased "from a Canadian vendor?"

BTW... I Googled the net and searched this forum for anything I could read that would bolster my confidence in buying this lense. All I have for lense inventory now are my SMC-M lenses; 15mm-3.5, 28mm-2.8, 50mm-1.7, 100mm+macro 4.0, and a Vivitar Auto Zoom 100-300mm + close focus 5.0 Yes, they're all great hunks'a glass, but I'm wondering how they fare up against the newer digital-compatible lenses?

Because I've never been able to experience the many auto-functions of either the ist-D that I just sold, or this new K10d, I figured I'd get just one "all-around" wide to portrait. My only concession on the 16-45mm was the very short portrait focal length. I should probably start another thread for comments on the 16-45mm and 16-50mm. I am wondering how long it'll be before I make the next jump to the K20d? I've always said that being able to eeck out 80% of everything an older model can do, is better than only using 50% utility of next model up. That's my rationalization for not buying the K20d right now... or going a bit further?

[alsterling]

I just read your comments on lense prices being lower a year or two back... but even with that, when I scanned all the available offerings for the 16-45mm f4, and considering that a new lense, FOB anywhere in the continental US, is only $310, the "used" prices on Ebay, (assuming these lenses are at least a year or two, if not older), didn't really make much sense? Unless I'm missing something, saving maybe $50-$60 on a used lense, without any warranty, didn't support the sale. And from my other reply, I'm still wondering what the purchasing conditions are to meet the rebate? Usually here in the US, national rebates are just that; available to US residents only.

[Alfisti]

The cheaper lenses didn't feel the pain, the limiteds, the 12-24, 35 and 50 primes and the * lenses got whacked.

In September 08 i snared the 77 ltd and 12-24 from Aden for $1200. For both of them! That's now $2100 from the same store!

ANyone buying the DA limites new is nuts, they don't hold their value and go for decent prices on the marketplace here, i picked mine up my 21 used under $400. The 70 is like half the price of the going new price which is what, over $700 with taxes.

[snofox]

You can get the 12-24mm lens from Vistek for $1099 Canadian before the rebate. I priced one last year (July) in Fredericton: $1200. So I bought a Sigma 10 -20 with a 10 year warranty, and couldn't be happier with the price or the performance. Because of Pentax' price hikes over the past year, I always check out Sigma's prices FIRST, before I check out Pentax' lineup and reviews. Especially if it's an SDM type lens: Sigma's 10 year warranty counts even more then.

Are Pentax trying to drive themselves right out of business, or what?

[Clicker]

Sweet its now just an Arm, instead of an Arm and a Leg!

LOL if they revert overnight to the old prices then i'll reconsider.

[Miserere]

BTW... I Googled the net and searched this forum for anything I could read that would bolster my confidence in buying this lense.

Surely you found plenty of good stuff said about this lens, no? I've only ever handled it once, but I'm tired of reading glowing reviews from users everywhere. As far as I can tell, Pentax got it just right with this lens. You won't be disappointed.

But I would recommend you buy something longer for portraits, or use your 50mm f/1.7 wide open.

.

[enoxatnep]

One of the better bangs for your buck with this rebate has to be the $50 off the fisheye, especially when places like The Camera Store have it for $470 CDN after the rebate. This is not far off the price before the huge increases of March 2009 in Canada. Wait a minute ... I think it was about $420 before the increase, so I guess this is like a half-way compromise. It's still a lot better than $700 for the 12-24 before the increase and $1,100-$1,200 afterward.

[vizjerei]

I just know that I need to baby all my lens right now... I have been too rough with my 35 f2 as it is my every day lens.. now it worth more than 2.5 times the price... should have bought several copies b4... and hide them from my future wife..

[jhilla]

I thought it was amazing when I went to pay for my K-x and it showed the 2 year warranty on the box but the pricing difference between lenses here in Canada compared to the US is just another way Canadians get hosed.