The good old days of Pentax advertizing

Chako · 08-24-2007, 06:00 PM

I was rummaging in my old stuff and found the old Pentax accessory catalogs. There was a time, when you bought a Pentax camera, you would get these, or the local photo shop would have a bunch and give you one when you asked for one.

I have been looking in vain for something like this, only 20+ years younger...as in right now!

I know Pentax is doing their whole Pentaxian thing, etc. I won't go into what I think of that, as there are several threads already started and possibly finished, on that topic.

However, when is Pentax going to publish new ones? It is almost as if they are ashamed of their meager production line.

Here is the list of lenses to be found in these booklets. Just to show you how extensive their production line was...

(Pentax M Series)
28mm f/3.5 Shift
35mm f2.8
50mm f/2.0
85mm f/2.2 Soft
100mm f/4.0 Macro
120mm f/2.8
135mm f/3.5
150mm f/3.5
200mm f/4.0
500mm f/4.5
1000mm f/8.0
1000mm f/11 Reflex
2000mm f/13.5 Reflex
28-50mm f/3.5-4.5
75-150mm f/4.0
134-600mm f/6.7
400-600mm f/8.0-12 Reflex

(Pentax A Series)
15mm f/3.5
16mm f/2.8 fisheye
20mm f/2.8
24mm f/2.8
28mm f/2.0
28mm f/2.8
35mm f/2.0
35mm f/2.8
50mm f/1.2
50mm f/1.7
50mm f/1.4
50mm f2.8 Macro
85mm f/1.4
100mm f/2.8
100mm f/2.8 Macro
100mm f/4.0 Macro
135mm f/1.8
135mm f/2.8
200mm f/2.8 ED IF
200mm f/4.0
200mm f/4.0 Macro
300mm f/2.8 ED IF
300mm f/4.0
400mm f/2.8 ED IF
400mm f/5.6
600mm f/5.6 ED IF
1200mm f/8.0 ED IF
24-50mm f/4.0
28-135mm f/4.0
35-70 mm f/4.0
35-105mm f/3.5
70-210mm f/4.0

35-70mm f/2.8 ME-F Zoom

(Pentax F Series)
50mm f/1.4
50mm f/1.7
50mm f/2.8 Macro
28mm f/2.8
100mm f/2.8 Macro
135mm f/2.8
300mm f/4.5
600mm f/4.0 ED IF
24-50mm f/4.0
28-80mm f/3.5-4.5
35-70mm f/3.5-4.5
35-135mm f/3.5-4.5
70-210mm f/4.0-5.6
250-600mm f/5.6 ED IF

So let’s hope that more lenses are on their way, and more product brochures. If anyone at Pentax reads this, we are waiting for some literature. Thank you.

Last edited by Chako; 08-24-2007 at 06:07 PM.

mopar_man · 08-24-2007, 06:20 PM

I wouldn't mind getting a current booklet like that either. I love picking up stuff like this for items that I own whether it's a car, camera or whatever.

vinzer · 08-24-2007, 09:40 PM

Originally posted by mopar_man

I wouldn't mind getting a current booklet like that either. I love picking up stuff like this for items that I own whether it's a car, camera or whatever.

Me too! I have this small collection of camera pamphlets, even though I'm not interested to buy most of those items.

As a side note, to highlight the difference in advertising between Canon and Pentax (at least in the Philippines), Canon's pamphlet for the 400D is glossy, about 11x8, and a couple of pages long. It reads like a car pamphlet, the glitzy ones.

The K10D's pamphlet felt like and is as big as a magazine page, and folded into three sections. Kinda like some informational pamphlet you'd get from some health center.

What's more ironic is that the K10D has way more features than the 400D (it's also marketed to the more discerning photographer), yet they try to jam it all in one smallish pamphlet.

I downloaded the more impressive brochure of the K10D from Pentax, and it's probably a gaffe of the official distributor here to cut costs in marketing. It's also a wasted chance since they could market their products here as being "Proudly Filipino-Made", which might tip the scales in Pentax's favor for some locals. Then again, most locals here have colonial mentality, and they think Philippine-made products are inferior. But I digress.

I'd love to be able to get my hands on a real K10D brochure. You think Pentax would be willing to mail me one?

xtol · 08-27-2007, 02:18 PM

I would keep them forever. ; -)

stewart_photo · 08-27-2007, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by Chako

I was rummaging in my old stuff and found the old Pentax accessory catalogs. (snip) I have been looking in vain for something like this, only 20+ years younger... as in right now! (snip) However, when is Pentax going to publish new ones? It is almost as if they are ashamed of their meager production line. (snip) If anyone at Pentax reads this, we are waiting for some literature. Thank you.

The problem does not rest with Pentax alone. According to standard business practices (in many industries, not just photo), dealers and stores are typically expected to pay for the brochures and other promotional items provided to their customers (just as stores pay for the products sold to their customers). As the cost of commercial printing has skyrocketed, obviously fewer and fewer stores are willing to spend so much money on expensive, multi-page, color booklets. Manufacturers have responded by offering either lower-cost abridged pamplets, a limited supply of free pamplets, or forgoing printed POS (point-of-sale) advertising altogether.

However, the booklets you describe may still be available, with your particular store simply not offering it. If you request it, and are willing to pay the bulk wholesale purchase price for between 25 through 500 booklets (depending on the manufacturer), your store may indeed be willing to obtain one for you.

stewart

Chako · 08-27-2007, 09:30 PM

No I checked. Pentax does not make anything like these anymore.

Likewise, the two bottom ones came with Pentax cameras...inside the box. The left one, with the SF10, the other, with the P3.

The others except for the SF10 brochure, I picked up at the local camera shop in the mid 80s. That SF10 (circa 1989) brochure actually sold me into buying an SF10 in my teens. I was wavering, but after drooling over it for a few weeks, it sealed the deal if you will.

I think it is a shame that I can trip over Canon and Nikon advertising and yes, equipment and accessory booklets, and yet, nothing from Pentax. That is my point.

stewart_photo · 08-28-2007, 04:00 AM

Originally posted by Chako

No I checked. Pentax does not make anything like these anymore.

LOL. I was joking. That should have been obvious when I suggested you pay the bulk wholesale purchase price for 25 through 500 booklets.

Quote:

Likewise, the two bottom ones came with Pentax cameras...inside the box.

What I said about skyrocketing commercial printing costs applies here as well. It's simply getting too expensive for most companies to continue producing expensive brochures.

Quote:

I think it is a shame that I can trip over Canon and Nikon advertising and yes, equipment and accessory booklets, and yet, nothing from Pentax. That is my point.

Given the comparative advertising budgets and sales volume, that shouldn't be too surprising. At the moment, I'd prefer Pentax continue spending money to produce fancy cameras (lenses, etc) rather than fancy brochures.

stewart

hefty1 · 09-13-2007, 04:00 PM

I know it's not quite the same as having a printed brochure in your hand (or spilling over the counter of your local camera shop), but you can download a PDF of the current Pentax catalogue from the Pentax UK site.

Apologies if that's been covered before but I'm new around here and just having a browse...

Chako · 09-13-2007, 05:02 PM

Thanks for the heads up. Looks like Pentax UK is more on the ball then Pentax Canada or US.

Sorry Stewart. It never crossed my mind that you were joking lol.

Peter Zack · 09-13-2007, 10:32 PM

Originally posted by hefty1

I know it's not quite the same as having a printed brochure in your hand (or spilling over the counter of your local camera shop), but you can download a PDF of the current Pentax catalogue from the Pentax UK site.

Apologies if that's been covered before but I'm new around here and just having a browse...

I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY WOULD INCLUDE THE FA* lenses pictured in the brochure. There have been 100's of posts regarding the lack of decent long glass (pretty sad when the DA 50-200 is as long as it gets) and they show lenses that have been out of the line for 3+ years. Geez I wish they would bring back a couple of those lenses. Since all the engineering is done, you'd think it would just be a case of running a limited production.

Chako · 09-14-2007, 03:41 AM

I agree about the surprise of seeing that lens lineup photo in the brochure. It only highlights how meager their current lens lineup is right now.

I noticed the lack of the Pentax 2x magnifier FB. I take it I was real lucky to get a new one from Pentax Canada 2 weeks ago as it must be now discontinued?

mcleoud151 · 09-29-2007, 02:34 PM

AWESOME! I nearly shed a tear in remembrance of my SF10!!!! My first SLR of my own! :-)

angerdan · 12-22-2020, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by hefty1

I know it's not quite the same as having a printed brochure in your hand (or spilling over the counter of your local camera shop), but you can download a PDF of the current Pentax catalogue from the Pentax UK site.

Anyone has a copy of the file "DSLR_Lenses_Catalogue_UK.pdf" left and can send it to me?

08-24-2007, 06:00 PM	#1
Chako Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sault Ste Marie, Ont, Canada. Posts: 563	The good old days of Pentax advertizing I was rummaging in my old stuff and found the old Pentax accessory catalogs. There was a time, when you bought a Pentax camera, you would get these, or the local photo shop would have a bunch and give you one when you asked for one. I have been looking in vain for something like this, only 20+ years younger...as in right now! I know Pentax is doing their whole Pentaxian thing, etc. I won't go into what I think of that, as there are several threads already started and possibly finished, on that topic. However, when is Pentax going to publish new ones? It is almost as if they are ashamed of their meager production line. Here is the list of lenses to be found in these booklets. Just to show you how extensive their production line was... (Pentax M Series) 28mm f/3.5 Shift 35mm f2.8 50mm f/2.0 85mm f/2.2 Soft 100mm f/4.0 Macro 120mm f/2.8 135mm f/3.5 150mm f/3.5 200mm f/4.0 500mm f/4.5 1000mm f/8.0 1000mm f/11 Reflex 2000mm f/13.5 Reflex 28-50mm f/3.5-4.5 75-150mm f/4.0 134-600mm f/6.7 400-600mm f/8.0-12 Reflex (Pentax A Series) 15mm f/3.5 16mm f/2.8 fisheye 20mm f/2.8 24mm f/2.8 28mm f/2.0 28mm f/2.8 35mm f/2.0 35mm f/2.8 50mm f/1.2 50mm f/1.7 50mm f/1.4 50mm f2.8 Macro 85mm f/1.4 100mm f/2.8 100mm f/2.8 Macro 100mm f/4.0 Macro 135mm f/1.8 135mm f/2.8 200mm f/2.8 ED IF 200mm f/4.0 200mm f/4.0 Macro 300mm f/2.8 ED IF 300mm f/4.0 400mm f/2.8 ED IF 400mm f/5.6 600mm f/5.6 ED IF 1200mm f/8.0 ED IF 24-50mm f/4.0 28-135mm f/4.0 35-70 mm f/4.0 35-105mm f/3.5 70-210mm f/4.0 35-70mm f/2.8 ME-F Zoom (Pentax F Series) 50mm f/1.4 50mm f/1.7 50mm f/2.8 Macro 28mm f/2.8 100mm f/2.8 Macro 135mm f/2.8 300mm f/4.5 600mm f/4.0 ED IF 24-50mm f/4.0 28-80mm f/3.5-4.5 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 70-210mm f/4.0-5.6 250-600mm f/5.6 ED IF So let’s hope that more lenses are on their way, and more product brochures. If anyone at Pentax reads this, we are waiting for some literature. Thank you. Last edited by Chako; 08-24-2007 at 06:07 PM.

08-27-2007, 02:18 PM	#4
xtol Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1	Can I buy these from you? I would keep them forever. ; -)

09-13-2007, 05:02 PM	#9
Chako Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sault Ste Marie, Ont, Canada. Posts: 563 Original Poster	Thanks for the heads up. Looks like Pentax UK is more on the ball then Pentax Canada or US. Sorry Stewart. It never crossed my mind that you were joking lol. Last edited by Chako; 09-13-2007 at 05:08 PM.

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08-24-2007, 06:20 PM	#2
mopar_man Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 108	I wouldn't mind getting a current booklet like that either. I love picking up stuff like this for items that I own whether it's a car, camera or whatever.

08-24-2007, 09:40 PM	#3
vinzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Philippines Posts: 1,399	Originally posted by mopar_man I wouldn't mind getting a current booklet like that either. I love picking up stuff like this for items that I own whether it's a car, camera or whatever. Me too! I have this small collection of camera pamphlets, even though I'm not interested to buy most of those items. As a side note, to highlight the difference in advertising between Canon and Pentax (at least in the Philippines), Canon's pamphlet for the 400D is glossy, about 11x8, and a couple of pages long. It reads like a car pamphlet, the glitzy ones. The K10D's pamphlet felt like and is as big as a magazine page, and folded into three sections. Kinda like some informational pamphlet you'd get from some health center. What's more ironic is that the K10D has way more features than the 400D (it's also marketed to the more discerning photographer), yet they try to jam it all in one smallish pamphlet. I downloaded the more impressive brochure of the K10D from Pentax, and it's probably a gaffe of the official distributor here to cut costs in marketing. It's also a wasted chance since they could market their products here as being "Proudly Filipino-Made", which might tip the scales in Pentax's favor for some locals. Then again, most locals here have colonial mentality, and they think Philippine-made products are inferior. But I digress. I'd love to be able to get my hands on a real K10D brochure. You think Pentax would be willing to mail me one?

08-27-2007, 05:42 PM	#5
stewart_photo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 1,864	Originally posted by Chako I was rummaging in my old stuff and found the old Pentax accessory catalogs. (snip) I have been looking in vain for something like this, only 20+ years younger... as in right now! (snip) However, when is Pentax going to publish new ones? It is almost as if they are ashamed of their meager production line. (snip) If anyone at Pentax reads this, we are waiting for some literature. Thank you. The problem does not rest with Pentax alone. According to standard business practices (in many industries, not just photo), dealers and stores are typically expected to pay for the brochures and other promotional items provided to their customers (just as stores pay for the products sold to their customers). As the cost of commercial printing has skyrocketed, obviously fewer and fewer stores are willing to spend so much money on expensive, multi-page, color booklets. Manufacturers have responded by offering either lower-cost abridged pamplets, a limited supply of free pamplets, or forgoing printed POS (point-of-sale) advertising altogether. However, the booklets you describe may still be available, with your particular store simply not offering it. If you request it, and are willing to pay the bulk wholesale purchase price for between 25 through 500 booklets (depending on the manufacturer), your store may indeed be willing to obtain one for you. stewart

08-27-2007, 09:30 PM	#6
Chako Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sault Ste Marie, Ont, Canada. Posts: 563 Original Poster	No I checked. Pentax does not make anything like these anymore. Likewise, the two bottom ones came with Pentax cameras...inside the box. The left one, with the SF10, the other, with the P3. The others except for the SF10 brochure, I picked up at the local camera shop in the mid 80s. That SF10 (circa 1989) brochure actually sold me into buying an SF10 in my teens. I was wavering, but after drooling over it for a few weeks, it sealed the deal if you will. I think it is a shame that I can trip over Canon and Nikon advertising and yes, equipment and accessory booklets, and yet, nothing from Pentax. That is my point.

08-28-2007, 04:00 AM	#7
stewart_photo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 1,864	Originally posted by Chako No I checked. Pentax does not make anything like these anymore. LOL. I was joking. That should have been obvious when I suggested you pay the bulk wholesale purchase price for 25 through 500 booklets. Quote: Likewise, the two bottom ones came with Pentax cameras...inside the box. What I said about skyrocketing commercial printing costs applies here as well. It's simply getting too expensive for most companies to continue producing expensive brochures. Quote: I think it is a shame that I can trip over Canon and Nikon advertising and yes, equipment and accessory booklets, and yet, nothing from Pentax. That is my point. Given the comparative advertising budgets and sales volume, that shouldn't be too surprising. At the moment, I'd prefer Pentax continue spending money to produce fancy cameras (lenses, etc) rather than fancy brochures. stewart

09-13-2007, 04:00 PM	#8
hefty1 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Buckinghamshire, UK Posts: 30	I know it's not quite the same as having a printed brochure in your hand (or spilling over the counter of your local camera shop), but you can download a PDF of the current Pentax catalogue from the Pentax UK site. Apologies if that's been covered before but I'm new around here and just having a browse...

09-13-2007, 10:32 PM	#10
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Originally posted by hefty1 I know it's not quite the same as having a printed brochure in your hand (or spilling over the counter of your local camera shop), but you can download a PDF of the current Pentax catalogue from the Pentax UK site. Apologies if that's been covered before but I'm new around here and just having a browse... I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY WOULD INCLUDE THE FA* lenses pictured in the brochure. There have been 100's of posts regarding the lack of decent long glass (pretty sad when the DA 50-200 is as long as it gets) and they show lenses that have been out of the line for 3+ years. Geez I wish they would bring back a couple of those lenses. Since all the engineering is done, you'd think it would just be a case of running a limited production.

09-14-2007, 03:41 AM	#11
Chako Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sault Ste Marie, Ont, Canada. Posts: 563 Original Poster	I agree about the surprise of seeing that lens lineup photo in the brochure. It only highlights how meager their current lens lineup is right now. I noticed the lack of the Pentax 2x magnifier FB. I take it I was real lucky to get a new one from Pentax Canada 2 weeks ago as it must be now discontinued?

09-29-2007, 02:34 PM	#12
mcleoud151 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oregon Coast Photos: Gallery Posts: 272	AWESOME! I nearly shed a tear in remembrance of my SF10!!!! My first SLR of my own! :-)

12-22-2020, 12:34 PM	#13
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,639	Originally posted by hefty1 I know it's not quite the same as having a printed brochure in your hand (or spilling over the counter of your local camera shop), but you can download a PDF of the current Pentax catalogue from the Pentax UK site. Anyone has a copy of the file "DSLR_Lenses_Catalogue_UK.pdf" left and can send it to me?