Lens Prices

**ramseybuckeye** · 09-01-2011, 03:00 PM

What are your thoughts on lens prices when the Ricoh sale closes? Does Ricoh maintain the same prices? Does Ricoh lower prices to increase sales since they bought the business at a bargain price and have no developmental costs in the current lens lineup? I'm ready to buy a couple lenses and kind of want to see if anything happens. I realize that camera prices are what brings new buyers into the brand, but lens quality, price, and selection can keep them.

Adam · 09-01-2011, 03:05 PM

The only justification I could see for a markup increase would be if they wanted to invest more in dslr lens development, but I was under the impression that they are going to do that anyway. I doubt we will see any immediate changes after the acquisition.

**Rondec** · 09-01-2011, 06:14 PM

I don't know. Supposedly Sony, Canon and Nikon are all looking at price increases due to the strong yen. If Ricoh just holds prices constant, it will be the same thing as a price cut. Right?

Glen · 09-01-2011, 06:14 PM

I think that Ricoh will look at what Canon and Nikon sell theirs for and make sure that Pentax is priced right for what they offer. Some may go down a bit, some may go up. It also depends on what they plan to do with the SDM system. Do they quietly replace them with better motors or do they bring out what appears to be all new lenses that have the new motors. I'm sure that they will consider all the possible options and decide what to do but it will take a while.

Bob from Aus · 09-01-2011, 07:11 PM

If you are in Australia with with its strong dollar you buy from the USA. Our dollar has gone through the roof, but the prices haven't budged at all. Does that mean USA prices up, Aus prices down?

reeftool · 09-05-2011, 09:10 AM

With many lenses being backordered much of this year, that would indicate that many of Pentax's lens lineup is selling quite well so I doubt that Ricoh is going to lower prices to sell more.

mysticcowboy · 09-05-2011, 05:43 PM

With Japan still in shock after the earthquake/tsunami, I doubt there will be an price drops for any Japanese brands for some time. I don't think Ricoh or Pentax got hit as hard as Nikon or Canon but there still have to be parts pipeline and transportation problems.

paddy567 · 09-06-2011, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Does Ricoh lower prices to increase sales since they bought the business at a bargain price and have no developmental costs in the current lens lineup?

HA HA HA HA HA HA. Ohhhhh man I wish I shared that kind of optimism. Can't remember the last time I saw camera parts go *down* in cost.

bdery · 09-08-2011, 05:32 AM

Originally posted by paddy567

Can't remember the last time I saw camera parts go *down* in cost.

Well, look at the cost of DSLRs right now, and compare with 3-4 years ago. You couldn't have gotten a K-r quality camera for about 600$ with a lens some years ago.

Regarding prices, I believe Pentax management will still be in control of that kind of thing. As long as their reports show profit, Ricoh will be happy with the pricing strategy

mysticcowboy · 09-11-2011, 07:11 PM

Originally posted by bdery

Well, look at the cost of DSLRs right now, and compare with 3-4 years ago. You couldn't have gotten a K-r quality camera for about 600$ with a lens some years ago.

Regarding prices, I believe Pentax management will still be in control of that kind of thing. As long as their reports show profit, Ricoh will be happy with the pricing strategy

Right, the electronics prices go down, the lens prices goes up as they has done continually for the last few years.

09-01-2011, 03:00 PM	#1
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	Lens Prices What are your thoughts on lens prices when the Ricoh sale closes? Does Ricoh maintain the same prices? Does Ricoh lower prices to increase sales since they bought the business at a bargain price and have no developmental costs in the current lens lineup? I'm ready to buy a couple lenses and kind of want to see if anything happens. I realize that camera prices are what brings new buyers into the brand, but lens quality, price, and selection can keep them.

09-01-2011, 03:05 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	The only justification I could see for a markup increase would be if they wanted to invest more in dslr lens development, but I was under the impression that they are going to do that anyway. I doubt we will see any immediate changes after the acquisition. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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09-01-2011, 06:14 PM	#3
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	I don't know. Supposedly Sony, Canon and Nikon are all looking at price increases due to the strong yen. If Ricoh just holds prices constant, it will be the same thing as a price cut. Right?

09-01-2011, 06:14 PM	#4
Glen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 329	I think that Ricoh will look at what Canon and Nikon sell theirs for and make sure that Pentax is priced right for what they offer. Some may go down a bit, some may go up. It also depends on what they plan to do with the SDM system. Do they quietly replace them with better motors or do they bring out what appears to be all new lenses that have the new motors. I'm sure that they will consider all the possible options and decide what to do but it will take a while.

09-01-2011, 07:11 PM	#5
Bob from Aus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,094	If you are in Australia with with its strong dollar you buy from the USA. Our dollar has gone through the roof, but the prices haven't budged at all. Does that mean USA prices up, Aus prices down?

09-05-2011, 09:10 AM	#6
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	With many lenses being backordered much of this year, that would indicate that many of Pentax's lens lineup is selling quite well so I doubt that Ricoh is going to lower prices to sell more.

09-05-2011, 05:43 PM	#7
mysticcowboy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: port townsend, wa Photos: Albums Posts: 968	With Japan still in shock after the earthquake/tsunami, I doubt there will be an price drops for any Japanese brands for some time. I don't think Ricoh or Pentax got hit as hard as Nikon or Canon but there still have to be parts pipeline and transportation problems.

09-06-2011, 12:00 AM	#8
paddy567 Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 50	Quote: Does Ricoh lower prices to increase sales since they bought the business at a bargain price and have no developmental costs in the current lens lineup? HA HA HA HA HA HA. Ohhhhh man I wish I shared that kind of optimism. Can't remember the last time I saw camera parts go down in cost.

09-08-2011, 05:32 AM	#9
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by paddy567 Can't remember the last time I saw camera parts go down in cost. Well, look at the cost of DSLRs right now, and compare with 3-4 years ago. You couldn't have gotten a K-r quality camera for about 600$ with a lens some years ago. Regarding prices, I believe Pentax management will still be in control of that kind of thing. As long as their reports show profit, Ricoh will be happy with the pricing strategy

09-11-2011, 07:11 PM	#10
mysticcowboy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: port townsend, wa Photos: Albums Posts: 968	Originally posted by bdery Well, look at the cost of DSLRs right now, and compare with 3-4 years ago. You couldn't have gotten a K-r quality camera for about 600$ with a lens some years ago. Regarding prices, I believe Pentax management will still be in control of that kind of thing. As long as their reports show profit, Ricoh will be happy with the pricing strategy Right, the electronics prices go down, the lens prices goes up as they has done continually for the last few years.