[Kimbo]

G'Day!

Is it just QLD that seems almost bereft of Pentax gear in retail? I'm having a heck of a time finding lenses to try/look at in the shops.

Anyone able to recommend a store specialising in Pentax in SE Qld?

Cheers
Kimbo

[daytona9]

G'Day!

Is it just QLD that seems almost bereft of Pentax gear in retail? I'm having a heck of a time finding lenses to try/look at in the shops.

Anyone able to recommend a store specialising in Pentax in SE Qld?

Cheers
Kimbo

G'Day Kimbo. Try this link

Digital Camera Warehouse - Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane Stores

The website is pretty comprehensive, and they do stock and sell Pentax gear. They have stores in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne (details available on the website). I've purchased stuff from the Sydney store, and can recommend them. They also sell online - check them out.

Cheers,
Greg.

[Kimbo]

Thanks for the info Greg.

I've heard of them, but not been game to try them yet. I've read reports of poor after-sales service (eg. if something goes wrong).
What have you experienced?

Their prices are pretty good though.

Cheers

[DVaughan007]

Hey I totally agree! Thank god for Internet shopping (bhphoto&vid and pf marketplace)... It's sad really cause like you, I'd love to be able to trial the gear before I buy! I'm in central qld btw.

[Wild Hog 4]

I agree, it's just as bad in Tassie. All you see are Canon and Nikon . . . too bad if you want to buy Pentax, let alone try one out. EGlobal and Ryda.com are two other local on-line sellers of Pentax. Good luck!

[daytona9]

I agree, it's just as bad in Tassie. All you see are Canon and Nikon . . . too bad if you want to buy Pentax, let alone try one out. EGlobal and Ryda.com are two other local on-line sellers of Pentax. Good luck!

Hey guys, I guess it's unfortunate if you live outside the major cities. Maybe phone them if you can't get to the big smoke, and see what they can offer.
Another store to try might be Camera House Camera House NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA - Buy Digital Cameras
They're a pretty big camera retailer, with many stores all over Australia. They do list Pentax as one of the brands they sell, so check their website to see if they have a store near you.
Maybe you could Google "Pentax retailers in .......... " and see what that gives you.

Best of luck.
Greg.

[Tonto]

Thanks for the info Greg.

I've heard of them, but not been game to try them yet. I've read reports of poor after-sales service (eg. if something goes wrong).
What have you experienced?

Their prices are pretty good though.

Cheers

I've used them heaps (Sydney here)-I've had nothing but great service with about 4 big ticket purchases. The B&M stores are slowly getting better pricing on their camera stock now - possibly due to ricohs involvement. Its a bit of a lottery at the moment as you will see some great deals and also some old pricing- do however negotiate pricing ie to match websites as with evidence they can get rebates from their supplier. I found this to be especially true of Camera House and Paxtons.

[Dean Bradshaw]

I agree, it's just as bad in Tassie. All you see are Canon and Nikon . . . too bad if you want to buy Pentax, let alone try one out. EGlobal and Ryda.com are two other local on-line sellers of Pentax. Good luck!

Hey Wild Hog, just wanted to point out that eGlobal are actually a Hong Kong based seller...despite being set up to look like an Aussie website. I bought my K-5 and a couple of lenses from them and their prices are good. But...my K-5 developed a shutter issue...repaired under warranty, but postage cost back to HK and a pretty long wait to get it back. All good now.
Not saying for or against...just that they are not based in Australia.
Not sure about Ryda.
Cheers

[Wild Hog 4]

Thanks, Dean. A mate of mine bought a prime lens for his Nikon 7000 from eGlobal, he implied they were Aussie based. Ryda.com.au are based in Petersham, NSW. They also trade as No Frills Electronics.

[cmohr]

I've bought a few things from DCW over in Annerley, they are great to talk to and have a few lenses there, Also the Guys over at Photo Continental are "not too bad ", if you find one of the older sales guys, again, they do have a few lenses there, Teds in the City was my favourite, but they rarely have any Pentax there nowadays.

[TheOtherRob]

Hey Kimbo,

Brisbane native here.

Pentax was getting a bit dire for a while, but this seems to be turning around. In the last twelve months I have been amazed at what you can find on the shelves. Please consider supporting the local retail guys. Nothing beats walking into a shop and hefting the gear before you buy. Don't assume that online is cheaper, either. Generally we get hosed out in Australia, but that is mostly on consumer rubbish. For specialist gear like Pentax cameras (as opposed to Canikony consumer stuff), you can often find deals that are better than online... and if you walk in with cash in hand and a glint in the eye there is always a few percent and maybe a few accessories to be thrown in with a decent purchase. People forget that when buying online.

For example... I was at DCW at Annerley this afternoon and I noticed they had a Pentax MX-1 sitting under the counter. Right then and there I was able to pick it up and use it and form my own opinion of the beast (not really my cup of tea, but a bloody nice camera and that lens is sweet). What's more... it was cheaper right there than at B&H (AU$464 vs US$496). Check out prices on a range of lenses and you will find that some are more expensive but, increadibly, many are a good bit cheaper than US/Chinese stores. I was in NY a few months ago and went looking for some gear to buy.... the range was increadible but the prices, service and knowledge wasn't really any better than DCW and Photocontinental. I bought a DA15ltd mostly as a souvinier, not because it was a great price.

Okay, so no prizes for guessing that DCW is my favourite local store; I have had advice that is knowledgable and useful from the staff, and I have never had an issue with aftersales. But I like to spread the love, too. Photocontinental, Ranier's Camera House and even ol' Teds have all had my custom. PC's prices are very steep, but they can be talked down and are unbeatable right now for supporting film. I even recently picked up a Q for under $200 from Teds on a manager's special. Raniers were once great (I bought my Kx there three years ago, and it was their advice that put me onto Pentax rather than Canikony) but the staff seemed to have turned over a bit and their floor has shrunk.

But don't despair of Brisbane's camera shops and photo culture! Get out there and get your own feel for who is the right match for you... and support the local boys and girls. Its the only way we can check out our gear before we buy it! For those out west (been there and done that) don't forget to call ahead if you are heading to town and DCW and PC will usually be happy to have a range of stuff ready for you to look at when you get in.

Cheers,

Rob

[cpho]

Hi everyone,
Rob's right. Overseas stock is not always cheaper. Plus overseas stock has no warranty!
I was looking for a place to buy my K-5 from, and I searched all over the net, and I found a Brisbane based store called CameraPro, and I picked up the K-5 +18-135mm Lens for a bargain $1150, (+$13 express shipping to SA, but you locals have free pickup), cheaper than Grey import, and much cheaper than B&H.
They dispatched it the very same day, and it arrived in 2 days later!
Sadly, this particular store is lacking in Pentax lenses. In which case, I'd be buying my lenses from overseas sellers ><

[Adinfinitum]

G'Day Kimbo. Try this link

Digital Camera Warehouse - Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane Stores

The website is pretty comprehensive, and they do stock and sell Pentax gear. They have stores in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne (details available on the website). I've purchased stuff from the Sydney store, and can recommend them. They also sell online - check them out.

Cheers,
Greg.

I agree, they have the best Pentax range for any brick and mortar store I've seen. The service and staff knowledge is fantastic. You do pay the premium however. I've never had to take anything Pentax or Sigma back for warranty though so I can't comment on after-sales.

I have just ordered a new lens from an online-site, but it is a common lens with a good rep so I'm taking the risk. At $450 dollars online versus $699 in store - I couldn't justify the higher price warranty or no. I do agree though, if I'm after a specialty stock or a brand new body - then in store is definitely worth the cost and effort.

[Kimbo]

Well, its nice to know there are other aussies out there having some good experiences at the local stores! Thanks to everyone for your advice. A few days ago I took the plunge and ordered a K5ii through TEDs. I was able to negotiate a better price and I'm happy with the service, though I am getting impatient to have it arrive! In the meantime I've acquired a used K1000 and intend to go out and become familiar again with 35mm film! It'll be interesting to compare the quality I can obtain between the two cameras (using the same lens).

Thanks Rob for your detailed advice! I do prefer to support the locals, and will look into DCW when I need that next lens...and the one after that...

Cheers all!

[Lurch]

Well, its nice to know there are other aussies out there having some good experiences at the local stores! Thanks to everyone for your advice. A few days ago I took the plunge and ordered a K5ii through TEDs. I was able to negotiate a better price and I'm happy with the service, though I am getting impatient to have it arrive! In the meantime I've acquired a used K1000 and intend to go out and become familiar again with 35mm film! It'll be interesting to compare the quality I can obtain between the two cameras (using the same lens).

Thanks Rob for your detailed advice! I do prefer to support the locals, and will look into DCW when I need that next lens...and the one after that...

Cheers all!

Good point re: Teds. They've become quite good at price matching these days. I went in, completely out of the blue; showed them an online price on my phone and walked out with their ex-display K5-Classic body for $798 with full warranty. It has a shutter count of 45 or something silly.