Why Pentax don't sell camera accesories?

LFLee · 10-20-2012, 02:49 PM

Pentax branded filters, they seem to have it in the film days, I think is probably one of the photography item that have huge profit margin. Why not sell them?

even things like t-shirts, variety of bags, camera straps, etc. all seem to have good profit margin, why not carry them at least in the Pentax USA website (its not like Pentax USA is doing anything serious anyway)?

Docrwm · 10-20-2012, 03:03 PM

Good question. The answer is that the people at Pentax USA just plain don't know how to market anything. Perhaps the new COO will change all that when he settles into his new role. How about a Pentax baseball cap? I've asked several times, seems they used to sell them, but no response.

How about all sorts of accessories that Pentax used to make, has the designs for in some file cabinet, and could order into production again?

It's just plain weird. They could have a much fuller range of accessories fairly quickly if they put a couple good engineers on it to update things and then get them into production.

Blue · 10-20-2012, 03:35 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

Good question. The answer is that the people at Pentax USA just plain don't know how to market anything. Perhaps the new COO will change all that when he settles into his new role. How about a Pentax baseball cap? I've asked several times, seems they used to sell them, but no response.

How about all sorts of accessories that Pentax used to make, has the designs for in some file cabinet, and could order into production again?

It's just plain weird. They could have a much fuller range of accessories fairly quickly if they put a couple good engineers on it to update things and then get them into production.

The old Pentax USA in Golden, Co couldn't market ice water in Hades.

Adam · 10-20-2012, 03:35 PM

They used to have hats and stuff at the web store, but I don't think that they operate that store themselves any more...

One thing's certain, though: the accessories they do sell have huge profit margins. In late 2011, the prices of most accessories, such as caps and hoods, went up significantly.

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

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Na Horuk · 10-20-2012, 04:42 PM

Yeah, that would be great. The accessories market is booming, there are so many useful little things Pentax could make.
But instead we have to wait for ages to get something as simple as a K to Q adapter, which Pentax should have started selling as soon as they had the Q. Even if the first adapters were fully manual and cheap. Filters, adapters, accessories, even some clothes. I think Pentax isn't doing any of this because they have a small store presence, but even if most of this would be only sold online, it would still be better than nothing.

LFLee · 10-20-2012, 05:12 PM

Things like those unlicensed "lens mug" .... for Canon and Nikon lenses sell like hot cake... these are easy money Pentax can make by making their own "limited lens mug" --- DA ltd lens would be too small though.:P DA*50-135, DA*60-250 lens mug, and FA ltd lens mug.... they will sell.

Even Nikon put their name on lens pen....

**kiwi_jono** · 10-20-2012, 06:32 PM

I think they are shooting themselves in the foot by putting large mark ups on accessories. They should sell lots with a small margin (or none even) and get the Pentax name visible out there - it would be great for the Pentax name awareness which really could do with more exposure now and is now more important than in the "golden" days where Pentax already had a big market share.

elliott · 10-20-2012, 06:55 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by LFLee

DA ltd lens would be too small though.:P .

DA Ltd shot glasses.

usmcxm35 · 10-20-2012, 07:07 PM

Bring back the lens cases, especially for LTDs. They are so hard to find, they would sell even with the premium going rate.

**jatrax** · 10-20-2012, 08:01 PM

Originally posted by usmcxm35

Bring back the lens cases, especially for LTDs. They are so hard to find, they would sell even with the premium going rate.

Ned mentioned before he retired that a new limited case was in the works. Should have hit in June so I guess that is not happening. I saw one on fleabay that was $100 plus and just could not spend that much for a used lens case.

I agree that not having proper accessories is a strategic error. Not like they have to make them themselves just send the specs to China and handle the marketing.

usmcxm35 · 10-21-2012, 04:14 AM

they could even "Assemble In Vietnam" and it would be okay!

**JimJohnson** · 10-21-2012, 06:31 AM

Leaving aside the non-photographic logo items... I note the lack of reasonably priced photo accessories specific to current cameras has maintained an active market for older Pentax specific accessories - and how many of us have purchased one of these gems and done our best to use this gear with our current bodies - hopefully without too much loss of functionality?

MPrince · 10-21-2012, 09:58 AM

I would buy a Pentax branded quick-release strap or sling strap.

**jatrax** · 10-23-2012, 03:20 PM

Originally posted by JimJohnson

active market for older Pentax specific accessories

Pentax extension tubes
Pentax right angle viewfinder
Pentax AF-80 ring light
Pentax AF-200t flash
Pentax Bellows
Pentax Copy Stand
Asahi 49mm ND filter set
Asahi 49mm CPL filter
Pentax M42 - K adapter

Most of this stuff is available cheap on ebay as third party knock-offs but the quality is variable to be polite. And some of the Pentax branded stuff is made to a quality that would be prohibitively expensive to make today. But surely there is a market for good quality accessories with the Pentax logo on them.

Na Horuk · 10-23-2012, 03:38 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

But surely there is a market for good quality accessories with the Pentax logo on them.

Imagine people having Pentax filters on their Canikon lenses!

10-20-2012, 02:49 PM	#1
LFLee Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,292	Why Pentax don't sell camera accesories? Pentax branded filters, they seem to have it in the film days, I think is probably one of the photography item that have huge profit margin. Why not sell them? even things like t-shirts, variety of bags, camera straps, etc. all seem to have good profit margin, why not carry them at least in the Pentax USA website (its not like Pentax USA is doing anything serious anyway)?

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10-20-2012, 03:03 PM	#2
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Good question. The answer is that the people at Pentax USA just plain don't know how to market anything. Perhaps the new COO will change all that when he settles into his new role. How about a Pentax baseball cap? I've asked several times, seems they used to sell them, but no response. How about all sorts of accessories that Pentax used to make, has the designs for in some file cabinet, and could order into production again? It's just plain weird. They could have a much fuller range of accessories fairly quickly if they put a couple good engineers on it to update things and then get them into production.

10-20-2012, 03:35 PM	#3
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Docrwm Good question. The answer is that the people at Pentax USA just plain don't know how to market anything. Perhaps the new COO will change all that when he settles into his new role. How about a Pentax baseball cap? I've asked several times, seems they used to sell them, but no response. How about all sorts of accessories that Pentax used to make, has the designs for in some file cabinet, and could order into production again? It's just plain weird. They could have a much fuller range of accessories fairly quickly if they put a couple good engineers on it to update things and then get them into production. The old Pentax USA in Golden, Co couldn't market ice water in Hades.

10-20-2012, 03:35 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	They used to have hats and stuff at the web store, but I don't think that they operate that store themselves any more... One thing's certain, though: the accessories they do sell have huge profit margins. In late 2011, the prices of most accessories, such as caps and hoods, went up significantly. 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:

10-20-2012, 04:42 PM	#5
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Yeah, that would be great. The accessories market is booming, there are so many useful little things Pentax could make. But instead we have to wait for ages to get something as simple as a K to Q adapter, which Pentax should have started selling as soon as they had the Q. Even if the first adapters were fully manual and cheap. Filters, adapters, accessories, even some clothes. I think Pentax isn't doing any of this because they have a small store presence, but even if most of this would be only sold online, it would still be better than nothing.

10-20-2012, 05:12 PM	#6
LFLee Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,292 Original Poster	Things like those unlicensed "lens mug" .... for Canon and Nikon lenses sell like hot cake... these are easy money Pentax can make by making their own "limited lens mug" --- DA ltd lens would be too small though.:P DA50-135, DA60-250 lens mug, and FA ltd lens mug.... they will sell. Even Nikon put their name on lens pen....

10-20-2012, 06:32 PM	#7
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	I think they are shooting themselves in the foot by putting large mark ups on accessories. They should sell lots with a small margin (or none even) and get the Pentax name visible out there - it would be great for the Pentax name awareness which really could do with more exposure now and is now more important than in the "golden" days where Pentax already had a big market share.

10-20-2012, 06:55 PM - 1 Like	#8
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by LFLee DA ltd lens would be too small though.:P . DA Ltd shot glasses.

10-20-2012, 07:07 PM	#9
usmcxm35 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New York, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 215	Bring back the lens cases, especially for LTDs. They are so hard to find, they would sell even with the premium going rate.

10-20-2012, 08:01 PM	#10
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by usmcxm35 Bring back the lens cases, especially for LTDs. They are so hard to find, they would sell even with the premium going rate. Ned mentioned before he retired that a new limited case was in the works. Should have hit in June so I guess that is not happening. I saw one on fleabay that was $100 plus and just could not spend that much for a used lens case. I agree that not having proper accessories is a strategic error. Not like they have to make them themselves just send the specs to China and handle the marketing.

10-21-2012, 04:14 AM	#11
usmcxm35 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New York, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 215	they could even "Assemble In Vietnam" and it would be okay!

10-21-2012, 06:31 AM	#12
JimJohnson Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Summer:Lake Superior - Michigan Winter:Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,774	Leaving aside the non-photographic logo items... I note the lack of reasonably priced photo accessories specific to current cameras has maintained an active market for older Pentax specific accessories - and how many of us have purchased one of these gems and done our best to use this gear with our current bodies - hopefully without too much loss of functionality?

10-21-2012, 09:58 AM	#13
MPrince Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,495	I would buy a Pentax branded quick-release strap or sling strap.

10-23-2012, 03:20 PM	#14
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by JimJohnson active market for older Pentax specific accessories Pentax extension tubes Pentax right angle viewfinder Pentax AF-80 ring light Pentax AF-200t flash Pentax Bellows Pentax Copy Stand Asahi 49mm ND filter set Asahi 49mm CPL filter Pentax M42 - K adapter Most of this stuff is available cheap on ebay as third party knock-offs but the quality is variable to be polite. And some of the Pentax branded stuff is made to a quality that would be prohibitively expensive to make today. But surely there is a market for good quality accessories with the Pentax logo on them.

10-23-2012, 03:38 PM	#15
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by jatrax But surely there is a market for good quality accessories with the Pentax logo on them. Imagine people having Pentax filters on their Canikon lenses!