Where's your nearest Pentax Store and how good is it?

Bagga_Txips · 11-18-2013, 03:45 PM

I live in China, and my nearest store, and the only one I know about in this province, is about an hour away. They sell or can order almost every item of Pentax equipment, and their prices are really good I think.

140 dollars for the 40XS, 350 for the 18-135, 340 for the K01, I got a blue K30 for 400 dollars. They love me cos I am an addict and spend about 15% of my income there every month...

normhead · 11-22-2013, 08:21 AM

Originally posted by Bagga_Txips

I live in China, and my nearest store, and the only one I know about in this province, is about an hour away. They sell or can order almost every item of Pentax equipment, and their prices are really good I think.

140 dollars for the 40XS, 350 for the 18-135, 340 for the K01, I got a blue K30 for 400 dollars. They love me cos I am an addict and spend about 15% of my income there every month...

Id be like that, but I'm married, so I'm kind of the minority shareholder.

From Miguel, a few shots of Robi's in Tacoma, Washington, cross posted from...
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/243292-pinch-me-...ml#post2588411

**monochrome** · 11-22-2013, 08:29 AM

Originally posted by normhead

Id be like that, but I'm married, so I'm kind of the minority shareholder.

I constantly have to remind myself not to think of my wife's salary as passive income to me.

mikeSF · 11-22-2013, 09:05 AM

I am not aware of one anywhere near here, so I use amazon, adorama, and bh. Amazon is amazingly quick and handles returns/issues wonderfully. Adorama service is stellar but it takes so dang long to get anything (~2wks) standard shipping vs 2 days with amazon.

**grhazelton** · 11-22-2013, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by mikeSF

I am not aware of one anywhere near here, so I use amazon, adorama, and bh. Amazon is amazingly quick and handles returns/issues wonderfully. Adorama service is stellar but it takes so dang long to get anything (~2wks) standard shipping vs 2 days with amazon.

Interesting! Perhaps its because you're in California, but here in Georgia standard shipping from Adorama is almost instantaneous. My Canon Pixma Pro 100 arrived in three days. Great printer, BTW. Prior purchases from them have also arrived really rapidly.

Sadly photo dealers, let alone Pentax dealers, are in short supply here in the Atlanta area. We have spectral remnants of Wolf Camera, and Showcase. These are the only dealers that come to mind that deal with amateur/enthusiast shooters. I'm told that Pentax DSLRs have been sighted at Showcase, but I've not seen them.

mikeSF · 11-22-2013, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by grhazelton

Interesting! Perhaps its because you're in California...
.

yes, I am sure that is the reason. but when you want new gear, that is just not gonna work - amazon kills it!

**Kerrowdown** · 11-22-2013, 02:42 PM

It's about 700 miles away, so the internet and on-line shopping is my friend.

normhead · 11-22-2013, 03:01 PM

I've always been the "go to the store, hold it in your hands, and see if it grows on you" kind of shopper. I see in these photos some high end glass, which Henry's for the most part doesn't stock, so even Henry's isn't good enough. I've always wanted to see a 31 ltd, just to see what I'm missing...or a 15 ltd. With the 31 I just said "oh what the hell" and bought the 35 2.4. With the 15, I went on specs and ordered the Sigma 8-16. I don't know if a bit of time to play with the lenses in question would have made a difference, but I do know Pentax is 0 for 2 on those purchases, and that it's quite possible if was able to hold either of them in my hands I might have made a different choice. The specialness of many Pentax lenses doesn't show up on test charts and in the reviews. I doubt I would have bought my 21 after looking at it's numbers compared to my 18-135 at about the same focal length. I would have looked at the numbers and said "I don't need it."

Try and take it from me now... I dare you.

bigted · 11-22-2013, 03:27 PM

Today I went to Henry's to play touchy feely with the K-3 (with the 18-135mm lens) I'm disabled so my ability to hold the camera is very important. Last week I had hoped to do this but none of the Winnipeg stores had one so I had to have them bring it in. When they were doing the "paperwork" I asked if our local camera club discount gave us anything off (on some things we get a little off not much but everything counts). The clerk gave me, the minimal mark up on bodies sob story to which I muttered I know the body only prices are cheaper for sure elsewhere, I just assumed our camera club counted for something. So then I was told "oh we'll match any price."

In the week between ordering it and it coming in I had lots of time to do some research. Thanks to someone else posting the Camera Canada price, I had proof of a Canadian price that was a) lower than Henry's and b) didn't charge our 8% PST. The shipping charge is only $13 and change. Based on our conversation the previous week that I was told there isn't room in the bodies to give the camera club discount, I expected to walk into Henry's and play touchy feeling and then leave. So I said I'm in a bit of a quandary, you nicely brought it in for me to touch and try, but since I was here last I found I can get it at a lower price and no PST out of Ontario - the shipping fee is only $13 and change. I am not sure you can match that. Honestly they couldn't but I walked out with it for $1445, with taxes and our nominal environmental fee of 0.40 the total bill was $1633.30.

normhead · 11-22-2013, 04:03 PM

MIne came from Henry's as well. They offered the pre-order first, and I got mine early because of it. It now has over 1200 shutter activations.

stevebrot · 11-22-2013, 07:52 PM

Originally posted by grhazelton

Sadly photo dealers, let alone Pentax dealers, are in short supply here in the Atlanta area.

It is the aftereffect of the Ritz meltdown. Where Ritz was...nothing remains...

Steve

NicoleC · 11-22-2013, 08:11 PM

I was surprised when I went to a camera clinic that my local shop now carries Pentax. Not a lot, but I am glad to see the local support. They've been in biz for 50 years so I suspect they are not that new to Pentax.

NotSteve · 11-24-2013, 08:48 PM

I am in in the west end of Toronto, located about midpoint between the Henry's in downtown Toronto and the one in Mississauga. But the hours don't usually work for the me at the downtown location -- by the time it takes me to get their after work, they're closed. Mississauga is a smaller store, and I wouldn't want to take transit there. I did manage once to hold the K-30 and Q at the downtown location and was quite impressed how solid they were. Downtown Camera left me a bit unimpressed after I went in asking to look at the Q and the salesperson asked me, "Is that the little guy?" They obviously did not have it. Perhaps a bit unfair, she likely knows tons more about photography and cameras than I. So, the internet it is for me. I read enough interviews when I got the K-5 to have confidence in buying it (my first DSLR) without actually holding it.

I'll mention a couple more websites for the North Americans on the forums: Photoprice.ca and prodigital2000.com. The first is a good way to see who's got what cheapest, mostly stores in Canada but also including BH and Adorama. I am not a fan of free trade for all the damage it's done to Canada, but it is a fact that camera equipment is NOT charged duties when crossing the U.S.-Canada border because of it. I've had pretty good experience with Prodigital, who carry a decent range of Pentax gear. They don't charge shipping in Canada, so that's automatically $20 cheaper for me. Plus they sometimes price match with BH/Adorama if you ask. And I get a proper, longer warranty by buying from a Canadian distributer. Henry's I find a bit pricier... BH ships to Toronto in 3 days, and shipping is pretty low so the total cost can still be less than buying locally for some stuff.

normhead · 11-24-2013, 09:06 PM

The good thing is if you live in Mississauga, you can take any warranty work right to Pentax. I've been many times with a box of broken K-1000s. HIgh School students are hard on cameras.

Snydly · 12-04-2013, 06:19 AM

Something's going on. Two stores near me, one in Orlando and one in my town, Melbourne, Florida. Both been around a while, but I don't think the Orlando store carries any Pentax. Didn't last time I was there. Lot of gear though. All high end Canon's and Nikons. Bought my k7 online in 2009. After that the k-x came out and the Melbourne store got one to sell. I think they sold it and no more Pentax. Haven't been there in a while so I stopped in while in the neighborhood, and they have an entire case, with a k3 down to the k30/50 set up just like the 'real' cameras. I nagged them a little in the past about Pentax but they said there was no market. Now there appears to be a market. Maybe Ricoh did something, but maybe people just liked the reviews and prices they see online. They said they could even get me 3rd party lenses now. I'm wondering if that will get better. I get a little frustrated when I see Sigma/Tamron come out with a new lens, but only for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, Kodak, etc., but no Pentax.

11-22-2013, 10:51 AM	#125
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Alas, Poor Pentax ... I knew him well. Originally posted by mikeSF I am not aware of one anywhere near here, so I use amazon, adorama, and bh. Amazon is amazingly quick and handles returns/issues wonderfully. Adorama service is stellar but it takes so dang long to get anything (~2wks) standard shipping vs 2 days with amazon. Interesting! Perhaps its because you're in California, but here in Georgia standard shipping from Adorama is almost instantaneous. My Canon Pixma Pro 100 arrived in three days. Great printer, BTW. Prior purchases from them have also arrived really rapidly. Sadly photo dealers, let alone Pentax dealers, are in short supply here in the Atlanta area. We have spectral remnants of Wolf Camera, and Showcase. These are the only dealers that come to mind that deal with amateur/enthusiast shooters. I'm told that Pentax DSLRs have been sighted at Showcase, but I've not seen them.

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11-18-2013, 03:45 PM	#121
Bagga_Txips Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Waterford Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 454	I live in China, and my nearest store, and the only one I know about in this province, is about an hour away. They sell or can order almost every item of Pentax equipment, and their prices are really good I think. 140 dollars for the 40XS, 350 for the 18-135, 340 for the K01, I got a blue K30 for 400 dollars. They love me cos I am an addict and spend about 15% of my income there every month...

11-22-2013, 08:21 AM	#122
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451 Original Poster	Originally posted by Bagga_Txips I live in China, and my nearest store, and the only one I know about in this province, is about an hour away. They sell or can order almost every item of Pentax equipment, and their prices are really good I think. 140 dollars for the 40XS, 350 for the 18-135, 340 for the K01, I got a blue K30 for 400 dollars. They love me cos I am an addict and spend about 15% of my income there every month... Id be like that, but I'm married, so I'm kind of the minority shareholder. From Miguel, a few shots of Robi's in Tacoma, Washington, cross posted from... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/243292-pinch-me-...ml#post2588411

11-22-2013, 08:29 AM	#123
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by normhead Id be like that, but I'm married, so I'm kind of the minority shareholder. I constantly have to remind myself not to think of my wife's salary as passive income to me.

11-22-2013, 09:05 AM	#124
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622	I am not aware of one anywhere near here, so I use amazon, adorama, and bh. Amazon is amazingly quick and handles returns/issues wonderfully. Adorama service is stellar but it takes so dang long to get anything (~2wks) standard shipping vs 2 days with amazon.

11-22-2013, 11:54 AM	#126
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622	Originally posted by grhazelton Interesting! Perhaps its because you're in California... . yes, I am sure that is the reason. but when you want new gear, that is just not gonna work - amazon kills it!

11-22-2013, 02:42 PM	#127
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,860	It's about 700 miles away, so the internet and on-line shopping is my friend.

11-22-2013, 03:01 PM	#128
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451 Original Poster	I've always been the "go to the store, hold it in your hands, and see if it grows on you" kind of shopper. I see in these photos some high end glass, which Henry's for the most part doesn't stock, so even Henry's isn't good enough. I've always wanted to see a 31 ltd, just to see what I'm missing...or a 15 ltd. With the 31 I just said "oh what the hell" and bought the 35 2.4. With the 15, I went on specs and ordered the Sigma 8-16. I don't know if a bit of time to play with the lenses in question would have made a difference, but I do know Pentax is 0 for 2 on those purchases, and that it's quite possible if was able to hold either of them in my hands I might have made a different choice. The specialness of many Pentax lenses doesn't show up on test charts and in the reviews. I doubt I would have bought my 21 after looking at it's numbers compared to my 18-135 at about the same focal length. I would have looked at the numbers and said "I don't need it." Try and take it from me now... I dare you.

11-22-2013, 03:27 PM	#129
bigted Moderator Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jessica Lake, Whiteshell Provincial Park, or Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,594	Today I went to Henry's to play touchy feely with the K-3 (with the 18-135mm lens) I'm disabled so my ability to hold the camera is very important. Last week I had hoped to do this but none of the Winnipeg stores had one so I had to have them bring it in. When they were doing the "paperwork" I asked if our local camera club discount gave us anything off (on some things we get a little off not much but everything counts). The clerk gave me, the minimal mark up on bodies sob story to which I muttered I know the body only prices are cheaper for sure elsewhere, I just assumed our camera club counted for something. So then I was told "oh we'll match any price." In the week between ordering it and it coming in I had lots of time to do some research. Thanks to someone else posting the Camera Canada price, I had proof of a Canadian price that was a) lower than Henry's and b) didn't charge our 8% PST. The shipping charge is only $13 and change. Based on our conversation the previous week that I was told there isn't room in the bodies to give the camera club discount, I expected to walk into Henry's and play touchy feeling and then leave. So I said I'm in a bit of a quandary, you nicely brought it in for me to touch and try, but since I was here last I found I can get it at a lower price and no PST out of Ontario - the shipping fee is only $13 and change. I am not sure you can match that. Honestly they couldn't but I walked out with it for $1445, with taxes and our nominal environmental fee of 0.40 the total bill was $1633.30.

11-22-2013, 04:03 PM	#130
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451 Original Poster	MIne came from Henry's as well. They offered the pre-order first, and I got mine early because of it. It now has over 1200 shutter activations.

11-22-2013, 07:52 PM	#131
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by grhazelton Sadly photo dealers, let alone Pentax dealers, are in short supply here in the Atlanta area. It is the aftereffect of the Ritz meltdown. Where Ritz was...nothing remains... Steve

11-22-2013, 08:11 PM	#132
NicoleC Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 448	I was surprised when I went to a camera clinic that my local shop now carries Pentax. Not a lot, but I am glad to see the local support. They've been in biz for 50 years so I suspect they are not that new to Pentax.

11-24-2013, 08:48 PM	#133
NotSteve Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Toronto Photos: Albums Posts: 200	I am in in the west end of Toronto, located about midpoint between the Henry's in downtown Toronto and the one in Mississauga. But the hours don't usually work for the me at the downtown location -- by the time it takes me to get their after work, they're closed. Mississauga is a smaller store, and I wouldn't want to take transit there. I did manage once to hold the K-30 and Q at the downtown location and was quite impressed how solid they were. Downtown Camera left me a bit unimpressed after I went in asking to look at the Q and the salesperson asked me, "Is that the little guy?" They obviously did not have it. Perhaps a bit unfair, she likely knows tons more about photography and cameras than I. So, the internet it is for me. I read enough interviews when I got the K-5 to have confidence in buying it (my first DSLR) without actually holding it. I'll mention a couple more websites for the North Americans on the forums: Photoprice.ca and prodigital2000.com. The first is a good way to see who's got what cheapest, mostly stores in Canada but also including BH and Adorama. I am not a fan of free trade for all the damage it's done to Canada, but it is a fact that camera equipment is NOT charged duties when crossing the U.S.-Canada border because of it. I've had pretty good experience with Prodigital, who carry a decent range of Pentax gear. They don't charge shipping in Canada, so that's automatically $20 cheaper for me. Plus they sometimes price match with BH/Adorama if you ask. And I get a proper, longer warranty by buying from a Canadian distributer. Henry's I find a bit pricier... BH ships to Toronto in 3 days, and shipping is pretty low so the total cost can still be less than buying locally for some stuff.

11-24-2013, 09:06 PM	#134
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451 Original Poster	The good thing is if you live in Mississauga, you can take any warranty work right to Pentax. I've been many times with a box of broken K-1000s. HIgh School students are hard on cameras.

12-04-2013, 06:19 AM	#135
Snydly Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Albums Posts: 242	Something's going on. Two stores near me, one in Orlando and one in my town, Melbourne, Florida. Both been around a while, but I don't think the Orlando store carries any Pentax. Didn't last time I was there. Lot of gear though. All high end Canon's and Nikons. Bought my k7 online in 2009. After that the k-x came out and the Melbourne store got one to sell. I think they sold it and no more Pentax. Haven't been there in a while so I stopped in while in the neighborhood, and they have an entire case, with a k3 down to the k30/50 set up just like the 'real' cameras. I nagged them a little in the past about Pentax but they said there was no market. Now there appears to be a market. Maybe Ricoh did something, but maybe people just liked the reviews and prices they see online. They said they could even get me 3rd party lenses now. I'm wondering if that will get better. I get a little frustrated when I see Sigma/Tamron come out with a new lens, but only for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, Kodak, etc., but no Pentax.