Originally posted by following.eric Since moving to the UK I have gained a new market with a lot more options. The problem is that there either isn't a lot of Pentax gear available here in the UK and what is available seems very high priced. I feel like I want to make the jump to better optics but cant justify the price. Anything passed the 55-300mm takes a massive jump in price, even second hand. If I can find it second hand.
As long as you're fine with ordering online, you can get anything from the EU without import duties (for now), which could lead to big savings. There are also stores like SRS and WEX in the UK that carry the full Pentax lineup, and there is currently a
£300 holiday rebate on the new K-1, dropping its price to
£1,699.99. If you subtract VAT, this makes the body cheaper than in the US. That offer may only be available directly form Ricoh.
When the K-1 gets a little older, it'll surely drop in price, especially second-hand. If the current offer is still too high, I therefore think it might be a good idea to wait until you can find a K-1 that's within your budget. You could also pursue something like the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 or the FA* 28-70mm, or even the D FA 28-105mm paired with a high-quality 50mm as an alternative to the more expensive D FA 24-70mm.
There are many great replies in this thread regarding after-sales service, third-party support, and other advantages of Canon (and maybe Nikon, though they're probably struggling more than Pentax in terms of finances right now). But if it's image quality you're after, it's still hard to beat the K-1 in terms of value. Ultimately, the decision will depend on your purchasing timeframe, budget, and needs. Best of luck with the decision!
Originally posted by pentaxfall Where you live makes a lot of difference. You have to go with what is available there. Companies pander to US customers, give deep discounts and does not care about "most" of the world. I do not blame them because they are behind revenue. On the same lines I/we do not have to be loyal them.
Not sure this is accurate with respect to Pentax. The US is actually a pretty small market for them, and the lack of a ludicrous tax rate combined with competition is what makes the apparent cost in the US lower. Canadian, Asian, and European customers get longer warranties, so ultimately it's probably a wash.
Adam
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