Kx in-store anywhere around San Francisco?

vin · 12-12-2009, 10:14 PM

I'm kind of decided on Kx, but like to see it in hand before I go for it. Is there any stores around San Francisco having Kx display models? I'm guessing Fry's would have it, but any stores in San Francisco may have it too?

Thx

inferno10 · 12-12-2009, 11:22 PM

Fry's does have it, but I can't think of any place in SF that would. The only store I know of that sold new Pentax DSLR bodies was Calumet on Bryant. I'm not sure if they stock any current Pentax equipment anymore, but it's worth a check. Don't bother with Keeble & Schuchat; they've completely eliminated their Pentax display.

- Jason

rawr · 12-13-2009, 06:56 AM

I can't believe what I'm reading.

You mean to say that in a big US city like San Francisco there are no photo stores that stock new Pentax cameras? Unbelievable.

In Australia every country town that has a Camera House carries Pentax. In my region there are three country towns with less than 30,000 people in them. In any of them I can walk into a store and handle a K-7 or K-x, sometimes at multiple outlets, especially for the K-x (Camera House, OfficeWorks, JB HiFi etc).

Say what you may about our local distributor CR Kennedy, but they are doing their job. I think someone needs to put a rocket up the US Pentax distributor.

Shub · 12-13-2009, 11:40 AM

Just wondering, doesn't Best Buy have em?
Cameras & Camcorders : k-x - BestBuy

allill · 12-13-2009, 11:45 AM

Fry's has them, and like Jason said, Calumet does sell them but doesn't stock them. They might have a k7, though.

-jeff

vin · 12-13-2009, 12:17 PM

Thanks all.... yes, it is a pity that most US cities don't have Pentax SLR in store. New York may be exception, they have JR, BH, Adorama etc..

I checked with BestBuy, they sell Kx online only.

Steve Beswick · 12-13-2009, 01:57 PM

Originally posted by rawr

I can't believe what I'm reading.

You mean to say that in a big US city like San Francisco there are no photo stores that stock new Pentax cameras? Unbelievable.

In Australia every country town that has a Camera House carries Pentax. In my region there are three country towns with less than 30,000 people in them. In any of them I can walk into a store and handle a K-7 or K-x, sometimes at multiple outlets, especially for the K-x (Camera House, OfficeWorks, JB HiFi etc).

Say what you may about our local distributor CR Kennedy, but they are doing their job. I think someone needs to put a rocket up the US Pentax distributor.

well, I live near Los Angeles, and I'm not aware of anybody who carries Pentax except for Fry's, which is a big box kind of place.

Aparently Pentax USA is convinced that an online only business model is the way to go. If anybody from Pentax USA is reading this, I like to buy things I have physically seen with my own eyes. If you want to sell me any more cameras then you might want to put your product in a store within 30 miles of me. There are roughly 6 million people in the LA area. Is it really a smart idea to ignore that large of a population group?

Aegon · 12-13-2009, 02:06 PM

I bought my K110D, K10D, K20D, and K-7 all sight unseen.

And I bought them online.

And I'm satisfied.

My purpose is just to add another point of view that is different from some of the opinions expressed in this thread. My opinion does not help the thread owner solve their problem—vin wants to play with the camera before buying. Many people are probably like the original poster. For my needs, I have not needed to hold the camera before I bought.

Igilligan · 12-13-2009, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by Aegon

I bought my K110D, K10D, K20D, and K-7 all sight unseen.

And I bought them online.

And I'm satisfied.

My purpose is just to add another point of view that is different from some of the opinions expressed in this thread. My opinion does not help the thread owner solve their problem—vin wants to play with the camera before buying. Many people are probably like the original poster. For my needs, I have not needed to hold the camera before I bought.

To the OP, I work in SF and I have yet to see or hold one. But the San Francisco bay area is pretty small and the population is not all that artsy. So I can see why pentax has chosen to ignore this area.

But I am a bit like Aegon, The Kx is a Pentax so there is absolutely no need to feel it in your hands first... Of course the user interface is so natural. And the size is perfect for pretty much everyone.

But for me the best reason that the Pentax 'online' only business model is so darn good, is because I dont want to try out any $500 to $1300 dollar lenses on my camera body first, just to see how they feel, look and perform... I just love the mystery of it all... Thank you Pentax

WerTicus · 12-14-2009, 01:20 AM

That is FREAKEN amazing.

Big business op if someone wants to open a camera shop in... any American city by the sounds of it

I can wander into any place pretty much in Australia and handle a Kx - something higher end might require a little more effort. But i can think of 4 shops within 20min drive that have it on hand.

Mark Castleman · 12-16-2009, 10:26 AM

You might try Adolph Gasser on 2nd St in San Francisco. It's been a while since I was there but they did carry Pentax gear the last time I was in.

It is a similar situation here in Denver. There are now no retail outlets that actually carry Pentax dSLR gear or lenses. Mike's Camera can order things but they no longer carry them in inventory. This is ironic considering that Pentax's US HQ is in Golden.

erickallemeyn · 12-16-2009, 10:44 AM

Originally posted by WerTicus

That is FREAKEN amazing.

Big business op if someone wants to open a camera shop in... any American city by the sounds of it

I can wander into any place pretty much in Australia and handle a Kx - something higher end might require a little more effort. But i can think of 4 shops within 20min drive that have it on hand.

See, Americans are stupid. Everyone and their brother shoots Canikon, so that's what people want.

"Pentax? Never heard of it. Show me a Nikon plz!"

Mark Castleman · 12-20-2009, 08:15 PM

Originally posted by Mark Castleman

You might try Adolph Gasser on 2nd St in San Francisco. It's been a while since I was there but they did carry Pentax gear the last time I was in.

It is a similar situation here in Denver. There are now no retail outlets that actually carry Pentax dSLR gear or lenses. Mike's Camera can order things but they no longer carry them in inventory. This is ironic considering that Pentax's US HQ is in Golden.

I must revise this as I was at Ultimate Electronics last night. They had one K-x kit and one K20D body. No other Pentax gear of any sort.
<sigh>

aerodynamics · 12-20-2009, 09:21 PM

Try Wolf Camera on Market St. Last time I was there, they had a decent selection of Pentax gear.

jays0n · 12-21-2009, 02:14 PM

I too live in San Francisco and I dont think I have seen more than 2 Pentax out on the street and one was definitely in the hands of a European tourist. I think nobody sells em here because nobody knows they exist here. Nikanon have the thing locked down with that rebel and the d40. Might be a business that would be closing soon after opening that went after the Pentax market here in SF.

j

Originally posted by WerTicus

That is FREAKEN amazing.

Big business op if someone wants to open a camera shop in... any American city by the sounds of it

I can wander into any place pretty much in Australia and handle a Kx - something higher end might require a little more effort. But i can think of 4 shops within 20min drive that have it on hand.

12-12-2009, 10:14 PM	#1
vin New Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Petaluma, North Bay Area, California Posts: 7	Kx in-store anywhere around San Francisco? I'm kind of decided on Kx, but like to see it in hand before I go for it. Is there any stores around San Francisco having Kx display models? I'm guessing Fry's would have it, but any stores in San Francisco may have it too? Thx

12-13-2009, 02:06 PM	#8
Aegon Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,416	I bought my K110D, K10D, K20D, and K-7 all sight unseen. And I bought them online. And I'm satisfied. My purpose is just to add another point of view that is different from some of the opinions expressed in this thread. My opinion does not help the thread owner solve their problem—vin wants to play with the camera before buying. Many people are probably like the original poster. For my needs, I have not needed to hold the camera before I bought. Last edited by Aegon; 12-13-2009 at 02:18 PM.

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12-12-2009, 11:22 PM	#2
inferno10 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 342	Fry's does have it, but I can't think of any place in SF that would. The only store I know of that sold new Pentax DSLR bodies was Calumet on Bryant. I'm not sure if they stock any current Pentax equipment anymore, but it's worth a check. Don't bother with Keeble & Schuchat; they've completely eliminated their Pentax display. - Jason

12-13-2009, 06:56 AM	#3
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	I can't believe what I'm reading. You mean to say that in a big US city like San Francisco there are no photo stores that stock new Pentax cameras? Unbelievable. In Australia every country town that has a Camera House carries Pentax. In my region there are three country towns with less than 30,000 people in them. In any of them I can walk into a store and handle a K-7 or K-x, sometimes at multiple outlets, especially for the K-x (Camera House, OfficeWorks, JB HiFi etc). Say what you may about our local distributor CR Kennedy, but they are doing their job. I think someone needs to put a rocket up the US Pentax distributor.

12-13-2009, 11:40 AM	#4
Shub Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 163	Just wondering, doesn't Best Buy have em? Cameras & Camcorders : k-x - BestBuy

12-13-2009, 11:45 AM	#5
allill Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 267	Fry's has them, and like Jason said, Calumet does sell them but doesn't stock them. They might have a k7, though. -jeff

12-13-2009, 12:17 PM	#6
vin New Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Petaluma, North Bay Area, California Posts: 7 Original Poster	Thanks all.... yes, it is a pity that most US cities don't have Pentax SLR in store. New York may be exception, they have JR, BH, Adorama etc.. I checked with BestBuy, they sell Kx online only.

12-13-2009, 01:57 PM	#7
Steve Beswick Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario, California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,736	Originally posted by rawr I can't believe what I'm reading. You mean to say that in a big US city like San Francisco there are no photo stores that stock new Pentax cameras? Unbelievable. In Australia every country town that has a Camera House carries Pentax. In my region there are three country towns with less than 30,000 people in them. In any of them I can walk into a store and handle a K-7 or K-x, sometimes at multiple outlets, especially for the K-x (Camera House, OfficeWorks, JB HiFi etc). Say what you may about our local distributor CR Kennedy, but they are doing their job. I think someone needs to put a rocket up the US Pentax distributor. well, I live near Los Angeles, and I'm not aware of anybody who carries Pentax except for Fry's, which is a big box kind of place. Aparently Pentax USA is convinced that an online only business model is the way to go. If anybody from Pentax USA is reading this, I like to buy things I have physically seen with my own eyes. If you want to sell me any more cameras then you might want to put your product in a store within 30 miles of me. There are roughly 6 million people in the LA area. Is it really a smart idea to ignore that large of a population group?

12-13-2009, 10:09 PM	#9
Igilligan Guest	Originally posted by Aegon I bought my K110D, K10D, K20D, and K-7 all sight unseen. And I bought them online. And I'm satisfied. My purpose is just to add another point of view that is different from some of the opinions expressed in this thread. My opinion does not help the thread owner solve their problem—vin wants to play with the camera before buying. Many people are probably like the original poster. For my needs, I have not needed to hold the camera before I bought. To the OP, I work in SF and I have yet to see or hold one. But the San Francisco bay area is pretty small and the population is not all that artsy. So I can see why pentax has chosen to ignore this area. But I am a bit like Aegon, The Kx is a Pentax so there is absolutely no need to feel it in your hands first... Of course the user interface is so natural. And the size is perfect for pretty much everyone. But for me the best reason that the Pentax 'online' only business model is so darn good, is because I dont want to try out any $500 to $1300 dollar lenses on my camera body first, just to see how they feel, look and perform... I just love the mystery of it all... Thank you Pentax

12-14-2009, 01:20 AM	#10
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	That is FREAKEN amazing. Big business op if someone wants to open a camera shop in... any American city by the sounds of it I can wander into any place pretty much in Australia and handle a Kx - something higher end might require a little more effort. But i can think of 4 shops within 20min drive that have it on hand.

12-16-2009, 10:26 AM	#11
Mark Castleman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Westminster, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 298	You might try Adolph Gasser on 2nd St in San Francisco. It's been a while since I was there but they did carry Pentax gear the last time I was in. It is a similar situation here in Denver. There are now no retail outlets that actually carry Pentax dSLR gear or lenses. Mike's Camera can order things but they no longer carry them in inventory. This is ironic considering that Pentax's US HQ is in Golden.

12-16-2009, 10:44 AM	#12
erickallemeyn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: United States Posts: 112	Originally posted by WerTicus That is FREAKEN amazing. Big business op if someone wants to open a camera shop in... any American city by the sounds of it I can wander into any place pretty much in Australia and handle a Kx - something higher end might require a little more effort. But i can think of 4 shops within 20min drive that have it on hand. See, Americans are stupid. Everyone and their brother shoots Canikon, so that's what people want. "Pentax? Never heard of it. Show me a Nikon plz!"

12-20-2009, 08:15 PM	#13
Mark Castleman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Westminster, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 298	Originally posted by Mark Castleman You might try Adolph Gasser on 2nd St in San Francisco. It's been a while since I was there but they did carry Pentax gear the last time I was in. It is a similar situation here in Denver. There are now no retail outlets that actually carry Pentax dSLR gear or lenses. Mike's Camera can order things but they no longer carry them in inventory. This is ironic considering that Pentax's US HQ is in Golden. I must revise this as I was at Ultimate Electronics last night. They had one K-x kit and one K20D body. No other Pentax gear of any sort. <sigh>

12-20-2009, 09:21 PM	#14
aerodynamics New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 16	Try Wolf Camera on Market St. Last time I was there, they had a decent selection of Pentax gear.

12-21-2009, 02:14 PM	#15
jays0n Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Francisco Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 471	I too live in San Francisco and I dont think I have seen more than 2 Pentax out on the street and one was definitely in the hands of a European tourist. I think nobody sells em here because nobody knows they exist here. Nikanon have the thing locked down with that rebel and the d40. Might be a business that would be closing soon after opening that went after the Pentax market here in SF. j Originally posted by WerTicus That is FREAKEN amazing. Big business op if someone wants to open a camera shop in... any American city by the sounds of it I can wander into any place pretty much in Australia and handle a Kx - something higher end might require a little more effort. But i can think of 4 shops within 20min drive that have it on hand.