Very nice bundle deal for the K-3 for $1297

Includes:

BG-5 Grip
DA 50mm 1.8 lens
Sandisk Extreme 32gb class 10 card

Plus 4% rewards and free shipping

Pentax K-3 DSLR Camera (Body Only) 15530 B&H Photo Video

[Adam]

Wow- can't believe they added a free grip. That's a smokin deal!

[trumanusa]

Wow- can't believe they added a free grip. That's a smokin deal!

Just asking out of curiosity. why so many deals on k-3?.

[RobA_Oz]

Just asking out of curiosity. why so many deals on k-3?.

I doubt it's because it isn't selling well, which is what the detractors might say. I suspect that, after the initial wave of sales success (look at how quickly the limited silver edition sold out), they're building on it with early bundling deals, to keep the sales momentum high. The more sales you make, the more you're going to make.

The DA50/1.8 isn't an expensive lens, and the BG-5 grip was obviously a lot cheaper to make than its predecessor. Having said that, I wouldn't have minded getting in on this deal, but I acted too early. It seems the time between early adopters and early majority has shrunk somewhat.

[trumanusa]

I doubt it's because it isn't selling well, which is what the detractors might say. I suspect that, after the initial wave of sales success (look at how quickly the limited silver edition sold out), they're building on it with early bundling deals, to keep the sales momentum high. The more sales you make, the more you're going to make.

The DA50/1.8 isn't an expensive lens, and the BG-5 grip was obviously a lot cheaper to make than its predecessor. Having said that, I wouldn't have minded getting in on this deal, but I acted too early. It seems the time between early adopters and early majority has shrunk somewhat.

I have a k-5II now and i am getting tempted seeing the deal. Only thing holding me back is, how much is difference between k-5II and K-3.

[Adam]

Just asking out of curiosity. why so many deals on k-3?.

MAP is set at $1299, so in order to be competitive retailers are offering bonus gear along with the camera to make it more attractive to customers.

Only thing holding me back is, how much is difference between k-5II and K-3.

The difference is pretty big in most areas; our review should sum things up pretty well for you:
Pentax K-3 Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

[bass3587]

MAP is set at $1299, so in order to be competitive retailers are offering bonus gear along with the camera to make it more attractive to customers.


Pentax K-3 Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

Makes sense to me. Either way I'm glad I ordered early. I need the extra time to get familiar with a new camera. Oh and Adam they (B&H) took care of me. They are an awesome company to work with!

[LaurenOE]

I think some retailers know, that the next "Pentax dSLR" will be a "Ricoh" and they know it won't sell as well as a "Pentax" because no one really knows (or cares about Ricoh).
Naturally, retailers are trying to get as many sales and brand loyalty in place before the "crash" when Ricoh does the switch over.

Ricoh is doing it's best to put cameras in the hands people who are "along for the ride", however, Ricoh is mistaken that people think Pentax cameras "are" Ricoh cameras.

I think retailers know how much Pentax means to the people that actually buy Pentax.
Nowhere on the web do I see ANY K3 being called a "Ricoh".
If Ricoh stays true to their form, they are not happy with that.
I see Ricoh forcing the issue in the coming months/year.

So if I was a retailer, I too would be trying to sell as much gear as possible before the "brand" Pentax disappears.
The few people who think that Pentax doesn't matter will be the only ones who are going to buy Ricoh cameras.

When that happens, Ricoh will scratch their heads and wonder why their sales have tanked.
As a retailer, you don't want to be caught in a marketing misstep.

I think Ricoh is about to embark on such a misstep in 2014.

[manishved]

The other reason that the K3 has not received a warm response is that the market was expecting a full frame from Pentax (nee...Ricoh) and not another APS-C based camera....

[RobA_Oz]

The other reason that the K3 has not received a warm response is that the market was expecting a full frame from Pentax (nee...Ricoh) and not another APS-C based camera....

How many sales constitute a "warm" response? Have we actually seen any sales figures yet, aside from the sold-out limited production silver edition? Admittedly, I haven't seen a press release from Pentax, saying that sales had exceeded their expectations, like Sony did with the A7, but they don't seem to be masters of hyperbole, either.

[ToyTank]

Edit:

Out of context post meant for other thread

[dankoBanana]

SO. anyone coming from the USA to EU willing to get me this?

[NotaxPen]

I was a little disappointed to see that I missed the sale with the free grip last week or whenever it was. I was thinking of getting the deal with the 50/1.8 and selling it to purchase the grip, but they are not selling for much on ebay right now. Today I was on B&H checking to see if the grip was in stock yet, and it finally was. Time to get my K-3. Then I notice the red fine print where it says $400 and something value for the free stuff, I said whaaat? Wait a minute, free 50/1.8 AND Grip, I'm not missing it this time. Now I'm glad I waited. I paid full retail ($1599.00) for my K-5 body at the semi-local Pentax dealer, so nice to get a bit of a break for a change.

[Adam]

You got it just in time- it looks like they just pulled the free grip offer and now it's back to being just the camera & lens. Still not bad, but hey, can't complain about a free grip!

[monochrome]

I think some retailers know, that the next "Pentax dSLR" will be a "Ricoh" and they know it won't sell as well as a "Pentax" because no one really knows (or cares about Ricoh).
Naturally, retailers are trying to get as many sales and brand loyalty in place before the "crash" when Ricoh does the switch over.

Ricoh is doing it's best to put cameras in the hands people who are "along for the ride", however, Ricoh is mistaken that people think Pentax cameras "are" Ricoh cameras.

I think retailers know how much Pentax means to the people that actually buy Pentax.
Nowhere on the web do I see ANY K3 being called a "Ricoh".
If Ricoh stays true to their form, they are not happy with that.
I see Ricoh forcing the issue in the coming months/year.

So if I was a retailer, I too would be trying to sell as much gear as possible before the "brand" Pentax disappears.
The few people who think that Pentax doesn't matter will be the only ones who are going to buy Ricoh cameras.

When that happens, Ricoh will scratch their heads and wonder why their sales have tanked.
As a retailer, you don't want to be caught in a marketing misstep.

I think Ricoh is about to embark on such a misstep in 2014.

That isn't Ricoh's historical behavior in Office Machines and I don't believe they will do it in cameras unless the Pentax name is so tarnished outside our circle that a new name would actually help sell cameras (which is actually possible).

IMHO the small RICOH on the back is consistent with what they have done with every brand they have acquired. I believe as they flesh out the two brands product placement decisions will be made, but mirrored DSLR's will be Pentax cameras.

For retailers to "know" something that big they'd also have to "know" not to tell, and be party to the conspiracy, and of course be party to the rule that the larger a conspiracy is the easier it is to keep secret because revealing it isn't revealing anything.

So I guess we're all now parties to the conspiracy, buying our K3"s while they only have Ricoh on the back - before it is too late and they Ricoh'ed on the front.

Ah, well, PentaxIsDoomed anyway.