Street prices of Pentax lenses are going crazy in France.

DA* 55/1.4 644€ --> 849€
DA 100WR 473€ --> 599€
DA* 300/4 1009€ --> 1299€
DA 560/5.6 4869€ --> 5499€
FA Ltd 77/1.8 836€ --> 1049€

Even more surprising
DA* 50-135 929€ --> 1199€

Some people, including me were still buying Pentax in France. Is Ricoh asking us to stop ?

French price watch site : Acheter Optique Pentax moins cher
Prices above are from DigitPhoto.

[starjedi]

Street prices of Pentax lenses are going crazy in France.

DA* 55/1.4 644€ --> 849€
DA 100WR 473€ --> 599€
DA* 300/4 1009€ --> 1299€
DA 560/5.6 4869€ --> 5499€
FA Ltd 77/1.8 836€ --> 1049€

Even more surprising
DA* 50-135 929€ --> 1199€

Some people, including me were still buying Pentax in France. Is Ricoh asking us to stop ?

French price witch site : Acheter Optique Pentax moins cher
Prices above are from DigitPhoto.

Because of EUR depreciation? The price is crazy even in US$ based...

[Glorfindelrb]

Those prices is including 20% VAT but still.

I don't think the exchange rates are involved, its have been pretty stable over more than 6 months now. Don't know what Ricoh expect from such prices.
And how to explain if it's only in EU. They maybe found that the moral was not low enough after the delay on the FF.

[yucatanPentax]

All the better reason to watch for bargain flights and make a shopping visit to NYC's Adorama or B&H.


You might be able to justify the cost of the flight and nice little vacation on the savings on lenses!

[Zygonyx]

Sometimes, early buyers are no ducks

[goubejp]

And 1500 euros for the 31 limited...
I bought mine new 5 years ago for 750 euros...
Crazy

[bxf]

I don't think the exchange rates are involved, its have been pretty stable over more than 6 months now

I wouldn't dismiss the lower value of the Euro (at least vs the US$ and UK£) as a factor. These things don't kick in instantly, so six months may be quite a realistic time frame for higher prices to take effect.

[cxdoo]

I wouldn't dismiss the lower value of the Euro (at least vs the US$ and UK£) as a factor. These things don't kick in instantly, so six months may be quite a realistic time frame for higher prices to take effect.

I don't buy this. There was a time when EUR/USD was at 1.60 and lenses were still much more expensive in Europe. At least at that time you could order from the USA and pay customs and still get ahead. Today, ....


If I had to guess, I'd say they're preparing the audience for massive discounts they'll be giving round Christmas time.

[MattyH]

Try living in the UK, $1 = £1 when it comes to manufacturers MRRP. Never worked it out?

I would rather import from USA, pay all the import tax and postage costs, and its made even easier these days thanks to the Internet and most American stores working it all out for you.

I really can't remember the last time I bought anything camera related from rip off Britain.

[Glorfindelrb]

I wouldn't dismiss the lower value of the Euro (at least vs the US$ and UK£) as a factor. These things don't kick in instantly, so six months may be quite a realistic time frame for higher prices to take effect.

Then how to explain that a lens sold in the US at $860+20%VAT=$1032 (< 910€) is sold 1500€ in France (+65% !) ? I don't think i'm the only one to look at prices and if I see such things I just don't buy.

[cxdoo]

if I see such things I just don't buy.

That's the reason I gave up on FA31 (and FA77 for that matter) and bought DA15 for a much more reasonable 500 EUR new. The only other lens that looked reasonable pricewise was FA100WR (~400 EUR). After that, I guess it's second hand market all the way for me.


Anyway, no hard feelings. Theirs is to price it, ours to buy or not.

[Jonathan Mac]

Street prices of Pentax lenses are going crazy in France.

DA* 55/1.4 644€ --> 849€
DA 100WR 473€ --> 599€
DA* 300/4 1009€ --> 1299€
DA 560/5.6 4869€ --> 5499€
FA Ltd 77/1.8 836€ --> 1049€

Even more surprising
DA* 50-135 929€ --> 1199€

Some people, including me were still buying Pentax in France. Is Ricoh asking us to stop ?

French price watch site : Acheter Optique Pentax moins cher
Prices above are from DigitPhoto.

Those are now pretty much exactly the prices that they already cost in Spain.

The only lens I've ever bought new in Spain was my Tamron 17-50/2.8. All Pentax lenses are massively over-priced here and available cheaper in the UK.

[redcat]

Street prices of Pentax lenses are going crazy in France. DA* 55/1.4 644€ --> 849€ DA 100WR 473€ --> 599€ DA* 300/4 1009€ --> 1299€ DA 560/5.6 4869€ --> 5499€ FA Ltd 77/1.8 836€ --> 1049€

maybe FF lens go crazy ?

[bxf]

I don't buy this. There was a time when EUR/USD was at 1.60 and lenses were still much more expensive in Europe. At least at that time you could order from the USA and pay customs and still get ahead. Today, ....

Absolutely right, but if the smaller discrepancy between US and EU prices seen in more recent times is a reflection of a different marketing strategy, then the hike mention by the OP could still be due to currency fluctuations.

If I had to guess, I'd say they're preparing the audience for massive discounts they'll be giving round Christmas time.

Sounds quite possible too. Time will tell.

[Shanti]

check here..my fav shop to buy from..cheapest in EU & cheaper than US as I get VAT back

Vast Brandpunt - Objectieven Onze prijzen zijn internet-prijzen

---------- Post added 10-14-15 at 08:55 PM ----------

and the same price as when I got my 150-450 4 months ago.. maybe its just France increasing prices??

Pentax HD FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6 DC AW - Telezoom - Objectieven Onze prijzen zijn internet-prijzen