DA 20-40mm crazy low at B&H

DA 20-40mm crazy low at B&H · 09:28 PM

The black version of the DA 20-40mm is currently listed at $592 at B&H:

Pentax HD Pentax DA 20-40mm f/2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR Lens 23000

mee · 01-04-2016, 09:55 PM

Wow.. silver version is 204 dollars more!

**carlb** · 01-04-2016, 10:30 PM

A copy of this lens from the Ebay shop of the official Australian distributor costs around $US680. When you add in the likely postage from B & H to Oz then it's not that much more expensive to buy it locally (with local warranty and free express postage). I never thought I'd be saying that!! It looks like the local distributors have finally got the message.

**mike.hiran** · 01-05-2016, 01:15 AM

great price on this lens!

starbase218 · 01-05-2016, 01:19 AM

Meanwhile, in The Netherlands, the lowest price of this lens is still EUR 899, which is almost USD 1000.

Although we do have all kinds of consumer protection, like a mandatory 2 year warranty and stuff like that. Still, it's almost double the price.

H. Sapiens · 01-05-2016, 03:27 AM

Can anyone in NY host me? :-)

Microglobe is selling this lens cheap in the UK. I am not familiar with the shop - they are obviously grey market and will likely be a hassle if you have warranty claims, but for all I know they are legit.

**RobA_Oz** · 01-05-2016, 03:41 AM

Originally posted by carlb

A copy of this lens from the Ebay shop of the official Australian distributor costs around $US680. When you add in the likely postage from B & H to Oz then it's not that much more expensive to buy it locally (with local warranty and free express postage). I never thought I'd be saying that!! It looks like the local distributors have finally got the message.

They've had the message for quite some time now. Nearly two years ago when I got my DA35/2.8 Macro Limited, they were cheaper than sourcing it out of the US. The same went for the Sigma 8-16. Even with the AUD being low, CRK is doing a remarkable job of keeping Australian prices down.

**carlb** · 01-05-2016, 06:47 AM

Originally posted by RobA_Oz

They've had the message for quite some time now. Nearly two years ago when I got my DA35/2.8 Macro Limited, they were cheaper than sourcing it out of the US. The same went for the Sigma 8-16. Even with the AUD being low, CRK is doing a remarkable job of keeping Australian prices down.

Yep, credit where it's due. I've often seen the deals posted here from B & H / Adorama etc and checked dcxpert or some of the other local sites and the prices have been remarkably competitive. Certainly close enough to persuade me to go for the local option.

**BigMackCam** · 01-05-2016, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by H. Sapiens

Can anyone in NY host me? :-)

Microglobe is selling this lens cheap in the UK. I am not familiar with the shop - they are obviously grey market and will likely be a hassle if you have warranty claims, but for all I know they are legit.

I've used Microglobe for a few lenses and accessories in the past. The products are indeed grey market, but stocked in the UK and shipped from their London address. I had problems with a DA16-85 I bought from them, and they replaced it when they received the faulty one back from me. The second one was de-centered, so I returned that for a refund. It took well over a week after they received it before I was refunded, and I did have to chase them gently - but they were as good as their word. I continue to buy from them when the need arises.

veato · 01-05-2016, 09:50 AM

Originally posted by H. Sapiens

Can anyone in NY host me? :-)

Microglobe is selling this lens cheap in the UK. I am not familiar with the shop - they are obviously grey market and will likely be a hassle if you have warranty claims, but for all I know they are legit.

As they're a bricks and mortar store you have protection in the UK from the Sale of Goods Act regardless of warranty validity.

Outis · 01-05-2016, 09:55 AM

So what are people's opinions on the 20-40 vs. the 16-85 or 16-50? The search for a better weather-sealed lens than the kit lens continues...

lytrytyr · 01-05-2016, 10:11 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Outis

So what are people's opinions on the 20-40 vs. the 16-85 or 16-50? The search for a better weather-sealed lens than the kit lens continues...

The 20-40 is a DA Limited.
Buy it if its rendering gives you a look that you can appreciate.
But if you really hanker for the harshness of the proverbial "digital" lens,
it may not be for you!

bdery · 01-06-2016, 10:54 AM

Originally posted by Outis

So what are people's opinions on the 20-40 vs. the 16-85

I tested the 20-40 and own the 16-85. The former is smaller, lighter, has a nice feel to it. Its IQ appears excellent. However, I found its range was much too short for my use. I don't believe it's meant to replace the 16-85, it's meant to replace (with some compromises) the limited primes.

lytrytyr · 01-06-2016, 11:28 AM

Originally posted by bdery

I tested the 20-40 and own the 16-85. The former is smaller, lighter, has a nice feel to it. Its IQ appears excellent. However, I found its range was much too short for my use. I don't believe it's meant to replace the 16-85, it's meant to replace (with some compromises) the limited primes.

I would rather say "complement" than "replace".

While I don't own the DA 21 or the DA 40 Ltd,
I do have experience of the DA 35 Ltd and DA 40 XS.
The rendering of the DA 20-40 is different
from the rendering of those two lenses.

Also, the DA 20-40, small as it is for a zoom,
is not a pancake like the DA 21 or DA 40,
so it attracts more attention from subjects
than a pancake lens would do.
It's a trade-off between stealth and convenience.

braver · 01-08-2016, 12:14 PM

As I mentioned in the B&H/Adorama thread, this is a very strange deal. 20-40 is offered from $500 to $592 on Amazon from dozens of sellers, in both silver and black. There're some strange kits with wipes and filters hovering around $500. Prime prices is $542 for black and $571 for silver (silver on backorder). At the same time, both B&H and Adorama were showing $796 for both models last night. At the same time, a Facebook ad for B&H was still showing black for $592, while clicking went to the page with $796. I wonder if it is a pricing glitch that's showing

-- a pricing mistake for B&H and Adorama
-- an alignment between the two

Obviously this kind of pricing just doesn't make any sense while Amazon is teeming with sellers under $592.

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01-04-2016, 09:55 PM	#2
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Wow.. silver version is 204 dollars more!

01-04-2016, 10:30 PM	#3
carlb Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,163	A copy of this lens from the Ebay shop of the official Australian distributor costs around $US680. When you add in the likely postage from B & H to Oz then it's not that much more expensive to buy it locally (with local warranty and free express postage). I never thought I'd be saying that!! It looks like the local distributors have finally got the message.

01-05-2016, 01:15 AM	#4
mike.hiran Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: portland Photos: Albums Posts: 1,491	great price on this lens!

01-05-2016, 01:19 AM	#5
starbase218 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Planet Earth, Sol system, Milky Way galaxy, Universe Posts: 1,119	Meanwhile, in The Netherlands, the lowest price of this lens is still EUR 899, which is almost USD 1000. Although we do have all kinds of consumer protection, like a mandatory 2 year warranty and stuff like that. Still, it's almost double the price.

01-05-2016, 03:27 AM	#6
H. Sapiens Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 328	Can anyone in NY host me? :-) Microglobe is selling this lens cheap in the UK. I am not familiar with the shop - they are obviously grey market and will likely be a hassle if you have warranty claims, but for all I know they are legit.

01-05-2016, 03:41 AM	#7
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,200	Originally posted by carlb A copy of this lens from the Ebay shop of the official Australian distributor costs around $US680. When you add in the likely postage from B & H to Oz then it's not that much more expensive to buy it locally (with local warranty and free express postage). I never thought I'd be saying that!! It looks like the local distributors have finally got the message. They've had the message for quite some time now. Nearly two years ago when I got my DA35/2.8 Macro Limited, they were cheaper than sourcing it out of the US. The same went for the Sigma 8-16. Even with the AUD being low, CRK is doing a remarkable job of keeping Australian prices down.

01-05-2016, 06:47 AM	#8
carlb Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,163	Originally posted by RobA_Oz They've had the message for quite some time now. Nearly two years ago when I got my DA35/2.8 Macro Limited, they were cheaper than sourcing it out of the US. The same went for the Sigma 8-16. Even with the AUD being low, CRK is doing a remarkable job of keeping Australian prices down. Yep, credit where it's due. I've often seen the deals posted here from B & H / Adorama etc and checked dcxpert or some of the other local sites and the prices have been remarkably competitive. Certainly close enough to persuade me to go for the local option.

01-05-2016, 06:57 AM	#9
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,680	Originally posted by H. Sapiens Can anyone in NY host me? :-) Microglobe is selling this lens cheap in the UK. I am not familiar with the shop - they are obviously grey market and will likely be a hassle if you have warranty claims, but for all I know they are legit. I've used Microglobe for a few lenses and accessories in the past. The products are indeed grey market, but stocked in the UK and shipped from their London address. I had problems with a DA16-85 I bought from them, and they replaced it when they received the faulty one back from me. The second one was de-centered, so I returned that for a refund. It took well over a week after they received it before I was refunded, and I did have to chase them gently - but they were as good as their word. I continue to buy from them when the need arises.

01-05-2016, 09:50 AM	#10
veato Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Nottingham Posts: 543	Originally posted by H. Sapiens Can anyone in NY host me? :-) Microglobe is selling this lens cheap in the UK. I am not familiar with the shop - they are obviously grey market and will likely be a hassle if you have warranty claims, but for all I know they are legit. As they're a bricks and mortar store you have protection in the UK from the Sale of Goods Act regardless of warranty validity.

01-05-2016, 09:55 AM	#11
Outis Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 935	So what are people's opinions on the 20-40 vs. the 16-85 or 16-50? The search for a better weather-sealed lens than the kit lens continues...

01-05-2016, 10:11 AM - 1 Like	#12
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by Outis So what are people's opinions on the 20-40 vs. the 16-85 or 16-50? The search for a better weather-sealed lens than the kit lens continues... The 20-40 is a DA Limited. Buy it if its rendering gives you a look that you can appreciate. But if you really hanker for the harshness of the proverbial "digital" lens, it may not be for you!

01-06-2016, 10:54 AM	#13
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,360	Originally posted by Outis So what are people's opinions on the 20-40 vs. the 16-85 I tested the 20-40 and own the 16-85. The former is smaller, lighter, has a nice feel to it. Its IQ appears excellent. However, I found its range was much too short for my use. I don't believe it's meant to replace the 16-85, it's meant to replace (with some compromises) the limited primes.

01-06-2016, 11:28 AM	#14
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by bdery I tested the 20-40 and own the 16-85. The former is smaller, lighter, has a nice feel to it. Its IQ appears excellent. However, I found its range was much too short for my use. I don't believe it's meant to replace the 16-85, it's meant to replace (with some compromises) the limited primes. I would rather say "complement" than "replace". While I don't own the DA 21 or the DA 40 Ltd, I do have experience of the DA 35 Ltd and DA 40 XS. The rendering of the DA 20-40 is different from the rendering of those two lenses. Also, the DA 20-40, small as it is for a zoom, is not a pancake like the DA 21 or DA 40, so it attracts more attention from subjects than a pancake lens would do. It's a trade-off between stealth and convenience.

01-08-2016, 12:14 PM	#15
braver Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hanover, NH Posts: 157	As I mentioned in the B&H/Adorama thread, this is a very strange deal. 20-40 is offered from $500 to $592 on Amazon from dozens of sellers, in both silver and black. There're some strange kits with wipes and filters hovering around $500. Prime prices is $542 for black and $571 for silver (silver on backorder). At the same time, both B&H and Adorama were showing $796 for both models last night. At the same time, a Facebook ad for B&H was still showing black for $592, while clicking went to the page with $796. I wonder if it is a pricing glitch that's showing -- a pricing mistake for B&H and Adorama -- an alignment between the two Obviously this kind of pricing just doesn't make any sense while Amazon is teeming with sellers under $592. A+