Low Limited and premium lens prices continue and B&H and Adorama this week. Also, check out the DA 16-85mm for just $446!

HD DA 1.4x Teleconverter
$449.49 (24% off) @ B&H
$449.49 (24% off) @ Adorama

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DA 14mm F2.8
$518.64 (45% off) @ B&H
$529.95 (44% off) @ Adorama

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HD DA 15mm F4 Ltd. (Black)
$546.95 (15% off) @ B&H
$546.95 (15% off) @ Adorama

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HD DA 15mm F4 Ltd. (Silver)
$400.53 (38% off) @ B&H
$400.53 (38% off) @ Adorama

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HD DA 21mm F3.2 Ltd.
$354.90 (45% off) @ B&H
$354.90 (45% off) @ Adorama

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HD DA 21mm F3.2 Ltd. (Silver)
$379.00 (41% off) @ B&H
$379.00 (41% off) @ Adorama

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FA 31mm F1.8 Ltd.
$749.95 (42% off) @ B&H
$749.95 (42% off) @ Adorama

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DA 35mm F2.4
$106.95 (50% off) @ B&H
$107.74 (50% off) @ Adorama

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HD DA 35mm F2.8 Ltd. Macro
$429.95 (42% off) @ B&H
$426.62 (42% off) @ Adorama

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HD DA 35mm F2.8 Ltd. Macro (Silver)
$387.87 (48% off) @ B&H
$387.87 (48% off) @ Adorama

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DA 40mm F2.8 XS
$226.95 (8% off) @ B&H
$129.95 (47% off) @ Adorama

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HD DA 40mm F2.8 Ltd.
$279.31 (53% off) @ B&H
$289.99 (51% off) @ Adorama

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HD DA 40mm F2.8 Ltd. (Silver)
$274.99 (53% off) @ B&H
$274.99 (53% off) @ Adorama

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FA 43mm F1.9 Ltd.
$457.63 (38% off) @ B&H
$459.95 (38% off) @ Adorama

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FA 50mm F1.4
$289.95 (35% off) @ B&H
$274.14 (38% off) @ Adorama

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DA 50mm F1.8
$89.89 (63% off) @ B&H
$90.90 (63% off) @ Adorama

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D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro
$249.99 (58% off) @ B&H
$249.99 (58% off) @ Adorama

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DA* 55mm F1.4
$599.95 (24% off) @ B&H
$599.95 (24% off) @ Adorama

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HD DA 70mm F2.4 Ltd.
$394.92 (47% off) @ B&H
$459.95 (38% off) @ Adorama

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HD DA 70mm F2.4 Ltd. (Silver)
$496.95 (33% off) @ B&H
$372.20 (50% off) @ Adorama

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FA 77mm F1.8 Ltd.
$749.00 (28% off) @ B&H
$749.00 (28% off) @ Adorama

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D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro
$369.95 (56% off) @ B&H
$342.82 (59% off) @ Adorama

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DA* 200mm F2.8
$724.89 (39% off) @ B&H
$725.99 (39% off) @ Adorama

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DA* 300mm F4
$853.74 (38% off) @ B&H
$871.61 (37% off) @ Adorama

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DA 560mm F5.6 AW
$4996.95 (28% off) @ B&H
$4996.95 (28% off) @ Adorama

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DA 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 Fisheye
$304.85 (52% off) @ B&H
$304.85 (52% off) @ Adorama

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DA* 16-50mm F2.8
$683.95 (47% off) @ B&H
$683.95 (47% off) @ Adorama

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DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 WR
$446.95 (40% off) @ B&H
$446.95 (40% off) @ Adorama

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DA 17-70mm F4
$349.95 (41% off) @ B&H
$349.95 (41% off) @ Adorama

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DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 WR
$147.89 (24% off) @ B&H
$179.95 (8% off) @ Adorama

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DA 18-270mm F3.5-6.3
$409.19 (48% off) @ B&H
$410.87 (48% off) @ Adorama

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HD DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Ltd. WR
$562.96 (43% off) @ B&H
$649.95 (34% off) @ Adorama

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HD DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Ltd. WR (Silver)
$629.95 (36% off) @ B&H
$629.95 (36% off) @ Adorama

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DA* 50-135mm F2.8
$732.00 (47% off) @ B&H
$732.00 (47% off) @ Adorama

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DA 50-200mm F4-5.6 WR
$196.95 (20% off) @ B&H
$196.95 (20% off) @ Adorama

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HD DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 WR
$269.95 (39% off) @ B&H
$269.95 (39% off) @ Adorama

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DA* 60-250mm F4
$832.57 (40% off) @ B&H
$832.57 (40% off) @ Adorama

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D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 AW
$1755.56 (29% off) @ B&H
$1760.11 (29% off) @ Adorama

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[jeffshaddix]

Adam, can you shed light on why these sales are happening? They seem to me to be significant historic lows for a lot of lenses, and I don't consider February to be a typical sale season. Is it just hype before the FF launch? Clearing out old stock for a new round of 4K lenses instead of HD?

[Adam]

Adam, can you shed light on why these sales are happening? They seem to me to be significant historic lows for a lot of lenses, and I don't consider February to be a typical sale season. Is it just hype before the FF launch? Clearing out old stock for a new round of 4K lenses instead of HD?

We've been enjoying everyday low prices for the past several months on lenses. It's likely just a natural result of demand and pressure from the competition.

What's more interesting is the lack of blowout deals on more recent cemera bodies like the K-3, but I'd say it's still hard to complain.

[jeffshaddix]

We've been enjoying everyday low prices for the past several months on lenses. It's likely just a natural result of demand and pressure from the competition.

What's more interesting is the lack of blowout deals on more recent cemera bodies like the K-3, but I'd say it's still hard to complain.

Thanks Adam, can't complain indeed...I picked up a 60-250 on this sale. Just wish I had enough for a 16-85 and 31 while I was at it.

[ToyTank]

This time of year in the USA people are getting Tax refunds, and Tax credits good time to lure consumers who may not have disposable income most of the year.

[amp]

What's more interesting is the lack of blowout deals on more recent cemera bodies like the K-3, but I'd say it's still hard to complain.

Hey Adam. I know you're probably not privy to any inside info, but do you think eventually the K3 will be further discounted at some point? Just asking because you've seen how these things work from past experience.
I would get another K3 in a flash if it was just bit more discounted. Thanks.

[Adam]

What's more interesting is the lack of blowout deals on more recent cemera bodies like the K-3, but I'd say it's still hard to complain.

Hey Adam. I know you're probably not privy to any inside info, but do you think eventually the K3 will be further discounted at some point? Just asking because you've seen how these things work from past experience.
I would get another K3 in a flash if it was just bit more discounted. Thanks.

It's hard to tell. The K-3 is already cheaper than competing bodies from its generation, so it might be selling well enough at the current price point.

Adorama was offering a nice free accessory kit for a while, but that went away last month.

[Lititz]

Does anyone know if there is an official ending date for the current reduced prices? The January sale prices listed January 31 as the last day; I don't see any indication of a final date for the current sale. Thanks!

[Penumbra]

No one knows, the discounts will last until the stock is exhausted or reaches a certain (low) level, my guess is. This is why you see deals that were scheduled for the end of january still be in effect.

What i would do: if the discount on the lens you're after is at ~ 40-50% pull the trigger now, don't wait longer. For example, the DA 100mm macro, even if it would potentially go down more (unlikely) it won't be more than 10-20$, tops, while the "danger" of going back up again is higher (i hope not). I would hope, as long as Pentax still has a margin with the current prices, that they keep it at this level, they would sell much more i think. But probably in time, as to slowly regain the market based on competitive prices doesn't happen over night.

And, for the love of the Great Architect in the sky, turn your face towards the European market as well, Ricoh. I am drooling over these prices (that for me are still high but at least not astronomical) that you have in the USA, drooling from thousand kilometers away and i don't find it normal at all. But maybe the european market is deemed lost by Pentax/Ricoh and the focus/battle is, now, for the USA market. Maybe they don't have the energy to fight this tough battle on 2 fronts (potentially 3, taking Japan into account).

[Lititz]

Good points, Penumbra. Regarding Europe prices, and prices generally: I initially wondered if shifts in currency values were playing a role. I compared some currency exchange rates. Current US dollar strength (relative to, say, a year ago) in theory should be making things even cheaper in the USA, and declines in the values of Pentax manufacturing country currencies (Vietnam, Philippines, again relative to about a year or more ago) should be reducing Ricoh's overall production cost (measured in yen or US$). But then (contrary to what I just wrote), one would expect the USA Pentax webstore prices to be lower as well, and they aren't. These current low prices generally seem unique to B&H and Adorama (and a few Amazon sellers which likely are offering gray market items).

[monochrome]

Ricoh cannot compete against its independent Dealers through its captive Dealer, the Webstore.

[r0ckstarr]

150-450 is now $1,719.57 at B&H. How much lower will it go?

[VoiceOfReason]

I ended up after cash back at 1501 on mine and I like it.

[a5m]

Black HD DA 15mm is $399.95 and Silver is $392.32.

[DarCam]

Cant complain. For $1000 you can get a great "starter" kit comprised of a K-50 and a few Limiteds. That's crazy talk if you would have told me this two years ago.