Pentax Lens Price Hike - Here we go again!

**ak_kiwi** · 05-01-2013, 05:34 PM

Not really what I wanted to hear after picking my ordered K5iis 30 min ago

v5planet · 05-01-2013, 05:38 PM

Originally posted by jcdoss

Personally, I don't mind paying higher prices if I know I'm supporting a progressive company that's moving forward. Although, that new price on the 43mm might make me think real hard about earning my Limited Collector's Badge, I still might if something real and significant were also happening (better communication with this forum by an official Pentax rep might even be enough).

Don't also forget we're all going to see another price hike real soon, in the form of internet sales taxes. I'm pretty sure Congress will approve the collection of sales taxes in the not too distant future.

As an FA43 owner, I wouldn't pay the $500 I paid for it again. I certainly wouldn't pay $750.

**Fontan** · 05-01-2013, 06:12 PM - **1 Like**

I think it is about time they raised the prices on these gems. They were very under valued for what they were. Come on, people. These are Pentax lenses we are talking about. Compare these prices to that of Leica lenses. What a bargain. We better stock up, boys.

Winder · 05-01-2013, 06:13 PM

Originally posted by jcdoss

Personally, I don't mind paying higher prices if I know I'm supporting a progressive company that's moving forward.

Huh? Progressive in what way? Its not like they are leading a technology revolution with a 40 year old mount. Pentax is playing catch-up in almost every aspect of the game. They make really good cameras that I like, but so do other companies.

Docrwm · 05-01-2013, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by L33tGreg

Anybody think higher prices might just be inflation?

No. Inflation is not a real factor here. 50% for an established lens that is years old? Inflation?

jcdoss · 05-01-2013, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by Winder

Huh? Progressive in what way? Its not like they are leading a technology revolution with a 40 year old mount. Pentax is playing catch-up in almost every aspect of the game. They make really good cameras that I like, but so do other companies.

That was sarcasm... a poor attempt, I guess.

Medium FormatPro · 05-01-2013, 06:24 PM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

Blame? Seems to be quite obvious. It takes about 1,5 years to develop a DSLR. A new owner is guaranteed to mean some change of plans and/or new strategies...

Nikon developed their entry level full frame in nine months

Docrwm · 05-01-2013, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by jcdoss

That was sarcasm... a poor attempt, I guess.

Thanks for clarifying because I reacted the same way to your post. Its a tense time with Pentax raising prices old older models of lenses for no apparent reason. I wish they would put as much effort into an improved AF system as they appear to put into playing games with their current customer base. But then MBAs have always been easier to generate and hire than engineers.

**interested_observer** · 05-01-2013, 06:26 PM

I just got home a while ago, had some dinner and thought I would see what is on the forum.

I don't understand. I didn't understand the previous price increase either. This is stupidity rising to the top.

The 10-17 and 12-24 are the same lens as what Tokina offers in Canon and Nikon mounts, for substantially le$$. I fail to see any logic in this - at all.

lytrytyr · 05-01-2013, 06:35 PM

Originally posted by jeffshaddix

Are Canon and Nikon offerings in line with respect to price between US and other parts of the world?

Pretty much.
Take the Canon 35/1.4.
It's $1425 without tax in Germany,
and $1479 (but currently with $150 "savings") at B&H.

Docrwm · 05-01-2013, 06:40 PM

Originally posted by lytrytyr

Pretty much.
Take the Canon 35/1.4.
It's $1425 without tax in Germany,
and $1479 (but currently with $150 "savings") at B&H.

And tax is what for the lens in Germany? When I buy it from B&H I pay no tax. So the lens is $1479-$150=$1329 out the door.
Germans on the forum can correct me, of course, by my recollection is that the rate of value-added tax rate generally in force in Germany is 19%.

So, that lens in Germany is $1425 + $271 = $1696 out the door. My poor math skills say that it is $367 dollars more in Germany (or $217 without the "savings" in force currently).

By your reasoning Canon should immediately up the cost of that lens in the US. Wonder why two very successful camera companies don't have completely level pricing around the globe? Hmmm. I wonder.

reeftool · 05-01-2013, 06:49 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by L33tGreg

Anybody think higher prices might just be inflation?

There isn't a lot of inflation in the economy right now. Jacking up the price 10 or 20 bucks you could blame on inflation or exchange rates but some lenses had $250 price jumps. I can see no reason to justify a price increase like that. Most companies at least have enough sense to discontinue a product if they aren't making enough profit and then roll out a "new improved" one for the higher price. Sigma has been doing that and nobody is bitching.

jay_akita · 05-01-2013, 06:56 PM

Well this completely pushes me over the edge never to look back. I've recently bought into M43 and Nikon, you know Pentax is out of control when I can consider the 4 new, full frame Nikon lenses I bought recently to be a "bargain"

Throw in an amazing Yongnuo flash I bought for $200 that has full wireless i-TTL capability with remote flash control via the camera, great power, and exposure accuracy and my biggest regret now is not making the switch sooner...

Nikon, Canon and Olympus have all been offering deals with the Yen's devaluation and Pentax think they can raise prices even further??? Who's running the asylum???

Uluru · 05-01-2013, 07:04 PM

Originally posted by ak_kiwi

Not really what I wanted to hear after picking my ordered K5iis 30 min ago

I think NZ prices are safe.
People are talking here about PRIC USA and their local management of prices.
One thing we must constantly remember — PRIC USA is not global Pentax !
Their actions concern US customers, NOT the rest of the world.

Thus let's not judge global Pentax by the behaviour of PRIC USA.

Docrwm · 05-01-2013, 07:11 PM

Originally posted by Uluru

I think NZ prices are safe.
People are talking here about PRIC USA and their local management of prices.
One thing we must constantly remember — PRIC USA is not global Pentax !
Their actions concern US customers, NOT the rest of the world.

Thus let's not judge global Pentax by the behaviour of PRIC USA.

Here's my take on that issue.

Pentax Japan took direct control of Pentax USA with the replacement of Ned a while back. They also said that the new head of Pentax USA is only an Exec VP and that the President of the Company is the CEO or Pentax USA. So, the head of Pentax Japan is in charge officially, through a surrogate, at Pentax USA. It makes it darn hard to say this is only a rouge action by Pentax USA and not a reflection of the attitudes and judgement of Pentax Japan.

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05-01-2013, 05:34 PM	#61
ak_kiwi Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Auckland, New Zealand. Posts: 328	Not really what I wanted to hear after picking my ordered K5iis 30 min ago

05-01-2013, 05:38 PM	#62
v5planet Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 1,915	Originally posted by jcdoss Personally, I don't mind paying higher prices if I know I'm supporting a progressive company that's moving forward. Although, that new price on the 43mm might make me think real hard about earning my Limited Collector's Badge, I still might if something real and significant were also happening (better communication with this forum by an official Pentax rep might even be enough). Don't also forget we're all going to see another price hike real soon, in the form of internet sales taxes. I'm pretty sure Congress will approve the collection of sales taxes in the not too distant future. As an FA43 owner, I wouldn't pay the $500 I paid for it again. I certainly wouldn't pay $750.

05-01-2013, 06:12 PM - 1 Like	#63
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	I think it is about time they raised the prices on these gems. They were very under valued for what they were. Come on, people. These are Pentax lenses we are talking about. Compare these prices to that of Leica lenses. What a bargain. We better stock up, boys.

05-01-2013, 06:13 PM	#64
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Originally posted by jcdoss Personally, I don't mind paying higher prices if I know I'm supporting a progressive company that's moving forward. Huh? Progressive in what way? Its not like they are leading a technology revolution with a 40 year old mount. Pentax is playing catch-up in almost every aspect of the game. They make really good cameras that I like, but so do other companies.

05-01-2013, 06:22 PM	#65
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by L33tGreg Anybody think higher prices might just be inflation? No. Inflation is not a real factor here. 50% for an established lens that is years old? Inflation?

05-01-2013, 06:22 PM	#66
jcdoss Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,768	Originally posted by Winder Huh? Progressive in what way? Its not like they are leading a technology revolution with a 40 year old mount. Pentax is playing catch-up in almost every aspect of the game. They make really good cameras that I like, but so do other companies. That was sarcasm... a poor attempt, I guess.

05-01-2013, 06:24 PM	#67
Medium FormatPro Banned Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Charleston & Pittsburgh Photos: Albums Posts: 1,668	Originally posted by Pål Jensen Blame? Seems to be quite obvious. It takes about 1,5 years to develop a DSLR. A new owner is guaranteed to mean some change of plans and/or new strategies... Nikon developed their entry level full frame in nine months

05-01-2013, 06:25 PM	#68
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by jcdoss That was sarcasm... a poor attempt, I guess. Thanks for clarifying because I reacted the same way to your post. Its a tense time with Pentax raising prices old older models of lenses for no apparent reason. I wish they would put as much effort into an improved AF system as they appear to put into playing games with their current customer base. But then MBAs have always been easier to generate and hire than engineers.

05-01-2013, 06:26 PM	#69
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	I just got home a while ago, had some dinner and thought I would see what is on the forum. I don't understand. I didn't understand the previous price increase either. This is stupidity rising to the top. The 10-17 and 12-24 are the same lens as what Tokina offers in Canon and Nikon mounts, for substantially le$$. I fail to see any logic in this - at all.

05-01-2013, 06:35 PM	#70
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by jeffshaddix Are Canon and Nikon offerings in line with respect to price between US and other parts of the world? Pretty much. Take the Canon 35/1.4. It's $1425 without tax in Germany, and $1479 (but currently with $150 "savings") at B&H.

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05-01-2013, 06:40 PM	#71
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by lytrytyr Pretty much. Take the Canon 35/1.4. It's $1425 without tax in Germany, and $1479 (but currently with $150 "savings") at B&H. And tax is what for the lens in Germany? When I buy it from B&H I pay no tax. So the lens is $1479-$150=$1329 out the door. Germans on the forum can correct me, of course, by my recollection is that the rate of value-added tax rate generally in force in Germany is 19%. So, that lens in Germany is $1425 + $271 = $1696 out the door. My poor math skills say that it is $367 dollars more in Germany (or $217 without the "savings" in force currently). By your reasoning Canon should immediately up the cost of that lens in the US. Wonder why two very successful camera companies don't have completely level pricing around the globe? Hmmm. I wonder.

05-01-2013, 06:49 PM - 1 Like	#72
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,553	Originally posted by L33tGreg Anybody think higher prices might just be inflation? There isn't a lot of inflation in the economy right now. Jacking up the price 10 or 20 bucks you could blame on inflation or exchange rates but some lenses had $250 price jumps. I can see no reason to justify a price increase like that. Most companies at least have enough sense to discontinue a product if they aren't making enough profit and then roll out a "new improved" one for the higher price. Sigma has been doing that and nobody is bitching.

05-01-2013, 06:56 PM	#73
jay_akita Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 64	Well this completely pushes me over the edge never to look back. I've recently bought into M43 and Nikon, you know Pentax is out of control when I can consider the 4 new, full frame Nikon lenses I bought recently to be a "bargain" Throw in an amazing Yongnuo flash I bought for $200 that has full wireless i-TTL capability with remote flash control via the camera, great power, and exposure accuracy and my biggest regret now is not making the switch sooner... Nikon, Canon and Olympus have all been offering deals with the Yen's devaluation and Pentax think they can raise prices even further??? Who's running the asylum???

05-01-2013, 07:04 PM	#74
Uluru Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Back to my Walkabout Creek Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,535	Originally posted by ak_kiwi Not really what I wanted to hear after picking my ordered K5iis 30 min ago I think NZ prices are safe. People are talking here about PRIC USA and their local management of prices. One thing we must constantly remember — PRIC USA is not global Pentax ! Their actions concern US customers, NOT the rest of the world. Thus let's not judge global Pentax by the behaviour of PRIC USA.

05-01-2013, 07:11 PM	#75
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Uluru I think NZ prices are safe. People are talking here about PRIC USA and their local management of prices. One thing we must constantly remember — PRIC USA is not global Pentax ! Their actions concern US customers, NOT the rest of the world. Thus let's not judge global Pentax by the behaviour of PRIC USA. Here's my take on that issue. Pentax Japan took direct control of Pentax USA with the replacement of Ned a while back. They also said that the new head of Pentax USA is only an Exec VP and that the President of the Company is the CEO or Pentax USA. So, the head of Pentax Japan is in charge officially, through a surrogate, at Pentax USA. It makes it darn hard to say this is only a rouge action by Pentax USA and not a reflection of the attitudes and judgement of Pentax Japan.