[johan_tanying]

Dusty spring greetings from China! I have been lurking around for some time, but might as well register.

Have been using Pentax since 1981 or so, starting with a MV and later a Super A in 1985. After going digital with a Canon Ixus 2003, my poor Super A was left on the shelf almost unused. Back to Pentax again in 2008 when buying a second-hand K10D. Recently got a K-5 with the 18-135 since the K10D started to have issues and price-hikes due to the Japanese earthquake was imminent.

By the way, Pentax in China is still quite rare. Things were better in the 1980s and 90s, but after that only the point and shoots were sold officially in China. It is just the recent couple of years the DSLRs are available through authorized resellers. However, with the K-x and K-r (and to some extent the K-5) things are looking better.

I got my K-5 and 18-135 for almost 13000 RMB (around 2000 USD) at one of the few authorized resellers in Zhongguancun (the tiny shop 2A024 inkemao dianzi cheng just east of the subway stop Zhongguancun on line 4). Full address in the second entry on this page: PENTAX??-????-????. Although very small, they have lenses like the FA31 in stock.

Stay away from any shop unlisted on Pentax' page above! They may claim they have Pentax gear for good prices but you will get grey imports and/or exposed to a classic "bait and switch" scam!

And always make sure you get the proper import certificates if you want to avoid the grey market. This is how the papers look like: PENTAX??-????-??????

[Dma110]

Welcome to the forum. Enjoyed the time my wife & I spent in your city

Dennis

[ybcnd]

Welcome to the board, Johan.
I got both k7 and k5s this year via online purchase here in Beijing, both warranty cards indicate the product is for sale in China.
I had the 18-135 lens briefly but sold it for about 90% of the price. I decided to have prime lens for better colors and clarity, hopefully.

[tvbppc]

Weclome to the forum. Thanks for the purchase advice.