Re: New lens prices
Bryan Jacoby wrote on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 07:39:07 -0700 > So, how 'bout them new lens prices?!? > > I have been pretty impressed with what I've seen in the Ricoh era > (yes, I think the K-01 is a great idea) and therefore I've been > optimistic about the future. But these new lens prices seem, shall we > say, less than well-considered. > > I guess I can understand a pricing policy designed to give > bricks-and-morter shops a chance to compete, but I don't see how it's > necessary to nearly double the price of some lenses to do that. > Sorry, but I don't see people lining up to pay $1500 for a DA* > 16-50mm. Can anybody explain this to me? > > On the bright side, the price of the FA 31mm Limited hasn't changed, > and in comparison it now seems like a heck of a deal. How could I not > buy one? I won't try to defend this price increase, as i don't know Pentax' cost structure, but I would wager that their new Ricoh masters took a look at their costs and P/L before deciding to make this move. If you look at Ricoh's existing product prices you see that they price for a niche market, and Pentax has been drifting in that direction for years. That said, if you enjoy reading posters frothing at the mouth (pen?) and having a hissy fit over this issue, take a gander at the Pentax DSLR Forum on DPR… Regards, Jim -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
On Wed, 4 Apr 2012 07:36:39 -0400 Steven Desjardins wrote: > Agreed. Some zooms are just Freudian for polite company. the 80-320 does well in the impolite company -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
Agreed. Some zooms are just Freudian for polite company. On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 11:30 PM, Christine Aguila wrote: > What Christine said--that's me too on the 16-5mm--I so hate that external > zoom. There's something very rude about the way it juts out. :-) Course, I > do wish I could replace my DA 16-45mm with a weather sealed lens--I can't > deny that, but I've become very skilled at walking between raindrops--so I > got me a work-around :-). > > Cheers, Christine/Chicago > > > > > On Apr 3, 2012, at 5:06 PM, Christine Nielsen wrote: > >> On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 3:27 PM, Mark Roberts >> wrote: >>> Christine Nielsen wrote: >>> I was having a hard time justifying the purchase at the old price, due to the lens' uneven reputation. I can't imagine shelling out at the new price. >>> >>> I bought my 16-50 as soon as the lens was introduced and it's worked >>> without a hitch for years, including several rain-sodden hikes across >>> Grandfather Mountain. It's my most-used lens. >>> >>> I know I'm just one data point but it's the data points that >>> experience a failure that usually make the loudest noises ;-) >> >> I remember you telling me how much you like that lens! And a couple >> of times since then, I've been ready to pull the trigger, and... I see >> a fresh batch of mixed reviews, and I stop. Beyond that, I don't love >> the external zoom... The weather sealing is nice, but... really, I'm >> not much for rainy hikes. All that humidity totally wrecks my hair. >> >> :) >> -c >> >> -- >> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> PDML@pdml.net >> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >> follow the directions. >> > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- Steve Desjardins -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
What Christine said--that's me too on the 16-5mm--I so hate that external zoom. There's something very rude about the way it juts out. :-) Course, I do wish I could replace my DA 16-45mm with a weather sealed lens--I can't deny that, but I've become very skilled at walking between raindrops--so I got me a work-around :-). Cheers, Christine/Chicago On Apr 3, 2012, at 5:06 PM, Christine Nielsen wrote: > On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 3:27 PM, Mark Roberts > wrote: >> Christine Nielsen wrote: >> >>> I was having a hard time justifying the purchase at the old >>> price, due to the lens' uneven reputation. I can't imagine shelling >>> out at the new price. >> >> I bought my 16-50 as soon as the lens was introduced and it's worked >> without a hitch for years, including several rain-sodden hikes across >> Grandfather Mountain. It's my most-used lens. >> >> I know I'm just one data point but it's the data points that >> experience a failure that usually make the loudest noises ;-) > > I remember you telling me how much you like that lens! And a couple > of times since then, I've been ready to pull the trigger, and... I see > a fresh batch of mixed reviews, and I stop. Beyond that, I don't love > the external zoom... The weather sealing is nice, but... really, I'm > not much for rainy hikes. All that humidity totally wrecks my hair. > > :) > -c > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. > -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
I must have missed that. I'm sure glad I've already got the 16-50, 50-135 & 60-250; Between them they now add up to around $2000 more than I paid. They're nice glass, but I'd think hard before paying that much. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 3:27 PM, Mark Roberts wrote: > Christine Nielsen wrote: > >>I was having a hard time justifying the purchase at the old >>price, due to the lens' uneven reputation. I can't imagine shelling >>out at the new price. > > I bought my 16-50 as soon as the lens was introduced and it's worked > without a hitch for years, including several rain-sodden hikes across > Grandfather Mountain. It's my most-used lens. > > I know I'm just one data point but it's the data points that > experience a failure that usually make the loudest noises ;-) I remember you telling me how much you like that lens! And a couple of times since then, I've been ready to pull the trigger, and... I see a fresh batch of mixed reviews, and I stop. Beyond that, I don't love the external zoom... The weather sealing is nice, but... really, I'm not much for rainy hikes. All that humidity totally wrecks my hair. :) -c -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
On Apr 3, 2012, at 14:27, Mark Roberts wrote: > > I bought my 16-50 as soon as the lens was introduced and it's worked > without a hitch for years, including several rain-sodden hikes across > Grandfather Mountain. It's my most-used lens. > > I know I'm just one data point but it's the data points that > experience a failure that usually make the loudest noises ;-) > Only problem I've had is when I dropped my camera bag and the lens took the brunt of impact. My fault. Had to get it serviced. Otherwise, I love having this camera out when I'm walking in the rain. It sits over my shoulders on TOP OF the camera bag, so I'm ready even if I'm in a downpour. Effective and entertaining, especially when someone points to my bag and says "uhm, sir? your camera's getting wet!" "Yes, I know". BUT with that being said: I wouldn't pay $1500 for that. Even the approx $800 price was a bit much to swallow way back when. -Charles -- Charles Robinson - charl...@visi.com Minneapolis, MN http://charles.robinsontwins.org http://www.facebook.com/charles.robinson -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
On Apr 3, 2012, at 12:18 PM, Sam L wrote: > > I sure can't, especially when I can get a tamron 16-50/2.8 for $400 - $500. > The weather proofing and the brand name are not worth $1000 to me. The weather proofing is critical for me. The 16-50 on the K-5 is a nearly perfect "daily driver" combination. It's fast enough for most lighting situations, it covers the critical zoom range, and in most cases, it's sharp enough that any difference in sharpness between it and a prime is moot, if it's even noticeable. Being able to take my camera out and shoot no matter what the weather, even if it's raining, or a dust storm, is crucial. I've gotten some of my best photos because I didn't need to worry if my camera got wet. I would love to have a DA* (weather sealing and quick shift focus) version of the DA35 macro as a daily driver prime. That would be close to the perfect lens for photo walks in the woods. -- Larry Colen l...@red4est.com sent from i4est -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
Christine Nielsen wrote: >I was having a hard time justifying the purchase at the old >price, due to the lens' uneven reputation. I can't imagine shelling >out at the new price. I bought my 16-50 as soon as the lens was introduced and it's worked without a hitch for years, including several rain-sodden hikes across Grandfather Mountain. It's my most-used lens. I know I'm just one data point but it's the data points that experience a failure that usually make the loudest noises ;-) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 10:38 AM, Bryan Jacoby wrote: > So, how 'bout them new lens prices?!? > > I have been pretty impressed with what I've seen in the Ricoh era > (yes, I think the K-01 is a great idea) and therefore I've been > optimistic about the future. But these new lens prices seem, shall we > say, less than well-considered. > > I guess I can understand a pricing policy designed to give > bricks-and-morter shops a chance to compete, but I don't see how it's > necessary to nearly double the price of some lenses to do that. > Sorry, but I don't see people lining up to pay $1500 for a DA* > 16-50mm. Can anybody explain this to me? I sure can't, especially when I can get a tamron 16-50/2.8 for $400 - $500. The weather proofing and the brand name are not worth $1000 to me. --- Sam -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
Last year's earthquake & tsunami along with other natural disasters in Asia have affected the cost of production. I know that when Thailand flooded last year hard-drive prices spiked. I bought a 1.5TB drive for $60.00 in July and after the floods, the cheapest I could find that same drive was about $200.00. It's back down to $100.00 now. Looks like prices have come down some since they're beginning to recover. Maybe the same will happen with camera & lens prices. From: Christine Nielsen Groan. The 16-50 has been on my wish list for a while... I guess I should have bought it $700 ago. I can understand incremental price increases, but almost double? Yikes. For a long time, one of the advantages of Pentax has been the value proposition... if that goes away, then what? Just as expensive as Canikon, but quirkier, and with no FF option? -c On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 10:38 AM, Bryan Jacoby wrote: So, how 'bout them new lens prices?!? I have been pretty impressed with what I've seen in the Ricoh era (yes, I think the K-01 is a great idea) and therefore I've been optimistic about the future. ?But these new lens prices seem, shall we say, less than well-considered. I guess I can understand a pricing policy designed to give bricks-and-morter shops a chance to compete, but I don't see how it's necessary to nearly double the price of some lenses to do that. Sorry, but I don't see people lining up to pay $1500 for a DA* 16-50mm. ?Can anybody explain this to me? On the bright side, the price of the FA 31mm Limited hasn't changed, and in comparison it now seems like a heck of a deal. ?How could I not buy one? -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
on 2012-04-03 10:35 Mark Roberts wrote At a certain point, Pentax has to price their lenses comparably to the competition because a lot of people will assume that cheaper means inferior and expensive = "better". i can see that working both ways — good equipment at a better price can also build a reputation but i can't say that i understand the "shape" of the Pentax market; as a single data point myself, i had been cautiously considering purchasing new Pentax lenses, but now i'm not even considering it; to make the price increase logical, Ricoh must expect enough profit from reduced unit sales to offset people like me i think Ricoh missed an opportunity to couple the price increase with a really strong support plan, and/or better warranty; that would have gotten the market's attention in a positive way -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 12:50 PM, Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote: > > The critical thing is that Ricoh/Pentax increase the build quality > (particularly on this specific lens!) so that it's worth the new price > point. Based on the problematic history reported here and elsewhere, I > wouldn't pay this amount of money for the DA*16-50/2.8 lens. I had > one, I sold it to a friend (and I wouldn't do that if I had any > reservations about the one I had), but I've seen reports from others > on everything from poor centering to failed focus motors, and mixed > reviews on warranty service for it too. That could ba a $1400 hassle. Agreed. I was having a hard time justifying the purchase at the old price, due to the lens' uneven reputation. I can't imagine shelling out at the new price. -c -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 9:35 AM, Mark Roberts wrote: > At a certain point, Pentax has to price their lenses comparably to the > competition because a lot of people will assume that cheaper means > inferior and expensive = "better". The critical thing is that Ricoh/Pentax increase the build quality (particularly on this specific lens!) so that it's worth the new price point. Based on the problematic history reported here and elsewhere, I wouldn't pay this amount of money for the DA*16-50/2.8 lens. I had one, I sold it to a friend (and I wouldn't do that if I had any reservations about the one I had), but I've seen reports from others on everything from poor centering to failed focus motors, and mixed reviews on warranty service for it too. That could ba a $1400 hassle. I paid a similar price for a couple of the Olympus ZD lenses I've owned. Comparing them to the new Pentax lenses I've owned, I could easily see why they were worth the additional money: far superior construction quality, flawless reliability. (I won't get into debates about their optical performance.) -- Godfrey godfreydigiorgi.posterous.com -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
On 4/3/2012 11:35 AM, Mark Roberts wrote: Bob Sullivan wrote: On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 11:22 AM, Bryan Jacoby wrote: On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 12:13 PM, Mark Roberts wrote: The Penatx 16-50, for example, is now priced in the same ballpark as its Canon and Nikon equivalents. Right. So the question is: is that a good idea, given Pentax's position in the market? Probably a good idea given their cost structure... Could be. But I note that the Nikon 17-55/2.8 at $1424.00 (B&H) isn't weather sealed; the Canon 16-35/2.8 at 1699.00 *is* weather sealed but costs almost $200 more than the Pentax and only goes to 35mm at the long end. At a certain point, Pentax has to price their lenses comparably to the competition because a lot of people will assume that cheaper means inferior and expensive = "better". It's a good thing I love the old manual primes so much! Though, I can't help but wonder how much pressure this will put on the vintage glass market. -- Walt -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
Bob Sullivan wrote: >On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 11:22 AM, Bryan Jacoby wrote: >> On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 12:13 PM, Mark Roberts >> wrote: >>> >>> The Penatx 16-50, for example, is now priced in the same ballpark as >>> its Canon and Nikon equivalents. >> >> Right. So the question is: is that a good idea, given Pentax's >> position in the market? >> >Probably a good idea given their cost structure... Could be. But I note that the Nikon 17-55/2.8 at $1424.00 (B&H) isn't weather sealed; the Canon 16-35/2.8 at 1699.00 *is* weather sealed but costs almost $200 more than the Pentax and only goes to 35mm at the long end. At a certain point, Pentax has to price their lenses comparably to the competition because a lot of people will assume that cheaper means inferior and expensive = "better". -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
The DA 55~300 increase is actually late in coming. A Fan - Original Message - From: Mark Roberts To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Cc: Sent: Tuesday, April 3, 2012 9:13 AM Subject: Re: New lens prices Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote: >Prices are rising across the board on camera equipment, due to cost of >materials, cost of doing business, and the general economic climate. >Look at Canon's 5D III .. it's not *that* much more camera than the 5D >II yet its intro price is $1000 higher. And Nikon, Canon and Leica >have all done lens price revisions lately. > >Buy less, use it more. The Penatx 16-50, for example, is now priced in the same ballpark as its Canon and Nikon equivalents. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
Probably a good idea given their cost structure... On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 11:22 AM, Bryan Jacoby wrote: > On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 12:13 PM, Mark Roberts > wrote: >> >> The Penatx 16-50, for example, is now priced in the same ballpark as >> its Canon and Nikon equivalents. > > Right. So the question is: is that a good idea, given Pentax's > position in the market? > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 12:13 PM, Mark Roberts wrote: > > The Penatx 16-50, for example, is now priced in the same ballpark as > its Canon and Nikon equivalents. Right. So the question is: is that a good idea, given Pentax's position in the market? -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
Godfrey DiGiorgi wrote: >Prices are rising across the board on camera equipment, due to cost of >materials, cost of doing business, and the general economic climate. >Look at Canon's 5D III .. it's not *that* much more camera than the 5D >II yet its intro price is $1000 higher. And Nikon, Canon and Leica >have all done lens price revisions lately. > >Buy less, use it more. The Penatx 16-50, for example, is now priced in the same ballpark as its Canon and Nikon equivalents. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
Groan. The 16-50 has been on my wish list for a while... I guess I should have bought it $700 ago. I can understand incremental price increases, but almost double? Yikes. For a long time, one of the advantages of Pentax has been the value proposition... if that goes away, then what? Just as expensive as Canikon, but quirkier, and with no FF option? -c On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 10:38 AM, Bryan Jacoby wrote: > So, how 'bout them new lens prices?!? > > I have been pretty impressed with what I've seen in the Ricoh era > (yes, I think the K-01 is a great idea) and therefore I've been > optimistic about the future. But these new lens prices seem, shall we > say, less than well-considered. > > I guess I can understand a pricing policy designed to give > bricks-and-morter shops a chance to compete, but I don't see how it's > necessary to nearly double the price of some lenses to do that. > Sorry, but I don't see people lining up to pay $1500 for a DA* > 16-50mm. Can anybody explain this to me? > > On the bright side, the price of the FA 31mm Limited hasn't changed, > and in comparison it now seems like a heck of a deal. How could I not > buy one? > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: New lens prices
Prices are rising across the board on camera equipment, due to cost of materials, cost of doing business, and the general economic climate. Look at Canon's 5D III .. it's not *that* much more camera than the 5D II yet its intro price is $1000 higher. And Nikon, Canon and Leica have all done lens price revisions lately. Buy less, use it more. G On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 7:38 AM, Bryan Jacoby wrote: > So, how 'bout them new lens prices?!? > > I have been pretty impressed with what I've seen in the Ricoh era > (yes, I think the K-01 is a great idea) and therefore I've been > optimistic about the future. But these new lens prices seem, shall we > say, less than well-considered. > > I guess I can understand a pricing policy designed to give > bricks-and-morter shops a chance to compete, but I don't see how it's > necessary to nearly double the price of some lenses to do that. > Sorry, but I don't see people lining up to pay $1500 for a DA* > 16-50mm. Can anybody explain this to me? > > On the bright side, the price of the FA 31mm Limited hasn't changed, > and in comparison it now seems like a heck of a deal. How could I not > buy one? > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. -- Godfrey godfreydigiorgi.posterous.com -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
New lens prices
So, how 'bout them new lens prices?!? I have been pretty impressed with what I've seen in the Ricoh era (yes, I think the K-01 is a great idea) and therefore I've been optimistic about the future. But these new lens prices seem, shall we say, less than well-considered. I guess I can understand a pricing policy designed to give bricks-and-morter shops a chance to compete, but I don't see how it's necessary to nearly double the price of some lenses to do that. Sorry, but I don't see people lining up to pay $1500 for a DA* 16-50mm. Can anybody explain this to me? On the bright side, the price of the FA 31mm Limited hasn't changed, and in comparison it now seems like a heck of a deal. How could I not buy one? -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
