Re: Lens and body color options
Alan wrote: Perhaps someone might ask the reason for their marketing decision too and report back to us. :) I believe many of us have been asking that already. At least I have. Not even the Pentax distributors know why just that this is a decision made by the marketing people in Japan. BTW Didn't someone send a mail to Pentax Japan about just this a few months back and got a reply that didn't really say anything except that it was a marketing decision?. Pål - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Lens and body color options
At 13:09 15.05.02 +0200, you wrote: Knut wrote: Nevertheless I'm keenly waiting for the 'FA 17/2.8 AL limited' to hit the market. I recon it will cost between 1500 to 2000 ($ or Euro). But it will be worth it! Have you information about a FA 17/2.8 Limited? I've heard about a FA 18/2.8 non limited. This information is final although the lens hasn't been released yet; it certainly exist at the prototype stage. Pål I thought I got that from you and that you were talking about limited lenses at that time. I confused 17/18mm. AL is a wish of mine! Corner resolution is poor in most extreme wide angle lenses and could hopefully be improved by an aspheric element. Knut - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Lens and body color options
At 13:13 15.05.02 +0200, you wrote: I believe many of us have been asking that already. At least I have. Not even the Pentax distributors know why just that this is a decision made by the marketing people in Japan. BTW Didn't someone send a mail to Pentax Japan about just this a few months back and got a reply that didn't really say anything except that it was a marketing decision?. Pål Yes. That was the response to my first query a year ago:marketing reasons Second query 1/2 year ago: limited demand for LTD lenses: two color versions for international market not worthwhile for Pentax Knut - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Lens and body color options
What is the rationale for this? Nothing is rational when it comes to Pentax. regards, Alan Chan _ Join the worlds largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Lens and body color options
Jim wrote: I've been reading lately about the MZ-S body and Limited lens line. Several reports have mentioned that Pentax has only released a black MZ-S in the US, but it's available in a black/silver version in Japan. The same with the Limited lenses...silver in the US and silver or black in Japan. I seem to have read the same thing about a black ZX-5 or 5n available in Japan and the MZ-3 was never even offered here. Was the MZ-3 offered in Japan? What is the rationale for this? My guess is that the rationale for this is that Pentax don't want people to match their Limited lenses with the MZ-S. What the rationale for *that* is anyones guess but mine is that Pentax want us to match our Limited lenses with something else. Another possibility is that Pentax marketing is totally without logic something that is a likely as any other interpretation. I know that Pentax in some markets are working on getting the chrome MZ-S. Also, parts for black Limited lenses are available in Europe suggesting that Pentax do indeed plan to distribute them to Europe at some stage. Pål - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Lens and body color options
Pål , As I was reading you post, it occurred to me that way back in the early days when the oceans were forming, Pentax introduced the SMC Takumars with provisions for open aperture metering etc. Long before the ES and Spotmatic F. Hm... Bob - Original Message - From: Pål Audun Jensen [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2002 9:01 PM Subject: Re: Lens and body color options Jim wrote: I've been reading lately about the MZ-S body and Limited lens line. Several reports have mentioned that Pentax has only released a black MZ-S in the US, but it's available in a black/silver version in Japan. The same with the Limited lenses...silver in the US and silver or black in Japan. I seem to have read the same thing about a black ZX-5 or 5n available in Japan and the MZ-3 was never even offered here. Was the MZ-3 offered in Japan? What is the rationale for this? My guess is that the rationale for this is that Pentax don't want people to match their Limited lenses with the MZ-S. What the rationale for *that* is anyones guess but mine is that Pentax want us to match our Limited lenses with something else. Another possibility is that Pentax marketing is totally without logic something that is a likely as any other interpretation. I know that Pentax in some markets are working on getting the chrome MZ-S. Also, parts for black Limited lenses are available in Europe suggesting that Pentax do indeed plan to distribute them to Europe at some stage. Pål - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Lens and body color options
On 13 May 2002 at 22:22, Jim Jackie Meeks wrote: I've been reading lately about the MZ-S body and Limited lens line. Several reports have mentioned that Pentax has only released a black MZ-S in the US, but it's available in a black/silver version in Japan. The same with the Limited lenses...silver in the US and silver or black in Japan. I seem to have read the same thing about a black ZX-5 or 5n available in Japan and the MZ-3 was never even offered here. Was the MZ-3 offered in Japan? What is the rationale for this? The MZ-3 was available in Japan (may still be) and Germany at least. Who knows why the Silver MZ-S or Black limited lenses aren't available outside Japan it makes little sense to me or anyone else that I've spoken with about it. Typical Pentax marketing genius I guess? Cheers, Rob Studdert HURSTVILLE AUSTRALIA Tel +61-2-9554-4110 UTC(GMT) +10 Hours [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://members.ozemail.com.au/~distudio/publications.html - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Lens and body color options
Other possibilities: Most likely the limited lenses are made in small batches. Originally the lenses were made to match the silver MZ-5/MZ-3 series, which sold in large quantities. As the MZ-S is more 'pro' it was launched in black. What should Pentax do with the stock of silver limited lenses left? I'm sure Pentax is not making a lot of money on the limited lenses. They are sold in small quantities and need exceptional attention to quality. It is really not easy. The rising prices of the limited lenses as they emerge reflects this 437731 Nevertheless I'm keenly waiting for the 'FA 17/2.8 AL limited' to hit the market. I recon it will cost between 1500 to 2000 ($ or Euro). But it will be worth it! Knut At 13:01 14.05.02 +0200, you wrote: Jim wrote: I've been reading lately about the MZ-S body and Limited lens line. Several reports have mentioned that Pentax has only released a black MZ-S in the US, but it's available in a black/silver version in Japan. The same with the Limited lenses...silver in the US and silver or black in Japan. I seem to have read the same thing about a black ZX-5 or 5n available in Japan and the MZ-3 was never even offered here. Was the MZ-3 offered in Japan? What is the rationale for this? My guess is that the rationale for this is that Pentax don't want people to match their Limited lenses with the MZ-S. What the rationale for *that* is anyones guess but mine is that Pentax want us to match our Limited lenses with something else. Another possibility is that Pentax marketing is totally without logic something that is a likely as any other interpretation. I know that Pentax in some markets are working on getting the chrome MZ-S. Also, parts for black Limited lenses are available in Europe suggesting that Pentax do indeed plan to distribute them to Europe at some stage. Pål - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Lens and body color options
I just found the response I got from the Japan headquarters when I asked them directly last autumn. I think they are really doing their best. If we are interested in the limited lenses (and buy more), the variety will increase (in numbers of different limited lenses available, as well as in colour variations). I guess the black batch was a market test in Japan. I'm not even sure if Pentax is still producing black lenses. Most likely they are just selling off the batch they produced in the past. That explains why they do not offer black limiteds to the world market. Lenses -like books- are produced in batches. A*lenses for example apparently are no longer produced for some years now, nevertheless last stocks are (still) available (A 15/3.5, A 16 fish-eye, A 50/1.2). To keep the black limited lenses on the shelves in Japan for a reasonable long time [to prevent consumers from getting disgrunted] they have to stretch their stock. The quantity of black lenses produced are probably enough to last in Japan for a few years, but would probably have gone within a few weeks if offered world wide. They have to be sure that it is worth setting up a new production batch of black limited lenses. Subject: RE: 43mm 77mm in Black Thank you for your contacting us again. However, we have to send you the same answer. We do not have plan to launch the black colour model for overseas market. We appreciate your suggestion. But we can not afford to do so. To launch a product, there is quantity requirement to run production at factory. In case of 43mm 77mm, it is very difficult to satisfy the condition. Small production would cost us a lot and eventually it will affect retail price, which consumer will not accept. Unfortunately the total production volume for these lenses (Silver and Black) is not so big. Therefore we decided to concentrate to Silver model. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Lens and body color options
For people who really want a black limited to match their black MZ-S, the 'leak' out of Japan via our friend in Brighton is a possibility: http://www.camera-direct.com/other.asp The more lenses leak, the more Pentax might feel that there really is a market. Just -got an FA 77 in black. It is not a beauty -like the silver ones- but very unintrusive. As small as a 50mm lens of other makers. Ideal for clandestine people and portrait photography. Knut - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Lens and body color options
While everyone is guessing at the nature of Pentax head office thinking, I'll add my wild speculation. I figure that the rest-of-the-world availability of body and lens finishes is driven by what's hot and what's not in Japan. Limited lenses were all chrome in the beginning so the early adopters in Japan had their kit of chrome Limiteds which they could only match to a mid-line MZ series camera or a very spendy limited edition chrome LX, until the MZ-S appeared. Now they are gobbling up all the chrome MZ-S bodies Pentax can make, with nothing to spare for export. When the black Limiteds appeared the home market once again has demanded as many as the factory can churn out to satisfy the Japanese buyers who prefer the classic black lens of the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s, rather than the all chrome look of the '50s and before. The rest-of -the-world will get its chance to buy a chrome MZ-S or a black Limited when Japan has had its fill of them. IM(highly speculative)O. Regards, Anthony Farr - Original Message - From: Rob Studdert [EMAIL PROTECTED] (snip) Who knows why the Silver MZ-S or Black limited lenses aren't available outside Japan it makes little sense to me or anyone else that I've spoken with about it. Typical Pentax marketing genius I guess? - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Lens and body color options
Speaking of Pentax marketing, I just received an email from Pentax Japan (International Sales Division of Pentax in Japan) about some replacement screws for my Pentax glasses. Since there is no email address listed on the Pentax Japan web site, I could give you the email address if anyone was interested. Or I might just post it here if you guys think this was a good idea. Perhaps someone might ask the reason for their marketing decision too and report back to us. :) regards, Alan Chan _ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: Lens and body color options
-Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Alan Chan Perhaps someone might ask the reason for their marketing decision too and report back to us. :) As I understand it, Pentax USA decides what will be imported to the US, and this is the case in other countries as well (the local distributor decides what to distribute). Apparently they didn't think they'd sell any black limiteds or silver MZ-S's when they were introduced. I wouldn't be surprised to see black limiteds and/or he US in the not too distant future. In the meantime, just buy them from Sunny Brighton. tv - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
RE: Lens and body color options
-Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of tom I wouldn't be surprised to see black limiteds and/or he US in the not too distant future. In the meantime, just buy them from Sunny Brighton. Should read I wouldn't be surprised to see black limiteds and/or silver MZ-S's in the US in the not too distant future. In the meantime, just buy them from Sunny Brighton. tv - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
