Mixed feelings about new lens

[F8&Bthere]

It was nice while it lasted, but with the US/Canada currency exchange back to where it probably should be and with inflation of prices, some lenses are starting to be outrageously unaffordable again.

I can't figure it out- a lens like a Pentax 12-24mm/f4 going to $1300. It's not that fast, not weather sealed, not their * line. What gives? Pentax is not Canikon and IMO their greatest achievement as the underdog has been their unique and affordable line of lenses. Not anymore.

The DA 35mm Ltd macro I bought last summer for CA$390 is now like $699. It's good, but not THAT good.

I had a 55-300mm I had won on eBay from prodigital2000 in Ontario for a decent price, and they didn't have it in stock, and suddenly couldn't get it. almost 45 days later I canceled the order, and during the entire process I had changed my mind about what kind of lens would serve me best in addition to what I already have, and decided to go wide instead of long.

I'm not much of a birdy guy. And I leave for Europe soon- so I decided that I want to have a lens to get in as much of that interesting old architecture as I can.

So I went to a camera shop in Calgary. I went in thinking the 16-45mm/f4 for $399 but was wondering if it was going to be wide enough. While there I ended up deciding on the Sigma 10-20mm. But I just can't figure out why the darn thing is so expensive. $699. It's far from being fast (f4 - 5.6), it's built okay but nothing to rave about, Sigmas are made in Japan but have a reputation for a lot of sample variation and quality control issues, and in particular with regards to the Pentax mount version- there's no focusing motor like there is on the Nikon/Canon/Sigma version.

Now I kinda wish I had the money and crystal ball last summer to go on a LBA spree while the currency was nearly at par. I actually noticed that even Canadian retail stores were priced quite reasonably. In some cases, buying from the bigger US retailers or off eBay were actually the same or even more expensive with the shipping/customs cost (not to mention risk or hassle in the event of a shipping problem, bad copy or warranty issue).

[F8&Bthere]

I'm judging from the lack of response that my post is being viewed more as a rant than a question, and understandably so. Or maybe there's just not that many Pentaxians in this group. But I am thinking that my key point about the global economic recession, the US vs Canada dollar exchange, and other things affecting pricing on certain equipment categories (although it may be more pronounced on Pentax lenses in Canada) might have prompted some feedback, even from other countries or users of other brands?

C'mon....somebody....anybody....I'm feeling a bit neglected over here. Anyone kicking themselves for a purchase opportunity they missed out on?

[Gem]

Awwwww

Well, I don't have a dSLR so I haven't bought any new lenses or anything.

.......

Yeah, completely useless post, but you sounded so sad and loney. Lol.

[F8&Bthere]

lol, thanks, just had to know I didn't smell bad or something

[Gem]

lol, thanks, just had to know I didn't smell bad or something

Any time! Us Albertans have to stick together

[kat]

There are a couple of things I could kick myself for for not buying when I should of but then again..when you don't have money it's really not an issue!

[tirediron]

lol, thanks, just had to know I didn't smell bad or something

You do, but we'll talk to you anyway! I understand your frustration, but until you've dealt with Nikon's prices for a few years, don't expect any sympathy from me! That said, good wide glass is always expensive. The lenses for telephotos are relatively straight-forward, whereas making a good non-distoring wide or super-wide zoom is horribly complex. The Nikon 18-35 f3.5 - 4 lists at $670, whereas the goldring 12-24 f2.8 will set you back a hefty $2200!

[F8&Bthere]

You do, but we'll talk to you anyway! I understand your frustration, but until you've dealt with Nikon's prices for a few years, don't expect any sympathy from me! That said, good wide glass is always expensive. The lenses for telephotos are relatively straight-forward, whereas making a good non-distoring wide or super-wide zoom is horribly complex. The Nikon 18-35 f3.5 - 4 lists at $670, whereas the goldring 12-24 f2.8 will set you back a hefty $2200!

Yes, this is true. The Tokina 11-16/2.8 was CA$589 at Saneal this winter. Probably higher now. It's got mainly good reviews too. So if I was looking for wide glass for Nikon or Canon that might be the one I'd be considering. Even if it's now priced as high as the Sigma I just bought, it's faster and therefore more versatile, and I'd speculate better build quality to boot. Less range of focal length but as you say- with ultra wides there always seems to be some compromises.

[jjeling]

F8, sorry Ive missed this post. I am all about Pentax and what they really offer compared to their competition(Sony, Nikon, Canon, Olympus). There are many advantages to owning a Pentax camera. It is well known that their current selection of glass is nothing to be happy about. http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/index.php <-- That is a link to a review of all Pentax's glass, old and new. Its a great way to see what other Pentax users have to say about the glass they've purchased. Understand it might be biased towards the lenses, but mostly honest opinions.

Myself, Ive been looking at buying the f4 DA* 300mm. It was going to be for an opportunity at work, so Ive justified the money for it, even at $1000 US. Not only would it be a great wildlife lens, but also sports great for many other things. After a little practice, a 300mm is not what I need for this. I started looking at 2.8 200mm, $1300! Ok, so their weather sealed primes...
Sigma 2.8 70-200mm, under $800. The reviews on the Pentax site commented that it is on par with the 200mm prime lenses * from Pentax. Depending on the situation, it sometimes fun to try and look for older 35mm Pentax lenses. They can usually be had for slightly less, but require manual focus and use of aperture ring. It is a bit of a challenge but if you can manage its a great way to stay with Pentax. If you really need weather sealed lenses, then the extra price is really worth it. I would love to know what the price of a Canon/Nikon weather sealed unit with a f2.8 300mm or even a f4 300mm lens.

In my opinion, Pentax offers some things that the competition hasn't or has at a very high price. They are highly underated by having a poor selection of glass. Everyone knows Pentax glass and its quality, but the majority of the are not built for the digital era. When the digital revolution came through, Pentax did not focus on the new lens production, instead it was the camera body. As long as the body maintained the same mount, the old lenses work. Canon and Nikon were swift to build digital lenses. Could you imagine what it would be like if Pentax had the same brand recognition as Canon or Nikon now? Probably not, but thats the best part, Pentax is the Richard Petty of Nascar. The name lives on! The greatest have to die someday. Pentax is far from dead, but the bodies of Pentax show their determination to one day step ahead again. Once Pentax does catch up in lens selection, how could you not want a weather sealed camera that will capture up to 24 frames per second for as low as Pentax offers it.

I forgot what I was responding to when I started writing this. My apologies as well. Hopefully that helps as another Pentax user. If I remember any more of what I was trying to say Ill add more, or clear anything you might not understand.

[F8&Bthere]

Thanks for the response JJ. I have some older glass- a SMC-M 50/1.4, a SMC-A 35-70/3.5-4.5 (was a kit lens in it's time), and the SMC-A 70-210/4. And you're right there's some great deals still on that old glass, and it can be pretty good. I have actually posted reviews at pentaxforums for a couple of my lenses.

If you are thinking of any Pentax lenses in the near future you might want to research the market because I don't know about USA but Canada just got slammed with some insane price hikes. Some lenses almost doubled in price, others went up by about 50%. I am wondering if the same thing will happen there.

Pentax may have a weak lineup of lenses but given that their bodies accept all the old K mount lenses stretching back decades, it makes the selection pretty large and affordable if one is open to manual focus and buying used on ebay or whatever. But I think even their current line is pretty unique with the Ltd lenses and the pancake lenses. It's just too bad they had to make such a huge leap in price so suddenly.