16-50 f2.8 Availability

Hello,

I'm new to this forum so forgive me if I've missed a post on this subject, although I did try a search. I've ordered the above lens for my K10 from a local shop here in Edinburgh and the latest news is it will be available in September. Spoke to Intro2020, the pentax distributor, and they say it will most likely be October before the shops see them and even then only 27 units are expected despite around 50 being on back order. Are Pentax having serious production problems? I don't know what to make of it but I've had to pay for the lens up front and ordered it last month, so it looks like a long wait, a lot of money with nothing to show and even then it is 50-50 whether I'll get one. I guess I'm committed now but this does seem to be a wee bit beyond the pale.

Cheers,

Peter

There are other places that do have the K10D in stock and are not tied to 2020 for distribution. SRSMicrosystems is one such place:

http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/index3.asp?id=622&section=Pentax+K10D&s...

They don't have the 16-50f2.8 in stock though, only the 50-135 at the moment. The 16-50 seems to be in high demand and short supply.

Pentax have, not for the first time, been taken by surprise by the level of demand for their cameras and lenses.

This lens was announced many months ago, and some of us pre-ordered (though we didn't have to pay until delivery).

It's worth the wait. I still haven't used mine as much as I would like to have done, but it's a super lens, and the focussing is excellent.

I think it's quite wrong for shops to take money up-front for things with no definite delivery date.

As Tyr says, try SRS. They hope to get some more in a couple of weeks, and are taking £20.00 deposits.

G

Hi,

Cheers for the replies. The money has left my account, which I guess I agreed to on the understanding that I would have a lens sometime in September, especially as I have a holiday in the very last week. I was trying to support one of my local shops, but that appears to have blown up in my face. You live and learn.

Thanks,
Peter

Its worth contacting SRS, thay had a shipment of 16-50's and 50-135's last Wednesday. The 50-135 availibility has been updated on their web site, but not the 16-50 so maybe all that they received had been pre-ordered.

BTW, as G says, it's a stonking good lens, you'll not be disappointed.

Hi all,

I have just spoken to the great PUK and we are next in line for stock of this lens. Hopefully (although no guaranteed!) 10-14 days from now. We have a few 50-135 left in stock, we got more of these than the 16-50.

As ever feel free to mail or call,

Chris

I think I'm about to weep

PeterM

Hi,

A WARNING TO ALL...

As a former retail manager I am amazed that anyone could pay up front for anything. The business could go bust before you receive your item.

Note for all..NEVER EVER PAY UP FRONT.

A small deposit is acceptable, but I am shocked the retailer involved wanted payment in full.

I hope you paid with a credit card, in the event you have any problems...if you paid cash or cheque, kiss it goodbye if the business then goes bump.

cheers Steve.