Is Pentax to disappear?

I was in my local Dixons / Currys the other day and they had a good stock of K-m's and K200D's they even had a couple of Pentax lenses and Flash guns.

The prices were a bit high though. Some other Dixons / Currys stores were selling GX20's too. It looks like Pentax has done a deal for them to stock Pentax cameras. Shame the prices arent that competitive.

They do, or at least they did two weeks ago when I bought my K-m kit. In fact it was on special offer in Curry's at a price below the prices on the usual online shopping sites. Normally this is the last place I'd expect a deal like that from but, hey, no complaining.

Do you have Pentax DSLRs in Currys/Dixons/PC World locally?

Yes a couple of weeks ago both PC world and Curry's had K200d and Pentax 100mm macro on sale not the sort of holiday snaps combination you would think of.

Yes, the Chelmsford branch of Currys Digital had the K-m and K200D in stock a couple of weeks ago, along with the 50-200mm and a couple of other lenses I think.

Dan

Well, two weeks ago both Oxford branches of Curry's had the k-m kit and the DA 50-200. I'm pretty sure they had the k20d or maybe the k200d too. Don't know whether they are still on sale or it was a one-off batch. Since they also both had the Nikon d90, I don't think the Pentax cameras would fall into "too upmarket for Curry's". Let's hope they continue to stock Pentax!

i had an email from Warehouse Express informing me of their Pentax range and mentioning the cashback on the k-m. Pentax will probably shift more through them than Jessops where you had to machete your way through all the other brands to spot a Pentax.

Hi,

We have a large Currys store here near Walsall West Mids. This has just been refurbished and I was shocked the other day to see the choice...a whole new photo department...they had: Pentax all DSLR's and some lenses, all Nikon, Canon, Sony (inc the new A900 FF), all the high end FF from both N & C...Samsung GX20 (on special at £419/body), Oly E-3 and all other DSLR's...they also had a choice of lenses from ALL the main five makers....

cheers Steve.M.

Currys been doing some dealing then, over here they have more camera gear as well

Went to the Focus on Imaging - found 'some' pentax gear and asked a few questions of the Pentax uniformed representatives. They were happy to explain that Pentax felt the £45 000 being asked for a stand was too steep in this economic climate. They also said that Hoya taking over would 'take a while' to settle down. BUT it did feel a bit odd just seeing a few 'bits' of kit in the corner of some odd shelves.

It sounds as thought what the mega-retailers are doing is carrying the odd special deal/package from the smaller manufacturers, inc Pentax, but not a range. The more I think about what I currently see in London shops is that full ranges are rarely displayed. Sony seem to have managed this, but I imagine they have very deep pockets indeed! Curious isn't it, the appearance of Sony and Panasonic / Lumix who are not really camera manufacturers but very large electronics goods makers. Can't help feeling that with the recession they may be gone as quickly as they came as they can't be making much money. You have to hope that Hoya offers the financial backing to see Pentax through.

If Pentax last as long as this thread we don't have to worry

I was at Focus, but no Pentax Stand for the second year running
However, at least a couple of stands did have Pentax gear, in fact one did have the full range of lenses, especially the 60-250 and 55 DA*
Jessops? won't be missed, used to be good, but lousy now.
At least here in Manchester there are a couple of shops who sell and display Pentax gear, with good staff etc. Namely Jacobs and LCE.
Now if only SRS opened up a store on Manchester I would probably never leave the place......

Long live Pentax!

There has been no direct pentax participation in 'Focus' for several years now,..at least 5. Sometimes the odd body or lens gets onto a shelf on a retailers stand.

Sony and Panasonic may have arrived quickly but they give every indication of staying power which is more than can be said for pentax. Sony offer a complete range at every price from cheaper than the 'km' abortion and they have made sure that one can readilly see the cameras in every high street. Panasonic has become the innovator that pentax used to be. Just take a look at the superb website for the unique 'Lumix GH1'...it's a triumph of presentation and forethought that makes pentax look clumsy and quaint, as does the camera itself.

http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/systemcamera/gms/gh1/index.html

I hope they dont dissapear as a new Km purchaser I have just check the DGS group websites thats Currys Pc world and Dixons on line They all have Pentax camera's Currys and Pc World have 2 versions of the Km one with 18-55 lens and a twin package with both 18 -55 and 50-200mm lens Also the K200D and K20D Dixons on Line only list the 2 Km deals and the K200D No Pentax Lenses listed.I purchased my Km with the 2 lenses from Currys after a nation newspaper promotion I am glad I did as the price now advertised is considerable more.I have yet to find much in Forums Km users are we not considered purist enough or is it lack of sales or registration on this website