K100D or DS2

This something that could be more general than just Pentax. Both Canon and Nikon have had recent supply problems. Over Christmas the supply of their DSLRs virtually ran dry, affecting Jessops sales and no doubt other suppliers too.

Some Nikon lenses have taken nearly 12 months to come through. Ditto Canon.

In the field that I sell in there have also been supply problems on some staple items, for the first time in living memory.

My suspicion is that margins are so low and regulation so formidable that the supply chain is trying to judge things to a very precise art. The slightest miscalculation will cause a shortfall of supply.

If this is right, then we would have to be prepared to pay higher prices to ensure more copious supplies were available, although for a while there would be a sigh of relief and the difference would be pocketed first. When service is more important than price things will change.

Ordered the camera (K100) with standard kit lens.

Decided to get the 40mm pancake lens as well but have yet to find it in stock anywhere that isn't charging too much for it. I find this frustrating. I don't mind if it's back ordered but any place I've spoken with won't even do that as they tell me they can't get an eta from Pentax.

Anyways am quite excited knowing the camera is on it's way and will have something to look forward to when the 40mm does come available.

Have you considered the overseas suppliers that happily sell to the UK? (Assuming you are in the UK!)

I'm guessing that "Bracebridge, ON Canada" is not in the UK John.

Perhaps some of the other Canadians on the forum have preferred suppliers that may be able to help.

Dan

Presumably not, perhaps I should read things more slowly....

Yes, you're correct, that is Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada. It can be confusing what with the way you Brits copied so many of our names. I hear you've got a London as well! How long before there's a Moosejaw, England or a Tuktoyuktuk, Scotland.

In any event, I'm ordering from the US as they're less expensive than in Canada and here in Ontario we have 15% sales tax, whereas I don't have to pay it there. I'm fortunate to have relatives in the States who will be coming up in about a week so I send it to them and they'll bring it up to me. It works out to about half the price of what I'd pay at my local store.

Go on, make us Brits sick - tell us how much it's costing you, and we'll say whether it's half the price of our local store.

If you were gettinng it in the UK you'd need about CAN$495.

Dan

Daniel,

I think you'll be quite happy to know that I paid $450USD, taxes in, which is about $525 CAD or $230.00 UK Pounds. So perhaps it's actually cheaper in the UK. That's for the K100D with 18-55mm lens. I paid an extra $40.00 for a 1gb SD card and reader.

In Canada I would pay over $900 including taxes if I went to the city but in my small town it would be over $1000.00.

Hi Brian,

I was refering to the 40mm lens, not the camera - that's around £400 ($915CAN). Seems as though UK and Canadian prices are about the same at the moment then.

Re-reading your posts, I can see that I mis-understood what you'd ordered from the US.

Dan

Hi Daniel,

I found a great place here in Canada where I was able to order the pancake from. I paid about $220CAD plus taxes for it (14%). They have retail stores but also have an ebay side where there prices are far less. I sent an messaged them an inquiry and they emailed back with a toll free number. I'm not all that big on ordering off ebay so I called them and the guy I spoke with was very knowledgeable.

He was telling me they sell a lot to the UK. Particularly some Nikor lens that's very hot right now.

Now I'm really getting excited!

...or not!

£219 here.

Who are they, by the way - if they treat you right and give you a good deal, don't hesitate to spread the word!

Dan

But be sensitive...

Some people invest a lot more money in their equipment than we have to, and it is a REALLY raw nerve.

kcmadr, I am sorry. I probably shouldn't have posted the price I paid, however, it's also good to know you have options. Anyways, I didn't mean to cause you pain, so I'll change the subject.

What do you think the best lens to capture David Beckham in action would be? I'm rather looking forward to getting some good shots of him when his team comes to play in Toronto this summer.

Hey Brian,

I was actually referring to the very raw nerve *I* struck when spreading the word about prices of Pentax equipment in Canada. I usually get my stuff from www.thecamerastore.com, but not always. Check them out as you only pay 6% GST and no PST (Alberta), and $10 to ship unless super large.

Please advise the supplier of the DA 40mm, as I made up my mind yesterday to get one.