Lens Price Increases!

Sorry, if this has already been posted - i did a quick (really quick) search but couldn't see much else.

Had a glance at the price sheet for the lens price increase that will be in effect from monday apparently

first i looked at the 16-45mm - ok, there was about a 10% rise on that
then i saw the 12-24mm - it's going up to £1299rrp !! my god! thats double
a couple more that were pretty steep - a macro lens by just over double etc etc.
Sorry i couldn't remember more.

I'm pretty shocked, i'm not sure if these prices are for real, but it makes me think i should fill up my credit card this weekend with pentax lenses - as i could make a fortune selling them on!

are these prices for real? do you think they will last?
I'v been wanting a couple of new lenses for ages, but these new prices will push them out of my affordability.

Cheers, Matt

Most of Pentax will be going up from the 1st June and how long it stays high is anyone's guess.

Price increases in a recession?????? I am having to drop my prices. How does this work?

I totally understand price increases. like a 10% increase across the whole range - but why some look to be doubling is crazy.
Hopefully this won't be the case. Fingers crossed they will sell for the same price but have those rrp's in the background to draw people to great deals during a recession.

I'm tempted to buy some now though just so i don't miss out on ever owning a good lens (even though i can't afford it)

I was in the market for a new lens recently and thought that I had better get in there before the hike, so I did.

I reckon the secondhand market will increase as well as people may think they can get more for what it's actually worth...just a thought I have


Paul

Where can we find the "new" prices?

I saw the new prices at a London Camera Exchange store today, they had a sheet their faxed by pentax in the lens folder.
I was just looking to see what range of pentax lenses they had in stock so perhaps i could try one out.
I felt like they might have been giving me the hard-sell; as in, buy this lens today or next week it will be double.

London camera exchange will now charge £209 for an FA50MM, and £600 for a K20D body-ludicrous.

Paid less for mine- still worth £209 in my opinion!!

Chris

I have that 50mm lens, it is the only one i have apart from the kit lens, it is great, I couldn't get an unblurry shot of my newborn son with the kit lens.

A superb lens.I agree
Chris

According to SRS, the K20D will go up by approx £100 and the rrp of the DA 55/1.4 up to an earth shattering £849 however the actual price will be lower....great..

If these prices are an indication, the UK could be in for some very unpleasant times ahead.

Is this a case for buying now? Could be, looks like we might not be able to afford later.

Thats why I just bought a 55/1.4 from that very helpful Chris chappee..

Oh....Chris said Pentax lens caps are dropping in price...wow.

I was expecting 10 or 20 percent increases. This is absurd. How these can be justified is really beyond me. If this is true, then my lens upgrade plans for this year are no more.