From Ned Bunell of Pentax USA:
I guess this applies to the UK a little too?
I think that Pentax are going to have to try really hard to get more Shops to stock them but I'd love to see it!
I get sick of seeing Canon/Nikon/Sony/Panasonic and nothing else, in every Camera Shop!

I realize that many of you have expressed concern over our new unilateral pricing policy and specifically the lens pricing. However, the new policy we introduced has both short and longer term implications for our plans in the U.S. Recognizing that there is frustration and misinformation being discussed on various forums, I’d like to address a few of your concerns.

To clarify, we have not "raised" the prices on any lenses. The last increase we announced was over a year ago and applied to the DA* star lenses (such as the 16-50mm and the 50-135mm) as well as the FA50mm f/1.4.

One user comment I read summarized the situation quite well by saying, “I think you are seriously misunderstanding the whole conversation. Pentax has not raised prices. They have required authorized dealers to stick to MSRP [Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price] or some percentage of it (we do not know the exact terms). Pentax is attempting to police their sales channel just as many other manufacturers do. Any additional margin will go to the dealers not Pentax.”

The comment above is pretty accurate in his assessment of the retail distribution channels, not only for Pentax, but for every manufacturer in the photo industry. For our growth as a company, and the health of the photo retail marketplace, it is necessary to set guidelines for retail pricing to protect the integrity of the marketplace, and the value of a manufacturer’s products.

One specific plan we have which will benefit the brand and many of you as customers is to increase availability of Pentax products in retail stores.

For example, during the last year we have renewed relationships or expanded our presence with key photo retailers across the U.S. such as Samy’s (LA), WB Hunt (Boston area), Dodd Camera (Cleveland), Ace Photo (Virginia), Cameraland (Iowa), Cameraland (NYC), Creve Coeur Camera (greater St. Louis), National Camera Exchange (Minneapolis) as well as others. In addition, you’re going to very shortly hear that Pentax is back in a major National account, which is something we’ve been working on extremely hard for over a year.

While I can’t share certain details, I can tell you that establishing a level playing field is critical to our expansion in the States. This includes new partners being able to carry and offer not only our cameras but our lenses. The prices some of you refer to are likely found “online” and have in the past represented significant discounts which no storefront can compete against. As such, until we create parity in pricing, it’s very hard to get retailers to want to carry or expand their support for Pentax.

Many of you have asked for greater availability of Pentax cameras in stores, where you can touch and test the product. This is absolutely the right approach for us to take and is consistent with Pentax and Ricoh’s goal to grow our businesses in the U.S. market.

We realize the need for Pentax to better monitor prices across our distribution channels will likely result in higher lens costs to you. Therefore, once we’ve established this program, we will consider running lens rebate promotions in the future. We tested this program successfully several years ago and these type of rebates offer a good value to consumers and increased traffic to our dealers.

I would also like to dispel any rumors or misinformed comments that our relationship with Ricoh is in any way responsible for our changes in retail channel pricing policies. We are excited about being part of Ricoh and the opportunities it presents to Pentax for future growth in the photo industry.

I hope this helps you better understand our channel strategy in the U.S. and how lens pricing is an integral part of the plan. And I certainly appreciate and encourage your comments on this matter.

Any better? It looks ok on my Eizo, then again my Eizo does real deep blacks!
I think if I pull it around anymore it starts to look very false/badly done HDR esque, and it was kinda backlit
They seem to look darker on Photobucket when I compare too...
Thanks for the comment though as it helps me know how far I can take things in PP, I think I can be a bit conservative at times...

Yep, Castle Crag it is

I'll add this Couple from Yesterdays Bikeride onto Burgh Marsh.
K5 with the Siggy 8-16 again, they go together pretty well...

Thanks for all the positive comments
We live in Carlisle which is a short bus ridee from the Lake District and the Solway Coast shots are about n Hours Cycle away from our House. So Travel costs to get to all the Locations above probably didn't amount to Twenty five Quid!
Add to that Sixteen quid for the two night stay at Langdale National Trust Campsite, make for a pretty cheap week really!

No Money and no Money due in So no Holidays for two and a Half Years!
Still without leaving our own County in that Time, we still manage to enjoy OurSelves

Took a week out for Camping in the Lakes and Walked the Cliff trail from Whitehaven to St Bees, Good weather but cold and luckily even better Beer

Most but not all taken with the Siggy 8-16...

Nice aren't they?
Congrats on getting a Future classic at a great price!

Doesn't scream "Steal my Camera" Like my old Billingham did and the Strap is one of the most comfortable I've ever used too...

Provisionally SOLD!
Pending Payment

I Know the feeling all too well
Just had to resort to putting my new Camera Backpack up in the classifieds, just to keep my Website going for another year