I like the last one Dirk. Nice to see you back on here too.

Happy landings

Have a look at the completed listings. I just had a cursory glance. If you buy it at £35 you are still getting a quality lens at a good price.

I agree John. Often the reduced margin/increased sales route is intended to or will result in one or more names in the industry pulling out of the business they are in.

The current lens game of putting prices up may well have the same result when someone realises there are too many products for not enough consumers, but it seems to me a more honest approach.

Sorry if this view makes me unpopular.

£35 seems to be the TOP price paid on ebay.

The old f2 lenses are always cheaper because everyone want to get a 1.7 or 1.4. Thus you could bag a bargain.

I dont have this lens but image quality will be superb I am sure..all the Pentax 50's are.

How much is it? Dont pay over the odds.

Andy

You really need hardware to profile your computer.

I use a Pantone Huey, which seems to suit my purposes quite well.

We have seen quite a few very big changes in the last 18 months that have shocked those who thought that the previous ten years of low inflation and steady growth were the norm.

One thing I believe we will not see so readily again is the relentless price falls of new (electronic) technology. Going forward I think margins will have to be preserved and the consumer will have to pay more.

Dare I say we may have to "save up" for a new camera in the future.

Only if the increase in sales outweighed the reduced proit margin on each lens.

I can make the same argument that the increased profit margin on the new prices will outweigh the reduced number of lenses sold.

The answer is of course I have not a clue which is correct, it all depends on how elastic the Pentax lens purchasers' wallets are.

I know there is a specific issue of UK prices (nothing new there !), but this seems to be a general catching-up of retail prices to the increased costs manufacturers have bourne over the last couple of years. Indeed all lens manufacturers seem to have put their prices up recently.

Pure speculation here, but I am sure there is also pressure from Hoya : price the goods at a level that will make a certain return, and if the sales and profit fall as a result, then re-organise and concentrate on what can be sold to produce the required returns.

I too am a recent owner of the 16-50 and I have to say mine focusses perfectly. Just make sure any testing you do is under natural light, not the kitchen lamps in the evening !

Ok thanks for all the advice friends.

I cannot let this post end without noting something that has always made me chuckle with filter packaging.

The "before" picture will show a glum looking model suffering from a sudden attack of cramp. Miraculously for the "after" picture, the model has suddenly been cured of awkward-pose syndrome and is wearing a beaming smile to prove it; the sun has come out; the flowers in the background are in bloom; and all is well in the world.

As I said, makes me chuckle.