All Forum Comments
Comment by stevejcoe posted on Samsung 12-24mm F4 at 13/07/2009 - 14:06
shim wrote:
Managed to speak to someone at T5 they have 17 in stock, but we would have to be boarding a plane to get into the shop. It could be an internal flight, so the VAT shouldn't be a problem it will be included. He said he couldn't do anything over the phone someone would have to go in. I told him that I had sent an email and he confirmed that I had sent it to the right address. He said they would do whatever head office instructed them to do. If I don't hear from them by 4pm I'll send a hardcopy of the email.
Maybe someone can find out if there's any way of getting something like a visitors pass for T5?
They are going to have to bend a bit to get shut of these lenses. One good thing about them being at Heathrow, they are unlikely to put them on ebay
shim
As I recall the shop is on the departure side of passport control, so no visitor pass is likely to get you there. Managed to speak to someone at T5 they have 17 in stock, but we would have to be boarding a plane to get into the shop. It could be an internal flight, so the VAT shouldn't be a problem it will be included. He said he couldn't do anything over the phone someone would have to go in. I told him that I had sent an email and he confirmed that I had sent it to the right address. He said they would do whatever head office instructed them to do. If I don't hear from them by 4pm I'll send a hardcopy of the email.
Maybe someone can find out if there's any way of getting something like a visitors pass for T5?
They are going to have to bend a bit to get shut of these lenses. One good thing about them being at Heathrow, they are unlikely to put them on ebay
shim
Steve
Comment by stevejcoe posted on Samsung 12-24mm F4 at 13/07/2009 - 13:18
mikew wrote:
Nathan gave us the link but I can't find it now. It explains a lot about how different people get different reactions to lenses.
Mike
This is the link that Nathan posted http://tinyurl.com/cwmjgo.Nathan gave us the link but I can't find it now. It explains a lot about how different people get different reactions to lenses.
Mike
The problem arises when the camera and lens are are opposite ends of their tolerances ranges. In an ideal world, the tolerances of a lens would be tight enough so that even at those extremes the camera/lens would remain within specification. This seems to be a recognised problem by all manufacturers, which is why individual lens 'tuning' is an option is becoming a standard feature.
Having accepted it is a problem by adding the feature, it would be nice if the manufacturers included a decent tutorial on how to tune a lens with their cameras.
mikew wrote:
But if all other lenses focus fine and this one doesn't isn't there the risk getting this one right screws up the others? With the K10 you only have one adjustment I believe.
I can't see why Pentax can't adjust the lens but that's probably my ignorance.
Mike
Quite right any adjustment made on the K10 is a compromise as it effects all lenses. I made a slight adjustment to my K10, which improved 3 of my most comonly used lenses but now produces a slight front focusing with my FA50.But if all other lenses focus fine and this one doesn't isn't there the risk getting this one right screws up the others? With the K10 you only have one adjustment I believe.
I can't see why Pentax can't adjust the lens but that's probably my ignorance.
Mike
Steve
Comment by stevejcoe posted on can back focus be fixed? at 13/07/2009 - 09:00
Richard Day wrote
Pentax marketing is quite woeful, the launch and subsequent rollout of the K7 a flagship product is laughable.
For example I am a registered owner of Pentax equipment and I have not received anything from Pentax regarding the launch of the K7.
For the informed members of this forum and other enthusiasts maybe the current level of marketing is sufficient, but what about newcomers to DSLR's? The only serious places to go and try out Pentax kit are at the Pro Dealers. That might be fine if you happen to live in Watford and have the excellent SRS on your doorstep, but what about the majority who don't? The people who wake up on a Saturday morning and decide that they want to buy a DSLR. They might not be serious photographers in some people's eyes, but they are the growing part of the market and a segment that I believe Pentax needs to win a share of, because they bring volume and so reduce overall unit costs and increase profits.
If we go back to the launch of the KM, an entry level camera aimed at people moving up to SLRs. What did Pentax do to bring this to the attention of a growing market segment? Contrast this with the launch of the recent Panasonic G1.
Two weeks ago my niece had a 17th birthday party. She is studying photography as part of an Art and Design course and has been using my MZ6. She likes the camera and told me that her Father had offered to buy her a DSLR. I asked if she had any particular make/model in mind. She immediately said the Panasonic G1. When asked why it was purely on the basis of the TV ad and the message it conveyed. The KM maybe a better camera, I don't know, but the G1 struck a chord and another new customer has been lost.
I am aware that there are several KM owners on the forum, but I believe that is in spite of the marketing, not because of it. The question is how many like my niece have been lost?
Quote:
Up until recently UK prices were way below US or Australian prices, I suspect that they may level out over the next few months. Still it doesn't get away from the fact that we are all going to have to get used to higher prices than a few months ago.
Maybe for some of the newer lenses Richard , but certainly not in general. In early 2008 I purchased a FA 50 for the equivalent of £95 tax paid and delivered in the US. I also purchased a FA 35 for the equivalent of £142 again tax paid and delivered in the US.Up until recently UK prices were way below US or Australian prices, I suspect that they may level out over the next few months. Still it doesn't get away from the fact that we are all going to have to get used to higher prices than a few months ago.
Quote:
With Hoya in charge I think things may well become very different and that the large price rises for their more expensive lenses are designed to make the necessary returns to fund a much larger marketing effort (I notice that the body and kit lens prices are not nearly so large).
Totally disagree with this comment, you have to market to win sales. Hoping for sales to arrive out of the ether without marketing is a seriously flawed strategy.With Hoya in charge I think things may well become very different and that the large price rises for their more expensive lenses are designed to make the necessary returns to fund a much larger marketing effort (I notice that the body and kit lens prices are not nearly so large).
Pentax marketing is quite woeful, the launch and subsequent rollout of the K7 a flagship product is laughable.
For example I am a registered owner of Pentax equipment and I have not received anything from Pentax regarding the launch of the K7.
For the informed members of this forum and other enthusiasts maybe the current level of marketing is sufficient, but what about newcomers to DSLR's? The only serious places to go and try out Pentax kit are at the Pro Dealers. That might be fine if you happen to live in Watford and have the excellent SRS on your doorstep, but what about the majority who don't? The people who wake up on a Saturday morning and decide that they want to buy a DSLR. They might not be serious photographers in some people's eyes, but they are the growing part of the market and a segment that I believe Pentax needs to win a share of, because they bring volume and so reduce overall unit costs and increase profits.
If we go back to the launch of the KM, an entry level camera aimed at people moving up to SLRs. What did Pentax do to bring this to the attention of a growing market segment? Contrast this with the launch of the recent Panasonic G1.
Two weeks ago my niece had a 17th birthday party. She is studying photography as part of an Art and Design course and has been using my MZ6. She likes the camera and told me that her Father had offered to buy her a DSLR. I asked if she had any particular make/model in mind. She immediately said the Panasonic G1. When asked why it was purely on the basis of the TV ad and the message it conveyed. The KM maybe a better camera, I don't know, but the G1 struck a chord and another new customer has been lost.
I am aware that there are several KM owners on the forum, but I believe that is in spite of the marketing, not because of it. The question is how many like my niece have been lost?
Comment by stevejcoe posted on Lens Prices... at 12/07/2009 - 20:20
johnriley wrote:
I've never yet found a Curry's offer on Pentax/Samsung lenses to be in stock anywhere.
They did have the DFA 100mm macro a few weeks back at a very good price. There were at least 3 available close to me in Leicestershire.I've never yet found a Curry's offer on Pentax/Samsung lenses to be in stock anywhere.
I checked out the Samsung 12-24mm this morning and there are none showing within a 30 mile drive.
Steve
Comment by stevejcoe posted on K-7 has arrived... at 10/07/2009 - 09:46
Verion 4 software works fine with the K10.
Steve
Steve
Comment by stevejcoe posted on New Pentax K-7 Processing Software 4 at 10/07/2009 - 09:07
I too need a clear out, but it is not easy to let go of anything. By way of example I have:
K 55 F2.0
M 50 F1.7
A 50 F1.7(x2)
A 50 F1.4
FA 50 F1.4.
Steve
K 55 F2.0
M 50 F1.7
A 50 F1.7(x2)
A 50 F1.4
FA 50 F1.4.
Steve
Comment by stevejcoe posted on Lens wish list - A different approach at 07/07/2009 - 13:58
Lenses I would buy:
DA 16 F2.8 DA 24 F2.8, DA 135 F2.8. No need for weather sealing or SDM, so no LTD moniker and price tag and please no more pancake designs.
the DA 14 F2.8 is on my list, just hope I can save up the funds before it becomes unavailable.
A DA 400 F4.5 would in my mind complete the range, but it is unlikely I would ever buy one.
A wide range of lenses is definitely a selling point. There is I believe an aspirational element that needs to be nurtured.
Pentax could do more to market their range and I see nothing wrong in including the longer 'exotic FA telephotos' that are only available by special order in that marketing.
DA 16 F2.8 DA 24 F2.8, DA 135 F2.8. No need for weather sealing or SDM, so no LTD moniker and price tag and please no more pancake designs.
the DA 14 F2.8 is on my list, just hope I can save up the funds before it becomes unavailable.
A DA 400 F4.5 would in my mind complete the range, but it is unlikely I would ever buy one.
A wide range of lenses is definitely a selling point. There is I believe an aspirational element that needs to be nurtured.
Pentax could do more to market their range and I see nothing wrong in including the longer 'exotic FA telephotos' that are only available by special order in that marketing.
Comment by stevejcoe posted on Your Most Exotic Lens at 07/07/2009 - 12:49
MattMatic wrote:
I would never have a go at Chris or his staff. Can't believe others have
I'm just seriously puzzled over why the price hikes are so massive! I understand that currency has something to do with it, but I have wondered if Pentax/Hoya have used this as an opportunity to restructure pricing - perhaps to make the lenses seem more "serious" for the "all-the-gear-no-idea" market?
If it is 100% down to currency, I wish Pentax would just say so! If they don't say then I can only assume there's another agenda at play... (which would be a great shame).
I wouldn't mind so much if my take home pay had gone up by a similar ratio
No K7 for me then...
Matt
I agree with you comment Matt, the price rises are way beyond currency fluctuations and I believe that Pentax are repositioning and using the UK to test market reaction. It is a risky strategy at this time, if it works they will be laughing all the way to the bank. If it does not work they may find themselves very marginalised and they become very niche with Leica pricing to match.I would never have a go at Chris or his staff. Can't believe others have
I'm just seriously puzzled over why the price hikes are so massive! I understand that currency has something to do with it, but I have wondered if Pentax/Hoya have used this as an opportunity to restructure pricing - perhaps to make the lenses seem more "serious" for the "all-the-gear-no-idea" market?
If it is 100% down to currency, I wish Pentax would just say so! If they don't say then I can only assume there's another agenda at play... (which would be a great shame).
I wouldn't mind so much if my take home pay had gone up by a similar ratio
No K7 for me then...
Matt
Comment by stevejcoe posted on Lens Prices... at 01/07/2009 - 14:00
On film it was 24, 50 , 135, nowadays on Pentax DSLR 16, 35 , 90
but not if it means 'pancakes'.
Steve
but not if it means 'pancakes'.
Steve
Comment by stevejcoe posted on The classic 3 lens kit at 29/06/2009 - 07:51
Are forum members going to chip in for someone to go on an internal return flight, coming back with an armful of lenses? You crazy lot! Mind you I'd do it if I lived near Heathrow!
Steve