Ooops. A Pentax rep in fact told me that they had both the black 31 Limited and the chrome one in stock. He went out to collect the black one to show it to me. However, he couldn't find it and said that it probably had been sold. A week later when I actually bought mine (chrome) another Pentax rep told me that they never had black Limited lenses but that they could order it, and in fact had done so. However, their orders were being changed from black to chrome by Pentax. The weird thing is that black Limited lenses are on their stock list of items possible to order. Usually, items not meant for Europe is not possible to order. There are two possible explanations: 1) Somebody mistakenly let the black limiteds into the European product list; 2) Pentax plan to market the black Limiteds in Europe at a later date. I believe in the latter possibility; Pentax do provide parts to black Limited lenses in Europe now. Strange since they don't sell them. I suspect that they are withheld for world-wide distribution until a "Limited" camera is marketed. Again, chrome Limited lenses can be converted into black ones since the parts are available. It cost approximately $120.
Pål >-- -----Original Message----- From: Knut Knut >[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2001 1:44 PM >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Limited lenses in black: why >unavaillable? This may interest others on the list as well: I contacted >the Japanese Head office concerning the issue, why the Limited Lenses FA >77/1.8 and FA 43/1.9 are not provided in black. They were very friendly >and actually responded. It seems to be a purely marketing based decission. >Maybe this decission can be influenced if sufficient interest is >expressed? Best wishes, Knut From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: 43mm >& 77mm in Black Colour Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 13:40:58 +0900 Dear Mr. >Kampe, Thank you for your inquiry about Pentax lenses. As you indicated in >your e-mail, we have two colors for those lenses. But we distribute only >Silver model in Europe because of our marketing reason. We do not plan to >introduce Black model in Europe unfortunately. Also we appreciate your >inquiry directly to Japan head office. However, we, head office in Japan >do not handle retail sales to overseas customers. Therefore we can not >take care of your order here. Sorry for the inconvenience, but your >understanding will be highly appreciated. Anyway we thank you very much >for your special attention to Pentax product. Best regards, H. Onoda >International Sales Dept. - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
