Price of Pentax K-r kits in Singapore.

How much does it cost to own a Pentax K-r kit in Singapore?

A local camera shop posted their Pentax K-r kit promotion prices valid from 14^th-31^st Jan 2011 on their Facebook in Singapore dollars:

1) Pentax Kr 18-55 kit $921 (Pink, White, Black)
2) Pentax Kr 18-55+50-200 Dual kit $1070 (Black)
3) Pentax Kr 18-55+55-300 Dual kit $1199
4) Pentax Kr 18-135WR kit $1520 (Black)
5) Pentax Kr 18-55WR+50-200WR Dual kit $1156 (Black)
With any kit purchase, you can purchase DA 35mm f2.4(Black) at only $288 (Usual $349).

My calculated budget was to get the best deal below S$1500, including the $288 prime lens. Which one would you choose? Kit 1,2,3,4 or 5?

Calculator went tapping and final choice was Kit 5 with a simple rationale:

Lowest cost + Better lens = Best value kit.

Lowest cost?

Obviously, Kit 4 went *pop* as it burst my budget.

I decided to sell off the 50-200 lens or 55-300mm lens since I have no need for them and checking through forums, 50-200mm deals at $180 and both 55-300mm/50-200mm WR deals at $300.

So in the end, here is the final tabulation.

Kit 1, 18-55 kit + Prime : $921 + $288 = $1209

Kit 2, 18-55+50-200 Dual kit + Prime (- lens sold) : $1070 + $288 (-$180)= $1178

Kit 3, 18-55+55-300 Dual kit + Prime (- lens sold) : $1199 + $288 (-$300)= $1187

Kit 5, 18-55WR+50-200WR Dual kit + Prime (-lens sold) : $1156 + $288 (-$300)= $1144

Kit 5 wins!

Better lens?

Kits 1, 2 and 3 are DAL kits lenses. Optically lens wise, they are the same as the more expensive DA ALII and WR versions but comes with plastic instead of metal lens mounts (less durable?), no Quickshift (1 less feature), no distance marking on focus ring (aesthetics) and most importantly no lens hood($18 involved).

WR lens are Weather-Resistant to resist minor weather conditions and less vulnerable to moist conditions (less storage issue and future upgrade compatible).

Kit 5 wins again!

Finally bought it from this great shop and realizes also that only Pentax had this price advantage unlike Nikon or Canon. Pentax kits are bundled economically with 1 more lens which you can sell off (later) to offset your final paying price. And I did just that:

Pentax K-r Body + 18-55WR lens + Prime lens: $1156 + $288 (-$320)*= $1124.

*Managed to sell it to a nice young lady at S$320.

My Best Value kit.