Pentax K-discounts mixed bag: K-01 w/pancake for $600, K-30 unchanged

While the Pentax 645D discounting was a clean $1200 off discount, the situation is more of a mixed bag for the K-cameras.

The Pentax K-01 with the 40mm pancake lens now goes for $600 in multiple body colors at B&H Photo and Amazon and Adorama where they offer free accessories at the same price (look through the various kits to locate them in your color of choice).

On the other hand, the K-30 discount apparently had already been factored in. The price of the black K-30 w/18-55 remains around $750 at Amazon by Amazon itself. Unknown third-party sellers offer it for less there, but as always, make sure you have researched 3rd-party sellers to your satisfaction before making a purchase. Especially a $750 purchase. It's one thing to take a risk on a $10 used book, and it's quiet a different risk on a $750 DSLR!

Even worse, the Pentax K30 super-bundle has disappeared from the Costco website. Searching for the K-30 there (query: Pentax K-30) only shows ghosts of the three K-30 listings under "Items related" but clicking on those gives a "We're sorry, this product is not available. Product number: 11768993" error.

The Pentax Q prices are more of the same, prices around $400, still not beating last week's (now expired) Groupon special.

At the risk of getting into rant mode, this is one of the most frustrating things with the whole manufacturer-controlled instant-rebate song and dance. Sometimes discounts mean price-increases and sometimes the expiration of instant rebates actually means lower prices. Just let the market decide instead of micro-managing everything!