Upsurge in demand for Pentax 2nd hand lenses ?

It seems to me reading this forum that around the world people are gradually discovering some great 2nd hand lenses which previously sat on dealers shelves gathering dust and are snapping them up ?

I am guilty having recently purchased auperb 135/2.8 FA. I have also recently added to this with a Pentax F 35-70 3.5/4.5. I bought a mint one for £35 ! I had never previously (in 20+ years of shooting Pentax) considered anything starting at 35mm - what's the point with so many 28-?? mm zooms around. However with the DA16-45 (which I own) this lens now overlaps well and extends my range to 105mm equiv. in a tiny little pocketable package which is scarcely bigger than my F 50/1.4 which I bought for £75 a year ago. The 35-70 has a decent photodo rating for a zoom probably due to it's conservative range - the are plenty of other 35's extending to 135 but I chose to avoid those.

I have yet to test it out fully but with it's size and maybe making the difference between a decent shot and no shot because I have it in my pocket I don't think I'll be dissapointed (especially for what it cost me).

I think a whole host of old lenses are being given a new lease of life - trouble is they might start to become scarce or pricey - wow really new territory for Pentax, are we on the brink of a new era, especially with new lenses seemingly in demand also and new versions promised to match the istD, istDs, xxx, xxx.

Just some thoughts.

Regards

Frank.

All companies seem to be experiencing a demand surge in all lenses, both new and old. Looking back in a few year old B&H catalog, the same lenses avaliable then and now have increased in price. Must be due to the dslr revolution.

More specifically, old Pentax lenses are much easier to come by than new. I tried very hard to buy new Pentax long primes, but gave up in frustration. I'm sort of glad I did too. Having recently purchased Pentax 200 and 300mm telephotos, I'd be hard pressed to believe that new would be worth twice or three times the price. But then, I probably will never know for sure since I can't find one to even try. Where do all those new Pentax lenses go anyway?? Still waiting 2 months now for my 77mm Limited

Larry

Seems like the A-series lenses are fetching quite a premium on e-bay lately.
The M-series or older seem to go for about half the price.

John

Larry DS said:

More specifically, old Pentax lenses are much easier to come by
than new. I tried very hard to buy new Pentax long primes, but gave
up in frustration. I'm sort of glad I did too. Having recently
purchased Pentax 200 and 300mm telephotos, I'd be hard pressed to
believe that new would be worth twice or three times the price. But
then, I probably will never know for sure since I can't find one to
even try. Where do all those new Pentax lenses go anyway?? Still
waiting 2 months now for my 77mm Limited

Larry

Click to expand...

You're right John. The A lenses from the 80's are high. They seem to offer the best of both worlds. They can function effortlessly on the istD, and the build quality is superb. They're a joy to use.

Larry

John Rossbach said:

Seems like the A-series lenses are fetching quite a premium on
e-bay lately.
The M-series or older seem to go for about half the price.

Click to expand...

As many have probably heard and seen I am guilty of pushing up prices and demand on Ebay! I have been very active with my purchases:
FA 50mm f1.4
SMC A 100mm f2.8
SMC A 135mm f2.8
SMC A* 200mm ED f2.8
SMC A* 300mm f4
F 100mm f2.8

These are all superb lenses and all bought on Ebay. Every one of them is in great condition. The 100mm & 200mm didn't even look like they were used. As you say they are a joy to use and the build quality is superb.

Larry DS said:

Larry

John Rossbach said:

Seems like the A-series lenses are fetching quite a premium on
e-bay lately.
The M-series or older seem to go for about half the price.

Click to expand...

--

Click to expand...

--
Lance*istD

Lance B said:

As many have probably heard and seen I am guilty of pushing up
prices and demand on Ebay! I have been very active with my
purchases:
FA 50mm f1.4
SMC A 100mm f2.8
SMC A 135mm f2.8
SMC A* 200mm ED f2.8
SMC A* 300mm f4
F 100mm f2.8

These are all superb lenses and all bought on Ebay. Every one of
them is in great condition. The 100mm & 200mm didn't even look like
they were used. As you say they are a joy to use and the build
quality is superb.

Click to expand...

I am convinced Lance that you are trying to corner the market on A lenses, drive prices up and then selectively release these now rare (after you own them ALL) lenses back onto the market at astronomical prices!



--
Brett



The Journey is the Thing

So you're the one!

I was probably bidding against you on some of those.
But, I quite often lose patience with bidding at the last
second and watching the price shoot up.

I just recently got an A* 300mm f2.8
so I think I'm done for a while now, anyway.

John

Lance B said:

These are all superb lenses and all bought on Ebay. Every one of
them is in great condition. The 100mm & 200mm didn't even look like
they were used. As you say they are a joy to use and the build
quality is superb.

Larry DS said:

Larry

John Rossbach said:

Seems like the A-series lenses are fetching quite a premium on
e-bay lately.
The M-series or older seem to go for about half the price.

Click to expand...

--

Click to expand...

--
Lance*istD

Click to expand...

FJEH said:

It seems to me reading this forum that around the world people are
gradually discovering some great 2nd hand lenses which previously
sat on dealers shelves gathering dust and are snapping them up ?

I am guilty having recently purchased auperb 135/2.8 FA.

Click to expand...

Over the last few months I have purchased three (!) 135mm lenses, Super Takumar 135/3.5 (AU$15), Super Takumar 135/2.5 (US$81) and SMC-A 135/2.8 (US$80). Why? Because I could... or maybe it is I have a short-tele fetish I am not sure

Anyway of the 3 the 135/2.5 is probably the best but the biggest and heaviest and the A 135/2.8 is not bad but has less contrast and more muted colours than the othert by a reasonable margin. My F 70-210 has a more appealing looks about it's results for instance.

--
Brett



The Journey is the Thing

Brett St Pierre said:

Lance B said:

As many have probably heard and seen I am guilty of pushing up
prices and demand on Ebay! I have been very active with my
purchases:
FA 50mm f1.4
SMC A 100mm f2.8
SMC A 135mm f2.8
SMC A* 200mm ED f2.8
SMC A* 300mm f4
F 100mm f2.8

These are all superb lenses and all bought on Ebay. Every one of
them is in great condition. The 100mm & 200mm didn't even look like
they were used. As you say they are a joy to use and the build
quality is superb.

Click to expand...

I am convinced Lance that you are trying to corner the market on A
lenses, drive prices up and then selectively release these now rare
(after you own them ALL) lenses back onto the market at
astronomical prices!

Click to expand...

Sounds like a good idea, except I like 'em too much. You know me Brett.

Brett St Pierre said:

--
Brett



The Journey is the Thing

Click to expand...

--
Lance*istD

John Rossbach said:

So you're the one!

I was probably bidding against you on some of those.
But, I quite often lose patience with bidding at the last
second and watching the price shoot up.

Click to expand...

More than likely me as I have been active.

John Rossbach said:

I just recently got an A* 300mm f2.8
so I think I'm done for a while now, anyway.

Click to expand...

I'll say, that's one mother of a lens! Big, but beautiful.

John Rossbach said:

John

Lance B said:

These are all superb lenses and all bought on Ebay. Every one of
them is in great condition. The 100mm & 200mm didn't even look like
they were used. As you say they are a joy to use and the build
quality is superb.

Larry DS said:

Larry

John Rossbach said:

Seems like the A-series lenses are fetching quite a premium on
e-bay lately.
The M-series or older seem to go for about half the price.

Click to expand...

--

Click to expand...

--
Lance*istD

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
Lance*istD

Brett St Pierre said:

FJEH said:

It seems to me reading this forum that around the world people are
gradually discovering some great 2nd hand lenses which previously
sat on dealers shelves gathering dust and are snapping them up ?

I am guilty having recently purchased auperb 135/2.8 FA.

Click to expand...

Over the last few months I have purchased three (!) 135mm lenses,
Super Takumar 135/3.5 (AU$15), Super Takumar 135/2.5 (US$81) and
SMC-A 135/2.8 (US$80). Why? Because I could... or maybe it is I
have a short-tele fetish I am not sure

Anyway of the 3 the 135/2.5 is probably the best but the biggest
and heaviest and the A 135/2.8 is not bad but has less contrast and
more muted colours than the othert by a reasonable margin. My F
70-210 has a more appealing looks about it's results for instance.

Click to expand...

You know you've caught the lens buying disease off me now Brett!
--
Lance*istD

Brett St Pierre said:

FJEH said:

It seems to me reading this forum that around the world people are
gradually discovering some great 2nd hand lenses which previously
sat on dealers shelves gathering dust and are snapping them up ?

I am guilty having recently purchased auperb 135/2.8 FA.

Click to expand...

Over the last few months I have purchased three (!) 135mm lenses,
Super Takumar 135/3.5 (AU$15), Super Takumar 135/2.5 (US$81) and
SMC-A 135/2.8 (US$80). Why? Because I could... or maybe it is I
have a short-tele fetish I am not sure

Anyway of the 3 the 135/2.5 is probably the best but the biggest
and heaviest and the A 135/2.8 is not bad but has less contrast and
more muted colours than the othert by a reasonable margin. My F
70-210 has a more appealing looks about it's results for instance.

Click to expand...

It is definitely catching and with so many great designs to choose from. I have the F70-210 on my hit list since my Sigma APO 70-210 literally fell apart after many years of use (well looked after but one day the focussing ring fell off closely followed by the front element landing on the carpet next to it !). Just need to find a F 70-210 in good condition !

Regards

Frank.

I see no upsurge in demand for used Pentax lenses on eBay. Lenses of all types and makes are selling cheap on eBay, probably because of the bad economy in the USA. The Nikon D70 is selling like hotcakes but there is no upsurge in demand for Nikon lenses. The number of *ist D cameras sold is small compared to Pentax film cameras. So I do not anticipate any upsurge even if the *ist DS is going to sell well.

People in the US are busy shopping for a president since the future of the country depends on a good choice in this category.

Anastigmat said:

People in the US are busy shopping for a president since the future
of the country depends on a good choice in this category.

Click to expand...

Maybe they can find one of those on ebay! Don't think they've found one anywhere else!

They could have President Teflon Tony, but I wouldn't like to do that to them, even though they like him, so I guess we're stuck with him for a while yet!!

Nice secondhand Pentax lenes are MUCH more interesting, they don't hurt people, unless you drop them on your foot, only your wallet!

--
Richard Day - 'Carpe Diem!'
Gloucester UK

FJEH said:

It seems to me reading this forum that around the world people are
gradually discovering some great 2nd hand lenses which previously
sat on dealers shelves gathering dust and are snapping them up ?
I am guilty having recently purchased auperb 135/2.8 FA. I have
also recently added to this with a Pentax F 35-70 3.5/4.5. I

Click to expand...

Yeah, could you please all stop buying those lense, otherwise nothing will be left after I've bought a *istDS
Menno
http://www.xs4all.nl/~mvanb/albums

I started buying already - there's no time to wait!

mvb123 said:

FJEH said:

It seems to me reading this forum that around the world people are
gradually discovering some great 2nd hand lenses which previously
sat on dealers shelves gathering dust and are snapping them up ?
I am guilty having recently purchased auperb 135/2.8 FA. I have
also recently added to this with a Pentax F 35-70 3.5/4.5. I

Click to expand...

Yeah, could you please all stop buying those lense, otherwise
nothing will be left after I've bought a *istDS
Menno
http://www.xs4all.nl/~mvanb/albums

Click to expand...