Where are the legacy FF Pentax lenses available?

AviPro · Feb 22, 2016

There is always mention of millions of legacy lenses available.

I could only find few on ebay and the 3 I bought earlier - they were not in the best condition.

So where are they available in wider choice?

--
--JK

Michael Garibaldi · Feb 22, 2016

You might need a time machine.

p1726 · Feb 22, 2016

Usually there are few hundred of them at least available on ebay .. the rest are maybe collecting dust in Japan pawn shops that have not discovered the internet yet.

exaiphnes · Feb 22, 2016

Deep in closetc, cribs and crates, my preciousss...

JNR · Feb 22, 2016

Jhaakas said:
There is always mention of millions of legacy lenses available.

I could only find few on ebay and the 3 I bought earlier - they were not in the best condition.

So where are they available in wider choice?

tex · Feb 22, 2016

JNR said:
Jhaakas said:

There is always mention of millions of legacy lenses available.

I could only find few on ebay and the 3 I bought earlier - they were not in the best condition.

So where are they available in wider choice?

Click to expand...

JimC1101 · Feb 22, 2016

.... and I will sell them all to you for.....

KEH to me is the best source for used Pentax lenses. Very reputable and their grading of condition has been very good with reasonable prices. Pentax Forum marketplace is another good place.

--
Jim

AviPro · Feb 22, 2016

JNR said:
Sources far better than ebay include PentaxForums, B&H, KEH, and many dozens of other direct sources with strong reputations. Often, local Craig lists are also strong.

Thanks for mention of B&H, KEH ..

AviPro · Feb 22, 2016

tex said:
tex said:

Ebay is a lazy, expensive and not trustworthy source.

Click to expand...

This bit. I have had excellent success on ebay for a number of things. The Japanese sellers are especially good. One just needs to know what one is doing....

Sources far better than ebay include PentaxForums, B&H, KEH, and many dozens of other direct sources with strong reputations. Often, local Craig lists are also strong.

I would say that KEH is excellent, as are the Pentax Forums. I think B&H and Adorama trend high for used. Don't know about "dozens" of other direct sources, unless you mean the Japanese ones----that sell on ebay. Craigs List can be hit or miss.

tex said:

Depending on the particular lens desired, and willingness to look at third party brands, the successful search might involve some patience.

Click to expand...

Yes, exactly. If you are serious, then checking at least daily is the way to go.

gkreth · Feb 22, 2016

Jhaakas said:
There is always mention of millions of legacy lenses available.

I could only find few on ebay and the 3 I bought earlier - they were not in the best condition.

So where are they available in wider choice?

I don't know about "millions"....

But I just found more than 200 manual-focus PK mount lenses on eBay, located in the U.S.:

Loading…

www.ebay.com

You mentioned not ordering out of the U.S. because of shipping, so I modified the search to include everywhere, but limited the search to items with free shipping - got more than 100 hits:

Loading…

www.ebay.com

Not sure what you're looking for specifically, but I've bought a lotta FF lenses on eBay - not all of them great, but found some really good values, like the Tokina-made Vivitar 70-210 f/3.5 version 2 for less than $20....

And, as other have mentioned, KEH is a good resource, too; I've bought a couple of lenses from them, as well.

Good luck in your hunting!

Greg

bilybianca · Feb 22, 2016

If you want to build a set of legacy lenses you need...:

1 ...a strategy. What do you want to achieve, more than a shelf full of lenses? All AF, or would MF do as well? Affordable or only *-lenses? Set your bar.

2 ...to do your homework. Which lenses are the good ones, which ones to avoid? Check "Stans Pentax Photography" and Pentax forums lens' reviews for extensive users' reviews.

3 ...a budget. Premium lenses come with a price tag, some good ones are more plentiful and very price worthy. Take a decision what you are prepared to pay for every individual lens. That way you won't regret not buying "that lens" which was not price worthy, anyway. And one day you'll find it at a price you are comfortable with.

4 ...a bank account. It's saddening to see "that lens" pass at a bargain price, and you didn't have the money at hand.

5 ...patience. I've been waiting for an FA* 200mm Macro for some years now, and expect to wait another decade or more. But there comes a day... And to keep me busy while waiting, I've picked up a number of premium lenses from 15 to 600mm meantime. All according to the plan, and all at good prices. You know, the opportunity approaches like a slug, and vanishes like a flashlight.

Kjell

James O'Neill · Feb 22, 2016

Jhaakas said:
tex said:

AviPro said:

Ebay is a lazy, expensive and not trustworthy source.

Click to expand...

This bit. I have had excellent success on ebay for a number of things. The Japanese sellers are especially good. One just needs to know what one is doing....

Sources far better than ebay include PentaxForums, B&H, KEH, and many dozens of other direct sources with strong reputations. Often, local Craig lists are also strong.

I would say that KEH is excellent, as are the Pentax Forums. I think B&H and Adorama trend high for used. Don't know about "dozens" of other direct sources, unless you mean the Japanese ones----that sell on ebay. Craigs List can be hit or miss.

AviPro said:

Depending on the particular lens desired, and willingness to look at third party brands, the successful search might involve some patience.

Click to expand...

Yes, exactly. If you are serious, then checking at least daily is the way to go.

--

Click to expand...

Thanks..

I was only looking at US availability, and I have seen many from Japan but was just filtering out due to shipping costs. However, will now check globally as net net will still be cheaper.

And looks like need to have patience and keep looking for what I want..

MightyMike · Feb 22, 2016

They can be found all over the place, Pentaxforums Marketplace is a good starting place

22codfish · Feb 22, 2016

Loading…

www.pentaxforums.com

Jim Beverlin · Feb 22, 2016

I have about 10 years of experience looking for used K-mount lenses of the very best quality. Expect to pay for the quality. Do not disregard B&H or Adorama. Yes, they are not bargain priced but you get what you pay for and you also have a fair return policy.

I have had some decent luck buying off of eBay and have had good luck buying both used and new lenses from Japanese sellers both thru eBay and Amazon. For hard to find lenses decide what you can afford. Back in 2012 the FA31 was very hard to find used. I constantly monitored PF and eBay. One came up used on Adorama's website. Knew it would not last long and I bought it immediately. Expenisve.............yes but in superb condition!

Another member mentioned about trying to locate a FA*200 F4.0 Macro. This is one of the most hard to locate Pentax lenses if not the most difficult...........period! Pentax made about 1,000 total. I looked for almost 10 years. It appeared several times on eBay and the bidding was fierce. I even came into work on the weekend when bidding closed where we had fast internet service vs. the pathetic service I had at home. Always out bid some times in micro seconds. Then, I heard about one at B&H. When I went to their site it was gone. About a week or so later I was up about 5:30 AM on a Sunday feeding my 2 cats (they are very insistent on being fed no later than 6 AM). Normally being a Sunday I would head back to the sack but I opened up my tablet and for some reason went to B&H's website and there was the FA*200 F4.0 macro. I figured it must have been returned and immediately put it in my cart figuring someone else had purchased it. Absolutely could not believe when I was directed to put in my PW to pay for it. Was it bargain priced! H... no! But when you find one it is either poop or get off of the pot! 3 days later I had this legendary lens. It was in perfect condition and it is not for sale!

Searching for used lenses can be both fun and frustrating.

Jim Beverlin · Feb 22, 2016

bilybianca said:
If you want to build a set of legacy lenses you need...:

1 ...a strategy. What do you want to achieve, more than a shelf full of lenses? All AF, or would MF do as well? Affordable or only *-lenses? Set your bar.

2 ...to do your homework. Which lenses are the good ones, which ones to avoid? Check "Stans Pentax Photography" and Pentax forums lens' reviews for extensive users' reviews.

3 ...a budget. Premium lenses come with a price tag, some good ones are more plentiful and very price worthy. Take a decision what you are prepared to pay for every individual lens. That way you won't regret not buying "that lens" which was not price worthy, anyway. And one day you'll find it at a price you are comfortable with.

4 ...a bank account. It's saddening to see "that lens" pass at a bargain price, and you didn't have the money at hand.

5 ...patience. I've been waiting for an FA* 200mm Macro for some years now, and expect to wait another decade or more. But there comes a day... And to keep me busy while waiting, I've picked up a number of premium lenses from 15 to 600mm meantime. All according to the plan, and all at good prices. You know, the opportunity approaches like a slug, and vanishes like a flashlight.

Kjell

Very well put. In particular #5 speaking the last sentence!

AviPro · Feb 22, 2016

bilybianca said:
If you want to build a set of legacy lenses you need...:

1 ...a strategy. What do you want to achieve, more than a shelf full of lenses? All AF, or would MF do as well? Affordable or only *-lenses? Set your bar.

2 ...to do your homework. Which lenses are the good ones, which ones to avoid? Check "Stans Pentax Photography" and Pentax forums lens' reviews for extensive users' reviews.

3 ...a budget. Premium lenses come with a price tag, some good ones are more plentiful and very price worthy. Take a decision what you are prepared to pay for every individual lens. That way you won't regret not buying "that lens" which was not price worthy, anyway. And one day you'll find it at a price you are comfortable with.

4 ...a bank account. It's saddening to see "that lens" pass at a bargain price, and you didn't have the money at hand.

5 ...patience. I've been waiting for an FA* 200mm Macro for some years now, and expect to wait another decade or more. But there comes a day... And to keep me busy while waiting, I've picked up a number of premium lenses from 15 to 600mm meantime. All according to the plan, and all at good prices. You know, the opportunity approaches like a slug, and vanishes like a flashlight.

Kjell

Thanks, so nicely summed up. #3 and #5 are very important!

Roland Karlsson · Feb 22, 2016

Jhaakas said:
There is always mention of millions of legacy lenses available.

I could only find few on ebay and the 3 I bought earlier - they were not in the best condition.

So where are they available in wider choice?

Sounds strange. What search criteria did you use?

What kind of lenses are you looking for?

Rod McD · Feb 22, 2016

Hi,

I mostly use e-Bay. Unlike some comments posted here about being wary of e-Bay, I've bought some excellent lenses from all over the globe via e-Bay. Yes the prices vary, but they are set by the individual sellers, not e-Bay. There are indeed rip-offs, but there are many fair deals and bargains to be found. Always know the best brand new price you can get before you bid on a used lens. If it's not available new, watch the sales of the same lens for a little to learn what they go for. And check everything in the description before you bid or buy. And check daily. These things apply to every site.

As far as geography goes, I wouldn't have the slightest hesitation to buy from either Japan, Korea or Hong Kong. There are reputable dealers everywhere who are as concerned about their reputations as anywhere else. I generally respect Japanese and Korean dealers' descriptions of the condition their stock. They seem to me to be more thorough and accurate than other sellers, and usually offer high standard photographs of the lens. On the few occasions I've had problems, they've actually been from the US, UK and home here in Australia.

Regards, Rod

Roland Karlsson · Feb 22, 2016

Rod McD said:
Hi,

I mostly use e-Bay. Unlike some comments posted here about being wary of e-Bay, I've bought some excellent lenses from all over the globe via e-Bay. Yes the prices vary, but they are set by the individual sellers, not e-Bay. There are indeed rip-offs, but there are many fair deals and bargains to be found.

I have the same experience. Look for sellers with 100% good reputation and I think you are good. I have mainly bought from Japan and several of the lenses I have bought have been in such a good state that they can never have been used.

I have also bought several east state lenses, mainly from Russia and Ukraine. All good, except one. And I think that was a mistake by the seller. I got a very good replacement.

Rod McD said:
Always know the best brand new price you can get before you bid on a used lens.

I never bid. I always buy at the buy now price. Maybe stupid. But, I never buy something I do not want. So, it is ok for me. Saves time.

Rod McD said:
As far as geography goes, I wouldn't have the slightest hesitation to buy from either Japan, Korea or Hong Kong. There are reputable dealers everywhere who are as concerned about their reputations as anywhere else. I generally respect Japanese and Korean dealers' descriptions of the condition their stock. They seem to me to be more thorough and accurate than other sellers, and usually offer high standard photographs of the lens. On the few occasions I've had problems, they've actually been from the US, UK and home here in Australia.

I think that is right. There is a culture of honour in the far east.

Where are the legacy FF Pentax lenses available?

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