More Ebay insanity?

Groundloop · 04-25-2008, 11:33 AM

I found this one today:

Pentax SMC-FA* 85mm f/1.4 IF Autofocus Lens - eBay (item 120248417782 end time Apr-26-08 20:19:19 PDT)

I know all the * lenses are legendary, but personally I'd rather get two 77mm Limiteds (1 black, 1 silver. Just to accessorize my outfits.

), and the DA* 200mm.

Pentaxke · 04-25-2008, 11:41 AM

$1999,- !!!!

Madness... Cheer madness...

*k100d* · 04-25-2008, 12:00 PM

holy crap :P ... time to buy up all the FA77s you can find now, then sell them 5 years later

how much did fa 85's go for new?

Pentaxke · 04-25-2008, 12:06 PM

$1000-ish...

*Oldschool* · 04-25-2008, 12:07 PM

Let's see if anybody buys it. Just because someone wants a certain price, doesn't mean that they'll get it. I'd actually be concerned if it had been bid up to that price.

*Fl_Gulfer* · 04-25-2008, 12:38 PM

Why dosen't Pentax just make some more of these good lenses, since they can see they can make alot of money from them, they could sell them all day for 1200 bucks.

04-25-2008, 12:56 PM

They can sell all of the 77mm f/1.8s they can make. Why re-introduce a lens that's 8mm longer and 1/6 of stop faster?

jsherman999 · 04-25-2008, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Ed in GA

They can sell all of the 77mm f/1.8s they can make. Why re-introduce a lens that's 8mm longer and 1/6 of stop faster?

Well, if they price it $300 higher than the 77ltd, and if it's a 'replacement good' for the 77, then they make more money than if they had sold a 77 to that person instead (assuming production cost < $200 more than the 77ltd.)

Short answer is - if they make it, we will come.

.

*NaClH2O* · 04-25-2008, 01:51 PM

They might not be able to market the design in Europe, if the glass contains X amount of lead. If the FA* 85 had highly leaded glass, the optical qualities might be such that it can't be reproduced today. BTW Ed is absolutely correct. When I got my 77ltd at Adorama, the sales guy said "What's with this lens? we can't keep it in stock more that a couple of days most!"

NaCl(not lusting after a 2G 85mm)H2O

*TomInJax* · 04-25-2008, 04:25 PM

Buy it now price $2,500!!! Wow! That lens must be dang awsome! (or not?)

deejjjaaaa · 04-25-2008, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by NaClH2O

They might not be able to market the design in Europe, if the glass contains X amount of lead.

I wonder how much lead actually is in all that optical glass ? and how much of it really can escape the glass... I bet they can safely exclude optical lenses from they environmental efforts.

PS: bullets are not prohibited to be used for hunting, compare that lead with what comes from lenses.

*falconeye* · 04-25-2008, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by NaClH2O

They might not be able to market the design in Europe, if the glass contains X amount of lead.

Let me quote myself from another thread here: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/219840-post29.html

The EU Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), on 2004, December 10, has ruled an exception to "Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronical Equipment – RoHS".

It is now allowed again to use lead and cadmium in optical lens glass (exception #12 RoHS).

So, the "glass with lead got forbidden in Europe" starts to become an urban legend throughout this forum. Please, help to defeat it...

**roentarre** · 04-25-2008, 07:29 PM

The price is continuously going up and this rate of inflation is quite a concern.

Now what I am really interested is what pentax is going to do with Da* 55 f1.4 that is going to be my new walk around lens.

Pentaxke · 04-26-2008, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by falconeye

Let me quote myself from another thread here: http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/219840-post29.html

The EU Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), on 2004, December 10, has ruled an exception to "Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronical Equipment – RoHS".

It is now allowed again to use lead and cadmium in optical lens glass (exception #12 RoHS).
So, the "glass with lead got forbidden in Europe" starts to become an urban legend throughout this forum. Please, help to defeat it...

I was about to write the same thing. Good observation Falcon Eye

!

Actually, the reason why most FA lenses where withdrawn from the European market, is because of the lead soldering used in the electronics. And no, it's not that simple to change lead soldering to non lead soldering, which meant Pentax abbondend the FA line altogether...

*k100d* · 05-06-2008, 09:28 AM

for someone looking for this lens at a "more reasonable price"
eBay Store - Matsuiyastore: Pentax: smc PENTAX FA Star 85mm f 1.4 IF Exc
the A* 200 macro i pointed out a while ago at $1600 was already snapped up
i love their store ...