Pentax-A 16mm fish eye vs. 17mm Fish-eye-Takumar

Nick Siebers · 05-23-2010, 08:47 PM

Hello all. I am in a quandary. Despite already having the Pentax-A 16mm fisheye lens, I bought a 17mm one as well, because it was listed as an SMC (K) 17mm f/4, and $205 seemed too good to pass up. It turns out the actual lens is a Fish-eye-Takumar 17mm that has been converted to K mount, a distinctly less good deal. It does have the small size I wanted and is in great shape, but I was really hoping to get SMC and auto-aperture for use as a travel wide angle on my DSLR. I can send it back for a refund, but who knows if/when I will find another, and how much I will have to pay for that one.

The A 16mm is remarkably sharp, optically I have no complaints about it at all. I was hoping to find the K version had just as good optics but in a smaller package. I don't feel right test-shooting with the Takumar if I am going to send back because it was the wrong lens, especially risking damage to it rendering it nonreturnable. What do you all think I should do?

Thanks, Nick

pickles · 05-23-2010, 09:46 PM

If it's not what you want, then send it back.
I'm very new to this forum, so I'm not the best judge, but I've read here that the right item will turn up......if you're patient.
Cheers, Pickles.

Votesh · 05-24-2010, 04:44 PM

Send it back. It isn't what you paid for, or what you wanted. You already have the 16mm so that should hold you over until you can find a K 17mm.

Originally posted by Nick Siebers

Hello all. I am in a quandary. Despite already having the Pentax-A 16mm fisheye lens, I bought a 17mm one as well, because it was listed as an SMC (K) 17mm f/4, and $205 seemed too good to pass up. It turns out the actual lens is a Fish-eye-Takumar 17mm that has been converted to K mount, a distinctly less good deal. It does have the small size I wanted and is in great shape, but I was really hoping to get SMC and auto-aperture for use as a travel wide angle on my DSLR. I can send it back for a refund, but who knows if/when I will find another, and how much I will have to pay for that one.

The A 16mm is remarkably sharp, optically I have no complaints about it at all. I was hoping to find the K version had just as good optics but in a smaller package. I don't feel right test-shooting with the Takumar if I am going to send back because it was the wrong lens, especially risking damage to it rendering it nonreturnable. What do you all think I should do?

Thanks, Nick

KxBlaze · 05-24-2010, 08:21 PM

Absolutely return it. You were mislead and if I were you I would not be a happy camper. People need to understand that you cannot put a better name out there to boost sale interest and then send a different lens. That happened to me on Ebay. I saw a MF Vivitar lens that said glass is scratch/fungus/haze free and when the lens arrived it had a haze covering the rear inside element from top to bottom. Needless to say I got a refund.

Nick Siebers · 05-26-2010, 03:51 PM

Mailed it back today. I am sure it was an honest mistake, but not what I wanted. Thanks y'all!

05-23-2010, 08:47 PM	#1
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	Pentax-A 16mm fish eye vs. 17mm Fish-eye-Takumar Hello all. I am in a quandary. Despite already having the Pentax-A 16mm fisheye lens, I bought a 17mm one as well, because it was listed as an SMC (K) 17mm f/4, and $205 seemed too good to pass up. It turns out the actual lens is a Fish-eye-Takumar 17mm that has been converted to K mount, a distinctly less good deal. It does have the small size I wanted and is in great shape, but I was really hoping to get SMC and auto-aperture for use as a travel wide angle on my DSLR. I can send it back for a refund, but who knows if/when I will find another, and how much I will have to pay for that one. The A 16mm is remarkably sharp, optically I have no complaints about it at all. I was hoping to find the K version had just as good optics but in a smaller package. I don't feel right test-shooting with the Takumar if I am going to send back because it was the wrong lens, especially risking damage to it rendering it nonreturnable. What do you all think I should do? Thanks, Nick

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05-23-2010, 09:46 PM	#2
pickles Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: melbourne Posts: 937	If it's not what you want, then send it back. I'm very new to this forum, so I'm not the best judge, but I've read here that the right item will turn up......if you're patient. Cheers, Pickles.

05-24-2010, 04:44 PM	#3
Votesh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	Send it back. It isn't what you paid for, or what you wanted. You already have the 16mm so that should hold you over until you can find a K 17mm. Originally posted by Nick Siebers Hello all. I am in a quandary. Despite already having the Pentax-A 16mm fisheye lens, I bought a 17mm one as well, because it was listed as an SMC (K) 17mm f/4, and $205 seemed too good to pass up. It turns out the actual lens is a Fish-eye-Takumar 17mm that has been converted to K mount, a distinctly less good deal. It does have the small size I wanted and is in great shape, but I was really hoping to get SMC and auto-aperture for use as a travel wide angle on my DSLR. I can send it back for a refund, but who knows if/when I will find another, and how much I will have to pay for that one. The A 16mm is remarkably sharp, optically I have no complaints about it at all. I was hoping to find the K version had just as good optics but in a smaller package. I don't feel right test-shooting with the Takumar if I am going to send back because it was the wrong lens, especially risking damage to it rendering it nonreturnable. What do you all think I should do? Thanks, Nick

05-24-2010, 08:21 PM	#4
KxBlaze Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,602	Absolutely return it. You were mislead and if I were you I would not be a happy camper. People need to understand that you cannot put a better name out there to boost sale interest and then send a different lens. That happened to me on Ebay. I saw a MF Vivitar lens that said glass is scratch/fungus/haze free and when the lens arrived it had a haze covering the rear inside element from top to bottom. Needless to say I got a refund.

05-26-2010, 03:51 PM	#5
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165 Original Poster	Mailed it back today. I am sure it was an honest mistake, but not what I wanted. Thanks y'all!