Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

LFLee · 10-04-2010, 08:59 AM

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So.... who won the A* 85mm on ebay yesterday for $811?

... and who won the A 50mm f1.2 ? from the same seller?

Lee

dgaies · 10-04-2010, 09:15 AM

I don't know, but that's a pretty decent price for an A*85 (it was actually $834, but still a good price).

The A50/1.2, on the other hand, went for a little more than I would have expected ($655).

yusuf · 10-05-2010, 09:49 AM

Certainly nice price!!

jjdgti · 10-05-2010, 01:47 PM

Yes, very good price for the A*85, those don't come that often.

urje · 10-06-2010, 02:07 AM

I saw an A*85, Porst 135/1.8 and a K-x go for around 800 euros some time ago. I knew it was there, I just returned 5 minutes late to snipe it...

I just keep telling myself that the winning bidder probably had plenty of headroom...

Wheatfield · 10-06-2010, 08:19 PM

That is substantially less than I paid for my *85/1.4 a few years ago.

paperbag846 · 10-07-2010, 07:10 AM

I'm curious, how is a manual focus lens worth that much? Do the optics of the A*85 really outshine all of the lens offering by pentax in the 800-900 dollar range, or is the value more a collector sort of thing?

melander · 10-07-2010, 07:49 AM

and the FA*200/2.8 for $400

**gofour3** · 10-07-2010, 08:15 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by paperbag846

I'm curious, how is a manual focus lens worth that much? Do the optics of the A*85 really outshine all of the lens offering by pentax in the 800-900 dollar range, or is the value more a collector sort of thing?

Yes some of it is the collector thing and in the case of A* series, better optics.

Another reason is the older manual focus (especially the Takumars & K Series) lenses are better built and have less moving parts than the modern auto focus ones. As a result they will basically last forever.

Also some of the old MF’s are rare and faster than the current AF versions, so fetch higher prices.

Phil.

paperbag846 · 10-07-2010, 11:20 AM

Originally posted by gofour3

lenses are better built and have less moving parts than the modern auto focus ones. As a result they will basically last forever.

I don't mind manual focus myself, although I don't own any of the gems. The longevity aspect makes total sense to me. Thanks!

Urkeldaedalus · 10-07-2010, 11:21 AM

Originally posted by melander

and the FA*200/2.8 for $400

Yowza.

SOldBear · 10-07-2010, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by paperbag846

I'm curious, how is a manual focus lens worth that much? Do the optics of the A*85 really outshine all of the lens offering by pentax in the 800-900 dollar range, or is the value more a collector sort of thing?

To be frank, I don't think the A* 85mm is worth that much, optics-wise. At one point, I had an A* 85mm and an A* 300mm, I sold both of them. For the A* 85, I replaced it with a DA Ltd. 70mm and a Tamron 90mm macro - not the same, but is better for my applications. IQ-wise, I can't tell the difference.

I was thinking of the FA 77mm but I prefer the small size of the DA 70mm.

Edited to add: I sold my A* 85mm for about $1200, much more than the price of an FA 77mm.

paperbag846 · 10-07-2010, 11:40 AM

Originally posted by SOldBear

To be frank, I don't think the A* 85mm is worth that much, optics-wise. At one point, I had an A* 85mm and an A* 300mm, I sold both of them. For the A* 85, I replaced it with a DA Ltd. 70mm and a Tamron 90mm macro - not the same, but is better for my applications. IQ-wise, I can't tell the difference.

I was thinking of the FA 77mm but I prefer the small size of the DA 70mm.

Thats what I was thinking... for that kind of coin one could buy an FA77 which has autofocus and a very very very good reputation. I would suspect the collect-ability of the lens must play a role... they are only going to get more rare!

Pentaxor · 10-07-2010, 03:49 PM

Originally posted by paperbag846

Thats what I was thinking... for that kind of coin one could buy an FA77 which has autofocus and a very very very good reputation. I would suspect the collect-ability of the lens must play a role... they are only going to get more rare!

or get the Sigma 85/1.4.

Wheatfield · 10-07-2010, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by paperbag846

I'm curious, how is a manual focus lens worth that much? Do the optics of the A*85 really outshine all of the lens offering by pentax in the 800-900 dollar range, or is the value more a collector sort of thing?

The A*85 outshines the DA70LTD and FA77LTD combined.
(I have all three).
It truly is a superb lens.

10-04-2010, 08:59 AM	#1
LFLee Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,292	*A 85mm on ebay** Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. So.... who won the A* 85mm on ebay yesterday for $811? ... and who won the A 50mm f1.2 ? from the same seller? Lee

10-07-2010, 11:36 AM	#12
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by paperbag846 I'm curious, how is a manual focus lens worth that much? Do the optics of the A85 really outshine all of the lens offering by pentax in the 800-900 dollar range, or is the value more a collector sort of thing? To be frank, I don't think the A 85mm is worth that much, optics-wise. At one point, I had an A* 85mm and an A* 300mm, I sold both of them. For the A* 85, I replaced it with a DA Ltd. 70mm and a Tamron 90mm macro - not the same, but is better for my applications. IQ-wise, I can't tell the difference. I was thinking of the FA 77mm but I prefer the small size of the DA 70mm. Edited to add: I sold my A* 85mm for about $1200, much more than the price of an FA 77mm. Last edited by SOldBear; 10-07-2010 at 12:06 PM.

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10-04-2010, 09:15 AM	#2
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	I don't know, but that's a pretty decent price for an A*85 (it was actually $834, but still a good price). The A50/1.2, on the other hand, went for a little more than I would have expected ($655).

10-05-2010, 09:49 AM	#3
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	Certainly nice price!!

10-05-2010, 01:47 PM	#4
jjdgti Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,824	Yes, very good price for the A*85, those don't come that often.

10-06-2010, 02:07 AM	#5
urje Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Deventer, NL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 113	I saw an A*85, Porst 135/1.8 and a K-x go for around 800 euros some time ago. I knew it was there, I just returned 5 minutes late to snipe it... I just keep telling myself that the winning bidder probably had plenty of headroom...

10-06-2010, 08:19 PM	#6
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,991	That is substantially less than I paid for my *85/1.4 a few years ago.

10-07-2010, 07:10 AM	#7
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	I'm curious, how is a manual focus lens worth that much? Do the optics of the A*85 really outshine all of the lens offering by pentax in the 800-900 dollar range, or is the value more a collector sort of thing?

10-07-2010, 07:49 AM	#8
melander Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden, Umea Posts: 876	and the FA*200/2.8 for $400

10-07-2010, 08:15 AM - 1 Like	#9
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,093	Originally posted by paperbag846 I'm curious, how is a manual focus lens worth that much? Do the optics of the A85 really outshine all of the lens offering by pentax in the 800-900 dollar range, or is the value more a collector sort of thing? Yes some of it is the collector thing and in the case of A series, better optics. Another reason is the older manual focus (especially the Takumars & K Series) lenses are better built and have less moving parts than the modern auto focus ones. As a result they will basically last forever. Also some of the old MF’s are rare and faster than the current AF versions, so fetch higher prices. Phil.

10-07-2010, 11:20 AM	#10
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by gofour3 lenses are better built and have less moving parts than the modern auto focus ones. As a result they will basically last forever. I don't mind manual focus myself, although I don't own any of the gems. The longevity aspect makes total sense to me. Thanks!

10-07-2010, 11:21 AM	#11
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369	Originally posted by melander and the FA*200/2.8 for $400 Yowza.

10-07-2010, 11:40 AM	#13
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by SOldBear To be frank, I don't think the A* 85mm is worth that much, optics-wise. At one point, I had an A* 85mm and an A* 300mm, I sold both of them. For the A* 85, I replaced it with a DA Ltd. 70mm and a Tamron 90mm macro - not the same, but is better for my applications. IQ-wise, I can't tell the difference. I was thinking of the FA 77mm but I prefer the small size of the DA 70mm. Thats what I was thinking... for that kind of coin one could buy an FA77 which has autofocus and a very very very good reputation. I would suspect the collect-ability of the lens must play a role... they are only going to get more rare!

10-07-2010, 03:49 PM	#14
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by paperbag846 Thats what I was thinking... for that kind of coin one could buy an FA77 which has autofocus and a very very very good reputation. I would suspect the collect-ability of the lens must play a role... they are only going to get more rare! or get the Sigma 85/1.4.

10-07-2010, 04:42 PM	#15
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,991	Originally posted by paperbag846 I'm curious, how is a manual focus lens worth that much? Do the optics of the A85 really outshine all of the lens offering by pentax in the 800-900 dollar range, or is the value more a collector sort of thing? The A85 outshines the DA70LTD and FA77LTD combined. (I have all three). It truly is a superb lens.