The saddest group of f/1.2 lenses on the planet

**G_Money** · 11-15-2010, 05:05 PM

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What the hell happened to this motley crew?

Lot of 6 SMC Pentax 50mm 1:1.2 Lens For Parts/Repair on eBay.ca (item 290500604817 end time 15-Dec-10 05:10:59 EST)

dgaies · 11-15-2010, 05:08 PM

Damn.... that's a ton of abuse!

wlachan · 11-15-2010, 05:23 PM

Looks like some people actually used them heavily for actual photography.

dgaies · 11-15-2010, 05:24 PM

Originally posted by wlachan

Looks like some people actually used them heavily for actual photography.

Or for batting practice

**gofour3** · 11-15-2010, 05:38 PM

They probably got them from some news agency, who issued them to reporters in the 1970’s. Since the reporters didn’t pay for them, they were “used & abused” on a daily basis.

Most people who would have shelled out around $250.00 for a new one in the late 1970’s, would have treated the lens better.

Phil.

paperbag846 · 11-15-2010, 05:52 PM

Th question remains - there are all sorts of mention of cleaning marks, dust, and worn coatings in the descriptions, but do you think you could see the imperfections in a photograph?

LensRentals.com - Front Element Scratches

macTak · 11-15-2010, 05:57 PM

Looks like they used them in place of stones for stonewashing clothes. I suppose this reminds us of how well most photographers baby their equipment.

Fossil · 11-15-2010, 06:16 PM

bump - toy boat anchors maybe?

hcarvalhoalves · 11-15-2010, 06:23 PM

I was actually shocked by the price.

**jatrax** · 11-15-2010, 07:36 PM

I can't imagine what kind of 'use' would result in that much damage. Never seen the paint corroded off of a Pentax lens like that. The rubber grips all look like they are loose or cracked.

But I would love to hear the story.

bhairavp · 11-15-2010, 07:51 PM

The seller is based in India..if he is in Bombay,I'd like to go check the lenses out.

dragonfly · 11-15-2010, 08:01 PM

Even in bad condition they probably still take good pics.

Pentaxor · 11-15-2010, 08:23 PM

it looks like those lenses got ravaged by a bunch of 5 year olds. that's no way to threat an equipment.

**jatrax** · 11-15-2010, 11:16 PM

I had to ask if they had any history on these. Here is the reply I got back:

Hi,
These were mostly used by various studios in India for portrait photography and were also carried to weddings, outdoors etc. The studio hands had a tendency to handle the lens and cameras in a rough manner.
Thanks
j.a

Rough manner? Looks like they put them in a sack and dragged them back & forth to the sites.

Pentaxor · 11-15-2010, 11:54 PM

honestly, the old Zeiss, Russian and first generation Taks looks in much better condition than those. what is baffling is that these lenses are not just common lenses but f1.2. those lenses should had been taken some real care.

I can't find any logical explanation or way that might have caused those lenses to be in such horrible shape or suffer such cosmetic wear. I have owned lenses as early as the 70s but nothing that I have seen in such ridiculous state. few minor dents/dings, paint loss, fungus, dusts, scratches and cracked element caused by dropping would had been understandable and logical. but this one looked like they were beaten and hammered.

11-15-2010, 05:05 PM	#1
G_Money Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 598	The saddest group of f/1.2 lenses on the planet 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. What the hell happened to this motley crew? Lot of 6 SMC Pentax 50mm 1:1.2 Lens For Parts/Repair on eBay.ca (item 290500604817 end time 15-Dec-10 05:10:59 EST)

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11-15-2010, 05:08 PM	#2
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Damn.... that's a ton of abuse!

11-15-2010, 05:23 PM	#3
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Looks like some people actually used them heavily for actual photography.

11-15-2010, 05:24 PM	#4
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by wlachan Looks like some people actually used them heavily for actual photography. Or for batting practice

11-15-2010, 05:38 PM	#5
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	They probably got them from some news agency, who issued them to reporters in the 1970’s. Since the reporters didn’t pay for them, they were “used & abused” on a daily basis. Most people who would have shelled out around $250.00 for a new one in the late 1970’s, would have treated the lens better. Phil.

11-15-2010, 05:52 PM	#6
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Th question remains - there are all sorts of mention of cleaning marks, dust, and worn coatings in the descriptions, but do you think you could see the imperfections in a photograph? LensRentals.com - Front Element Scratches

11-15-2010, 05:57 PM	#7
macTak Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 759	Looks like they used them in place of stones for stonewashing clothes. I suppose this reminds us of how well most photographers baby their equipment.

11-15-2010, 06:16 PM	#8
Fossil New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 23	bump - toy boat anchors maybe?

11-15-2010, 06:23 PM	#9
hcarvalhoalves Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: São Paulo, Brazil Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,019	I was actually shocked by the price.

11-15-2010, 07:36 PM	#10
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I can't imagine what kind of 'use' would result in that much damage. Never seen the paint corroded off of a Pentax lens like that. The rubber grips all look like they are loose or cracked. But I would love to hear the story.

11-15-2010, 07:51 PM	#11
bhairavp Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 399	The seller is based in India..if he is in Bombay,I'd like to go check the lenses out.

11-15-2010, 08:01 PM	#12
dragonfly Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: on the wall Photos: Gallery Posts: 715	Even in bad condition they probably still take good pics.

11-15-2010, 08:23 PM	#13
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	it looks like those lenses got ravaged by a bunch of 5 year olds. that's no way to threat an equipment.

11-15-2010, 11:16 PM	#14
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I had to ask if they had any history on these. Here is the reply I got back: Hi, These were mostly used by various studios in India for portrait photography and were also carried to weddings, outdoors etc. The studio hands had a tendency to handle the lens and cameras in a rough manner. Thanks j.a Rough manner? Looks like they put them in a sack and dragged them back & forth to the sites.

11-15-2010, 11:54 PM	#15
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	honestly, the old Zeiss, Russian and first generation Taks looks in much better condition than those. what is baffling is that these lenses are not just common lenses but f1.2. those lenses should had been taken some real care. I can't find any logical explanation or way that might have caused those lenses to be in such horrible shape or suffer such cosmetic wear. I have owned lenses as early as the 70s but nothing that I have seen in such ridiculous state. few minor dents/dings, paint loss, fungus, dusts, scratches and cracked element caused by dropping would had been understandable and logical. but this one looked like they were beaten and hammered.