FA Gems - Worth This Price ?

Frogfish · 01-21-2011, 11:32 AM

Today I was back in my favourite shopping mall - 6 floors of new cameras / new lenses / used gear / studio stuff and just about anything and everything associated with photography. A wonderful quick fix whenever those LBA pangs fire up !

I found one little shop that I hadn't noticed before ..... and he had a great selection of used Pentax lenses (insert LBA smilie). Anyway the prices look high but maybe I can get a little off so what do you think is the bargain here (if anything !) :

FA 85/1.4 (he's got three !) : $1,400
FA 24/2 : $700
FA 35/2 : $400
FA300/4.5 : $1,350
FA400/5.6 : $2,800 (yikes) ! I noticed this had a little mold but that's not a big issue here and the fantastic little repair shops in the mall will clean it up for $20.

I've checked the PF reviews and they ALL look tempting !

**blackcloudbrew** · 01-21-2011, 11:38 AM

I haven't had my eye on most of those but the FA 35/2 price in USD is right in the ball park from my most recent purchase of one.

Urkeldaedalus · 01-21-2011, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by Frogfish

Today I was back in my favourite shopping mall - 6 floors of new cameras / new lenses / used gear / studio stuff and just about anything and everything associated with photography. A wonderful quick fix whenever those LBA pangs fire up !

I found one little shop that I hadn't noticed before ..... and he had a great selection of used Pentax lenses (insert LBA smilie). Anyway the prices look high but maybe I can get a little off so what do you think is the bargain here (if anything !) :

FA 85/1.4 (he's got three !) : $1,400
FA 24/2 : $700
FA 35/2 : $400
FA300/4.5 : $1,350
FA400/5.6 : $2,800 (yikes) ! I noticed this had a little mold but that's not a big issue here and the fantastic little repair shops in the mall will clean it up for $20.

I've checked the PF reviews and they ALL look tempting !

Are those U.S. prices? I think those are similar to used prices I've seen. Maybe a bit expensive for the FA*85 f/1.4, Fa* 24 f/2 and Fa300 f/4.5 based on prices I've on here and on KEH, but not excessively so if they are in great condition.

axl · 01-21-2011, 12:10 PM

I think the 85, 24 are quite high.
I've seen FA*85 going here for around $1250 only few months back and 24s are going for aorund 550 in USD. Unless they are mint, and I mean mint, they are slightly overpriced

eddie1960 · 01-21-2011, 12:13 PM

there are A* 85s going on ebay for close to this price so in that perspective not bad but i have seen the fa go closer to 1250 (i have dreams about this lens)

eddie1960 · 01-21-2011, 12:17 PM

thought it might be high there are a couple on ebat buyy it now at the following
1151.53
1201.64
1371.01
1483.26

KEH has one @1035.00 Ex rating (most peoples ex+) and a 24 f2 @ 599

so he's a little on the high side of high

jjdgti · 01-21-2011, 12:17 PM

The lenses are New Old Stock? If not they are 10% - 15% over the average prices here in the US. Nice find. If yo can get to come down the 15% you will be OK.

Frogfish · 01-21-2011, 12:59 PM

Thanks for the quick feedback guys (and prices). Yes I've converted these to US$. I guess I may be able to get 5-10% tops off these prices.

All of these I did basic tests to check blades, smooth ring movements etc but haven't put them on my camera yet.

Another one I forgot to mention : Contax Zeiss Planar T* 50/1.7 converted to Pentax mount (reversible) for US$385.

Pentaxor · 01-21-2011, 01:13 PM

IMO, only the FA35/2 price makes sense.

freewheeler · 01-21-2011, 02:02 PM

An Fa35/2.0 for $400?
While the DA35/2.4 goes for $180 new?
Not that much better I'd say.
Sold mine a few weeks ago for 250 euro.....
Replaced it by a Voigtlander Ultron40mm.
Optically at least as good and built like a battle ship.

Pentaxor · 01-21-2011, 04:20 PM

DA35 is a plastic mount, f2.4, no lens aperture control ring. it wouldn't make sense if it costs more than what it is selling for right now, have it priced around $300 and it won't sell that well. the norm for plastic mount lens price are cheap. as far as wear is concerned, it seems not to last as long as metal mounts.

MSD · 01-21-2011, 04:36 PM

As above, some of the pricing seems a little over. Then again, not many people are going to get those popular lenses cheaply.
Just think if they will suit your kit, if you want them.

Quicksand · 01-21-2011, 04:41 PM

Originally posted by Frogfish

6 floors of new cameras / new lenses / used gear / studio stuff and just about anything and everything associated with photography

Man, too bad I didn't know about this place when I had a business trip to Shanghai a year ago!

Hmm, on second thought, maybe it's better that I didn't.

jk333 · 01-21-2011, 04:43 PM

Keep in mind that these are in a mall. Just because you CAN buy it online doesn't mean that you should. There's a certain premium that I'd pay to

1) see the lens prior to buying
2) support a store to carry my brands lenses (pentax)

panoguy · 01-21-2011, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by Frogfish

Another one I forgot to mention : Contax Zeiss Planar T* 50/1.7 converted to Pentax mount (reversible) for US$385.

Wait... what did I sell mine for (with a quality Leitax mount)?

Local deal - no shipping, for $300. The mount conversion kit was $100 of that price!

01-21-2011, 11:32 AM	#1
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	FA Gems - Worth This Price ? Today I was back in my favourite shopping mall - 6 floors of new cameras / new lenses / used gear / studio stuff and just about anything and everything associated with photography. A wonderful quick fix whenever those LBA pangs fire up ! I found one little shop that I hadn't noticed before ..... and he had a great selection of used Pentax lenses (insert LBA smilie). Anyway the prices look high but maybe I can get a little off so what do you think is the bargain here (if anything !) : FA 85/1.4 (he's got three !) : $1,400 FA 24/2 : $700 FA 35/2 : $400 FA300/4.5 : $1,350 FA400/5.6 : $2,800 (yikes) ! I noticed this had a little mold but that's not a big issue here and the fantastic little repair shops in the mall will clean it up for $20. I've checked the PF reviews and they ALL look tempting !

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01-21-2011, 11:38 AM	#2
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	I haven't had my eye on most of those but the FA 35/2 price in USD is right in the ball park from my most recent purchase of one.

01-21-2011, 11:54 AM	#3
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369	Originally posted by Frogfish Today I was back in my favourite shopping mall - 6 floors of new cameras / new lenses / used gear / studio stuff and just about anything and everything associated with photography. A wonderful quick fix whenever those LBA pangs fire up ! I found one little shop that I hadn't noticed before ..... and he had a great selection of used Pentax lenses (insert LBA smilie). Anyway the prices look high but maybe I can get a little off so what do you think is the bargain here (if anything !) : FA 85/1.4 (he's got three !) : $1,400 FA 24/2 : $700 FA 35/2 : $400 FA300/4.5 : $1,350 FA400/5.6 : $2,800 (yikes) ! I noticed this had a little mold but that's not a big issue here and the fantastic little repair shops in the mall will clean it up for $20. I've checked the PF reviews and they ALL look tempting ! Are those U.S. prices? I think those are similar to used prices I've seen. Maybe a bit expensive for the FA85 f/1.4, Fa 24 f/2 and Fa300 f/4.5 based on prices I've on here and on KEH, but not excessively so if they are in great condition.

01-21-2011, 12:10 PM	#4
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	I think the 85, 24 are quite high. I've seen FA*85 going here for around $1250 only few months back and 24s are going for aorund 550 in USD. Unless they are mint, and I mean mint, they are slightly overpriced

01-21-2011, 12:13 PM	#5
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	there are A* 85s going on ebay for close to this price so in that perspective not bad but i have seen the fa go closer to 1250 (i have dreams about this lens)

01-21-2011, 12:17 PM	#6
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	thought it might be high there are a couple on ebat buyy it now at the following 1151.53 1201.64 1371.01 1483.26 KEH has one @1035.00 Ex rating (most peoples ex+) and a 24 f2 @ 599 so he's a little on the high side of high

01-21-2011, 12:17 PM	#7
jjdgti Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,824	The lenses are New Old Stock? If not they are 10% - 15% over the average prices here in the US. Nice find. If yo can get to come down the 15% you will be OK.

01-21-2011, 12:59 PM	#8
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490 Original Poster	Thanks for the quick feedback guys (and prices). Yes I've converted these to US$. I guess I may be able to get 5-10% tops off these prices. All of these I did basic tests to check blades, smooth ring movements etc but haven't put them on my camera yet. Another one I forgot to mention : Contax Zeiss Planar T* 50/1.7 converted to Pentax mount (reversible) for US$385.

01-21-2011, 01:13 PM	#9
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	IMO, only the FA35/2 price makes sense.

01-21-2011, 02:02 PM	#10
freewheeler Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: amsterdam Posts: 130	An Fa35/2.0 for $400? While the DA35/2.4 goes for $180 new? Not that much better I'd say. Sold mine a few weeks ago for 250 euro..... Replaced it by a Voigtlander Ultron40mm. Optically at least as good and built like a battle ship.

01-21-2011, 04:20 PM	#11
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	DA35 is a plastic mount, f2.4, no lens aperture control ring. it wouldn't make sense if it costs more than what it is selling for right now, have it priced around $300 and it won't sell that well. the norm for plastic mount lens price are cheap. as far as wear is concerned, it seems not to last as long as metal mounts.

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01-21-2011, 04:36 PM	#12
MSD Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 163	As above, some of the pricing seems a little over. Then again, not many people are going to get those popular lenses cheaply. Just think if they will suit your kit, if you want them.

01-21-2011, 04:41 PM	#13
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	Originally posted by Frogfish 6 floors of new cameras / new lenses / used gear / studio stuff and just about anything and everything associated with photography Man, too bad I didn't know about this place when I had a business trip to Shanghai a year ago! Hmm, on second thought, maybe it's better that I didn't.

01-21-2011, 04:43 PM	#14
jk333 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: bev Posts: 181	Keep in mind that these are in a mall. Just because you CAN buy it online doesn't mean that you should. There's a certain premium that I'd pay to 1) see the lens prior to buying 2) support a store to carry my brands lenses (pentax)

01-21-2011, 05:20 PM	#15
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by Frogfish Another one I forgot to mention : Contax Zeiss Planar T* 50/1.7 converted to Pentax mount (reversible) for US$385. Wait... what did I sell mine for (with a quality Leitax mount)? Local deal - no shipping, for $300. The mount conversion kit was $100 of that price!