Question on price: SMC Pentax-A* 300mm F2.8 ED [IF]

Ignitrous · 10-15-2007, 04:22 PM

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My dad has one of these beautys sitting in his closet and has no need for it so he would like to sell it. It has some scratches on the body of the lens but it is in perfect working order and the lens is in no way or form scratched/cracked or damaged. It has the 1.4x multiplier and does still have its original lens cap and the metal carrying case.
Is it really worth $3000? I know it works fine he has taken some amazing pictures with it but I have a hard time believing that a lens would sell for this much.

If this is in the wrong forum i apologize.

carpents · 10-15-2007, 04:34 PM

Originally posted by Ignitrous

My dad has one of these beautys sitting in his closet and has no need for it so he would like to sell it. It has some scratches on the body of the lens but it is in perfect working order and the lens is in no way or form scratched/cracked or damaged. It has the 1.4x multiplier and does still have its original lens cap and the metal carrying case.
Is it really worth $3000? I know it works fine he has taken some amazing pictures with it but I have a hard time believing that a lens would sell for this much.

If this is in the wrong forum i apologize.

No, it's only worth about $50. I'll take it.

ccallana · 10-15-2007, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by carpents

No, it's only worth about $50. I'll take it.

I'll give you $100 for the lens and $50 for the 1.4x converter and we'll call it a day

"worth" and what it will sell for on Ebay are not the same thing - ebay prices are a bit inflated these days due to the lack of long glass available, and people over seas who can't get things otherwise... so you can do quite well...

In this case, its probably not worth anything - you should take the $100

creampuff · 10-15-2007, 04:45 PM

Do a search on eBay for completed listings. It might show up last transacted prices.
Seriously, it could fetch at nothing less than a grand. Certainly much, much more than some would offer.

carpents · 10-15-2007, 04:55 PM

Originally posted by ccallana

I'll give you $100 for the lens and $50 for the 1.4x converter and we'll call it a day

What are you, made of money?!?!

(To the OP - the lens is worth somewhere between $1,000 and $3,000 depending on condition and the whims of the über-rich eBayers.)

ishino · 10-15-2007, 05:54 PM

$3,000 is rather high. The last one sold on the Marketplace here for $500. Most usually sell for less than $1,000.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/sold-items/12016-sold-fs-pentax-smc-pa-300-f4-0-a.html

carpents · 10-15-2007, 06:05 PM

Originally posted by ishino

$3,000 is rather high. The last one sold on the Marketplace here for $500. Most usually sell for less than $1,000.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/sold-items/12016-sold-fs-pentax-smc-pa-300-f4-0-a.html

LOL, wrong lens! That extra stop means big $$$ (and big size/weight).

Adam · 10-15-2007, 06:13 PM

I've seen them go between $2000 and $3000. The top end is a bit high IMO since you can get the (better!) FA* for around $4000.

roscot · 10-15-2007, 06:15 PM

Originally posted by ishino

$3,000 is rather high. The last one sold on the Marketplace here for $500. Most usually sell for less than $1,000.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/sold-items/12016-sold-fs-pentax-smc-pa-300-f4-0-a.html

LOL, if it was the f2.8 I would not have sold it for only $500.00 ( I might not have sold it at all

)

Seriously, to the OP, you should be able to get between $2000 and $3000 for the lens, as Sean said, depending on the mood of the Ebay bidders. Good luck to you.

ishino · 10-15-2007, 06:57 PM

oops... my bad. did not see the f/2.8, i see it now. $2,000-$2,500 is what i have seen the f/2.8 sell for recently. $3,000 is entirely possible.

frank · 10-15-2007, 08:02 PM

Our KING (Jim King) snapped one FA*300/2.8 on eBay for something around $2800 several months back --- that's a steal!

roentarre · 10-15-2007, 09:19 PM

That is too cheap for that price! I wished I saw that item on ebay!

**tranq78** · 10-15-2007, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by Mo

I've seen them go between $2000 and $3000. The top end is a bit high IMO since you can get the (better!) FA* for around $4000.

I am not convinced the FA version is "better" than the A version. True the A* doesn't have autofocus but when it was available it sold for $5,000 while the FA* was about $4,000. My opinion is worth the inverse of $5,000, of course. It would be interesting to see a definitive test from someone who owns both and is willing to... er... measurbate.

I ran into a PJ who had the A*300/2.8 but switched to Nikon for work reasons. His opinion was that the Pentax A* was better than the Nikon/Canon equivalents. It was sharper and yielded better colors.

Ignitrous · 10-16-2007, 08:39 AM

Well my dad is going to take a few pictures and I will be posting this up on ebay. He wants to see between $2500-3000. I found one for sale that is brand new from japan today
NEW PENTAX SMC FA 300mm F2.8 ED [IF] Telephoto Lens - (eBay item 190159885003 end time Nov-03-07 18:15:31 PDT)
$4350. I dont know about that price for one that is brand new since my dads has some wear but operates and the glass is perfect.

When it is posted I will link it in the FS section of this site. I appreciate all the info you all have provided for me.

Syb · 10-16-2007, 11:31 AM

Posting on ebay is a bit of wasting money. IMHO, best is to put an announcement here on the "photographers marketplace" and try to sell it there.

Reason: the real addicts frequently go to both and this one is free!

If you succeed here, this advice will cost some pennies of course...

I bought mine in Australia not too long ago, and had it sent to the Netherlands. Paid approx 2.350,00$ (USDollar) for Shipping, handling and EU-import rate. However, that was without the 1,4x tc.

I am selling my toy trains collection now to earn the money back. Not a single regret so far!

Cheers, Syb

10-15-2007, 04:22 PM	#1
Ignitrous New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 11	*Question on price: SMC Pentax-A 300mm F2.8 ED [IF]** 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. My dad has one of these beautys sitting in his closet and has no need for it so he would like to sell it. It has some scratches on the body of the lens but it is in perfect working order and the lens is in no way or form scratched/cracked or damaged. It has the 1.4x multiplier and does still have its original lens cap and the metal carrying case. Is it really worth $3000? I know it works fine he has taken some amazing pictures with it but I have a hard time believing that a lens would sell for this much. If this is in the wrong forum i apologize.

10-15-2007, 06:13 PM	#8
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	I've seen them go between $2000 and $3000. The top end is a bit high IMO since you can get the (better!) FA* for around $4000. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

10-15-2007, 09:19 PM	#13
tranq78 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,005	Originally posted by Mo I've seen them go between $2000 and $3000. The top end is a bit high IMO since you can get the (better!) FA* for around $4000. I am not convinced the FA version is "better" than the A version. True the A* doesn't have autofocus but when it was available it sold for $5,000 while the FA* was about $4,000. My opinion is worth the inverse of $5,000, of course. It would be interesting to see a definitive test from someone who owns both and is willing to... er... measurbate. I ran into a PJ who had the A300/2.8 but switched to Nikon for work reasons. His opinion was that the Pentax A was better than the Nikon/Canon equivalents. It was sharper and yielded better colors. Last edited by tranq78; 10-15-2007 at 09:26 PM.

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10-15-2007, 04:34 PM	#2
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	Originally posted by Ignitrous My dad has one of these beautys sitting in his closet and has no need for it so he would like to sell it. It has some scratches on the body of the lens but it is in perfect working order and the lens is in no way or form scratched/cracked or damaged. It has the 1.4x multiplier and does still have its original lens cap and the metal carrying case. Is it really worth $3000? I know it works fine he has taken some amazing pictures with it but I have a hard time believing that a lens would sell for this much. If this is in the wrong forum i apologize. No, it's only worth about $50. I'll take it.

10-15-2007, 04:44 PM	#3
ccallana Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Folsom, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 321	Originally posted by carpents No, it's only worth about $50. I'll take it. I'll give you $100 for the lens and $50 for the 1.4x converter and we'll call it a day "worth" and what it will sell for on Ebay are not the same thing - ebay prices are a bit inflated these days due to the lack of long glass available, and people over seas who can't get things otherwise... so you can do quite well... In this case, its probably not worth anything - you should take the $100

10-15-2007, 04:45 PM	#4
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Do a search on eBay for completed listings. It might show up last transacted prices. Seriously, it could fetch at nothing less than a grand. Certainly much, much more than some would offer.

10-15-2007, 04:55 PM	#5
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	Originally posted by ccallana I'll give you $100 for the lens and $50 for the 1.4x converter and we'll call it a day What are you, made of money?!?! (To the OP - the lens is worth somewhere between $1,000 and $3,000 depending on condition and the whims of the über-rich eBayers.)

10-15-2007, 05:54 PM	#6
ishino Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oklahoma, USA Posts: 47	$3,000 is rather high. The last one sold on the Marketplace here for $500. Most usually sell for less than $1,000. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/sold-items/12016-sold-fs-pentax-smc-pa-300-f4-0-a.html

10-15-2007, 06:05 PM	#7
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	Originally posted by ishino $3,000 is rather high. The last one sold on the Marketplace here for $500. Most usually sell for less than $1,000. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/sold-items/12016-sold-fs-pentax-smc-pa-300-f4-0-a.html LOL, wrong lens! That extra stop means big $$$ (and big size/weight).

10-15-2007, 06:15 PM	#9
roscot Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Virginia Beach VA USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,363	Originally posted by ishino $3,000 is rather high. The last one sold on the Marketplace here for $500. Most usually sell for less than $1,000. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/sold-items/12016-sold-fs-pentax-smc-pa-300-f4-0-a.html LOL, if it was the f2.8 I would not have sold it for only $500.00 ( I might not have sold it at all ) Seriously, to the OP, you should be able to get between $2000 and $3000 for the lens, as Sean said, depending on the mood of the Ebay bidders. Good luck to you.

10-15-2007, 06:57 PM	#10
ishino Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oklahoma, USA Posts: 47	oops... my bad. did not see the f/2.8, i see it now. $2,000-$2,500 is what i have seen the f/2.8 sell for recently. $3,000 is entirely possible.

10-15-2007, 08:02 PM	#11
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Our KING (Jim King) snapped one FA*300/2.8 on eBay for something around $2800 several months back --- that's a steal!

10-15-2007, 09:19 PM	#12
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	That is too cheap for that price! I wished I saw that item on ebay!

10-16-2007, 08:39 AM	#14
Ignitrous New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Well my dad is going to take a few pictures and I will be posting this up on ebay. He wants to see between $2500-3000. I found one for sale that is brand new from japan today NEW PENTAX SMC FA 300mm F2.8 ED [IF] Telephoto Lens - (eBay item 190159885003 end time Nov-03-07 18:15:31 PDT) $4350. I dont know about that price for one that is brand new since my dads has some wear but operates and the glass is perfect. When it is posted I will link it in the FS section of this site. I appreciate all the info you all have provided for me.

10-16-2007, 11:31 AM	#15
Syb Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Utrecht, Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,221	Posting on ebay is a bit of wasting money. IMHO, best is to put an announcement here on the "photographers marketplace" and try to sell it there. Reason: the real addicts frequently go to both and this one is free! If you succeed here, this advice will cost some pennies of course... I bought mine in Australia not too long ago, and had it sent to the Netherlands. Paid approx 2.350,00$ (USDollar) for Shipping, handling and EU-import rate. However, that was without the 1,4x tc. I am selling my toy trains collection now to earn the money back. Not a single regret so far! Cheers, Syb