Why is the FA*28-70 so expensive?

Pentaxor · 06-13-2011, 06:28 PM

Originally posted by dgaies

I don't recall anyone saying the images from either the Tamron or Sigma would "blow away" the FA*, nor did I ever imply the lens "sucks", I just feel that the Tamron 28-75 is a good bit sharper than the Pentax at 50-70mm at f/2.8. Certainly sharpness isn't the only important attribute of a lens, but at the price point of the FA* many people (including myself) expected more. If I still have the tests shots saved when I compared the Tamron against the FA* I would be happy to post them for you.

edit: can't find the comparison shots I took between the Tamron and FA*, but I found the set of FA*28-70 shots I took for Boris last fall (link). There are 27 shots; 3 focal lengths, 3 focal distances and 3 apertures (f/2.8, f/5.6 and f/11). These obviously won't be helpful in terms of a comparison to the Sigma or Tamron, but just in case anyone was interested.

in other words, the price you pay for an FA*28-70 is not worth it in terms of performance.

dgaies · 06-13-2011, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

in other words, the price you pay for an FA*28-70 is not worth it in terms of performance.

It wasn't worth the price (to me). However, I realize some people may feel differently and that's obviously fine as we all have different priorities in terms of what we want out of a given lens at a given price point. For example, I personally think my FA*85 is worth the high price I paid given its attributes and performance, but I realize some people would argue that the FA77 is a better value at almost half the price. Again, to each his/her own.

Blue · 06-13-2011, 07:03 PM

I agree that the FA* 28-70mm/2.8 is way overpriced. However, while good lenses, I don't think the aforementioned Tamron and Sigma are * class lenses.

dgaies · 06-13-2011, 07:05 PM

Originally posted by Blue

I agree that the FA* 28-70mm/2.8 is way overpriced. However, while good lenses, I don't think the aforementioned Tamron and Sigma are * class lenses.

You're right, neither the Sigma nor the Tamron are * class (certainly the Tamron lacks in the build quality department). However, for the $290 that I paid for my Tamron 28-75/2.8, its performance has far exceeded my expectations.

Pentaxor · 06-13-2011, 07:29 PM

Originally posted by dgaies

It wasn't worth the price (to me). However, I realize some people may feel differently and that's obviously fine as we all have different priorities in terms of what we want out of a given lens at a given price point. For example, I personally think my FA*85 is worth the high price I paid given its attributes and performance, but I realize some people would argue that the FA77 is a better value at almost half the price. Again, to each his/her own.

although I have mad respect for the FA77, I don't believe it should be put at the same category with the FA*85. the performance in both lenses are different.

Pentaxor · 06-13-2011, 07:34 PM

if you would ask me how much I value the FA*28-70, I would put it at around $800 at most, just by virtue of it being a classic FA*. it would be very difficult to justify paying twice for it, especially if your purpose is just to use it, not as a collector's item.

Blue · 06-13-2011, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

if you would ask me how much I value the FA*28-70, I would put it at around $800 at most, just by virtue of it being a classic FA*. it would be very difficult to justify paying twice for it, especially if your purpose is just to use it, not as a collector's item.

I think $800 is too much.

Originally posted by dgaies

You're right, neither the Sigma nor the Tamron are * class (certainly the Tamron lacks in the build quality department). However, for the $290 that I paid for my Tamron 28-75/2.8, its performance has far exceeded my expectations.

That Tammy 28-75 goes for $499 new at present at BH! Everything is jacked-up.

Pentaxor · 06-13-2011, 07:56 PM

Originally posted by Blue

I think $800 is too much.

cheapskate.

but then again, I said at most. so anything over that would really be too much, especially at $800.99

Cambo · 06-14-2011, 08:48 AM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

if you would ask me how much I value the FA*28-70, I would put it at around $800 at most, just by virtue of it being a classic FA*. it would be very difficult to justify paying twice for it, especially if your purpose is just to use it, not as a collector's item.

Just curious as to the outrageous prices you have seen.

Thanks,
Cameron

**EsBee** · 06-14-2011, 08:53 AM

I've never had the lens in question and probably never will, however it seems like a simple case of supply and demand.

Regardless of the reasons, more people seem to want them than there are lenses available for sale.

Blue · 06-14-2011, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by cambo

just curious as to the outrageous prices you have seen.

Thanks,
cameron

$1500

Pentaxor · 06-14-2011, 09:05 AM

Originally posted by Cambo

Just curious as to the outrageous prices you have seen.

Thanks,
Cameron

nothing lower than $1,000, which is pretty steep considering that there are alternatives. on average, they sit at around $1,200-$1,300. $1,500 and $1,600 is already pathetic.

Pentaxor · 06-14-2011, 09:11 AM

Originally posted by EsBee

Regardless of the reasons, more people seem to want them than there are lenses available for sale.

I would strongly disagree. otherwise, they wouldn't had been sitting on eBay for awhile even for the price that they are currently selling right now. set a BIN or bid option for a Tammy or Sigma at $250 or $300 and you will see some real bidding action or a goner upon the first person to see the listing. set the same for the FA* at $1,200 and it would sit there until someone with the cash to burn will get it.

**EsBee** · 06-14-2011, 03:48 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

I would strongly disagree. otherwise, they wouldn't had been sitting on eBay for awhile even for the price that they are currently selling right now.

If a lens sells for the asking price within an acceptable time-frame, it is evident that there is at least ONE buyer willing to pay the asking price.

And how is that opposite to, "there seems to be more demand than the supply"?

frank · 06-14-2011, 06:39 PM

Actually the price for FA*2870 is only around or even lower than $1000 nowadays, at least from the fleabay. If it's over $1100, it's pretty hard to sale. That's my observation

I got mine for 1k, and I think it's worth the cost. Think about how much the Canon/Nikon equivelent ones sold for, and they are still in production (while Pentax FA* are out of production, less supply w/ higher demand, thus higher price).

I've had the Tamron and Sigma equivelents before too, they are optically very good, but I can't say so in other aspects (built quality, look and feel, and not a Pentax).

06-13-2011, 06:45 PM	#32
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by Pentaxor in other words, the price you pay for an FA28-70 is not worth it in terms of performance. It wasn't worth the price (to me). However, I realize some people may feel differently and that's obviously fine as we all have different priorities in terms of what we want out of a given lens at a given price point. For example, I personally think my FA85 is worth the high price I paid given its attributes and performance, but I realize some people would argue that the FA77 is a better value at almost half the price. Again, to each his/her own. Last edited by dgaies; 06-13-2011 at 07:03 PM.

06-14-2011, 08:48 AM	#39
Cambo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,016	So what is it going for? Originally posted by Pentaxor if you would ask me how much I value the FA28-70, I would put it at around $800 at most, just by virtue of it being a classic FA. it would be very difficult to justify paying twice for it, especially if your purpose is just to use it, not as a collector's item. Just curious as to the outrageous prices you have seen. Thanks, Cameron

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06-13-2011, 06:28 PM	#31
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by dgaies I don't recall anyone saying the images from either the Tamron or Sigma would "blow away" the FA, nor did I ever imply the lens "sucks", I just feel that the Tamron 28-75 is a good bit sharper than the Pentax at 50-70mm at f/2.8. Certainly sharpness isn't the only important attribute of a lens, but at the price point of the FA many people (including myself) expected more. If I still have the tests shots saved when I compared the Tamron against the FA* I would be happy to post them for you. edit: can't find the comparison shots I took between the Tamron and FA, but I found the set of FA28-70 shots I took for Boris last fall (link). There are 27 shots; 3 focal lengths, 3 focal distances and 3 apertures (f/2.8, f/5.6 and f/11). These obviously won't be helpful in terms of a comparison to the Sigma or Tamron, but just in case anyone was interested. in other words, the price you pay for an FA*28-70 is not worth it in terms of performance.

06-13-2011, 07:03 PM	#33
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	I agree that the FA* 28-70mm/2.8 is way overpriced. However, while good lenses, I don't think the aforementioned Tamron and Sigma are * class lenses.

06-13-2011, 07:05 PM	#34
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by Blue I agree that the FA* 28-70mm/2.8 is way overpriced. However, while good lenses, I don't think the aforementioned Tamron and Sigma are * class lenses. You're right, neither the Sigma nor the Tamron are * class (certainly the Tamron lacks in the build quality department). However, for the $290 that I paid for my Tamron 28-75/2.8, its performance has far exceeded my expectations.

06-13-2011, 07:29 PM	#35
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by dgaies It wasn't worth the price (to me). However, I realize some people may feel differently and that's obviously fine as we all have different priorities in terms of what we want out of a given lens at a given price point. For example, I personally think my FA85 is worth the high price I paid given its attributes and performance, but I realize some people would argue that the FA77 is a better value at almost half the price. Again, to each his/her own. although I have mad respect for the FA77, I don't believe it should be put at the same category with the FA85. the performance in both lenses are different.

06-13-2011, 07:34 PM	#36
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	if you would ask me how much I value the FA28-70, I would put it at around $800 at most, just by virtue of it being a classic FA. it would be very difficult to justify paying twice for it, especially if your purpose is just to use it, not as a collector's item.

06-13-2011, 07:50 PM	#37
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Pentaxor if you would ask me how much I value the FA28-70, I would put it at around $800 at most, just by virtue of it being a classic FA. it would be very difficult to justify paying twice for it, especially if your purpose is just to use it, not as a collector's item. I think $800 is too much. Originally posted by dgaies You're right, neither the Sigma nor the Tamron are * class (certainly the Tamron lacks in the build quality department). However, for the $290 that I paid for my Tamron 28-75/2.8, its performance has far exceeded my expectations. That Tammy 28-75 goes for $499 new at present at BH! Everything is jacked-up.

06-13-2011, 07:56 PM	#38
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by Blue I think $800 is too much. cheapskate. but then again, I said at most. so anything over that would really be too much, especially at $800.99

06-14-2011, 08:53 AM	#40
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739	I've never had the lens in question and probably never will, however it seems like a simple case of supply and demand. Regardless of the reasons, more people seem to want them than there are lenses available for sale.

06-14-2011, 09:00 AM	#41
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by cambo just curious as to the outrageous prices you have seen. Thanks, cameron $1500

06-14-2011, 09:05 AM	#42
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by Cambo Just curious as to the outrageous prices you have seen. Thanks, Cameron nothing lower than $1,000, which is pretty steep considering that there are alternatives. on average, they sit at around $1,200-$1,300. $1,500 and $1,600 is already pathetic.

06-14-2011, 09:11 AM	#43
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by EsBee Regardless of the reasons, *more people seem to want them than there are lenses available for sale.* I would strongly disagree. otherwise, they wouldn't had been sitting on eBay for awhile even for the price that they are currently selling right now. set a BIN or bid option for a Tammy or Sigma at $250 or $300 and you will see some real bidding action or a goner upon the first person to see the listing. set the same for the FA* at $1,200 and it would sit there until someone with the cash to burn will get it.

06-14-2011, 03:48 PM	#44
EsBee Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: National Capital Region Posts: 739	Originally posted by Pentaxor I would strongly disagree. otherwise, they wouldn't had been sitting on eBay for awhile even for the price that they are currently selling right now. If a lens sells for the asking price within an acceptable time-frame, it is evident that there is at least ONE buyer willing to pay the asking price. And how is that opposite to, "there seems to be more demand than the supply"?

06-14-2011, 06:39 PM	#45
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	Actually the price for FA2870 is only around or even lower than $1000 nowadays, at least from the fleabay. If it's over $1100, it's pretty hard to sale. That's my observation I got mine for 1k, and I think it's worth the cost. Think about how much the Canon/Nikon equivelent ones sold for, and they are still in production (while Pentax FA are out of production, less supply w/ higher demand, thus higher price). I've had the Tamron and Sigma equivelents before too, they are optically very good, but I can't say so in other aspects (built quality, look and feel, and not a Pentax).