[abacus07]

I think it's time to diversify (at least sell the duplicates) and move up in the world of MF. You could look for an M20 (your widest is 24) or something in that 55-135 gap (M85?). You could also look at some reasonably priced 1:2 macros. I'm kind of in the same boat and I might look at selling off some in the Asian market since it appears to support higher prices than NA.

[stevebrot]

My humble comments: (asterisks on lenses I have)

24mm:
Vivitar (A) 24mm/2.8 (k-mount, manual focus) - keep

28mm:
S-M-C Tak 3.5/28+cap+case+hood+hood case - keep
SMC Pentax-M 2.8/28 + cap - not as great but little demand *

35mm:
S-M-C Tak 3.5/35+case+beatup hood - keep *
S-M-C Tak 3.5/35 (exterior wear) - redundant, sell *

50mm:
S-M-C Tak 1.4/50 + cap - keep
S-Tak 1.4/50+cap - redundant, sell *
SMC Pentax-M 1.7/50 + cap - keep *
SMC Pentax-A 2/50 - not as good, sell
Pentacon auto 1.8/50 (m42) - keep *

55mm:
S-Tak 1.8/55+hood - keep *
S-Tak 2/55 - redundant, sell *
Auto Mamiya / Sekor 1.4/55 (m42) +cap - keep

135mm:
S-Tak 2.5/135 + case + hood - keep *
SMC Pentax-M 3.5/135 + cap - keep *

200mm:
S-Tak 4/200 - keep *
Tele-Tak 5.6/200 + hood + case - keep *

I disagree that an A50/1.2 means you need no other 50's. The S-M-C Tak 50/1.4, M50/1.7, and Pentacon (Meyer Oreston) 50/1.8 are themselves all unique and great, as are the faster 55's. All those I flagged as KEEP are fine-to-great lenses. I'm quite happy with my copies. [Note: IMHO the best 28's are either fast or slow, not middling f/2.8]

What he said...


Steve

[bigjonnee]

Thanks for all the perspectives! I do not need to sell them, although I could make a profit, free up a drawer and upgrade. I am not upgrading my gear, because I just can't stomach the cost when I am pretty satisfied with the results I am getting now and I am just a hobbyist. A lot of what people are saying about "character" of each lens resonates with me. Like the Takumar 1.8/55 is physically smaller than the 1.4/50 and has a cool hood, looks really bitchin mounted on the camera body. The 200/5.6 is the oldest of all the lenses and it also is very cool and unique looking. I also have about 11 bodies and 7-8 more off brand or zoom lenses I didn't mention and a Zenitar 16/2.8 fisheye. Collecting (HOARDING these bargain, amazingly engineered lenses have grown into a big part of my photography hobby. It is like we are "in the know" about something most people aren't aware of. I have an app on my Android called "Craigslist Notify." You setup a filter with words like "pentax" "asahi" "takumar" and my phone instantly notifies me when something new is posted on Craiglist. The most I paid for any single lens was $50 for a 1.4 plus a spotmatic. All of these lenses are older than I am (29) and it is remarkable how they look brand new, and slide and snap so perfectly. They truly don’t make things like they used to. I hope to give these to my unborn children