[Blue]

I suppose a measure of the buying power of the established Pentax market?

I would be interested in a poll of "What percentage of shots do you take with a lens that is no longer manufactured?" So many times the volume of legacy lenses is given as a reason for adopting Pentax, I've wondered how often that is actually followed-up on.

Don't over look those of us who have been with Pentax in the begging. My grandfather got me into photography although he was a big Minolta guy. I started out with a Pentax 110 in junior high. My first slr was a K1000. My first digital camera was a Nikon, my second one was a Pentax.

[Drom]

So far, it's the Tamron 70-200mm 2.8. Worth every penny.

[SteveM]

I don't understand the comments about the price of the A*200 macro. I bought mine about a year ago and they were going for about $1600. Regarding use of legacy glass, I use mine about 90% of the time as I prefer the qualities they produce over the DA*s which is probably why many go for more $ than newer glass.

[RioRico]

I would be interested in a poll of "What percentage of shots do you take with a lens that is no longer manufactured?"

That's an interesting variant. My DA10-17, Tamron 10-24, FA50/1.4, and Raynox DCR-250 are still in production. My other 231 lenses aren't. Depending on place and time, those three camera lenses might account for 5%-10% of my shots. Of my other bought-new lenses, the DA18-250 scores the highest percentage, the Lil'Bigma DG 170-500 is the lowest. So I'll say that 90-95% of my shots go through out-of-production glass.

[slackercruster]

That's an interesting variant. My DA10-17, Tamron 10-24, FA50/1.4, and Raynox DCR-250 are still in production. My other 231 lenses aren't. Depending on place and time, those three camera lenses might account for 5%-10% of my shots. Of my other bought-new lenses, the DA18-250 scores the highest percentage, the Lil'Bigma DG 170-500 is the lowest. So I'll say that 90-95% of my shots go through out-of-production glass.

I would love to use more extinct glass. But some of it is sooo hard to come by. That makes one careful sometimes and less prone to use rare lenses.

[RioRico]

I would love to use more extinct glass. But some of it is sooo hard to come by. That makes one careful sometimes and less prone to use rare lenses.

Hard to come by?!?!? It's literally DRIPPING off the vines at eBay! Much is overpriced. But much great stuff can still be had for a pittance. And much crud too, but here's a secret: Even crud doesn't lose value. If you get a cruddy lens, hang onto it for a month or ten and sell it for a profit. That works for me! Exception: the M50/2 never gains value.

Anyway, where to start? Look for the brands Focal (K-mart) and Sears. I've never had a bad prime with either label. Look for Vivitar (but check user reviews -- Vivs are variable). Look for Meyer, Lentar, Toyo|TOU, Enna, Rikenon, and Takumar of course. And look for cheap off-brands. Sometimes we get REAL lucky. And follow my bidding/purchase rules:

* If it costs less than a burger|sandwich, buy it. If it costs more than a supreme pizza, think hard about it.
* Bid low. Bid often. Lose 99% of auctions. Don't worry, another will come right along. They aren't rare.

[Sagitta]

Addendum to Rio's rules: Don't ignore busted cameras. Sometimes it has a gem of a lens sitting on it that the seller is unaware of since they're focused on trying to unload that old camera with the missing knob/non-functioning shutter/bigass dent in the side/etc.

[RioRico]

Addendum to Rio's rules: Don't ignore busted cameras. Sometimes it has a gem of a lens sitting on it that the seller is unaware of since they're focused on trying to unload that old camera with the missing knob/non-functioning shutter/bigass dent in the side/etc.

Quite true! And the busted camera needn't even be a Pentax-compatible (d)SLR. I have been known to harvest lenses from wrecked folders and boxes and polaroids and even rangefinders. Those from FF RFs can only be used for close work. Those from MF cams can often be mounted on extension for up-to-infinity focus. A trashed Ikonta yielded a nice CZ (not J) Tessar 80/2.8 for US$7. Don't hesitate to dig through junk shops.

[Blue]

Quite true! And the busted camera needn't even be a Pentax-compatible (d)SLR. I have been known to harvest lenses from wrecked folders and boxes and polaroids and even rangefinders. Those from FF RFs can only be used for close work. Those from MF cams can often be mounted on extension for up-to-infinity focus. A trashed Ikonta yielded a nice CZ (not J) Tessar 80/2.8 for US$7. Don't hesitate to dig through junk shops.

You have a better quality of junk shops than I do.

[Danny Delcambre]

Most cheap I bought my M 50mm f2 for $1.50. Io prefer to get an excellent high glassa lens that I want DA 35nn f2.8 Macro LTD.

[bilybianca]

My most expensive was the A*600mm f5.6 at ~USD2000, maybe a little more with todays weak dollar. (SEK15 000)
Otherwise I'm a cheapo. Second most expensive is a K28mm shift lens ~USD540, an F*300mm f4.5 at ~USD400.
Buying used kits, reselling the most and keeping the gems I have been fairly well paid to give a new home to an AF adapter 1.7X, an F 50mm 1.4 and a little more. A very nice way to expand the lens collection (even though I don't collect lenses, I buy them to use them).

Kjell

[Kerrowdown]

I'm not to confess in public, in case someone close to me ever reads this, as no doubt at the time when the lens arrived in the house, it would have had a serious price adjustment applied to it.

[Sandy Hancock]

The trick is to get the lens delivered to your work address

[jon pafford]

i paid 850 for 50-500 non os about 2 years ago

[jamesk8752]

I paid in the neighborhood of $3200 for my used Pentax-A 400mm f2.8 - what a monster! But some of my Leica M lenses cost about the same, and they are much more compact...

Regards, Jim