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zantaphia · 02-23-2013, 06:33 PM

Hi all.

Yesterday I was around doing some casual shopping when I stumbled in to an used camera gear store. On the shelf was a rare SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5. First time I've ever seen one. I think it's condition was somewhere in the area of excellent to good (90-95%), I didn't have my camera with me to test it, so I don't know how it will work.

I asked for the price, and it was very expensive... How much is the right ball park value for it, if it´s working ok, and condition is 90-95%?

TIA

Adam · 02-23-2013, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by zantaphia

Hi all.

Yesterday I was around doing some casual shopping when I stumbled in to an used camera gear store. On the shelf was a rare SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5. First time I've ever seen one. I think it's condition was somewhere in the area of excellent to good (90-95%), I didn't have my camera with me to test it, so I don't know how it will work.

I asked for the price, and it was very expensive... How much is the right ball park value for it, if it´s working ok, and condition is 90-95%?

TIA

$600-$800 I would say.

I got my K 15mm for $600 in 2004 (Excellent) and my A 15mm for $550 in 2006 (Like New).

**jatrax** · 02-23-2013, 06:38 PM

Here you go: SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Average price $840, and the few I have seen on ebay have gone for at least that. So is the one in the shop still looking expensive?

bossa · 02-23-2013, 06:48 PM

Many years ago I owned the K version and, whilst I loved it at the time, the complex distortion was always a disappointment. I can't imagine it being better than a Sigma 8-16, or even a Tamron 17-50, at that focal length because that complex distortion cannot be automatically corrected in LR, there being no Lens Profile for it. My advice is to save your Money and buy a Sigma 8-16.

**jatrax** · 02-23-2013, 07:40 PM

I have to think the value is to collectors at this point. I doubt there were very many of these made originally. Da 15mm Limited is much less money, though not FF capable.

VisualDarkness · 02-23-2013, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

I have to think the value is to collectors at this point. I doubt there were very many of these made originally. Da 15mm Limited is much less money, though not FF capable.

I was looking at a nice wide-angle for my Spotmatic and gave up when I saw the prices. I guess we are really fortunate to have such cheap wide lenses being produced today, probably due to computer design capability.

tx0h · 02-23-2013, 08:53 PM

Originally posted by zantaphia

Hi all.

I asked for the price, and it was very expensive... How much is the right ball park value for it, if it´s working ok, and condition is 90-95%?

TIA

what was the price they called again?

bullitt_60 · 02-23-2013, 09:20 PM

It's completely worthless. If you send it to me I will dispose of it properly.

**jatrax** · 02-23-2013, 09:52 PM

Originally posted by bullitt_60

It's completely worthless. If you send it to me I will dispose of it properly.

Does that ever work?

**Kerrowdown** · 02-24-2013, 03:03 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

Does that ever work?

I hope not, I paid good money for mine.

zantaphia · 02-24-2013, 03:30 AM

Originally posted by tx0h

what was the price they called again?

They asked for the equivalent of USD 1100. I think it's to expensive.

Thank you all for your input.

**Ash** · 02-24-2013, 04:35 AM

Any one with the lens, like Adam

, want to suggest why it may cost so much? Significantly nicer than the Sigma 15-30, which is also FF capable and AF as well? It's a fraction of the A 15's cost.

**Kerrowdown** · 02-24-2013, 04:40 AM

Originally posted by Ash

want to suggest why it may cost so much

Cos it's nice.

**Ash** · 02-24-2013, 04:55 AM

All well and good, but so are many other lenses much cheaper than this one, including legacy lenses. Are its optics greatly superior?

02-23-2013, 06:33 PM	#1
zantaphia Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Klippan, Scania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 509	Value of the SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5? Hi all. Yesterday I was around doing some casual shopping when I stumbled in to an used camera gear store. On the shelf was a rare SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5. First time I've ever seen one. I think it's condition was somewhere in the area of excellent to good (90-95%), I didn't have my camera with me to test it, so I don't know how it will work. I asked for the price, and it was very expensive... How much is the right ball park value for it, if it´s working ok, and condition is 90-95%? TIA

02-23-2013, 06:37 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by zantaphia Hi all. Yesterday I was around doing some casual shopping when I stumbled in to an used camera gear store. On the shelf was a rare SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5. First time I've ever seen one. I think it's condition was somewhere in the area of excellent to good (90-95%), I didn't have my camera with me to test it, so I don't know how it will work. I asked for the price, and it was very expensive... How much is the right ball park value for it, if it´s working ok, and condition is 90-95%? TIA $600-$800 I would say. I got my K 15mm for $600 in 2004 (Excellent) and my A 15mm for $550 in 2006 (Like New). 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:

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02-23-2013, 06:38 PM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Here you go: SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Average price $840, and the few I have seen on ebay have gone for at least that. So is the one in the shop still looking expensive?

02-23-2013, 06:48 PM	#4
bossa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,546	Many years ago I owned the K version and, whilst I loved it at the time, the complex distortion was always a disappointment. I can't imagine it being better than a Sigma 8-16, or even a Tamron 17-50, at that focal length because that complex distortion cannot be automatically corrected in LR, there being no Lens Profile for it. My advice is to save your Money and buy a Sigma 8-16.

02-23-2013, 07:40 PM	#5
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	I have to think the value is to collectors at this point. I doubt there were very many of these made originally. Da 15mm Limited is much less money, though not FF capable.

02-23-2013, 08:34 PM	#6
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by jatrax I have to think the value is to collectors at this point. I doubt there were very many of these made originally. Da 15mm Limited is much less money, though not FF capable. I was looking at a nice wide-angle for my Spotmatic and gave up when I saw the prices. I guess we are really fortunate to have such cheap wide lenses being produced today, probably due to computer design capability.

02-23-2013, 08:53 PM	#7
tx0h Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 35	Originally posted by zantaphia Hi all. I asked for the price, and it was very expensive... How much is the right ball park value for it, if it´s working ok, and condition is 90-95%? TIA what was the price they called again?

02-23-2013, 09:20 PM	#8
bullitt_60 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 320	It's completely worthless. If you send it to me I will dispose of it properly.

02-23-2013, 09:52 PM	#9
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Originally posted by bullitt_60 It's completely worthless. If you send it to me I will dispose of it properly. Does that ever work?

02-24-2013, 03:03 AM	#10
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,867	Originally posted by jatrax Does that ever work? I hope not, I paid good money for mine.

02-24-2013, 03:30 AM	#11
zantaphia Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Klippan, Scania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 509 Original Poster	Originally posted by tx0h what was the price they called again? They asked for the equivalent of USD 1100. I think it's to expensive. Thank you all for your input.

02-24-2013, 04:35 AM	#12
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Any one with the lens, like Adam , want to suggest why it may cost so much? Significantly nicer than the Sigma 15-30, which is also FF capable and AF as well? It's a fraction of the A 15's cost.

02-24-2013, 04:40 AM	#13
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,867	Originally posted by Ash want to suggest why it may cost so much Cos it's nice.

02-24-2013, 04:55 AM	#14
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	All well and good, but so are many other lenses much cheaper than this one, including legacy lenses. Are its optics greatly superior?

Value of the SMC Pentax-A 15mm F3.5?

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