Identify this lens please

micromacro · 11-05-2014, 04:00 PM

I bought old A3000 from ebay because the seller stated in description that the lens is SMC Pentax-A 50mm f2.8 macro. For the price of a bit more than $20 I decided to get it. However, this lens looks a bit different than I see on other pictures. Here it is. Just really curious if I'm a winner or loser

Attached Images

vonBaloney · 11-05-2014, 04:05 PM

Well, it's an A lens, and it is a 2.8 lens, so that's right so far. It should say what it is on the ring. It think the macro also has magnification numbers on the barrel -- does it extend out? It doesn't say anything on the front? (It should, no matter what it is. Take the filter off if needed.)

manntax · 11-05-2014, 04:08 PM

It looks like 28mm so called macro lenses from vivitar or other offbrands - still a good buy at $20 !

micromacro · 11-05-2014, 04:11 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

Well, it's an A lens, and it is a 2.8 lens, so that's right so far. It should say what it is on the ring. It think the macro also has magnification numbers on the barrel -- does it extend out? It doesn't say anything on the front? (It should, no matter what it is. Take the filter off if needed.)

Unfortunately (or fortunately) the seller obviously is not familiar with cameras just selling vintage. And I have not had much time to ask questions before the auction ended. Just jumped into. My concern that the lens looks a little different that A50mm f2.8 I googled.

vonBaloney · 11-05-2014, 04:14 PM

But it should say what it is on the lens somewhere -- take off the filter and look at the front. It does look like a vivitar...

manntax · 11-05-2014, 04:16 PM

Originally posted by micromacro

My concern that the lens looks a little different that A50mm f2.8 I googled.

I would be really surprised if you could buy SMC-A 50mm f2.8 lens for $20 - and from auction! It doesn't look like one from that photo and resembles some vivitar 28mm lenses I saw online. It is 100% not SMC-A 50mm f2.8 macro because I own one and this one here doesn't looks like it at all.

micromacro · 11-05-2014, 04:17 PM

Originally posted by manntax

It looks like 28mm so called macro lenses from vivitar or other offbrands - still a good buy at $20 !

Yes! It looks like this, thanks. I'm a bit disappointed

Vivitar (Komine 28xxxxx) 28mm f/2.8 Close Focus Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

As for auctions, sometimes lucky things happen.

I recently missed some good deal for $20 only because the seller misspelled the name of the lens. I was away from comp when firs auction ended with no bids, and when the seller relisted that lens, it went around $80.

vonBaloney · 11-05-2014, 04:18 PM

If it is in good shape, it is still a fine lens and well worth $20...

manntax · 11-05-2014, 04:23 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by micromacro

As for auctions, sometimes lucky things happen. I recently missed some good deal for $20 only because the seller misspelled the name of the lens. I was away from comp when firs auction ended with no bids, and when the seller relisted that lens, it went around $80.

I am in purple envy to you , US buyers - seeing all these silly prices

Originally posted by vonBaloney

If it is in good shape, it is still a fine lens and well worth $20...

I agree - I constantly see online some amazing shots from those vivitars!

micromacro · 11-05-2014, 04:29 PM

Thanks, guys. I love Vivitar, but own old big Vivitar20mm f3.8 (great!). Actually I was thinking about 28mm, but Pentax F, which actually impossible to find for $20

---------- Post added 11-05-14 at 04:30 PM ----------

Originally posted by manntax

I am in purple envy to you , US buyers - seeing all these silly prices

Lots of sellers ship internationally.

flaviopetrone · 11-05-2014, 04:30 PM

Originally posted by micromacro

Yes! It looks like this, thanks. I'm a bit disappointed

Vivitar (Komine 28xxxxx) 28mm f/2.8 Close Focus Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

As for auctions, sometimes lucky things happen.

I recently missed some good deal for $20 only because the seller misspelled the name of the lens. I was away from comp when firs auction ended with no bids, and when the seller relisted that lens, it went around $80.

In italian ebay, with this amount you neither buy a old broken camera case.

manntax · 11-05-2014, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by micromacro

Lots of sellers ship internationally.

sure they do - but for $50 + and customs + ~$15 royal mail handling fees I hardly see the point

micromacro · 11-05-2014, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by flaviopetrone

In italian ebay, with this amount you neither buy a old broken camera case.

Well, you can ship vintage Italian carboys internationally to compensate lens prices.

---------- Post added 11-05-14 at 04:50 PM ----------

Originally posted by manntax

sure they do - but for $50 + and customs + ~$15 royal mail handling fees I hardly see the point

It's ripoff!

flaviopetrone · 11-05-2014, 04:58 PM

Originally posted by micromacro

Well, you can ship vintage Italian carboys internationally to compensate lens prices.

I think that your idea was not so wrong.... With a carboy I could buy some limited lenses!

rrstuff · 11-05-2014, 08:32 PM

Originally posted by manntax

I am in purple envy to you , US buyers - seeing all these silly prices

Not to make you even more purple, but I got an olympus E-3 for $105, with 4600 actuations on it last month, a refurbished E-PM2 with two lenses for $199, I also saw a DA 14mm F2.8 sell for $300 as buy it now, but was too late for that one. US is a great place to buy used or refurbished gear. I lived in europe (Poland) for a long time and I always found it ridiculous how expensive electronics was there.

11-05-2014, 04:00 PM	#1
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	Identify this lens please I bought old A3000 from ebay because the seller stated in description that the lens is SMC Pentax-A 50mm f2.8 macro. For the price of a bit more than $20 I decided to get it. However, this lens looks a bit different than I see on other pictures. Here it is. Just really curious if I'm a winner or loser Attached Images

11-05-2014, 04:29 PM	#10
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722 Original Poster	Thanks, guys. I love Vivitar, but own old big Vivitar20mm f3.8 (great!). Actually I was thinking about 28mm, but Pentax F, which actually impossible to find for $20 ---------- Post added 11-05-14 at 04:30 PM ---------- Originally posted by manntax I am in purple envy to you , US buyers - seeing all these silly prices Lots of sellers ship internationally. Last edited by micromacro; 11-05-2014 at 07:11 PM.

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11-05-2014, 04:05 PM	#2
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Well, it's an A lens, and it is a 2.8 lens, so that's right so far. It should say what it is on the ring. It think the macro also has magnification numbers on the barrel -- does it extend out? It doesn't say anything on the front? (It should, no matter what it is. Take the filter off if needed.)

11-05-2014, 04:08 PM	#3
manntax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	It looks like 28mm so called macro lenses from vivitar or other offbrands - still a good buy at $20 !

11-05-2014, 04:11 PM	#4
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722 Original Poster	Originally posted by vonBaloney Well, it's an A lens, and it is a 2.8 lens, so that's right so far. It should say what it is on the ring. It think the macro also has magnification numbers on the barrel -- does it extend out? It doesn't say anything on the front? (It should, no matter what it is. Take the filter off if needed.) Unfortunately (or fortunately) the seller obviously is not familiar with cameras just selling vintage. And I have not had much time to ask questions before the auction ended. Just jumped into. My concern that the lens looks a little different that A50mm f2.8 I googled.

11-05-2014, 04:14 PM	#5
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	But it should say what it is on the lens somewhere -- take off the filter and look at the front. It does look like a vivitar...

11-05-2014, 04:16 PM	#6
manntax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Originally posted by micromacro My concern that the lens looks a little different that A50mm f2.8 I googled. I would be really surprised if you could buy SMC-A 50mm f2.8 lens for $20 - and from auction! It doesn't look like one from that photo and resembles some vivitar 28mm lenses I saw online. It is 100% not SMC-A 50mm f2.8 macro because I own one and this one here doesn't looks like it at all.

11-05-2014, 04:17 PM	#7
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722 Original Poster	Originally posted by manntax It looks like 28mm so called macro lenses from vivitar or other offbrands - still a good buy at $20 ! Yes! It looks like this, thanks. I'm a bit disappointed Vivitar (Komine 28xxxxx) 28mm f/2.8 Close Focus Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database As for auctions, sometimes lucky things happen. I recently missed some good deal for $20 only because the seller misspelled the name of the lens. I was away from comp when firs auction ended with no bids, and when the seller relisted that lens, it went around $80.

11-05-2014, 04:18 PM	#8
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	If it is in good shape, it is still a fine lens and well worth $20...

11-05-2014, 04:23 PM - 1 Like	#9
manntax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Originally posted by micromacro As for auctions, sometimes lucky things happen. I recently missed some good deal for $20 only because the seller misspelled the name of the lens. I was away from comp when firs auction ended with no bids, and when the seller relisted that lens, it went around $80. I am in purple envy to you , US buyers - seeing all these silly prices Originally posted by vonBaloney If it is in good shape, it is still a fine lens and well worth $20... I agree - I constantly see online some amazing shots from those vivitars!

11-05-2014, 04:30 PM	#11
flaviopetrone Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Reggio Emilia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,153	Originally posted by micromacro Yes! It looks like this, thanks. I'm a bit disappointed Vivitar (Komine 28xxxxx) 28mm f/2.8 Close Focus Lens Reviews - Vivitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database As for auctions, sometimes lucky things happen. I recently missed some good deal for $20 only because the seller misspelled the name of the lens. I was away from comp when firs auction ended with no bids, and when the seller relisted that lens, it went around $80. In italian ebay, with this amount you neither buy a old broken camera case.

11-05-2014, 04:33 PM	#12
manntax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Originally posted by micromacro Lots of sellers ship internationally. sure they do - but for $50 + and customs + ~$15 royal mail handling fees I hardly see the point

11-05-2014, 04:49 PM	#13
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722 Original Poster	Originally posted by flaviopetrone In italian ebay, with this amount you neither buy a old broken camera case. Well, you can ship vintage Italian carboys internationally to compensate lens prices. ---------- Post added 11-05-14 at 04:50 PM ---------- Originally posted by manntax sure they do - but for $50 + and customs + ~$15 royal mail handling fees I hardly see the point It's ripoff!

11-05-2014, 04:58 PM	#14
flaviopetrone Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Reggio Emilia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,153	Originally posted by micromacro Well, you can ship vintage Italian carboys internationally to compensate lens prices. I think that your idea was not so wrong.... With a carboy I could buy some limited lenses!

11-05-2014, 08:32 PM	#15
rrstuff Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,126	Originally posted by manntax I am in purple envy to you , US buyers - seeing all these silly prices Not to make you even more purple, but I got an olympus E-3 for $105, with 4600 actuations on it last month, a refurbished E-PM2 with two lenses for $199, I also saw a DA 14mm F2.8 sell for $300 as buy it now, but was too late for that one. US is a great place to buy used or refurbished gear. I lived in europe (Poland) for a long time and I always found it ridiculous how expensive electronics was there.