[realitarian]

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Was thinking about getting this puppy, new from B&H/Amazon/Adorama is $469, but eBay is showing these NEW for $307 from Japan (free shipping). Apart from no US Warranty and not FF, are there any other issues that should be considered before pulling the trigger? The sellers all seem well-rated.

[Fat Albert]

Japanese sellers are currently an eBay godsend for US buyers with the currency difference. They also tend to rate their used gear very conservatively. I have this lens, btw, and I really enjoy it.

[grahame]

They also tend to rate their used gear very conservatively.

I have seen many Japanese eBay seller rating their stuff to the other direction. Many lenses have fungus inside or element separation were rated as excellent or prefect. I don't want to post the link, but there are FA 200/2.8 and FA 100 macro that come to my mind immediately, and they might still be there. Their photos show the problem, and they described the issue, but still rated much higher than they should be. So read carefully. return shipping costs a lot -- and I had to paid for it once.

[seventysixersfan]

Be sure to do your homework in reading through the feedback from buyers. I have purchased a few lenses from Japanese eBay sellers and have been very happy with them. But I like to buy from the sellers with the highest number of reviewers and highest ratings.

[Blacknight659]

I can speak for the lens... IT IS GREAT! I personally couldn't wait for the shipping tho.

[realitarian]

Thanks all. I just bought it. It says brand new, unopened box. Shipping < 5 business days. Keeping my fingers crossed for quality of this specific item and timing of shipping.

Cheers!

[Bringass]

If you are talking about the Sigma 17-50 F2.8 I actually bought it on eBay from Japan on december 2015, the shipping was fast, the lens is PERFECT, new, in its box, I paid 300 dlls. Is SUPER sharp, super quiet, a really step up (I'm selling mi DA 35mm 2.4 actually, I see no use from it anymore since this is the same even better quality)

It came with a hand written letter from the seller thanking me from my business and they even send me a "gift" hahah a very nice pair of chopsticks.

From my experience, DO IT. You won't regret.

I searched, this is the seller I bought it from Brand New Sigma 17 50 mm F2 8 EX DC HSM Lens for Pentax Mount APS C Size | eBay


EDIT: Oh I just read you already did. Enjoy then!

cheers.

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Last edited by Bringass; 09-04-2015 at 11:55 AM.

[realitarian]

If you are talking about the Sigma 17-50 F2.8 I actually bought it on eBay from Japan on december 2015, the shipping was fast, the lens is PERFECT, new, in its box, I paid 300 dlls. Is SUPER sharp, super quiet, a really step up (I'm selling mi DA 35mm 2.4 actually, I see no use from it anymore since this is the same even better quality)

It came with a hand written letter from the seller thanking me from my business and they even send me a "gift" hahah a very nice pair of chopsticks.

From my experience, DO IT. You won't regret.

I searched, this is the seller I bought it from Brand New Sigma 17 50 mm F2 8 EX DC HSM Lens for Pentax Mount APS C Size | eBay


EDIT: Oh I just read you already did. Enjoy then!

cheers.

That's the lens. Yeah, I saw that seller first (lowest price) but there was only one lens left. The next seller had several left and $1 more so I bought from that one (Sigma 17 50mm F2 8 EX DC HSM Zoom Lens for Pentax Japan Model New | eBay).

This is a bit silly, but I just didn't want the last piece from a shelf.

[seventysixersfan]

Other PF members have bought this lens from winktokyo and had good experiences.

[realitarian]

Other PF members have bought this lens from winktokyo and had good experiences.

Good to know! That is reassuring.

[pathdoc]

I actually bought it on eBay from Japan on december 2015

Um... no, you didn't. Or rather, you haven't yet.

[ChristianRock]

This is a bit silly, but I just didn't want the last piece from a shelf.

If it is unopened, I don't see an issue...

I keep saying I'm going to get one - I'll get myself a lens at the end of the year. It's got great reviews, people seem to love it, I already have the filters for it (from my Tokina 19-35)... yet I look at pictures taken with it and they just don't have the Pentax "pop" - you know what I mean. So I keep getting back to the DA 21 3.2 instead - since I already have the DA 35 2.4 and F 50 1.7 to go with it for a killer 3 prime set. If the DA prime was 2.8 I would certainly get it.

Who knows, I might still get excited about it... it sure seems like it would be practical to own one...

[Blacknight659]

If it is unopened, I don't see an issue...

I keep saying I'm going to get one - I'll get myself a lens at the end of the year. It's got great reviews, people seem to love it, I already have the filters for it (from my Tokina 19-35)... yet I look at pictures taken with it and they just don't have the Pentax "pop" - you know what I mean. So I keep getting back to the DA 21 3.2 instead - since I already have the DA 35 2.4 and F 50 1.7 to go with it for a killer 3 prime set. If the DA prime was 2.8 I would certainly get it.

Who knows, I might still get excited about it... it sure seems like it would be practical to own one...

I think this thing has a lot of pop! You may need to treat yourself. Especially if you can get one for $300.00 or less!

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/62581-blacknight659/albums/9984-s...cture91159.jpg

[Bringass]

Um... no, you didn't. Or rather, you haven't yet.

Hahahahah yes, I mean 2014 hahaha

[nonstopnick]

I assume a lens from Japan has no warranty in the USA?