Where to buy old lenses?

krypticide · 10-02-2008, 05:38 PM

Where else besides eBay and this forum do you guys find old Pentax lenses?

24X36NOW · 10-02-2008, 06:55 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

KEH is great for used Pentax lenses.

KEH Camera: Used Cameras, Digital Cameras, Film Cameras, Laptop Computers and More.

Chris

Agreed! They're good about their condition ratings, too. I've seen other sites that call lenses "excellent" and when I look at the picture of the item, it's like "you've GOT to be kidding!" KEH is where I got my 135-600 F6.7

jocko_nc · 10-02-2008, 07:08 PM

When you find the Mother Lode, please send me a PM...

The best stuff I have found came from thrift stores, by purchasing a whole kit. Some thrifts sell online.

Rockdoctor · 10-02-2008, 07:16 PM

I bought a couple of M series lenses form Vintage Visuals Photographic The lenses arrived packed up very nicely, in a timely manner, and they were in excellent condition as described.

stevebrot · 10-02-2008, 07:23 PM

Adorama and rarely craiglist.

Steve

jocko_nc · 10-02-2008, 08:56 PM

The problem with Craigslist is that all the old camera gear is way overpriced. Everyone thinks their old K1000, one of about a gazillion made, and the JCPenney lenses are worth 60% of the original price. They are not.

Ebay is a good source, but I prefer to buy from sellers who do not do a lot of camera gear. Better to take someone's whole kit (estate) than get a lens that has been passed through a dozen hands. You are taking a chance, but you can get some really good stuff at a good price.

**Canada_Rockies** · 10-02-2008, 09:27 PM

Originally posted by Rockdoctor

I bought a couple of M series lenses form Vintage Visuals Photographic The lenses arrived packed up very nicely, in a timely manner, and they were in excellent condition as described.

They are one of my favourite places, too. Fair prices and accurate descriptions of the products. I got my M 100/4 macro from them.

Steinback · 10-02-2008, 11:17 PM

Independent local stores that still carry used gear are an option if you can find one. The places I've dealt with tend to be flexible on price if the lens has been sitting around for a few years.

I also had decent luck at a vintage camera show a couple of months ago, however the lenses I bought there were all m42 mount as they were selling for a large discount compared to newer bayonet mount lenses.

LittleSkink · 10-03-2008, 12:40 AM

notice all the posters are 'across the pond' from me here in UK, any suggestions for this part of the world

UK Ebay prices for Pentax are silly (at least 50% up on a couple of years ago it would seem) but here in Sheffield used Pentax is almost unobtainable from the local stores. We have dozens, if not hundreds, of charity shops though

lithos · 10-03-2008, 01:21 AM

I'm got my favourite lens from a hockshop for $25, an f1.2 50mm K. You heard me. It's actually a pretty good time to go hockshop...shopping, because most of the film cameras - and especially Pentax - are dismissed as old and useless, wherease that Kodak 2MP point-and-shoot with tagged at $150. It's Pentax, baby! There's a ton of manufacturers of K-mount lenses out there. Chinon, Cosina, Tokina, and the Rikenons have a bit of a more...upmarket cachet.

Like jocko says about Craiglist up there, eBay down here is just painful for me. Part of the joy, the romance, what have you, of shooting Pentax for me is saying, "Yeah, I took that on a $25 Rikenon."

The field's split on eBay.com.au fairly evenly between idiot prices ("MZ-60, no lens, $300") and idiot bidders. People'll bid annoying amounts - I mean annoying, in that they'll pay KEH.com prices for a secondhand lens in worse condition on there. Like paying $70 for a Tokina f2.8 28mm, the one that's famous for oil on the aperture blades. Someone paid over $60 for a non-working, definitely non-mint Canonet QL19.

They could let others walk away with a bargain, yet would choose to rip themselves off instead. Whether this is out of malice, stupidity, ignorance, or perhaps some weird phenomenon that only strikes when on eBay, who knows.

I blame Lomography, and I blame it a lot for other things too - idiots just thinking that paying more money somehow raises the quality of an object, even if its secondhand.

AgentFixer · 10-03-2008, 08:49 AM

KevinCameras

I remember stumbling upon this site when I was doing my search for legacy lenses a few months ago. I have no idea in regards to the quality and reliability of the place, but it looks like they have a lot of nice used glass and even a few Pentax Shift Lenses. I'll try and check it out one day since it's about 20 minutes from home...that and i'd like to check out the 1.7x tele

Spongefingers · 10-03-2008, 09:12 AM

Originally posted by LittleSkink

notice all the posters are 'across the pond' from me here in UK, any suggestions for this part of the world

UK Ebay prices for Pentax are silly (at least 50% up on a couple of years ago it would seem) but here in Sheffield used Pentax is almost unobtainable from the local stores. We have dozens, if not hundreds, of charity shops though

Yeah, except they've already all been raided by folks like US!
Plus, I bet some charity shop staff have got savvy and are selling such things on eBay for more money.

Jester_rm · 10-03-2008, 10:00 AM

Goodwill has always been good to me. Or other thrift shops, you'd be surprised at the stuff people get rid of. Pawn shops might be another good one, depending on the area you're in.

cygnet · 10-03-2008, 11:43 AM

Actually, craigslist works pretty well if you monitor it frequently. For every nut trying to sell an old film camera with a 50mm f.2 on it for $200, you can find someone selling or even giving away an old camera with lens still attached. The overpriced folks never do sell, and finally they either keep their equipment or in some cases, give it away at nothing or next to nothing. I bought an SF1n body with 3 lenses for $40. Sold 2 of the 3 lenses (they were zooms) for $30, so I got the remaining body and lens for -tada- $10. But even better, I got my 50mm A 1.7 attached to a broken Program Plus - for freeeee.
Ya just gotta be patient on craigslist.

MrA · 10-03-2008, 01:34 PM

Originally posted by LittleSkink

notice all the posters are 'across the pond' from me here in UK, any suggestions for this part of the world

UK Ebay prices for Pentax are silly (at least 50% up on a couple of years ago it would seem) but here in Sheffield used Pentax is almost unobtainable from the local stores. We have dozens, if not hundreds, of charity shops though

UK camera shops - a database of camera shops and photographic manufacturers plus information on digital and classic cameras

I've bought camera accessories from Ffordes in Beauly, but not lenses. I scour the lists every now and then, though.

Living in Oxford, the Oxfam photographic sales are always interesting. Their stores have a fairly prominent presence in these parts, as one would expect.

10-02-2008, 05:38 PM	#1
krypticide Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,079	Where to buy old lenses? Where else besides eBay and this forum do you guys find old Pentax lenses?

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10-02-2008, 06:55 PM	#2
24X36NOW Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: CT, USA Posts: 498	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt KEH is great for used Pentax lenses. KEH Camera: Used Cameras, Digital Cameras, Film Cameras, Laptop Computers and More. Chris Agreed! They're good about their condition ratings, too. I've seen other sites that call lenses "excellent" and when I look at the picture of the item, it's like "you've GOT to be kidding!" KEH is where I got my 135-600 F6.7

10-02-2008, 07:08 PM	#3
jocko_nc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NC USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 251	When you find the Mother Lode, please send me a PM... The best stuff I have found came from thrift stores, by purchasing a whole kit. Some thrifts sell online.

10-02-2008, 07:16 PM	#4
Rockdoctor Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Western Canada Posts: 199	I bought a couple of M series lenses form Vintage Visuals Photographic The lenses arrived packed up very nicely, in a timely manner, and they were in excellent condition as described.

10-02-2008, 07:23 PM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Adorama and rarely craiglist. Steve

10-02-2008, 08:56 PM	#6
jocko_nc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NC USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 251	The problem with Craigslist is that all the old camera gear is way overpriced. Everyone thinks their old K1000, one of about a gazillion made, and the JCPenney lenses are worth 60% of the original price. They are not. Ebay is a good source, but I prefer to buy from sellers who do not do a lot of camera gear. Better to take someone's whole kit (estate) than get a lens that has been passed through a dozen hands. You are taking a chance, but you can get some really good stuff at a good price.

10-02-2008, 09:27 PM	#7
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by Rockdoctor I bought a couple of M series lenses form Vintage Visuals Photographic The lenses arrived packed up very nicely, in a timely manner, and they were in excellent condition as described. They are one of my favourite places, too. Fair prices and accurate descriptions of the products. I got my M 100/4 macro from them.

10-02-2008, 11:17 PM	#8
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	Independent local stores that still carry used gear are an option if you can find one. The places I've dealt with tend to be flexible on price if the lens has been sitting around for a few years. I also had decent luck at a vintage camera show a couple of months ago, however the lenses I bought there were all m42 mount as they were selling for a large discount compared to newer bayonet mount lenses.

10-03-2008, 12:40 AM	#9
LittleSkink Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: t'North Photos: Albums Posts: 166	notice all the posters are 'across the pond' from me here in UK, any suggestions for this part of the world UK Ebay prices for Pentax are silly (at least 50% up on a couple of years ago it would seem) but here in Sheffield used Pentax is almost unobtainable from the local stores. We have dozens, if not hundreds, of charity shops though

10-03-2008, 01:21 AM	#10
lithos Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brisbane, QLD, AUS Posts: 3,261	I'm got my favourite lens from a hockshop for $25, an f1.2 50mm K. You heard me. It's actually a pretty good time to go hockshop...shopping, because most of the film cameras - and especially Pentax - are dismissed as old and useless, wherease that Kodak 2MP point-and-shoot with tagged at $150. It's Pentax, baby! There's a ton of manufacturers of K-mount lenses out there. Chinon, Cosina, Tokina, and the Rikenons have a bit of a more...upmarket cachet. Like jocko says about Craiglist up there, eBay down here is just painful for me. Part of the joy, the romance, what have you, of shooting Pentax for me is saying, "Yeah, I took that on a $25 Rikenon." The field's split on eBay.com.au fairly evenly between idiot prices ("MZ-60, no lens, $300") and idiot bidders. People'll bid annoying amounts - I mean annoying, in that they'll pay KEH.com prices for a secondhand lens in worse condition on there. Like paying $70 for a Tokina f2.8 28mm, the one that's famous for oil on the aperture blades. Someone paid over $60 for a non-working, definitely non-mint Canonet QL19. They could let others walk away with a bargain, yet would choose to rip themselves off instead. Whether this is out of malice, stupidity, ignorance, or perhaps some weird phenomenon that only strikes when on eBay, who knows. I blame Lomography, and I blame it a lot for other things too - idiots just thinking that paying more money somehow raises the quality of an object, even if its secondhand.

10-03-2008, 08:49 AM	#11
AgentFixer Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Pasadena, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 33	KevinCameras I remember stumbling upon this site when I was doing my search for legacy lenses a few months ago. I have no idea in regards to the quality and reliability of the place, but it looks like they have a lot of nice used glass and even a few Pentax Shift Lenses. I'll try and check it out one day since it's about 20 minutes from home...that and i'd like to check out the 1.7x tele

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10-03-2008, 09:12 AM	#12
Spongefingers Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 237	Originally posted by LittleSkink notice all the posters are 'across the pond' from me here in UK, any suggestions for this part of the world UK Ebay prices for Pentax are silly (at least 50% up on a couple of years ago it would seem) but here in Sheffield used Pentax is almost unobtainable from the local stores. We have dozens, if not hundreds, of charity shops though Yeah, except they've already all been raided by folks like US! Plus, I bet some charity shop staff have got savvy and are selling such things on eBay for more money.

10-03-2008, 10:00 AM	#13
Jester_rm Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Redmond, Oregon Photos: Gallery Posts: 228	Goodwill has always been good to me. Or other thrift shops, you'd be surprised at the stuff people get rid of. Pawn shops might be another good one, depending on the area you're in.

10-03-2008, 11:43 AM	#14
cygnet Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hill Country Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 104	Actually, craigslist works pretty well if you monitor it frequently. For every nut trying to sell an old film camera with a 50mm f.2 on it for $200, you can find someone selling or even giving away an old camera with lens still attached. The overpriced folks never do sell, and finally they either keep their equipment or in some cases, give it away at nothing or next to nothing. I bought an SF1n body with 3 lenses for $40. Sold 2 of the 3 lenses (they were zooms) for $30, so I got the remaining body and lens for -tada- $10. But even better, I got my 50mm A 1.7 attached to a broken Program Plus - for freeeee. Ya just gotta be patient on craigslist.

10-03-2008, 01:34 PM	#15
MrA Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: England UK Posts: 211	Originally posted by LittleSkink notice all the posters are 'across the pond' from me here in UK, any suggestions for this part of the world UK Ebay prices for Pentax are silly (at least 50% up on a couple of years ago it would seem) but here in Sheffield used Pentax is almost unobtainable from the local stores. We have dozens, if not hundreds, of charity shops though UK camera shops - a database of camera shops and photographic manufacturers plus information on digital and classic cameras I've bought camera accessories from Ffordes in Beauly, but not lenses. I scour the lists every now and then, though. Living in Oxford, the Oxfam photographic sales are always interesting. Their stores have a fairly prominent presence in these parts, as one would expect.