DA*300 f4 value after screwdriver conversion

**turbo_bird** · 03-04-2022, 08:34 PM

So I was in my local camera shop yesterday, and the owner mentioned that a regular customer and Pentax shooter/collector had passed away. He asked if I might be interested in any of the gear that his son was selling. I might be interested in the DA*300 f4, but I really don't have any idea of value for one that's been converted to screw drive autofocus only. Can anyone help with a ballpark value for this lens? Another one I might be interested in is an older A*300 f4, but if I can get the newer one for a decent price, I might go that way. Thanks,
Kristian

**bwgv001** · 03-04-2022, 08:54 PM

Check prices on KEH, or Adorama and judge relative to the quality of the lens you have at hand. The screw-drive converted is as fast as the original; the optical quality of the lens is excellent. I bought mine used from KEH for $ 650; still a strong performer; I do not regret buying it.

**UncleVanya** · 03-04-2022, 09:27 PM

The price should probably be somewhere between the FA* and the working sdm DA*. But look on eBay at past sales as well as looking in the sold forums.

**turbo_bird** · 03-04-2022, 09:53 PM

Thanks. I was able to find surprisingly few used ones that had sold on eBay, but quite a few sales in the marketplace here. They mostly seemed to be in the $600-700 range, but none that I found said anything about failed SDM. Good to know that the screw drive conversion doesn't really slow down the autofocus.
Kristian

Sidney Porter · 03-05-2022, 01:46 AM

I think I paid $450 for a "bargain" FA*300 from keh a few months ago. At the same time they had a da* 300 with an "excellent" rating for $780 (I think).

Your option would probably be in the middle $500-$650

zapp · 03-05-2022, 02:24 AM

Repairing SDM costs maybe 200, so 600-200 is a decent price.
From a buyers perspective you can also argue that no eBay fees apply, no shipping hassles…

**Michaelina2** · 03-05-2022, 01:22 PM

Originally posted by zapp

Repairing SDM costs maybe 200, so 600-200 is a decent price.
From a buyers perspective you can also argue that no eBay fees apply, no shipping hassles…

Go low… when the time comes for you to sell it, you will need to explain away its “defect”” in order to recoup your “investment”. <wink>

Cheers… M

Last edited by Michaelina2; 03-05-2022 at 01:28 PM.

03-04-2022, 08:34 PM	#1
turbo_bird Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kamloops, BC Photos: Albums Posts: 711	*DA300 f4 value after screwdriver conversion** So I was in my local camera shop yesterday, and the owner mentioned that a regular customer and Pentax shooter/collector had passed away. He asked if I might be interested in any of the gear that his son was selling. I might be interested in the DA300 f4, but I really don't have any idea of value for one that's been converted to screw drive autofocus only. Can anyone help with a ballpark value for this lens? Another one I might be interested in is an older A300 f4, but if I can get the newer one for a decent price, I might go that way. Thanks, Kristian

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03-04-2022, 08:54 PM	#2
bwgv001 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 697	Check prices on KEH, or Adorama and judge relative to the quality of the lens you have at hand. The screw-drive converted is as fast as the original; the optical quality of the lens is excellent. I bought mine used from KEH for $ 650; still a strong performer; I do not regret buying it.

03-04-2022, 09:27 PM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,403	The price should probably be somewhere between the FA* and the working sdm DA*. But look on eBay at past sales as well as looking in the sold forums.

03-04-2022, 09:53 PM	#4
turbo_bird Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kamloops, BC Photos: Albums Posts: 711 Original Poster	Thanks. I was able to find surprisingly few used ones that had sold on eBay, but quite a few sales in the marketplace here. They mostly seemed to be in the $600-700 range, but none that I found said anything about failed SDM. Good to know that the screw drive conversion doesn't really slow down the autofocus. Kristian

03-05-2022, 01:46 AM	#5
Sidney Porter Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Columbus Ohio USA Posts: 353	I think I paid $450 for a "bargain" FA300 from keh a few months ago. At the same time they had a da 300 with an "excellent" rating for $780 (I think). Your option would probably be in the middle $500-$650

03-05-2022, 02:24 AM	#6
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	Repairing SDM costs maybe 200, so 600-200 is a decent price. From a buyers perspective you can also argue that no eBay fees apply, no shipping hassles…

03-05-2022, 01:22 PM	#7
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,300	Originally posted by zapp Repairing SDM costs maybe 200, so 600-200 is a decent price. From a buyers perspective you can also argue that no eBay fees apply, no shipping hassles… Go low… when the time comes for you to sell it, you will need to explain away its “defect”” in order to recoup your “investment”. <wink> Cheers… M Last edited by Michaelina2; 03-05-2022 at 01:28 PM.