Rarest on sale - 135mm f/1.8

jk333 · 06-14-2009, 01:48 PM

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Not my lens. I post so those with $$$ can get what (i understand) is one of the rarest and best pentax lenses.

@RARE@ PENTAX A*(STAR) 135mm F1.8 fit K20D K10D 135/1.8 - eBay (item 120381694990 end time Jun-21-09 00:40:52 PDT)

Anyone ever used this lens? Apparently very rare, very expensive and just as good as the very high price. (could this lens become worth even more if a FF body came out)

wlachan · 06-14-2009, 02:11 PM

It's not that rare really, just being hyped up some years ago and the price inflated. Optically, the A*85/1.4 & A*200/4ED Macro are the ones that can really rival others. The rest are just hype.

ftpaddict · 06-14-2009, 02:12 PM

It is quite a sight to behold. And think of the bokeh...

jk333 · 06-14-2009, 02:15 PM

Originally posted by wlachan

It's not that rare really, just being hyped up some years ago and the price inflated. Optically, the A*85/1.4 & A*200/4ED Macro are the ones that can really rival others. The rest are just hype.

Interesting... Well for comparison purposes, what do the A*200 and A*85mm cost? (roughly)

wlachan · 06-14-2009, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by jk333

Interesting... Well for comparison purposes, what do the A*200 and A*85mm cost? (roughly)

I haven't followed the used markets for quite some time so I have no idea.

dantekgeek · 06-14-2009, 08:59 PM

I think regardless of IQ (which is probably pretty awesome even if it doesn't match the 85 or 200), the lens is going to be pricey due to the fact it really is the ONLY lens with anywhere near these specs ever produced by Pentax.

I'd give up a toe or two for one.

Votesh · 06-14-2009, 09:05 PM

A mint condition A* 135mm sold on ebay a few months ago for $1326 I believe. I bid $1300 and narrowly missed getting it.

As for A* 85mm and 200mm macro, I got the former for 1200 and the latter for 1500 about 4 months ago.

xxxxx · 06-14-2009, 11:04 PM

Originally posted by Votesh

A mint condition A* 135mm sold on ebay a few months ago for $1326 I believe. I bid $1300 and narrowly missed getting it.

As for A* 85mm and 200mm macro, I got the former for 1200 and the latter for 1500 about 4 months ago.

Oh man, pentax lenses are so expensive compared to Canon. I remember getting 135mm f2 for one grand.

melander · 06-15-2009, 12:12 AM

orly?

(more characters)

**Douglas_of_Sweden** · 06-15-2009, 02:07 AM

It is not "hyped" at all.

There is a reason why Bojidar Diminotrov says that the *135 is on the market once per year and the *85 is available several times per year.

There is a reason why Colwell in his price list invents a category of its own for the FA*50/2.8 macro + A*85/1.4 + A*135/1.4 + A*200/4 macro + FA*80-200/2.8 calling them "great, exceptional, best of the excellent".

There is a reason why the A*135/2.8 has been about 50-100% more expensive than the A*85/1.4 (someone even payed 2050Euros for a copy last year).

Having both the A*85/1.4 and the A*135/1.8 in my bag I can tell you that I rate the A*135/1.8 higher in two ways: 1) It is sharp even wide open while the A*85 is very soft wide open 2) It is better for self defence (865 g solid glass and metal)

.

Here is my copy with some data (not as mint as the one on ebay, even though I never had to use it to defend myself, not even on any of the many rock concerts where it served me well):

Only rare thing with that ebay add is that they claim it has a built in lens hood. My certainly has not.

The combined effect of the global economical troubles and that Pentax has been launching more DA* lenses (though I hold the A* lenses higher) is probably less inflated prices. I don't think I will see anyone pay 2000Euros again for the A*135, but they will never be cheap. Just hope not all end up with collectors. They should be put in use. Too expensive? If you have the money they are certainly worth it. Funny thing is though that I payed about 350Euros for my A*135 second hand in 1993! Should have baught more A lenses back then!

The A*200 macro is a lens I'd really would like to have...

OrenMc · 06-15-2009, 03:18 AM

Originally posted by Votesh

As for A* 85mm and 200mm macro, I got the former for 1200 and the latter for 1500 about 4 months ago.

If I could find the FA or A* 200 macro for what you paid I would grab it for sure.

Votesh · 06-15-2009, 09:59 PM

My A* 200mm has a little bit of cosmetic damage, but it's mainly just some missing paint. The glass and mechanics are fine though. Needless to say, even with some cosmetic blemishes it was worth the price. I got lucky in that I offered $1500 on it when it had a listed BIN price of $2200. It's quite nice. The A* lenses are in a league of their own IMO.

Originally posted by OrenMc

If I could find the FA or A* 200 macro for what you paid I would grab it for sure.

jocko_nc · 06-15-2009, 09:59 PM

Oooh, but that looks like a cool piece. I'll be prowling the Goodwill stores for one.

Votesh · 06-15-2009, 10:11 PM

The pentax A* 85mm performed better than or equal to the Canon 85mm 1.2 L in every category except for purple fringing wide open, and obviously having 1.2 as an available aperture, in a test performed by 16-9.com(I think that's the site). And all for about 2/3 the price. Granted, you have to buy it used and don't have 1.2, but the point is, the high prices aren't for nothing.

Old Pentax lenses retain their prices because they are compatible with current cameras, and often because they are of outstanding quality. Unfortunately some of them also retain their prices because there is no current equivalent lens offered.

Originally posted by xxxxx

Oh man, pentax lenses are so expensive compared to Canon. I remember getting 135mm f2 for one grand.

06-14-2009, 01:48 PM	#1
jk333 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: bev Posts: 181	Rarest on sale - 135mm f/1.8 Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Not my lens. I post so those with $$$ can get what (i understand) is one of the rarest and best pentax lenses. @RARE@ PENTAX A*(STAR) 135mm F1.8 fit K20D K10D 135/1.8 - eBay (item 120381694990 end time Jun-21-09 00:40:52 PDT) Anyone ever used this lens? Apparently very rare, very expensive and just as good as the very high price. (could this lens become worth even more if a FF body came out)

06-15-2009, 02:07 AM	#10
Douglas_of_Sweden Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,374	It is not "hyped" at all. There is a reason why Bojidar Diminotrov says that the 135 is on the market once per year and the 85 is available several times per year. There is a reason why Colwell in his price list invents a category of its own for the FA50/2.8 macro + A85/1.4 + A135/1.4 + A200/4 macro + FA80-200/2.8 calling them "great, exceptional, best of the excellent". There is a reason why the A135/2.8 has been about 50-100% more expensive than the A85/1.4 (someone even payed 2050Euros for a copy last year). Having both the A85/1.4 and the A135/1.8 in my bag I can tell you that I rate the A135/1.8 higher in two ways: 1) It is sharp even wide open while the A85 is very soft wide open 2) It is better for self defence (865 g solid glass and metal). Here is my copy with some data (not as mint as the one on ebay, even though I never had to use it to defend myself, not even on any of the many rock concerts where it served me well): Only rare thing with that ebay add is that they claim it has a built in lens hood. My certainly has not. The combined effect of the global economical troubles and that Pentax has been launching more DA lenses (though I hold the A* lenses higher) is probably less inflated prices. I don't think I will see anyone pay 2000Euros again for the A135, but they will never be cheap. Just hope not all end up with collectors. They should be put in use. Too expensive? If you have the money they are certainly worth it. Funny thing is though that I payed about 350Euros for my A135 second hand in 1993! Should have baught more A lenses back then! The A*200 macro is a lens I'd really would like to have...

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06-14-2009, 02:11 PM	#2
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	It's not that rare really, just being hyped up some years ago and the price inflated. Optically, the A85/1.4 & A200/4ED Macro are the ones that can really rival others. The rest are just hype.

06-14-2009, 02:12 PM	#3
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	It is quite a sight to behold. And think of the bokeh...

06-14-2009, 02:15 PM	#4
jk333 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: bev Posts: 181 Original Poster	Originally posted by wlachan It's not that rare really, just being hyped up some years ago and the price inflated. Optically, the A85/1.4 & A200/4ED Macro are the ones that can really rival others. The rest are just hype. Interesting... Well for comparison purposes, what do the A200 and A85mm cost? (roughly)

06-14-2009, 02:16 PM	#5
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Originally posted by jk333 Interesting... Well for comparison purposes, what do the A200 and A85mm cost? (roughly) I haven't followed the used markets for quite some time so I have no idea.

06-14-2009, 08:59 PM	#6
dantekgeek Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 100	I think regardless of IQ (which is probably pretty awesome even if it doesn't match the 85 or 200), the lens is going to be pricey due to the fact it really is the ONLY lens with anywhere near these specs ever produced by Pentax. I'd give up a toe or two for one.

06-14-2009, 09:05 PM	#7
Votesh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	A mint condition A* 135mm sold on ebay a few months ago for $1326 I believe. I bid $1300 and narrowly missed getting it. As for A* 85mm and 200mm macro, I got the former for 1200 and the latter for 1500 about 4 months ago.

06-14-2009, 11:04 PM	#8
xxxxx Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 52	Originally posted by Votesh A mint condition A* 135mm sold on ebay a few months ago for $1326 I believe. I bid $1300 and narrowly missed getting it. As for A* 85mm and 200mm macro, I got the former for 1200 and the latter for 1500 about 4 months ago. Oh man, pentax lenses are so expensive compared to Canon. I remember getting 135mm f2 for one grand.

06-15-2009, 12:12 AM	#9
melander Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden, Umea Posts: 876	orly? (more characters)

06-15-2009, 03:18 AM	#11
OrenMc Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,901	Originally posted by Votesh As for A* 85mm and 200mm macro, I got the former for 1200 and the latter for 1500 about 4 months ago. If I could find the FA or A* 200 macro for what you paid I would grab it for sure.

06-15-2009, 09:59 PM	#12
Votesh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	My A* 200mm has a little bit of cosmetic damage, but it's mainly just some missing paint. The glass and mechanics are fine though. Needless to say, even with some cosmetic blemishes it was worth the price. I got lucky in that I offered $1500 on it when it had a listed BIN price of $2200. It's quite nice. The A* lenses are in a league of their own IMO. Originally posted by OrenMc If I could find the FA or A* 200 macro for what you paid I would grab it for sure.

06-15-2009, 09:59 PM	#13
jocko_nc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NC USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 251	Oooh, but that looks like a cool piece. I'll be prowling the Goodwill stores for one.

06-15-2009, 10:11 PM	#14
Votesh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	The pentax A* 85mm performed better than or equal to the Canon 85mm 1.2 L in every category except for purple fringing wide open, and obviously having 1.2 as an available aperture, in a test performed by 16-9.com(I think that's the site). And all for about 2/3 the price. Granted, you have to buy it used and don't have 1.2, but the point is, the high prices aren't for nothing. Old Pentax lenses retain their prices because they are compatible with current cameras, and often because they are of outstanding quality. Unfortunately some of them also retain their prices because there is no current equivalent lens offered. Originally posted by xxxxx Oh man, pentax lenses are so expensive compared to Canon. I remember getting 135mm f2 for one grand.