Pentax lenses at a discount- can I trust it?

Chilichoco · 06-09-2007, 01:57 PM

Hi everyone.

My husband is in New York and has found the following lenses at a discount at the corresponding rates, as they are the last lenses at the shop. Please tell me which ones must I grab and which must I regard skeptically. Also, what do you think of the prices? Can these be returned pieces or lemons?

1. SMC FA 100-300mm F 4.7 -- dollar143

2.SMC F17-28mm F3.5 to 4.5 -- dollar 226

3. SMC FAJ 75-300mm F4.5 to 5.8AL dollar 199

4. SMC FA 50 macro F2.8 -- dollar 191

5.SMC FA80-200mm F4.7 - 5.6 for dollar 68

all prices plus 7 percent tax

Also, are there any shops where one might find over-the-counter lenses instead of online? I am desperately looking for Pentax 40mm and Tamron 90mm macro.

Many thanks for any help.
Best Regards

little laker · 06-09-2007, 03:01 PM

Personally I'd grab # 2 and 4, but that's because I don't have anything else comparable to them and I do the rest.

FotoPete · 06-09-2007, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by little laker

Personally I'd grab # 2 and 4, but that's because I don't have anything else comparable to them and I do the rest.

I agree with laker on this one. The FA100-300, FAJ75-300 and the FA 80-200 are consumer zooms. Lower quality. For the price charged, you can easily ebay some of the nice old lenses like the SMC A 70-210 and others.

Peter Zack · 06-09-2007, 06:20 PM

3 "I agree's" should do it. #2 and definitely #4 great deal. Lucky you that 50mm is a great lens.

FotoPete · 06-09-2007, 06:36 PM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

3 "I agree's" should do it. #2 and definitely #4 great deal. Lucky you that 50mm is a great lens.

Make that 3 Canadian "I Agree"s.

roentarre · 06-09-2007, 11:32 PM

There is no doubt that Fa 50 f2.8 macro is a real bargain. I would not think twice getting it. Even if the AF does not work any more, its image quality is invincible ...

GaryML · 06-10-2007, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by Chilichoco

Hi everyone.

2.SMC F17-28mm F3.5 to 4.5 -- dollar 226

4. SMC FA 50 macro F2.8 -- dollar 191

5.SMC FA80-200mm F4.7 - 5.6 for dollar 68

Also, are there any shops where one might find over-the-counter lenses instead of online? I am desperately looking for Pentax 40mm and Tamron 90mm macro.

No. 2 is a fish-eye zoom. This is a decent deal for this lens, but you have to understand what a fish-eye lens does (it is a special effects lens with lots of barrel distortion). Also, this focal length doesn't work well on a digital body, so plan on using it on film cameras only. If this is what you want, then go for it.

No. 4 is a great deal as the new 50mm Macro lenses usually sell for over $350 including the rebate.

No. 5 is a so-so lens, but the price is pretty good. Probably the best deal of the longer zoom lenses. If you want a long zoom for cheap, then you might consider it.

As to whether they are returns or defective products, there is no way for us to determine that without using the lenses. It is certainly a possibility that they were returns and that is why they are discounted. But many returns function perfectly; the original customer simply changed his mind or didn't know how to use the lens properly.

There are many retail camera stores in New York. I'd suggest B&H and Adorama. I've bought from them (mail-order) many times and always had a good experience. They should both have a good selection in the retail store.

Chilichoco · 06-11-2007, 12:45 AM

Thanks everyone !! This has been a big help

Best Regards

06-09-2007, 01:57 PM	#1
Chilichoco Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 30	Pentax lenses at a discount- can I trust it? Hi everyone. My husband is in New York and has found the following lenses at a discount at the corresponding rates, as they are the last lenses at the shop. Please tell me which ones must I grab and which must I regard skeptically. Also, what do you think of the prices? Can these be returned pieces or lemons? 1. SMC FA 100-300mm F 4.7 -- dollar143 2.SMC F17-28mm F3.5 to 4.5 -- dollar 226 3. SMC FAJ 75-300mm F4.5 to 5.8AL dollar 199 4. SMC FA 50 macro F2.8 -- dollar 191 5.SMC FA80-200mm F4.7 - 5.6 for dollar 68 all prices plus 7 percent tax Also, are there any shops where one might find over-the-counter lenses instead of online? I am desperately looking for Pentax 40mm and Tamron 90mm macro. Many thanks for any help. Best Regards

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06-09-2007, 03:01 PM	#2
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	Personally I'd grab # 2 and 4, but that's because I don't have anything else comparable to them and I do the rest.

06-09-2007, 05:30 PM	#3
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	Originally posted by little laker Personally I'd grab # 2 and 4, but that's because I don't have anything else comparable to them and I do the rest. I agree with laker on this one. The FA100-300, FAJ75-300 and the FA 80-200 are consumer zooms. Lower quality. For the price charged, you can easily ebay some of the nice old lenses like the SMC A 70-210 and others.

06-09-2007, 06:20 PM	#4
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	I'd agree as well 3 "I agree's" should do it. #2 and definitely #4 great deal. Lucky you that 50mm is a great lens.

06-09-2007, 06:36 PM	#5
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	Originally posted by Peter Zack 3 "I agree's" should do it. #2 and definitely #4 great deal. Lucky you that 50mm is a great lens. Make that 3 Canadian "I Agree"s.

06-09-2007, 11:32 PM	#6
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	There is no doubt that Fa 50 f2.8 macro is a real bargain. I would not think twice getting it. Even if the AF does not work any more, its image quality is invincible ...

06-10-2007, 07:58 AM	#7
GaryML Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 441	Originally posted by Chilichoco Hi everyone. 2.SMC F17-28mm F3.5 to 4.5 -- dollar 226 4. SMC FA 50 macro F2.8 -- dollar 191 5.SMC FA80-200mm F4.7 - 5.6 for dollar 68 Also, are there any shops where one might find over-the-counter lenses instead of online? I am desperately looking for Pentax 40mm and Tamron 90mm macro. No. 2 is a fish-eye zoom. This is a decent deal for this lens, but you have to understand what a fish-eye lens does (it is a special effects lens with lots of barrel distortion). Also, this focal length doesn't work well on a digital body, so plan on using it on film cameras only. If this is what you want, then go for it. No. 4 is a great deal as the new 50mm Macro lenses usually sell for over $350 including the rebate. No. 5 is a so-so lens, but the price is pretty good. Probably the best deal of the longer zoom lenses. If you want a long zoom for cheap, then you might consider it. As to whether they are returns or defective products, there is no way for us to determine that without using the lenses. It is certainly a possibility that they were returns and that is why they are discounted. But many returns function perfectly; the original customer simply changed his mind or didn't know how to use the lens properly. There are many retail camera stores in New York. I'd suggest B&H and Adorama. I've bought from them (mail-order) many times and always had a good experience. They should both have a good selection in the retail store.

06-11-2007, 12:45 AM	#8
Chilichoco Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 30 Original Poster	Thanks everyone !! This has been a big help Best Regards

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