SMC Pentax-A 35-105mm f/3.5

clarkebd · 04-09-2010, 12:46 PM

Hi-

Not sure if this is the right place to post this. I found a Pentax SMC A 35-105 f/3.5 lens that looks in pristine shape.

Glass is totally clear on both ends, the blades, zoom, focus ring are all very smooth.

I've tried to search on the forums, but can't seem to find a lot of posts regarding a reasonable price to offer on this. It seems like a very nice lens to shoot with regarding picture quality, but I'm an amateur.

Any ideas on a fair price?

Last edited by clarkebd; 04-09-2010 at 12:57 PM. Reason: To make it clearer what I'm asking

EricR · 04-09-2010, 01:47 PM

Just bought one for 70 euro. The going rate seems to be between 50 and 125 euro over here, depending on the state of the lens. An offer of $60 to $100 would be reasonable maybe more if the lens is really mint.

**blackcloudbrew** · 04-09-2010, 02:16 PM

It is a nice lens and it has an added macro feature which is helpful.

I bought one used last year here which had been cleaned for $115 as I recall. So I'd think you might offer a bit more than that if it was in pristine shape.

bc_the_path · 04-09-2010, 02:38 PM

I have just bought one for about USD 125, in good condition.
Its resolution and contrast seems to be good (even at the ends of its range), however, it renders the colors noticeably differently than current "digital" lenses.

hangu · 04-09-2010, 04:11 PM

I think the lens is worth about $120 if in excellent condition, that should also be the average price for it at the pentax lens review section. I would not let my copy go for under $150. It's an excellent lens, very sharp, versatile (has a macro function), well built and renders color beautifully, especially the color red. The only qualm I have with it is the weight, which is quite heavy but expected of a lens this size and build. My other issue with it is that on most copies the zoom ring is a tad hard to turn.

I dislike zoom lenses. This is the only zoom lens I own besides the kit lens that came with my K-x, that should give you an idea of how I feel about this lens.

jct us101 · 04-09-2010, 05:33 PM

I would also suggest something around $100 as a price. Maybe try $100 and see if they agree to that, and if not work them up somewhere around $120? It's a pretty old lens nevertheless, and not a popular range, although it does have fairly good image quality.

Tuner571 · 04-09-2010, 05:36 PM

I also agree with everyone on this lens, the lens really does produce stunning images and you will not be disappointed. I recently sold a copy of this lens and I sold it for $140 and it went quickly.

**dadipentak** · 04-09-2010, 05:43 PM

It took me a while to get used to shooting with it but this is a very special lens. If I had to replace mine, I'd gladly pay $150 for a good copy.

Adam · 04-09-2010, 05:44 PM

Low $100's.

This is an amazing lens for any manual focus film body, such as the Super A.

hangu · 04-09-2010, 05:50 PM

Originally posted by dadipentak

It took me a while to get used to shooting with it but this is a very special lens. If I had to replace mine, I'd gladly pay $150 for a good copy.

I couldn't agree more. We both came to $150 as the magical number too, though I definitely wouldn't part with it unless I desperately needed the money. I think most people who are selling this lens have never really used this lens, it takes some getting used to.

angelo9978 · 04-09-2010, 06:09 PM

this is a beautiful lens. i am amazed at the pictures i've took with it. Ditto that I wouldn't sell it for less than $150, and only if I needed the money. I don't think you can modern lens this sharp and fast at this price.

Lance B · 04-10-2010, 12:18 AM

This is a surprisingly excellent lens. In fact, I will go as far to say that it is one hell of a bargain zoom. Excellent sharpness, colour bokeh and contrast and build quality is superb. A real beauty.

Unfortunately, these photos do not do the lens justice as they are reduced from their original 1200 pixels wide from my PBase account, but believe me, viewed at their normal 1200 pixel width, they are as sharp as most primes.

JeffJS · 04-10-2010, 12:45 AM

A "good" copy will hold it's focus throughout the zoom range. Mine does. It came with a lot that I've now turned over and it and my K30 f2.8 are now net free. Still though, it's a very nice lens to add to a manual focus kit. Even if you have to slightly refocus from one end to the other.

clarkebd · 04-10-2010, 08:19 PM

wow, thanks for all the replies. Well, I ended up picking it up from the gentleman.

I can't tell you what I got it for as you wouldn't believe me.

It was well UNDER what anyone posted and what I thought I would offer.
He offered up a price before I spoke. I took it.

It takes TERRIFIC pictures. Yes, it's very heavy, but what a bargain!!!

**monochrome** · 04-10-2010, 08:28 PM

Congratualtions - you got a "cold, dead fingers" lens!

Originally posted by clarkebd

wow, thanks for all the replies. Well, I ended up picking it up from the gentleman.

I can't tell you what I got it for as you wouldn't believe me.

I don't want to know. I paid $129 in very good shape

Originally posted by clarkebd

It was well UNDER what anyone posted and what I thought I would offer.

He offered up a price before I spoke. I took it.

It takes TERRIFIC pictures. Yes, it's very heavy, but what a bargain!!!

I carry mine frequently, unless I am going on a very,long hike. It actually makes my backpack noticeably heavier - but its worth it!.

04-09-2010, 12:46 PM	#1
clarkebd Guest	SMC Pentax-A 35-105mm f/3.5 Hi- Not sure if this is the right place to post this. I found a Pentax SMC A 35-105 f/3.5 lens that looks in pristine shape. Glass is totally clear on both ends, the blades, zoom, focus ring are all very smooth. I've tried to search on the forums, but can't seem to find a lot of posts regarding a reasonable price to offer on this. It seems like a very nice lens to shoot with regarding picture quality, but I'm an amateur. Any ideas on a fair price? Last edited by clarkebd; 04-09-2010 at 12:57 PM. Reason: To make it clearer what I'm asking

04-09-2010, 05:44 PM	#9
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	Low $100's. This is an amazing lens for any manual focus film body, such as the Super A. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

04-10-2010, 08:28 PM	#15
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	You can pry it from my . . . Congratualtions - you got a "cold, dead fingers" lens! Originally posted by clarkebd wow, thanks for all the replies. Well, I ended up picking it up from the gentleman. I can't tell you what I got it for as you wouldn't believe me. I don't want to know. I paid $129 in very good shape Originally posted by clarkebd It was well UNDER what anyone posted and what I thought I would offer. He offered up a price before I spoke. I took it. It takes TERRIFIC pictures. Yes, it's very heavy, but what a bargain!!! I carry mine frequently, unless I am going on a very,long hike. It actually makes my backpack noticeably heavier - but its worth it!.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
SMC Pentax F 35-105mm F4-5.6	metalfab	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	03-23-2008 03:08 PM
For Sale - Sold: FS: SMC Pentax-A 35-105mm F3.5	Adam	Sold Items	2	05-05-2007 01:20 PM

04-09-2010, 01:47 PM	#2
EricR Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Den Haag, Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 207	Just bought one for 70 euro. The going rate seems to be between 50 and 125 euro over here, depending on the state of the lens. An offer of $60 to $100 would be reasonable maybe more if the lens is really mint.

04-09-2010, 02:16 PM	#3
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	It is a nice lens and it has an added macro feature which is helpful. I bought one used last year here which had been cleaned for $115 as I recall. So I'd think you might offer a bit more than that if it was in pristine shape.

04-09-2010, 02:38 PM	#4
bc_the_path Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ankara, Turkey Photos: Gallery Posts: 401	I have just bought one for about USD 125, in good condition. Its resolution and contrast seems to be good (even at the ends of its range), however, it renders the colors noticeably differently than current "digital" lenses.

04-09-2010, 04:11 PM	#5
hangu Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NYC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,071	I think the lens is worth about $120 if in excellent condition, that should also be the average price for it at the pentax lens review section. I would not let my copy go for under $150. It's an excellent lens, very sharp, versatile (has a macro function), well built and renders color beautifully, especially the color red. The only qualm I have with it is the weight, which is quite heavy but expected of a lens this size and build. My other issue with it is that on most copies the zoom ring is a tad hard to turn. I dislike zoom lenses. This is the only zoom lens I own besides the kit lens that came with my K-x, that should give you an idea of how I feel about this lens.

04-09-2010, 05:33 PM	#6
jct us101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 3,793	I would also suggest something around $100 as a price. Maybe try $100 and see if they agree to that, and if not work them up somewhere around $120? It's a pretty old lens nevertheless, and not a popular range, although it does have fairly good image quality.

04-09-2010, 05:36 PM	#7
Tuner571 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,549	I also agree with everyone on this lens, the lens really does produce stunning images and you will not be disappointed. I recently sold a copy of this lens and I sold it for $140 and it went quickly.

04-09-2010, 05:43 PM	#8
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	It took me a while to get used to shooting with it but this is a very special lens. If I had to replace mine, I'd gladly pay $150 for a good copy.

04-09-2010, 05:50 PM	#10
hangu Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NYC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,071	Originally posted by dadipentak It took me a while to get used to shooting with it but this is a very special lens. If I had to replace mine, I'd gladly pay $150 for a good copy. I couldn't agree more. We both came to $150 as the magical number too, though I definitely wouldn't part with it unless I desperately needed the money. I think most people who are selling this lens have never really used this lens, it takes some getting used to.

04-09-2010, 06:09 PM	#11
angelo9978 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 231	this is a beautiful lens. i am amazed at the pictures i've took with it. Ditto that I wouldn't sell it for less than $150, and only if I needed the money. I don't think you can modern lens this sharp and fast at this price.

04-10-2010, 12:18 AM	#12
Lance B Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 593	This is a surprisingly excellent lens. In fact, I will go as far to say that it is one hell of a bargain zoom. Excellent sharpness, colour bokeh and contrast and build quality is superb. A real beauty. Unfortunately, these photos do not do the lens justice as they are reduced from their original 1200 pixels wide from my PBase account, but believe me, viewed at their normal 1200 pixel width, they are as sharp as most primes.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

04-10-2010, 12:45 AM	#13
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	A "good" copy will hold it's focus throughout the zoom range. Mine does. It came with a lot that I've now turned over and it and my K30 f2.8 are now net free. Still though, it's a very nice lens to add to a manual focus kit. Even if you have to slightly refocus from one end to the other.

04-10-2010, 08:19 PM	#14
clarkebd Guest	wow, thanks for all the replies. Well, I ended up picking it up from the gentleman. I can't tell you what I got it for as you wouldn't believe me. It was well UNDER what anyone posted and what I thought I would offer. He offered up a price before I spoke. I took it. It takes TERRIFIC pictures. Yes, it's very heavy, but what a bargain!!!