[rp_dxn]

Hello guys, how much are you willing to pay for an almost new good 50mm pentax lens (k mount)? I need some idea as to guide when buying lens from ebay...
Thank you guys...

preferred 50mm is Rikenon, SmC Pentax M or A...

[TER-OR]

If you look at the lens database you can find what people have reported paying. It's a pretty wide range, based on aperture, auto-aperture features etc.
$20 is generous for an M-50 f/2, but a good bargain for the A-50 f/2, for instance.

[boriscleto]

The least I've paid for a 50 was $5 plus $5 shipping (Sears 50/1.7). The most I've paid was $100 plus $7.50 shipping (Sigma A 50mm F2.8 macro).

I got my FA 50/1.7 for $100 plus a 200 mile round trip to pick it up on Craigslist.

[paulh]

The lens review section here on PF will give you some idea of 50mm lens prices. btw, any M or A series Pentax lens will never be "new". These lenses are about 30 yrs old. But generally speaking, a good M50/1.7 will go for $40-$60, M50/1.4 for about $75-$100, and M50/2 for $10-$20. The A series will be a bit higher. I think the Rikenons will be priced around the same as the M series. Just my opinion, but I would check the listings here on the PF Marketplace before going to ebay. Good luck.

[rp_dxn]

Tnx so far for d response. One of the reason i started this thread is for validity.
If you try searching ń ebay, and based on d prices from d database, ebay prices are way too overpriced.
Im really eyeing on a A50 1.7 but it cost almost 200usd. Item status is new other.

To be honest, im pretty to some of you guys who purchased @ 20-50usd...
Im based in the Philippines so ebay is my only source...whereas f im in d US, i could get from keh, here etc.

[TER-OR]

keep an eye on the marketplace here - shipping will probably cost more, but sometimes you see a bundle of lenses for sale.

[rp_dxn]

The only problem i have here on the marketplace is that most dont ship to the philippines, f they do, it wud cost more

[paulh]

Don't overlook some of the other lens makers - Sears, JC Penney, Vivitar, etc. Some of these lenses are high quality and tend to be lower-priced than the major brands. For example, I found a Vivitar (Cosina-made) 135mm/2.8 for $25 - it's a beautifully made lens with great optics.

[johnyates]

Ignore the Buy it Now prices on eBay. Instead, do a search for the lenses that interest you from completed listings. Then you'll see what people actually pay.

[Colbyt]

Hello guys, how much are you willing to pay for an almost new good 50mm pentax lens (k mount)? I need some idea as to guide when buying lens from ebay...
Thank you guys...

preferred 50mm is Rikenon, SmC Pentax M or A...

There is a world of difference between the A and M lenses. If you are a registered user do a search of completed listings and see what they are selling for. I suspect you will find that the 1.7, 1.4 A prices are about double the M prices. I have seen the 50 A's sell for as much as 160 though I bought mine for less than that.

Just in case you don't know the reason for that is that A series glass can be shot auto for everything except focus where the M is manual only on most cameras

[RKKS08]

I know all the suggestions to look at the marketplace first are given in good faith - but in most cases the offers there won't make sense for members outside the US.

Usually US offers on eBay charge $35-$55 for shipping to Europe.
There will be import tax, too, in some countries this is 25% or more. In the EU, usually the import tax for goods from outside the EU is replacing the VAT charged for domestic trade. There is no import tax between EU countries.

The 19% German customs take is calculated from some list of their own, which should mirror average (domestic) market prices.
Which means a lens bought for $100 would in fact cost $160-$180, and most likely the buyer would not get it delivered to his home. He would have to pay a visit to the next customs office (not such a problem in big cities).

I don't know about the Phillipines, but for EU members the market place only makes sense if the seller is also from an EU country. For non-EU European members like Norway or Switzerland I don't know.

[Na Horuk]

Yes, beware the shipping and import tax! It can double the cost. Some sellers offer to lie on the box so you avoid import tax, but be careful with that. Cheating can burn you. So try to buy locally.
If you want a good M series 50mm f1.7, it will cost around $60. A series costs more, but it also has more convenience. Similar/same IQ. The good thing with lenses near 50mm is that they are almost all good, as long as they are maintained properly.
You can also buy the Horus Bennu 50mm f1.7, which is actually brand new, but still only costs around $60. And apparently its not a bad lens, has some character. Or the Zenitar M2s 50mm f2.0, also brand new and cheap and K mount. Fully manual. Quality not guaranteed, but according to reviews it not terrible.

I would still recommend an M series 50mm f1.7. It is such a classic. The f1.4 is more expensive and not significantly better, only bigger aperture. The f2.0 should be much cheaper, but its not as good. Still better than kit lens, though.

[Sagitta]

If you want a cheap 50mm, look at the old bodies for sale (Sears, Ricoh and Pentax) and find one that has a 50mm slapped on as a placeholder for the camera someone's trying to unload for $10 - $15. If you get really lucky you could wind up with other lenses tossed in (usually winds up being a 135mm or an 80-200mm) as well as documentation, etc that rarely comes with the lens on its own.

I managed to get myself a Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 that way for about $12. Mind you, I was very, very, verrrrry lucky, but such situations can arise.

[aaronjamesgray]

I second Sagitta's post. I know here in Indianapolis, people post K1000s with M 50mm lenses attached all the time for like... $20-$50 on craigslist. I don't know if you have a similar site to craigslist in the Philippines.. some sort of free online classified system. If you do, you should watch it. They're bound to pop up.

[rp_dxn]

Craiglist-Like store in the Philippines isnt that reliable/accurate in terms of description. The word "Clean" seems to be plaqued with dust. hehe