A Used Pentax FA 200 Macro sells for $3,500

Samsungian · 03-13-2009, 06:30 PM

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I think this is pentax related news, not a rumor, just a fact.

I follow prices on lots of equiptment, various brands and was just clearing out some old bookmarks. Check this out, I had no clue this used FA 200mm f4 macro sold for $3,500:

Pentax FA* 200mm f/4.0 Macro IF ED Lens 200 f4.0 f4 SMC - eBay (item 260366900172 end time Feb-23-09 08:56:28 PST)

cheesehead · 03-13-2009, 07:06 PM

Somebody has WAY too much disposable income!

If you're gonna blow that much money, at least use it to buy something that has a FF digital back, like Canon or Nikon! Don't buy Pentax, no!

People like this, running up the price of Pentax lenses, are making my LBA way too expensive!

falconeye · 03-13-2009, 07:28 PM

I'm not sure the buyer was crazy. Maybe, he was.

But this was a fixed asking price, not a price-battle at auction end!

So, there must have been a reason to ask $3500 for a used FA*200/4. How much was this lens when new? What was so special with this lens?

In Pentax Lens Review Database - 200mm F4 Macro ED [IF], Marc Langille says:

"There are reports that the lens mount or an adapter was used to allow it to be mounted to either Canon or Nikon bodies. [...] The FA* 200/4 macro is quite possibly the pinnacle of Pentax optical engineering [...]"

It got a 10/10.

Ah. And it was $1500 when new! So, why didn't I buy one when production stopped in 2004?

vinzer · 03-13-2009, 07:28 PM

The one who bought that must really be loaded and desperate to complete his/her collection. Well, it's his/her money, so it's all good. I just wish I had that kind of money, too, to invest in a boatload of other lenses instead.

Not Registered · 03-13-2009, 07:42 PM

Uhmmm,

Nikon d300+ Nikon 200 f4 micro 2800-3000 USD new

Canon 50d+ Canon 180 f3.5 macro even cheaper

Did somebody said overpriced?

whatever7 · 03-13-2009, 07:45 PM

Isn't the Pentax-A version the superior one?

**monochrome** · 03-13-2009, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by whatever7

Isn't the Pentax-A version the superior one?

Given recent sales of other uncommon * lenses such as the FA* 250~600 and the F*300 (even some sales here), I wouldn't call the price totally out of line for a spotless example - but this lens has cosmetic flaws. It is not a collector-quality example. Buyer overpaid for a user-quality lens.

The Asahi Optical Historical Club considers the "A" version one of a very few Pentax Masterpieces.

Masterpieces

1981 - SMC Pentax-M* 300mm f/4 lens
An outstanding lens, which equalled or surpassed in optical and mechanical quality, compactness and handling its best competitors of that era.

1984 - SMC Pentax-A* 85mm f/1.4 lens
An outstanding lens, which equalled or surpassed in optical and mechanical quality and handling all best competitors of that era.

1984 - SMC Pentax-A* 135mm f/1.8 lens
An outstanding lens, which equalled or surpassed in optical and mechanical quality and handling all best competitors of that era.

1986 - SMC Pentax-F* 300mm f/4.5 lens
An outstanding lens, which equalled or surpassed in optical and mechanical quality, compactness and handling all best competitors.

1989 - SMC Pentax-A* 200mm f/4 Macro lens
An outstanding lens, which surpassed in optical and mechanical quality all best competitors.

Last edited by monochrome; 03-13-2009 at 08:01 PM.

falconeye · 03-13-2009, 08:43 PM

Originally posted by whatever7

Isn't the Pentax-A version the superior one?

Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount Page says:

A*200/4 macro (10 elements in 9 groups): Availability used, several times a year.
FA*200/4 macro (12 elements in 9 groups): Availability used, once in several years.

So, given the fact that life is finite, the buyer seized his chance

Jesus · 03-13-2009, 09:28 PM

Pentax FA*300mm F2.8

is this a good deal ?

**Hannican** · 03-13-2009, 09:52 PM

That same lens is listed here in the marketplace... same seller too. Don't have to go to Craigslist to get it

m8o · 03-13-2009, 10:31 PM

I'm seriously happy w/the results from the Pentax 1.7X AF TC on my Voigtlander 125/2.5 to give me a 212/4.5, saving me thousands and thousands of dollars

leadbelly · 03-13-2009, 11:44 PM

Wow, while a fellow Pentaxian here in the Philippines got an FA* 200/4 macro (in great condition!) for the grand price of... $100... maybe I can convince him to sell it to me for $150?

creampuff · 03-14-2009, 03:33 AM

It is priced so high because it is so rare but also for the stunning optical quality. Better than the A version imo.

http://www.popphoto.com/assets/download/782003105428.pdf

**Douglas_of_Sweden** · 03-14-2009, 05:44 AM

I'm not surprised that the FA*200/4 macro sells for such price. I have never had the pleasure to use one, but what I understand the A/FA*200 macros are so wanted by macro shooters because they have a very unique ability to isolate the motive by turning any sort of background into a smooth OOF.

It is just a pity that Pentax today does not complete their macro serie DA35, DFA50 and DFA100 with a DFA200 version of this lens. I think it could bring some well known pro nature photographers back to Pentax or make them get a K20D+DFA200 as a second system, which would bring Pentax much credit and a bit of fame.

Originally posted by monochrome

1984 - SMC Pentax-A* 135mm f/1.8 lens
An outstanding lens, which equalled or surpassed in optical and mechanical quality and handling all best competitors of that era.

This beast sold for over 2000 Euro last year. After the economical troubles the asked price seams to be more like 1500 Euro. Still this is about twice as much as the A*85/1.4. Like falconeye points out for the A*200 and FA*200, the difference is that the A*85 is on the market several times per year, while the A*135 is maybe sold ones per year. Makes a difference when collectors are buying.

I just hope this 200 macro does not end up on a collectors shelf. That would be a pity. Such a lens should be used. It would be more or less a criminal act in my eyes to leave it on a shelf.

Albert Siegel · 03-14-2009, 08:48 AM

I know the seller (a friend in Japan) and the lens was sold to someone who does plan to use it for work. The buyer was very impressed with the lens. Said it was worth every penny to him. I can't see myself paying that much for that lens, but then again I don't thnk the A* version is worth what most people ask for it.

03-13-2009, 06:30 PM	#1
Samsungian Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado USA Posts: 1,337	A Used Pentax FA 200 Macro sells for $3,500 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. I think this is pentax related news, not a rumor, just a fact. I follow prices on lots of equiptment, various brands and was just clearing out some old bookmarks. Check this out, I had no clue this used FA 200mm f4 macro sold for $3,500: Pentax FA* 200mm f/4.0 Macro IF ED Lens 200 f4.0 f4 SMC - eBay (item 260366900172 end time Feb-23-09 08:56:28 PST)

03-13-2009, 07:28 PM	#3
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	I'm not sure the buyer was crazy. Maybe, he was. But this was a fixed asking price, not a price-battle at auction end! So, there must have been a reason to ask $3500 for a used FA200/4. How much was this lens when new? What was so special with this lens? In Pentax Lens Review Database - 200mm F4 Macro ED [IF], Marc Langille says: "There are reports that the lens mount or an adapter was used to allow it to be mounted to either Canon or Nikon bodies. [...] The FA 200/4 macro is quite possibly the pinnacle of Pentax optical engineering [...]" It got a 10/10. Ah. And it was $1500 when new! So, why didn't I buy one when production stopped in 2004?

03-13-2009, 07:54 PM	#7
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	*SMC Pentax-A 200mm f/4 Macro lens** Originally posted by whatever7 Isn't the Pentax-A version the superior one? Given recent sales of other uncommon * lenses such as the FA* 250~600 and the F300 (even some sales here), I wouldn't call the price totally out of line for a spotless example - but this lens has cosmetic flaws. It is not a collector-quality example. Buyer overpaid for a user-quality lens. The Asahi Optical Historical Club considers the "A" version one of a very few Pentax Masterpieces. Masterpieces 1981 - SMC Pentax-M 300mm f/4 lens An outstanding lens, which equalled or surpassed in optical and mechanical quality, compactness and handling its best competitors of that era. 1984 - SMC Pentax-A* 85mm f/1.4 lens An outstanding lens, which equalled or surpassed in optical and mechanical quality and handling all best competitors of that era. 1984 - SMC Pentax-A* 135mm f/1.8 lens An outstanding lens, which equalled or surpassed in optical and mechanical quality and handling all best competitors of that era. 1986 - SMC Pentax-F* 300mm f/4.5 lens An outstanding lens, which equalled or surpassed in optical and mechanical quality, compactness and handling all best competitors. 1989 - SMC Pentax-A* 200mm f/4 Macro lens** An outstanding lens, which surpassed in optical and mechanical quality all best competitors. Last edited by monochrome; 03-13-2009 at 08:01 PM.

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03-13-2009, 07:06 PM	#2
cheesehead Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Western Wisconsin Posts: 26	Somebody has WAY too much disposable income! If you're gonna blow that much money, at least use it to buy something that has a FF digital back, like Canon or Nikon! Don't buy Pentax, no! People like this, running up the price of Pentax lenses, are making my LBA way too expensive!

03-13-2009, 07:28 PM	#4
vinzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Philippines Posts: 1,399	The one who bought that must really be loaded and desperate to complete his/her collection. Well, it's his/her money, so it's all good. I just wish I had that kind of money, too, to invest in a boatload of other lenses instead.

03-13-2009, 07:42 PM	#5
Not Registered Guest	Uhmmm, Nikon d300+ Nikon 200 f4 micro 2800-3000 USD new Canon 50d+ Canon 180 f3.5 macro even cheaper Did somebody said overpriced?

03-13-2009, 07:45 PM	#6
whatever7 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 278	Isn't the Pentax-A version the superior one?

03-13-2009, 08:43 PM	#8
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	Originally posted by whatever7 Isn't the Pentax-A version the superior one? Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount Page says: A200/4 macro (10 elements in 9 groups): Availability used, several times a year. FA200/4 macro (12 elements in 9 groups): Availability used, once in several years. So, given the fact that life is finite, the buyer seized his chance

03-13-2009, 09:28 PM	#9
Jesus Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sedona Az Posts: 216	Pentax FA*300mm F2.8 is this a good deal ?

03-13-2009, 09:52 PM	#10
Hannican Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 485	That same lens is listed here in the marketplace... same seller too. Don't have to go to Craigslist to get it

03-13-2009, 10:31 PM	#11
m8o Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: 40°-55'-44" N / 73°-24'-07" W [on LI] Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,092	I'm seriously happy w/the results from the Pentax 1.7X AF TC on my Voigtlander 125/2.5 to give me a 212/4.5, saving me thousands and thousands of dollars

03-13-2009, 11:44 PM	#12
leadbelly Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 597	Wow, while a fellow Pentaxian here in the Philippines got an FA* 200/4 macro (in great condition!) for the grand price of... $100... maybe I can convince him to sell it to me for $150?

03-14-2009, 03:33 AM	#13
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	It is priced so high because it is so rare but also for the stunning optical quality. Better than the A version imo. http://www.popphoto.com/assets/download/782003105428.pdf

03-14-2009, 05:44 AM	#14
Douglas_of_Sweden Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Stockholm Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,374	I'm not surprised that the FA200/4 macro sells for such price. I have never had the pleasure to use one, but what I understand the A/FA200 macros are so wanted by macro shooters because they have a very unique ability to isolate the motive by turning any sort of background into a smooth OOF. It is just a pity that Pentax today does not complete their macro serie DA35, DFA50 and DFA100 with a DFA200 version of this lens. I think it could bring some well known pro nature photographers back to Pentax or make them get a K20D+DFA200 as a second system, which would bring Pentax much credit and a bit of fame. Originally posted by monochrome *1984 - SMC Pentax-A 135mm f/1.8 lens** An outstanding lens, which equalled or surpassed in optical and mechanical quality and handling all best competitors of that era. This beast sold for over 2000 Euro last year. After the economical troubles the asked price seams to be more like 1500 Euro. Still this is about twice as much as the A85/1.4. Like falconeye points out for the A200 and FA200, the difference is that the A85 is on the market several times per year, while the A*135 is maybe sold ones per year. Makes a difference when collectors are buying. I just hope this 200 macro does not end up on a collectors shelf. That would be a pity. Such a lens should be used. It would be more or less a criminal act in my eyes to leave it on a shelf.

03-14-2009, 08:48 AM	#15
Albert Siegel Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tokyo Photos: Albums Posts: 372	I know the seller (a friend in Japan) and the lens was sold to someone who does plan to use it for work. The buyer was very impressed with the lens. Said it was worth every penny to him. I can't see myself paying that much for that lens, but then again I don't thnk the A* version is worth what most people ask for it.