Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

gifthorse · 03-30-2016, 12:23 PM - **2 Likes**

I went to an annual rummage sale a few weeks ago. I made a beeline to the electronics/camera section, and getting a late start, had little hope of finding any good legacy lenses. There was some Canikon stuff. An Olympus P&S. Then at the end of the table, buried under a pile of computer wiring and cables I spotted a film camera with what from a distance looked like a Pentax F35-70. Not a bad lens but I already have one. So I dig out the camera, a Pentax SF1. I turned it over and the lens is a SMC F50 1.7. Rather grubby and looking through the viewfinder, the lens doesn't seem to focus. The camera has no batteries so manual focus is all I can check. The focusing ring turns and the focus changes slightly but it won't focus to infinity. The blades seem to work smoothly and there's no obvious damage to the lens but it won't focus. So the conversation goes something like this...
Me: "How much for this camera and lens"?
Seller: "Is that a film camera?"
Me: "Uh...yeah."
Seller: "Oh...three dollars."
Me: "Heck, we're in Reno. I'll gamble three bucks."
I got the camera and lens home, cleaned up the lens and stuck it on the K5ii.....

I'm on pins and needles waiting for the weather to clear so I can go try it at night.

(There was a $3 entry fee to the rummage sale so the lens actually cost me $6 in total.)

pathdoc · 03-30-2016, 12:29 PM

Originally posted by gifthorse

The camera has no batteries so manual focus is all I can check.

This is why I take my K-5 with me when I think I might be buying lenses.

Great find. I won't tell you what I thought when I finished reading your post because it would probably get censored and earn me a language warning, but it was complimentary!

Going by the airplane, infinity focus seems not to have been a problem after all.

**jatrax** · 03-30-2016, 01:00 PM

Originally posted by gifthorse

(There was a $3 entry fee to the rummage sale so the lens actually cost me $6 in total.)

I think you did OK.

Wolfeye · 03-30-2016, 01:46 PM

Sorry to hear about your low-performing lens.

I offer 25 Quatloos if you'd like to rid yourself of it!

**c.a.m** · 03-30-2016, 02:04 PM

Gee, 3 dollars? Why didn't you haggle?

Great find!

a5m · 03-30-2016, 02:42 PM

Great find! Considering you got the SF1 with it as well the lens was basically free.

I have yet to have such an experience myself but I can definitely share the feeling. I also agree with pathdoc; it seems to be working just fine

.

**MJSfoto1956** · 03-30-2016, 02:50 PM

don't forget: if you sell that SF1 for $5 you'll owe the IRS tax on $2 income! :P

Michael

**sholtzma** · 03-30-2016, 02:57 PM

I think you overpaid. ;-P But I'd like to do you a favor and take it off your hands for $7. That would be a large percentage of profit for you....

bertwert · 03-30-2016, 03:00 PM

Great deal!

**mwilky55** · 03-30-2016, 05:37 PM

Originally posted by gifthorse

I went to an annual rummage sale a few weeks ago. I made a beeline to the electronics/camera section, and getting a late start, had little hope of finding any good legacy lenses. There was some Canikon stuff. An Olympus P&S. Then at the end of the table, buried under a pile of computer wiring and cables I spotted a film camera with what from a distance looked like a Pentax F35-70. Not a bad lens but I already have one. So I dig out the camera, a Pentax SF1. I turned it over and the lens is a SMC F50 1.7. Rather grubby and looking through the viewfinder, the lens doesn't seem to focus. The camera has no batteries so manual focus is all I can check. The focusing ring turns and the focus changes slightly but it won't focus to infinity. The blades seem to work smoothly and there's no obvious damage to the lens but it won't focus. So the conversation goes something like this...
Me: "How much for this camera and lens"?
Seller: "Is that a film camera?"
Me: "Uh...yeah."
Seller: "Oh...three dollars."
Me: "Heck, we're in Reno. I'll gamble three bucks."
I got the camera and lens home, cleaned up the lens and stuck it on the K5ii.....

I'm on pins and needles waiting for the weather to clear so I can go try it at night.

(There was a $3 entry fee to the rummage sale so the lens actually cost me $6 in total.)

I really like my 50 1.7......I'd buy 10 more if I could get 'em for $6 a pop

Nice find!

foto guy · 03-30-2016, 06:46 PM

What a sweet deal!

wissink · 03-30-2016, 06:47 PM - **1 Like**

Sheesh I just got mine for $140 CAD. Which is pretty close to $6 USD.

pathdoc · 03-31-2016, 01:09 AM

Originally posted by wissink

Sheesh I just got mine for $140 CAD. Which is pretty close to $6 USD.

03-30-2016, 12:23 PM - 2 Likes	#1
gifthorse Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Nevada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,949	Oh...three dollars. I went to an annual rummage sale a few weeks ago. I made a beeline to the electronics/camera section, and getting a late start, had little hope of finding any good legacy lenses. There was some Canikon stuff. An Olympus P&S. Then at the end of the table, buried under a pile of computer wiring and cables I spotted a film camera with what from a distance looked like a Pentax F35-70. Not a bad lens but I already have one. So I dig out the camera, a Pentax SF1. I turned it over and the lens is a SMC F50 1.7. Rather grubby and looking through the viewfinder, the lens doesn't seem to focus. The camera has no batteries so manual focus is all I can check. The focusing ring turns and the focus changes slightly but it won't focus to infinity. The blades seem to work smoothly and there's no obvious damage to the lens but it won't focus. So the conversation goes something like this... Me: "How much for this camera and lens"? Seller: "Is that a film camera?" Me: "Uh...yeah." Seller: "Oh...three dollars." Me: "Heck, we're in Reno. I'll gamble three bucks." I got the camera and lens home, cleaned up the lens and stuck it on the K5ii..... I'm on pins and needles waiting for the weather to clear so I can go try it at night. (There was a $3 entry fee to the rummage sale so the lens actually cost me $6 in total.)

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03-30-2016, 12:29 PM	#2
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by gifthorse The camera has no batteries so manual focus is all I can check. This is why I take my K-5 with me when I think I might be buying lenses. Great find. I won't tell you what I thought when I finished reading your post because it would probably get censored and earn me a language warning, but it was complimentary! Going by the airplane, infinity focus seems not to have been a problem after all.

03-30-2016, 01:00 PM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by gifthorse (There was a $3 entry fee to the rummage sale so the lens actually cost me $6 in total.) I think you did OK.

03-30-2016, 01:46 PM	#4
Wolfeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 782	Sorry to hear about your low-performing lens. I offer 25 Quatloos if you'd like to rid yourself of it!

03-30-2016, 02:04 PM	#5
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,193	Gee, 3 dollars? Why didn't you haggle? Great find!

03-30-2016, 02:42 PM	#6
a5m Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 576	Great find! Considering you got the SF1 with it as well the lens was basically free. I have yet to have such an experience myself but I can definitely share the feeling. I also agree with pathdoc; it seems to be working just fine .

03-30-2016, 02:50 PM	#7
MJSfoto1956 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Boston Posts: 1,305	don't forget: if you sell that SF1 for $5 you'll owe the IRS tax on $2 income! :P Michael

03-30-2016, 02:57 PM	#8
sholtzma Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Salisbury, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,043	I think you overpaid. ;-P But I'd like to do you a favor and take it off your hands for $7. That would be a large percentage of profit for you....

03-30-2016, 03:00 PM	#9
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	Great deal!

03-30-2016, 05:37 PM	#10
mwilky55 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southeastern Connecticut Photos: Albums Posts: 816	Originally posted by gifthorse I went to an annual rummage sale a few weeks ago. I made a beeline to the electronics/camera section, and getting a late start, had little hope of finding any good legacy lenses. There was some Canikon stuff. An Olympus P&S. Then at the end of the table, buried under a pile of computer wiring and cables I spotted a film camera with what from a distance looked like a Pentax F35-70. Not a bad lens but I already have one. So I dig out the camera, a Pentax SF1. I turned it over and the lens is a SMC F50 1.7. Rather grubby and looking through the viewfinder, the lens doesn't seem to focus. The camera has no batteries so manual focus is all I can check. The focusing ring turns and the focus changes slightly but it won't focus to infinity. The blades seem to work smoothly and there's no obvious damage to the lens but it won't focus. So the conversation goes something like this... Me: "How much for this camera and lens"? Seller: "Is that a film camera?" Me: "Uh...yeah." Seller: "Oh...three dollars." Me: "Heck, we're in Reno. I'll gamble three bucks." I got the camera and lens home, cleaned up the lens and stuck it on the K5ii..... I'm on pins and needles waiting for the weather to clear so I can go try it at night. (There was a $3 entry fee to the rummage sale so the lens actually cost me $6 in total.) I really like my 50 1.7......I'd buy 10 more if I could get 'em for $6 a pop Nice find!

03-30-2016, 06:46 PM	#11
foto guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vernon, Connecticut Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 292	What a sweet deal!

03-30-2016, 06:47 PM - 1 Like	#12
wissink Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: S-ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 609	Sheesh I just got mine for $140 CAD. Which is pretty close to $6 USD.

03-31-2016, 01:09 AM	#13
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Originally posted by wissink Sheesh I just got mine for $140 CAD. Which is pretty close to $6 USD.