For Sale - Sold: SMC Pentax-FA* 250-600mm F5.6 ED [IF]

**swip** · 12-14-2021, 08:26 AM - **1 Like**

I would have jumped on it if I have the fund.
But, adding some good pictures taken with this lens may convince buyers still sitting on the fence to go for it.

**tomkeet** · 12-14-2021, 01:09 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks Swip,
I'll just keep hoping and trying, would be nice to see some one get better use of the lens.

**Vaskebjorn** · 12-20-2021, 02:19 AM

Hi Tomkeet and Angerdan,

Due to some small issue called Brexit, do not forget the import tax and VAT. I think you have ro add another 30% or so to the price. Bringing it to EUR 5.500. That is a lot of money for undoubtedly a very good lens. I have been looking for something “long” for some time, but nothing in the EU for a price I might be willing to pay. So for the rime being i am probably sticking to my 300mm (and see what comes up).

Originally posted by angerdan

I'm sure many want the lens, but well-founded interest may be lower.
Another reason could be the geographically and politically isolated location of the lens for potential buyers, who like to test or pick up the lens in person.

£3550 are 4160€. In 2003 the MSRP was 8999€. So the used price is 46% of the original MSRP.
An current offering of a FA* 400mm f5.6 copy is £1450 (1700€), where the used price is 94% of the original MSRP (1799€).

Knowing the effective average and minimum prices for the FA* 250-600mm, i can say this offer seems attractive.

angerdan · 12-20-2021, 04:33 AM

Originally posted by Vaskebjorn

Due to some small issue called Brexit, do not forget the import tax and VAT. I think you have ro add another 30% or so to the price. Bringing it to EUR 5.500.

That's sadly a true point.

**Ron Boggs** · 12-20-2021, 10:16 AM

After having wandering caribou come too close for the FA*600/4 in Denali and a rutty Pronghorn slip right next to my truck/blind and too close for the FA*600 I sprung for the FA* 250-600/5.6 and loved it for more than 20 years. The insane close focus minimum distance and the ability to zoom out for animals walking too close to me made this lens a gem. What many don't understand until shooting through this lens is that it's also got extreme landscape extraction capabilities...crisp 16"x20" prints...
Somebody will be a big winner! Buy this lens!

**tomkeet** · 12-22-2021, 03:17 AM

Originally posted by Ron Boggs

After having wandering caribou come too close for the FA*600/4 in Denali and a rutty Pronghorn slip right next to my truck/blind and too close for the FA*600 I sprung for the FA* 250-600/5.6 and loved it for more than 20 years. The insane close focus minimum distance and the ability to zoom out for animals walking too close to me made this lens a gem. What many don't understand until shooting through this lens is that it's also got extreme landscape extraction capabilities...crisp 16"x20" prints...
Somebody will be a big winner! Buy this lens!

Yes a very versatile lens.

**Weevil** · 12-22-2021, 10:28 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Ron Boggs

After having wandering caribou come too close for the FA*600/4 in Denali and a rutty Pronghorn slip right next to my truck/blind and too close for the FA*600 I sprung for the FA* 250-600/5.6 and loved it for more than 20 years. The insane close focus minimum distance and the ability to zoom out for animals walking too close to me made this lens a gem. What many don't understand until shooting through this lens is that it's also got extreme landscape extraction capabilities...crisp 16"x20" prints...
Somebody will be a big winner! Buy this lens!

Now you are reinforcing me to keep it no matter what

But since you've used both, can you talk about the effect of loss of one stop in those context ? To be frank, sometimes I'd like to have that margin, especially in the shadows, but I'd say 95% of the time, it wasn't really an issue with modern bodies that allows higher ISOs without much problem in IQ.

Here's an example of a shot I did at 12800 ISO the first time I got the K-1, pushing the body to the limits under low light with ISO 12800. Note that there was no sharpness or noise reduction (NR) applied on that one...

Renard roux / Red Fox [Vulpes vulpes]

**Ron Boggs** · 12-23-2021, 04:18 PM - **1 Like**

Regarding the "lost stop" difference with the 600/4, yes, in the film era it was a really big deal. Trying to shoot 50 or 100 speed films at dawn and dusk, even the 600/4 was quite challenging. Less of a deal with digi. Heck I even shoot an occasional shot at 400. Haven't ever tried to market anything shot at higher ISO than that...oh wait, I've sold a couple for publication at 1600 through the old K5-the noiseless one-but they were technical shots not artistic. Nowadays, a stop ain't much of a deal.

**tomkeet** · 12-24-2021, 05:38 AM - **1 Like**

Just a Couple of pictures from the 250-600.

shaolen · 01-06-2022, 06:52 AM - **1 Like**

Wow Ive never seen one of these for sale! I wish I was in the market for this. Best of luck!

---------- Post added 01-06-22 at 05:54 AM ----------

I would love to attach my Q7 to this

**tomkeet** · 01-06-2022, 07:03 AM

Originally posted by shaolen

Wow Ive never seen one of these for sale! I wish I was in the market for this. Best of luck!

---------- Post added 01-06-22 at 05:54 AM ----------

I would love to attach my Q7 to this

**Weevil** · 01-12-2022, 09:32 PM

FYI, there is a sample photos thread for this lens here: FA*250-600mm 5.6 samples - PentaxForums.com

(free bump)

**tomkeet** · 02-03-2022, 10:22 AM - **2 Likes**

Price Reduced SMC PENTAX-FA* 1:5.6 250-600mm ED[IF] £3400 plus P&P.
Hopefully temp some one

12-20-2021, 10:16 AM	#20
Ron Boggs Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MT Posts: 1,349 Feedback Score: 28 (100%)	Tremendous Lens! After having wandering caribou come too close for the FA600/4 in Denali and a rutty Pronghorn slip right next to my truck/blind and too close for the FA600 I sprung for the FA* 250-600/5.6 and loved it for more than 20 years. The insane close focus minimum distance and the ability to zoom out for animals walking too close to me made this lens a gem. What many don't understand until shooting through this lens is that it's also got extreme landscape extraction capabilities...crisp 16"x20" prints... Somebody will be a big winner! Buy this lens!

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12-14-2021, 08:26 AM - 1 Like	#16
swip Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 2,824 Feedback Score: 22 (100%)	I would have jumped on it if I have the fund. But, adding some good pictures taken with this lens may convince buyers still sitting on the fence to go for it.

12-14-2021, 01:09 PM - 1 Like	#17
tomkeet Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: County Durham Posts: 32 Feedback Score: 0 (0%) Original Poster	Thanks Swip, I'll just keep hoping and trying, would be nice to see some one get better use of the lens.

12-20-2021, 02:19 AM	#18
Vaskebjorn Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Almere, The Netherlands Posts: 1,671 Feedback Score: 0 (0%)	Hi Tomkeet and Angerdan, Due to some small issue called Brexit, do not forget the import tax and VAT. I think you have ro add another 30% or so to the price. Bringing it to EUR 5.500. That is a lot of money for undoubtedly a very good lens. I have been looking for something “long” for some time, but nothing in the EU for a price I might be willing to pay. So for the rime being i am probably sticking to my 300mm (and see what comes up). Originally posted by angerdan I'm sure many want the lens, but well-founded interest may be lower. Another reason could be the geographically and politically isolated location of the lens for potential buyers, who like to test or pick up the lens in person. £3550 are 4160€. In 2003 the MSRP was 8999€. So the used price is 46% of the original MSRP. An current offering of a FA* 400mm f5.6 copy is £1450 (1700€), where the used price is 94% of the original MSRP (1799€). Knowing the effective average and minimum prices for the FA* 250-600mm, i can say this offer seems attractive.

12-20-2021, 04:33 AM	#19
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 2,639 Feedback Score: 0 (0%)	Originally posted by Vaskebjorn Due to some small issue called Brexit, do not forget the import tax and VAT. I think you have ro add another 30% or so to the price. Bringing it to EUR 5.500. That's sadly a true point.

12-22-2021, 03:17 AM	#21
tomkeet Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: County Durham Posts: 32 Feedback Score: 0 (0%) Original Poster	Originally posted by Ron Boggs After having wandering caribou come too close for the FA600/4 in Denali and a rutty Pronghorn slip right next to my truck/blind and too close for the FA600 I sprung for the FA* 250-600/5.6 and loved it for more than 20 years. The insane close focus minimum distance and the ability to zoom out for animals walking too close to me made this lens a gem. What many don't understand until shooting through this lens is that it's also got extreme landscape extraction capabilities...crisp 16"x20" prints... Somebody will be a big winner! Buy this lens! Yes a very versatile lens.

12-22-2021, 10:28 AM - 2 Likes	#22
Weevil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Near Montréal, Québec Posts: 4,439 Feedback Score: 27 (100%)	Originally posted by Ron Boggs After having wandering caribou come too close for the FA600/4 in Denali and a rutty Pronghorn slip right next to my truck/blind and too close for the FA600 I sprung for the FA* 250-600/5.6 and loved it for more than 20 years. The insane close focus minimum distance and the ability to zoom out for animals walking too close to me made this lens a gem. What many don't understand until shooting through this lens is that it's also got extreme landscape extraction capabilities...crisp 16"x20" prints... Somebody will be a big winner! Buy this lens! Now you are reinforcing me to keep it no matter what But since you've used both, can you talk about the effect of loss of one stop in those context ? To be frank, sometimes I'd like to have that margin, especially in the shadows, but I'd say 95% of the time, it wasn't really an issue with modern bodies that allows higher ISOs without much problem in IQ. Here's an example of a shot I did at 12800 ISO the first time I got the K-1, pushing the body to the limits under low light with ISO 12800. Note that there was no sharpness or noise reduction (NR) applied on that one... Renard roux / Red Fox [Vulpes vulpes]

12-23-2021, 04:18 PM - 1 Like	#23
Ron Boggs Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MT Posts: 1,349 Feedback Score: 28 (100%)	Regarding the "lost stop" difference with the 600/4, yes, in the film era it was a really big deal. Trying to shoot 50 or 100 speed films at dawn and dusk, even the 600/4 was quite challenging. Less of a deal with digi. Heck I even shoot an occasional shot at 400. Haven't ever tried to market anything shot at higher ISO than that...oh wait, I've sold a couple for publication at 1600 through the old K5-the noiseless one-but they were technical shots not artistic. Nowadays, a stop ain't much of a deal.

01-06-2022, 06:52 AM - 1 Like	#25
shaolen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 1,047 Feedback Score: 32 (100%)	Wow Ive never seen one of these for sale! I wish I was in the market for this. Best of luck! ---------- Post added 01-06-22 at 05:54 AM ---------- I would love to attach my Q7 to this

01-06-2022, 07:03 AM	#26
tomkeet Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: County Durham Posts: 32 Feedback Score: 0 (0%) Original Poster	Originally posted by shaolen Wow Ive never seen one of these for sale! I wish I was in the market for this. Best of luck! ---------- Post added 01-06-22 at 05:54 AM ---------- I would love to attach my Q7 to this

01-12-2022, 09:32 PM	#27
Weevil Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Near Montréal, Québec Posts: 4,439 Feedback Score: 27 (100%)	FYI, there is a sample photos thread for this lens here: FA*250-600mm 5.6 samples - PentaxForums.com (free bump)

02-03-2022, 10:22 AM - 2 Likes	#28
tomkeet Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: County Durham Posts: 32 Feedback Score: 0 (0%) Original Poster	Price Reduced SMC PENTAX-FA* 1:5.6 250-600mm ED[IF] £3400 plus P&P. Hopefully temp some one

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