[Chris_K]

I'm in; hard decision about the lens but I guess I'll go with the Tamron SP 90 Macro. Besides, that's the closest to the 85 that I can get

[Minimonster]

I'm in. I've got the DA 21 limited, the D FA 50/2.8 macro and the Tamron 90/2.5 macro lined up for the next few months. Not necessarily in that order. I might match up with Chris for another month...

[Chris_K]

I might match up with Chris for another month...

Great!

[pepperberry farm]

looks like several 90mm lenses are lined up for October...

[W412ren]

Hello again

I've packed a lot in in my two months away but I'm now ready to return. All this talk of 85 is good but I only have the one and the A*85 was singled in March '19 - but it could come out to play again...... nope!!!

Somewhere amongst all the other stuff in my life I found to the time to make an "accidental" lens purchase of a particular model that has intrigued me for years now. They usually seem to be a fixed price from Japan but this one was in an auction

So I am now the proud and pretty excited owner of this which probably should be singled in October

[garywakeling]

Hello again

I've packed a lot in in my two months away but I'm now ready to return. All this talk of 85 is good but I only have the one and the A*85 was singled in March '19 - but it could come out to play again...... nope!!!

Somewhere amongst all the other stuff in my life I found to the time to make an "accidental" lens purchase of a particular model that has intrigued me for years now. They usually seem to be a fixed price from Japan but this one was in an auction

So I am now the proud and pretty excited owner of this which probably should be singled in October

ooh nice I might join you

[W412ren]

I love the power zoom - its just great! One touch zoom and focus - why does the modern suff not have this?

[garywakeling]

I love the power zoom - its just great! One touch zoom and focus - why does the modern suff not have this?

They took over the power contacts for focusing power rather than zooming

[Cerebum]

I think I am going to pass on sic and daily in next month. I want to do some random stuff, particularly infrared. I want to sic my auto Yashinon so that may be novembers

[womble]

I haven't had a chance to give my K150/4 a workout since it arrived from Japan. Should make an interesting contrast to the K35/2.

Kris.

[Minimonster]

I haven't had a chance to give my K150/4 a workout since it arrived from Japan. Should make an interesting contrast to the K35/2.

Kris.

How did you find the buying experience from Japan? What were the import duties like? I've always been tempted but then put off by the complexities of the process.

[babywriter]

Bought a Pentax-F 50mm f/1.7 today at a local shop, so that will be my lens for October.

[pepperberry farm]

going to go with the 90mm crowd for October - my Soligor C/D Macro MC 90/2.5 needs a running-in....

[womble]

How did you find the buying experience from Japan? What were the import duties like? I've always been tempted but then put off by the complexities of the process.

Wasn't too bad. The lens was a good price even factoring the charges and postage. In the UK that worked out to £8 handling fee and 20% VAT. The Post Office put a card through the letterbox with the cost, I paid online, and two days later they delivered it.

The main problem with stuff from Japan is (a) a lot of it is hugely expensive and (b) "great condition, only has a chip in the front element and fungus..." But, unfortunately, much of the more unusual gear only seems available from there. If you can find what you are after for the right price factoring in the extra costs, it's not complicated.

[garywakeling]

I have purchased from Japan often and as long as you examine the description closely and really look at all the photos there are normally no surprises, they do tend to pack well for shipping, then again, they are almost close to Australia