[nicolas1970i]

PentaxForums.com Marketplace Listing

Item for Sale
My FA*600/4 for a Sigma 500/4.5 APO EX DG + cash

Asking Price
n/a

Item Location
Paris (France)

Item Description
Hello,

I am willing to sacrifice optical quality (as well as bragging rights ) and "downgrade" for the sake of better portability, so I am offering my Pentax FA*600/4 for trade against a Sigma 500/4.5 EX DG and some cash adjustment in my favor.

I will take pictures of the lens soon and will post them asap.
It is in perfect mechanical condition, everything works exactly as it should. It has been serviced last year in Japan and thoroughly cleaned and tested (I sent it in because of some internal dust that worried me) - the glass now looks crystal clear
Cosmetically it has some signs of usage on the barrel, a few lights rub marks and scratches here and there but nothing major. The only noticeable flaw is a very small blot on one of the blades (like a little of the coating is missing).

I haven't had to adjust the AF on my K-5 when using it, no matter the distance to the subject.

It comes complete with original tripod collar, original aluminium case (it looks like the previous owner removed what was inside and replaced it with cut-out foam), original Pentax 150mm front filter, set of six drop-in filters in their sleeve, original carrying strap, Pentax rear cap and a LensCoat neoprene hood at the front.

At this point I think a swap would have to happen face to face, I'm willing to travel a reasonable distance within Europe - it may well work out cheaper than paying for insured shipping both ways.

This is the lens Clinton would have bought from me if only I had managed to find a second-hand Sigma for sale. Therefore, I would also consider selling the FA*600/4 outright if you make me a crazy enough offer and I can go buy a Sigma 500/4.5 from new

Thanks in advance.

Nick

Are you the original owner of the item being sold?
No

Are you selling or trading this item?
Trading

Item Condition (Key)
Fair

Shipping Destinations
Europe Only

Shipping Charge
see above

Shipping Services
see above

Accepted Payment Types
Other (Elaborate)

Return Policy & Additional Details
See above

Please send me a private message if interested in the item!

---

Last edited by nicolas1970i; 11-30-2011 at 11:18 AM. Reason: photos added

[Clinton]

Good luck on the sale Nick. I'm sure someone nearby you will figure out how to make the trade go.

Let the feeding frenzy begin!

[Heie]

I'm very tempted to buy the Sigma 500/4.5 just to trade it! Especially since living in Germany I am only a train ride away!

Good luck to you. I envy the one that trades with you.

-Heie

[nicolas1970i]

Thanks for your support Clint!

Heie, as long as I can find a Sigma 500/4.5 somewhere, I'm very happy to sell the FA* straight. It's just that second-hand Sigmas are very hard to come by, and new ones cost quite a bit (I usually never buy any lens new), I'd have to sell the FA* at a fairly steep price to make me want to make the trade. Incidentally, I think the cheapest new Sigmas for sale in Europe are in Germany - 4.300€ if I remember correctly.
And if a North American member soon to visit Europe would catch my drift, they're even cheaper over there ($5000)

---------- Post added 11-30-2011 at 07:21 PM ----------

OK, I've added some pics - they're far from the beautiful product shots this lens deserves but at least they give a fairly good idea of its cosmetic condition.
Also, I forgot that the original 150mm front filter is included too, it's in the description now.

[panoguy]

Crazy beautiful giant lens! I hope you find a european trade.

However, do I see that beast being held up with a Wimberley Sidekick!??

[cmohr]

Beautiful lens, someones going to be happy.


I did see a Sigma 500 out of Hong Kong, from ruff coversion USD to Euro was about 3500.00.

[Clinton]

I love the shot down the length of the lens. I could stare at that for hours...

[nicolas1970i]

However, do I see that beast being held up with a Wimberley Sidekick!??

Worse, it's actually a copy of the Sidekick, made by Induro.

I've tried different gimbal heads with that one, Manfrotto 393, Jobu Jr. 2, an indian entry-level gimbal, and that Sidekick. The Manfrotto is probably the safest feeling, sturdiest etc... but way too heavy in the end (1.5kg) : it would have been used exclusively when transporting everything by car etc... The other three, I didn't find any difference in the (in)stability they were giving me, but to me the weak point was at the junction between head and tripod, and head and lens. It also feels like there's an inherent elasticity to the different elements which results in the whole thing being able to twist under the strain - it's not really possible to maintain everything completely still. I'd be surprised if you could achieve complete stillness even with a Wimberley, unless the tripod and head weighted a ton. At the end, I think it's best to keep a hand over the barrel of the lens, to dampen vibrations, the rest of the movements not being too bothering as it's low frequency and not very fast. The previous owner achieved fantastic shots of bee-eaters, with a Wimberley but on a "modest" tripod (Manfrotto 055XPROB), and mirror lock-up. My friend has used it directly on a monopod (!), and liked it.

So I kept the "sidekick" because it was the lightest, and I could leave the ballhead permanently on my tripod no matter what I'd be using it for.

---------- Post added 12-01-2011 at 05:39 PM ----------

I did see a Sigma 500 out of Hong Kong, from ruff coversion USD to Euro was about 3500.00.

Interesting, I'm going to SE Asia in January (and would love to have the 500/4.5 by then!) - probably Vietnam or Thailand - but I doubt I'd be stopping in HK; if I don't get a non-stop flight I'm more likely to fly through KL.

[cmohr]

Interesting, I'm going to SE Asia in January (and would love to have the 500/4.5 by then!) - probably Vietnam or Thailand - but I doubt I'd be stopping in HK; if I don't get a non-stop flight I'm more likely to fly through KL.

Bit risky going on the chance of getting one, but if you organised purchase before, then a pickup somewhere that would be sweet. Don't know if I'd like to travel with a 500 of that size tho,

Vietnam is the go I say, Holong Bay in the north is one amazing place, and the photo possibilities are endless. Then just pop over to SiamReap in Cambodia for a quick round of Tombraiding all the "Wats" 10mm lens country tho.

[eljaco]

I have only a Tamron 500mm to offer : if portability is your main focus, well, maybe you should consider it
Good luck with that sell/trade Nicolas!

[nicolas1970i]

I have only a Tamron 500mm to offer : if portability is your main focus, well, maybe you should consider it
Good luck with that sell/trade Nicolas!

Mind you, with my skills is not even guaranteed that I would achieve better results with the Sigma than the Tamron mirror lens

---------- Post added 12-02-2011 at 05:19 PM ----------

....

Thanks for the advice!
This time however I'm only going for a tour of 4-5 National Parks, and to "bird my eyes out" as a long-time South African guide of mine would say.
So 500mm is more what's needed, if I can't find the 500/4.5 I'll take the Sigma 300/2.8 and converters, but I'll also bring the DA 12-24

[zapp]

Well, how much?

[nicolas1970i]

I don't have a fixed price for the FA*600, but I have a clear idea of how much cash I would like to get from the swap - anyone interested in the trade can PM me for details. As soon as I see a second-hand Sigma for sale I'll know what to offer the FA* outright for. I posted in the form of a swap offer because I thought owners of the Sigma might be less reluctant to sell their lens if they have a chance to "upgrade" - otherwise I have to wait for people switching systems probably.
At the moment I have bids at 4500€ for it, and I'd let it go now for 6300€, so something in the midle could be worked out.

[swip]

Gee, that lens doen't look that big
I wish I have that kind of cash right now!

[nicolas1970i]

Bump.