[vonBaloney]

Pentax-FA 100-300mm f/4.7-5.8 (the silver "better" one) -- $75 + $13 shipping/insurance (USA)

Film-era full-frame telephoto zoom.

Reviews:
SMC Pentax-FA 100-300mm F4.7-5.8 Reviews - FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

As pointed out in the reviews, this images from this lens are surprisingly high-quality for a "consumer zoom". A bit slow, but it is a nice sharp lens, and just as good at 300mm as some 300 (slow) primes I've used. Features good old reliable screw-drive AF! It is also very lightweight for its range, easy to carry in your bag for some extra reach. Drawbacks are rotating front barrel which makes polarizer use a pain, also front glass is barely recessed so really needs a hood for both flare and protection. I found a hood I like, but am keeping it since I use it on several lenses. (Filter threads are 58mm.) I recommend you find one, put it on and leave it on. (Something where you can put a cap over the hood if possible.) Comes with rear cap. I don't have a front cap, I'll include an old filter as lens cap. (Not pictured.) I really like this lens, but am gearing up to get the new HD 55-300 WR as I am moving to a new place where I'll really want the weather-sealing.

Condition-wise, a few minor scratches and scuffs to body here and there. But operation perfect, glass perfect, no internal dust to speak of, works great. I'd like to charge more, but the market dictates. It really is an outrageous bargain for the quality.










Payment is to be via PayPal, shipped to your PayPal verified address! Denver locals are welcome to come over in-person and pay cash. USA buyer preferred, but international ok with forum track record/feedback and if I have good vibes. The 18-250 must be shipped tracked/insured (and will require a signature for delivery), so won't be cheap outside US. Inquire for quote.

Thanks for looking! PM if interested.


[Leaving below portion for reference]

Pentax-DA 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 ED AL (IF) -- $250 + $15 shipping/insurance (USA) SOLD!

Super-zoom! In great condition, VERY lightly used, basically like new -- the hood has got a few marks on it, that's it. Glass perfect, everything perfect.

Reviews:
SMC Pentax-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF] Reviews - DA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

My own notes on this lens are that I love it. I used it (not this copy, but another much more well-used one that I'm keeping) as pretty much my only lens for several years over several Pentax bodies starting with the K10D through the K-5. LBA bit me eventually, but this is still my primary all-around go to lens. I love that the minimum focus distance is only about a foot throughout the entire zoom range. However, that does come with a price -- since this is an internal focusing model the long end of "250mm" is a bit of cheat. You only get true 250mm at infinity or close to it. At close to middle distances it tops out at more like 180mm.

It does zoom creep easily. On my copy, I solved that with a "Lensband" (fancy rubber band) and haven't thought about it since. (It does have a lock to keep it closed also.) AF is screw-drive, so a bit noisy but reliable.

Prices have really come down on this model (used to be $400 easy, even used), probably due to new competing super-zooms, but still a great performer.

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Last edited by vonBaloney; 01-11-2014 at 11:36 AM.

[grahame]

cannot believe the 18-250 is still here. I would have taken it if I don't have the 18-200, although I know I will use primes in 95% of time. in case carrying multiple lenses or changing lenses are difficult, this is the lens to go!
I had the tamron version of 18-250, and can confirm it is much better than 18-200. SMC should make it even better than Tamron's.

[akomlik]

I'm buying it. Exchanging PM's with the seller.

cannot believe the 18-250 is still here. I would have taken it if I don't have the 18-200, although I know I will use primes in 95% of time. in case carrying multiple lenses or changing lenses are difficult, this is the lens to go!
I had the tamron version of 18-250, and can confirm it is much better than 18-200. SMC should make it even better than Tamron's.

[vonBaloney]

Yes. Sale pending.

---------- Post added 01-07-14 at 12:30 PM ----------

Nevermind! No sales pending -- both still available!

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Last edited by vonBaloney; 01-08-2014 at 03:43 PM.

[vonBaloney]

bump!

[bru-in]

Does it (18-250) come with everything...lens caps front and back, hood, box, case...maybe a UV filter too?

[vonBaloney]

Does it (18-250) come with everything...lens caps front and back, hood, box, case...maybe a UV filter too?

Just as shown. It has caps, hood. No original box, although I probably have one from my own personal copy in the closet somewhere if you really want a matching cardboard box. (I bought this one as part of kit of other stuff, but I've got one already.) It never came with a pouch/case. No filter.

[bru-in]

I'm interested but I can't send you a private message because I'm too new to the forums. If you can send me one with your email you can tell me how to purchase the 18-250mm. Thank you sir.

---------- Post added 01-11-14 at 11:32 AM ----------

Just another question. I read there was a Pentax lens 18-2XX in WR somewhere. I can't seem to find reference to that now that I look for it. Was it this particular lens or perhaps another Pentax lens that I was thinking of? Thanks again.

---------- Post added 01-11-14 at 11:35 AM ----------

Disregard my last question, the lens that is WR is DA 50-200mm f/4-5.6 ED WR, totally different from the 18-2XX's.

[vonBaloney]

I'm interested but I can't send you a private message because I'm too new to the forums. If you can send me one with your email you can tell me how to purchase the 18-250mm. Thank you sir.

I will try to send message. Hopefully you can reply. If not, make another post or two...

[GearHead]

If you would, please, add a little clarification - I don't understand your statement:
"...since this is an internal focusing model the long end of "250mm" is a bit of cheat. You only get true 250mm at infinity or close to it. At close to middle distances it tops out at more like 180mm"

What does that mean? Are you saying that this lens won't go to 250mm and stops at 180mm when focusing closer than infinity?

Thanks.

[bru-in]

I will try to send message. Hopefully you can reply. If not, make another post or two...

Ok sent you a few IM's...I'll await your notification and check paypal for the bill receipt you spoke of. I hope you received my messages in reply with the paypal email I use. Thanks for everything.

[vonBaloney]

SOLD: 18-250mm.

FA 100-300 still available!

GearHead on your question: this is an "internal focusing" model and one that has the ability for fairly close-focusing. There are some trade-offs for this (that are fairly common with IF zooms) in that the listed specs actually only apply when the lens is focused at infinity. So if the lens is at infinity, you'll get the true 250mm reach like you'd get with a 250mm prime. (If there were many of those, just pretend.) But if you're focused on something 10ft away, that subject won't be as magnified as it would be with a 250mm prime, more like a 180mm-200mm prime (the 180mm is a ballpark number by me based on observation, not rigorous tests). And then you have it zoomed all the way and are focusing only a foot away (which you can do with this lens, and would not with any normal 250mm prime), I'm not sure what the true FOV is. So those are the trade-offs for its all-in-one super-zoom capability, whereas for instance the 100-300mm I also have for sale here is a true telephoto always (but with a minimum focusing distance of 5 ft or so) and if you set it at 300mm you'll get true 300mm magnification anywhere in the focusing range...

[GearHead]

Thanks for the excellent explanation.
Best Regards,
Matt

[vonBaloney]

bump! FA 100-300mm still available...

[vonBaloney]

bump for the FA 100-300!

---------- Post added 01-17-14 at 12:24 PM ----------

sold!

---------- Post added 01-17-14 at 12:25 PM ----------

sold!