[GibbyTheMole]

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Hi.

I'm looking for an auto or manual focus K-mount zoom with a minimum focal length of no more than 200mm & maximum focal length of no less than 400mm.

In other words, a 100-400mm, 100-500mm, 150-500mm, 200-500mm etc.

Glass must be clean and free of haze, fungus, etc. And I need the focusing ring to operate smoothly at all zoom positions, even if it's an AF lens.

I'm on a tight budget, so around $100 or less would be good.

Thanks,
Bob :-)

[wallyb]

For less than $100, you're going to have an impossible search, especially for an AF lens. But I do have an MF 100-500mm lens that I was planning on letting go of for a bit more.

[Peter Zack]

Likewise, I have a Vivitar 100-400mm f/4.5-6.7 Series 1 for Pentax AF lens with hood. It would be a bit more than $100 though.

As Wally was first, see what he has to offer and if after talking to him, if you want to discuss the vivitar, please send me a PM.

[GibbyTheMole]

Wally: How much do you need for your lens?

I recently bought a used Cosina 100-400mm AF (same as the Phoenix/Vivitar/Promaster) for $100, but had to send it back, as it was defective. I've seen them on eBay for around that much, too.

There was an older manual focus Cosina 100-500mm on eBay that I stupidly passed up for the newer AF Cosina. It went for $75, so I know they're out there somewhere, I just gotta be patient.

[wallyb]

Wally: How much do you need for your lens?

I recently bought a used Cosina 100-400mm AF (same as the Phoenix/Vivitar/Promaster) for $100, but had to send it back, as it was defective. I've seen them on eBay for around that much, too.

There was an older manual focus Cosina 100-500mm on eBay that I stupidly passed up for the newer AF Cosina. It went for $75, so I know they're out there somewhere, I just gotta be patient.

I don't know where you're looking, but I've never seen an auction for that lens end that low on eBay, and there are no completed listings that show otherwise. The Vivitar 100-400mm sells for considerably more (from checking the completed auctions for the lens in other systems, not Pentax), and anything with more reach is going to be even more still, AF or not...

[GibbyTheMole]

Here are a few closed listings & another example:

1) Here's a closed listing for a Vivitar 100-500mm (Olympus mount) Sold for $96.

Vivitar 100-500mm Telephoto Zoom lens Olympus OM manual - eBay (item 200405071625 end time Nov-18-09 18:42:11 PST)

2) Here's the lens I bought for $100. The focusing ring was sticky, so they took it back, refunded my money, and put it back on their site for $79:

Phoenix 100-400 4.5-6.7 F/px-af

The lens actually works great in AF, but if you're tracking a bird or another moving subject using manual focus, the focus ring doesn't turn smoothly.

3) Here's a completed listing for an AF Phoenix Vivitar 100-400mm F4.5-6.7 (Nikon mount) Sold for $105.00

AF Phoenix Vivitar 100-400mm F4.5-6.7 Nikon mount - eBay (item 270494942121 end time Dec-02-09 16:24:00 PST)

4) Completed listing for Phoenix 100-400mm f/4.5-6.7 for Canon EOS - Sold for $109.57:

Phoenix 100-400mm f/4.5-6.7 for Canon EOS - eBay (item 170409844278 end time Nov-25-09 23:18:48 PST)

5) Completed listing for Promaster AF 100-400mm Lens for Canon. Sold for $122.50:

Promaster AF 100-400mm Lens for Canon - eBay (item 150390309917 end time Nov-25-09 20:03:56 PST)

6) Completed listing for NEW, in-the-box Promaster 100-500mm lens with Canon FD mount. Sold for $79:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Promaster-100-500mm-lens-with-Canon-FD-mount_W0QQitemZ17...item27a01f705d

7) Completed listing for Vivitar Series 1 100-400mm f/4.5-6.7 in Canon mount:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vivitar-Series-1-100-400mm-f-4-5-6-7_W0QQitemZ2205102999...item3357702718

8) And there's an expired listing from this forum... A Vivitar Zoom Telephoto 100-400mm f/4.5-6.7 AF Lens for Pentax. Sold for $50.... I tried linking to it, but for some reason I couldn't get the link to work. BUT, I can tell you how to get there.

Go to "search"
Type in "100-400mm"
Hit "Search Now"
Go to "page 2"
It's the 6th one down from the top (although it might not be in that exact position by the time you look for it.) It was listed by user "MikeDubU", and the text is as follows:

===============================================

Item for Sale
Vivitar Zoom Telephoto 100-400mm f/4.5-6.7 AF Lens for Pentax

Asking Price
$50 USD $25 Shipped to ContUS - "SOLD"

Item Description
Vivitar 100-400mm f/4.5-6.7 Series 1 for Pentax AF

Great little starter lens.
A little soft at 400mm, 100-300mm is decent in bright sunlight.
Comes with Front & Rear Caps, Lens Hood, Original Box, Manual & Warranty Papers.
Not that Fast, Not that Sharp, but it is Lightweight and CHEAP!


Lens Specs:
F-Stops: f/4.5 - f/22
Closest Focusing Distance: 78 in
Picture Angle: 6.4 - 24 degrees
Attachment / Filter Size: 67 mm
Groups / Elements: 12 Elements in 9 Groups

Dimensions:
Diameter: 2.9 in
Length: 6.3 in
Weight: 25.9 oz

Are you the original owner of the item being sold?
Yes

Are you selling or trading this item?
Selling

Item Condition
Used
Mint

Item Location
San Ramon, CA

Shipping Services
USPS Priority

Shipping Destinations
ContUS

Accepted Payment Types
PayPal Other (Elaborate)

Additional Details
Google Checkout Accepted.
===============================================

All of the above lenses were listed as being in excellent to new condition, with no functional defects.

I'm not sure why the Cosina lens I was watching didn't show up under the completed listings. Had I kept the item in my watch list after the listing expired, I would gladly post the link. But as you can see, lenses of that type can be had within that price range.

Cheers,
Bob :-)

[wallyb]

So you should have no problem getting one on eBay at your desired price, correct?

[GibbyTheMole]

If you're not willing to sell your lens within my price range, that's fine. I'm not asking you to. I think I'll find one within my budget, eventually.

[GibbyTheMole]

Wow! That didn't take long!

Looks like I found exactly what I was looking for, and within my budget. (Thanks, Peter!) So, I'm no longer looking.

Cheers & happy holidays,
Bob :-)