What did I get here?

jaspap · 05-14-2010, 10:08 AM

I was helping my Grandparents neighbors move last week, and they gave me there camera. I am not really into photography, so to be honest, I have no idea what I got here, is it black and white, or color? How old, should I sell it to a student, what is it worth? I just dont know anything, so any information would be great.

It's a Pentax K2 Asahi, theres a power cord with it, a flash add on, 2 tri-pods ( the small one is in the center leather bag). It has all the manuals, and the leather case. Which I got to say is pretty cool looking. Do people still have a need for this type of camera?

Ira · 05-14-2010, 10:41 AM

Not worth much, unless:

Exactly what does it say on the front of the lens?

It looks like it says "Tamron" on the barrel, and is that the only lens?

**Just1MoreDave** · 05-14-2010, 10:56 AM

The camera is the Pentax K2, which you may have guessed already. It was introduced in 1975, and probably sold for a few years after that. Lots of information here:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-manual-focus-film-slr-camera-revie...pentax-k2.html

The last review puts the price at $85. Actual selling price for a film camera varies depending on condition, function, and interest. Obviously a lot of people have moved on to digital, but some people prefer film. There are plenty of film cameras around and not that many people trying to buy them all, so your camera must be in good shape to get that price.

The lens is a Tamron Adaptall-2 zoom of some sort. The adapter is worth $15 minimum, maybe up to $100 if it's a certain type but don't count on it. The lens value depends on its exact specs. If I squint really hard it might be the 35-80mm model that some people like, maybe $75?

vparseval · 05-14-2010, 10:59 AM

Originally posted by Ira

Not worth much, unless:

I wouldn't yet dismiss the K2. It's actually quite a rare body and looking on ebay at any point in time, you might be lucky to find even one. Likewise, keh.com doesn't have one right now either.

Having said that, it's still not quite fetching what it's actually worth. For a K2 in excellent and fully working condition somewhere between $180 and $200 maybe. I would maybe just wait. It's only going to be rarer over time (I can safely make that recommendation without regret because I got mine already

).

Cheers,
Tassilo

Ira · 05-14-2010, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by vparseval

I wouldn't yet dismiss the K2. It's actually quite a rare body and looking on ebay at any point in time, you might be lucky to find even one. Likewise, keh.com doesn't have one right now either.

Having said that, it's still not quite fetching what it's actually worth. For a K2 in excellent and fully working condition somewhere between $180 and $200 maybe. I would maybe just wait. It's only going to be rarer over time (I can safely make that recommendation without regret because I got mine already

).

Cheers,
Tassilo

$180 to $200?

I'd like to see that.

rhodopsin · 05-14-2010, 11:09 AM

Eye Spy the K2 camera manual in the first photo; everything you need to know about the camera!

Lens is a Tamron Adaptall 2 CF Macro prime, unsure of focal length, but sure about good quality.

vparseval · 05-14-2010, 11:11 AM

Originally posted by Ira

$180 to $200?

I'd like to see that.

You could if you could actually turn up a K2 that is currently for sale.

In of the recent keh.com catalogs I have at home there was a silver K2 marked in EX condition for $179. An EX+ or LN would guaranteed be beyond $200.

The K2 is along with the LX the priciest of the manual Pentax K-mount bodies. Not a whole lot of them were built, so I would hold onto it. I paid $117 for mine back in February and I was quite lucky to a) find one at all b) find it in very good condition and c) getting it from a person who did not know what she was selling.

Cheers,
Tassilo

rhodopsin · 05-14-2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

... I was quite lucky to ... c) getting it from a person who did not know what she was selling.

Quite lucky taking advantage of someone?

vparseval · 05-14-2010, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by rhodopsin

Quite lucky taking advantage of someone?

Not really. Her ebay rating was pretty low so I already took a risk there. Think of it as a bad credit rating: You wind up paying higher interest rates with one. That's what she did.

Cheers,
Tassilo

rhodopsin · 05-14-2010, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by vparseval

Not really. Her ebay rating was pretty low so I already took a risk there. Think of it as a bad credit rating: You wind up paying higher interest rates with one. That's what she did.

Cheers,
Tassilo

That is quite different than a face-to-face transaction, which I was wrong to assume. Sorry about that!

More than once I've won a lens on ebaY for $0.99US even though I bid more, sometimes a LOT more.

Nesster · 05-14-2010, 12:45 PM

The K2 is very worth it as a film camera; the above estimates are pretty good I think for a good copy.

The Tamron adaptall zoom is from the same era, I believe it is the 07a 28-50
Tamron Adaptall-2 28-50mm F/3.5-4.5 Model 07A
This is a rare lens

**boriscleto** · 05-14-2010, 12:47 PM

There was some guy here locally who thought he could get over $300 for a K2 and 2 lenses because he saw an eBay listing with a BiN of $500. Now he says he'll entertain any offer.

Asahi pentax K2 camera

Ira · 05-14-2010, 01:15 PM

I'm on the iTouch now and can't copy a link, but there's a K2 for sale there from a seller in Trintity, FL with no description of the lens, but check it out.

Silver, and I think I see 43mm on there!

jaspap · 05-14-2010, 01:16 PM

Thanks for all the info people, I appreciate it. Yes, the lens does say Tamron. I got a call from my sister saying her friend will offer me $500 for everything. So did I just get lucky, or do you think I should hold onto it. Money is not a huge thing right now for me, but I know I will never use the camera.

jaspap · 05-14-2010, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by Nesster

The K2 is very worth it as a film camera; the above estimates are pretty good I think for a good copy.

The Tamron adaptall zoom is from the same era, I believe it is the 07a 28-50
Tamron Adaptall-2 28-50mm F/3.5-4.5 Model 07A
This is a rare lens

Yes, it is that lens. It has model 07A .No.5730345, 28-50mm-CF Macro written on it.

05-14-2010, 10:08 AM	#1
jaspap New Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St.Albert Posts: 7	What did I get here? I was helping my Grandparents neighbors move last week, and they gave me there camera. I am not really into photography, so to be honest, I have no idea what I got here, is it black and white, or color? How old, should I sell it to a student, what is it worth? I just dont know anything, so any information would be great. It's a Pentax K2 Asahi, theres a power cord with it, a flash add on, 2 tri-pods ( the small one is in the center leather bag). It has all the manuals, and the leather case. Which I got to say is pretty cool looking. Do people still have a need for this type of camera?

05-14-2010, 10:41 AM	#2
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Not worth much, unless: Exactly what does it say on the front of the lens? It looks like it says "Tamron" on the barrel, and is that the only lens?

05-14-2010, 10:56 AM	#3
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	The camera is the Pentax K2, which you may have guessed already. It was introduced in 1975, and probably sold for a few years after that. Lots of information here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-manual-focus-film-slr-camera-revie...pentax-k2.html The last review puts the price at $85. Actual selling price for a film camera varies depending on condition, function, and interest. Obviously a lot of people have moved on to digital, but some people prefer film. There are plenty of film cameras around and not that many people trying to buy them all, so your camera must be in good shape to get that price. The lens is a Tamron Adaptall-2 zoom of some sort. The adapter is worth $15 minimum, maybe up to $100 if it's a certain type but don't count on it. The lens value depends on its exact specs. If I squint really hard it might be the 35-80mm model that some people like, maybe $75?

05-14-2010, 10:59 AM	#4
vparseval Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 66	Originally posted by Ira Not worth much, unless: I wouldn't yet dismiss the K2. It's actually quite a rare body and looking on ebay at any point in time, you might be lucky to find even one. Likewise, keh.com doesn't have one right now either. Having said that, it's still not quite fetching what it's actually worth. For a K2 in excellent and fully working condition somewhere between $180 and $200 maybe. I would maybe just wait. It's only going to be rarer over time (I can safely make that recommendation without regret because I got mine already ). Cheers, Tassilo

05-14-2010, 11:04 AM	#5
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by vparseval I wouldn't yet dismiss the K2. It's actually quite a rare body and looking on ebay at any point in time, you might be lucky to find even one. Likewise, keh.com doesn't have one right now either. Having said that, it's still not quite fetching what it's actually worth. For a K2 in excellent and fully working condition somewhere between $180 and $200 maybe. I would maybe just wait. It's only going to be rarer over time (I can safely make that recommendation without regret because I got mine already ). Cheers, Tassilo $180 to $200? I'd like to see that.

05-14-2010, 11:09 AM	#6
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	Eye Spy the K2 camera manual in the first photo; everything you need to know about the camera! Lens is a Tamron Adaptall 2 CF Macro prime, unsure of focal length, but sure about good quality.

05-14-2010, 11:11 AM	#7
vparseval Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 66	Originally posted by Ira $180 to $200? I'd like to see that. You could if you could actually turn up a K2 that is currently for sale. In of the recent keh.com catalogs I have at home there was a silver K2 marked in EX condition for $179. An EX+ or LN would guaranteed be beyond $200. The K2 is along with the LX the priciest of the manual Pentax K-mount bodies. Not a whole lot of them were built, so I would hold onto it. I paid $117 for mine back in February and I was quite lucky to a) find one at all b) find it in very good condition and c) getting it from a person who did not know what she was selling. Cheers, Tassilo

05-14-2010, 11:17 AM	#8
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	Quote: ... I was quite lucky to ... c) getting it from a person who did not know what she was selling. Quite lucky taking advantage of someone?

05-14-2010, 11:22 AM	#9
vparseval Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 66	Originally posted by rhodopsin Quite lucky taking advantage of someone? Not really. Her ebay rating was pretty low so I already took a risk there. Think of it as a bad credit rating: You wind up paying higher interest rates with one. That's what she did. Cheers, Tassilo

05-14-2010, 12:06 PM	#10
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	Originally posted by vparseval Not really. Her ebay rating was pretty low so I already took a risk there. Think of it as a bad credit rating: You wind up paying higher interest rates with one. That's what she did. Cheers, Tassilo That is quite different than a face-to-face transaction, which I was wrong to assume. Sorry about that! More than once I've won a lens on ebaY for $0.99US even though I bid more, sometimes a LOT more.

05-14-2010, 12:45 PM	#11
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	The K2 is very worth it as a film camera; the above estimates are pretty good I think for a good copy. The Tamron adaptall zoom is from the same era, I believe it is the 07a 28-50 Tamron Adaptall-2 28-50mm F/3.5-4.5 Model 07A This is a rare lens

05-14-2010, 12:47 PM	#12
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	There was some guy here locally who thought he could get over $300 for a K2 and 2 lenses because he saw an eBay listing with a BiN of $500. Now he says he'll entertain any offer. Asahi pentax K2 camera

05-14-2010, 01:15 PM	#13
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	I'm on the iTouch now and can't copy a link, but there's a K2 for sale there from a seller in Trintity, FL with no description of the lens, but check it out. Silver, and I think I see 43mm on there!

05-14-2010, 01:16 PM	#14
jaspap New Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St.Albert Posts: 7 Original Poster	Thanks for all the info people, I appreciate it. Yes, the lens does say Tamron. I got a call from my sister saying her friend will offer me $500 for everything. So did I just get lucky, or do you think I should hold onto it. Money is not a huge thing right now for me, but I know I will never use the camera.

05-14-2010, 01:28 PM	#15
jaspap New Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St.Albert Posts: 7 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nesster The K2 is very worth it as a film camera; the above estimates are pretty good I think for a good copy. The Tamron adaptall zoom is from the same era, I believe it is the 07a 28-50 Tamron Adaptall-2 28-50mm F/3.5-4.5 Model 07A This is a rare lens Yes, it is that lens. It has model 07A .No.5730345, 28-50mm-CF Macro written on it.