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01-26-2011, 08:27 AM   #1
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Did I get as good a deal as I think I did?

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Last night I snagged a package off Craig's List that I'm pretty excited about. An old Spotmatic II body, M42 Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 (good condition), M42 SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4 (lovely, flawless as far as I can tell condition), a 2x and a 3x teleconverter (forget the brand, Kenko I think?), 14 filters of various kinds (mostly Kenko sized for the 50, no idea what they are until I do some research), a couple small flash units, and assorted kruft (lens cleaning kit, straps, handy carrying bag etc). All for $100.

I'm figuring I'll keep the 50 and maybe the 135 and sell everything else. Including the A 50mm f2 which I hopefully won't need anymore with the new 50, I figure I should at the worst be able to break even and have an upgraded lens and a chance to play with a prime I've been wanting to try. I may also be able to take the focussing screen off the Spotmatic, but I'm not sure about that.

01-26-2011, 09:14 AM   #2
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if the spotmatic is in working condition..then you made a great deal..i see those on ebay 60 $, sometimes more with lens attached (some make the bad joke of adding a fungus infested lens, raise the price and say it's for authenticity purposes ..).
I think it's a good deal..based on my month long search of some lenses on ebay.
01-26-2011, 10:18 AM   #3
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Glad you snatch that Balog. I was tempted to make a move for it, but the only attraction for me on this guy's stuff was the 1.4. To make it worth, I have to sell the rest of the stuff. Plus I already two other 1.4's lying around.

I guess the next time an old lens popped out in Seattle CL, I should be worried that you'll snatch it first .
01-26-2011, 10:27 AM   #4
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I'd call that a decent deal. Besides the Tak50 and Viv135, I'd keep the filters (if I didn't already have a pile) 'cause they're fun to play with. I'd also keep your A50, because of the aperture automation. The M42s will only work by manually stopping down, and at f/11 and beyond they can be tricky to focus and meter.

I'm a bit more pessimistic than Coeurdechene about the value of the Spotty. I haven't checked stateside costs lately, but those I've had (bought 4, sold 3) were in a much lower price range. But hay, you could get lucky! Depending on their brands, those TCs might go for anywhere in the US$4-24 range each, or you might be lucky to get US$15 for the pair of them.

In case you're interested: I keep a spreadsheet of my lens and camera dealings. (I don't bother tracking filters, flashes, bags, etc.) I'd track your purchase like this: Count each lens and teleconverter, the body, and the remaining cruft in toto, as separate units, 6 in all. Now your average cost is US$100/6 = US$16.65 each. Damn good price for a Tak50/1.4, eh?

01-26-2011, 03:03 PM   #5
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The Spotmatics aren't worth much. I have several, spent $25 to $30 tops, and I haven't seen them go up in price at all since I bought them, more than a year and a half ago.

The next generation K bodies go for more.

And for the Spotties, 95% of the meters don't work.
01-26-2011, 03:04 PM   #6
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TAKUMAR SMC 50MM F1.4 PRIME LENS -FOR PENTAX SCREWMOUNT - eBay (item 140502998034 end time Jan-26-11 14:00:36 PST)

01-26-2011, 04:10 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by Balog Quote
Last night I snagged a package off Craig's List that I'm pretty excited about. An old Spotmatic II body, M42 Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 (good condition), M42 SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4 (lovely, flawless as far as I can tell condition), a 2x and a 3x teleconverter (forget the brand, Kenko I think?), 14 filters of various kinds (mostly Kenko sized for the 50, no idea what they are until I do some research), a couple small flash units, and assorted kruft (lens cleaning kit, straps, handy carrying bag etc). All for $100.
If acquiring big bunches of old playdough rocks your boat and you think it's a good deal, then it is.

I'm also confident that the person who sold it to you is equally overjoyed to sign off on that chapter in their life.

As the old saying goes: One man's trash is another man's, trash. Life is one big swap game.

.R. -- "The best things in life aren't things."


Last edited by Hypocorism; 01-26-2011 at 04:17 PM.
01-26-2011, 04:26 PM   #8
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$200 buys a DA35 f2.4, just sayin'
01-26-2011, 04:38 PM   #9
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Often cameras of that vintage will need a CLA if it hasn't been done already. Seals common to the mirror get gummy and stick, light meter can need calibration, etc. If you need to buck up for a CLA, your deal just got worse.

I picked up a Spotmatic F with a 50/1.4 much cheaper than that. But I knew I had to get a CLA and now have just over a $100 into the camera. But I don't care. I did it for other reasons besides the pure economics of it.
01-26-2011, 05:31 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by twitch Quote
$200 buys a DA35 f2.4, just sayin'
I don't want a 35mm, or 2.4. Just sayin'

Tuco: I have a K20d, I just wanted the lenses.
01-26-2011, 05:33 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by Hypocorism Quote
If acquiring big bunches of old playdough rocks your boat and you think it's a good deal, then it is.

I'm also confident that the person who sold it to you is equally overjoyed to sign off on that chapter in their life.

As the old saying goes: One man's trash is another man's, trash. Life is one big swap game.

.R. -- "The best things in life aren't things."
You think the M42 50mm f1.4 is trash? Well, I can't afford a modern fast 50 so I'll stick with it...
01-27-2011, 04:54 PM   #12
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well, there's always people with too much money out there , i think those 1.4 go for about 100 or 120 tops.
01-27-2011, 07:17 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by clockwork247 Quote
well, there's always people with too much money out there , i think those 1.4 go for about 100 or 120 tops.
I for one welcome those people (that isn't my auction btw). I would never ask that for one of those lenses, not even the $100. That lens has never been worth more than $50 to me. It was already past $120 when I first saw the auction and that's the only reason I watched it end. The original poster's question however was, did I get a bargain? I'm simply pointing out that in at least 2 minds (at least 2 people had to bid that lens up that high), He did.

01-27-2011, 08:46 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by JeffJS Quote
I for one welcome those people (that isn't my auction btw). I would never ask that for one of those lenses, not even the $100. That lens has never been worth more than $50 to me. It was already past $120 when I first saw the auction and that's the only reason I watched it end. The original poster's question however was, did I get a bargain? I'm simply pointing out that in at least 2 minds (at least 2 people had to bid that lens up that high), He did.

I would get it for 50 , can't seems to find 1 at that price though, seems like there's puff up in price of f/1.4 lens manual or not, kindda sucks if you're buying these days.
01-28-2011, 11:55 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by clockwork247 Quote
well, there's always people with too much money out there , i think those 1.4 go for about 100 or 120 tops.
They can still be found for $100, but they're getting rarer. And considering that the 50 1.4 is almost non-deniably the best Tak ever made, that drives the prices to the moon.
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