lens value?

Tatume · 09-09-2012, 01:24 PM

Hello Folks,

I’m going to order a Pentax-DA 17-70 mm F4 AL [IF] SDM lens from BHphotovideo, and when I do I want to try to sell some of my existing lenses. Could someone give me an idea of what I should ask for them?

1. Pentax DA L 18-55 mm F3.5-5.6 AL
2. Sigma UC Zoom 70-210 mm 1:4-5.6 Macro 1:4.7
3. Vivitar 100 mm 1:3.5 MC Macro
4. Samyang 100-500 mm Auto Zoom 1:5.6-7.1

These lenses are all in very nice condition. They are not scratched up, they do not have any fungus, they have been stored indoors in an air-conditioned home, and they have never been dropped or abused. The Pentax was purchased new in May, 2012 along with my Pentax K-5. The Sigma and Vivitar lenses were purchased new in the 1990s for use on my K1000; they are not auto-focus. The Samyang was purchased used from a friend who sold the lenses of a deceased friend as a favor to the widow, also in the 1990s and also used (only once) on my K1000. I paid $100 for it, but have no idea if I got a good deal.

I’m going to spend $500 on the DA 17-70 lens, but am not under the illusion that I’ll recover that much from my older lenses. If you will help me evaluate them I would very much appreciate it.

Thank you, Tom

Docrwm · 09-09-2012, 01:39 PM

The best way is to look through the Marketplace Archives and see what has sold in the past. You can also do a search of eBay for completed sales.
Sold Items - PentaxForums.com

**Fontan** · 09-09-2012, 03:44 PM

But . . . . . DA 17-70 is . . . . SDM . . . .

Tatume · 09-09-2012, 03:46 PM

Originally posted by Fontan

But . . . . . DA 17-70 is . . . . SDM . . . .

I'm sorry, I don't understand this remark. Would you elaborate please?

twitch · 09-09-2012, 04:03 PM

SDM lenses have a well earned reputation for unreliability.

Tatume · 09-09-2012, 04:07 PM

Originally posted by twitch

SDM lenses have a well earned reputation for unreliability.

Hmmm. The reviews mentioned an occassional difficulty with AF, but go on the say it is unusual and corrected under warranty. What more can you tell me, as I reconsider the lens (thankfully prior to purchase)?

Tatume · 09-09-2012, 04:19 PM

Perhaps I should consider the SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 lens instead (besides which, it is $100 less).

twitch · 09-09-2012, 04:21 PM

I'd price in a Mack extended warranty which aren't that much for any Pentax SDM lens you buy.

Otherwise consider the Pentax 18-135 (which has a reliable focus motor) or the Sigma 17-70 (also a reliable focus motor)

Tatume · 09-09-2012, 04:29 PM

Originally posted by twitch

I'd price in a Mack extended warranty which aren't that much for any Pentax SDM lens you buy.

Otherwise consider the Pentax 18-135 (which has a reliable focus motor) or the Sigma 17-70 (also a reliable focus motor)

According to Photozone the 18-135 also has an SDM drive motor. Do the 18-135 and 17-70 have different SDM motors?

usmcxm35 · 09-09-2012, 04:32 PM

18-135 has DC motor, not SDM. DC is baller, SDM is crap!

Docrwm · 09-09-2012, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by Tatume

According to Photozone the 18-135 also has an SDM drive motor. Do the 18-135 and 17-70 have different SDM motors?

Photozone is wrong. The relability survey conducted here on the forum show that the SDM lenses, particularly the zooms, fail. It also shows that none of the 100 18-135 DC lenses reported have failed.

twitch · 09-09-2012, 04:39 PM

The Pentax DA 18-135 is very very reliable, there is unanimous agreement on this.

Tatume · 09-09-2012, 04:45 PM

Do you guys consider the DA 18-135 to offer a big step up in image quality and color rendition over the 18-55 AL? Also, for shooting landscapes, would you consider the DA 35 mm F 2.4 AL to be an improvement over the 18-88 AL?

twitch · 09-09-2012, 04:48 PM

It's a small step up in image quality, but a big step up in range (135mm vs 55mm).

The DA 35mm 2.4 AL is a very big step up in image quality vs any of the Pentax zooms (including the much more expensive 16-50 SDM lens).

Docrwm · 09-09-2012, 05:11 PM

Originally posted by twitch

It's a small step up in image quality, but a big step up in range (135mm vs 55mm).

The DA 35mm 2.4 AL is a very big step up in image quality vs any of the Pentax zooms (including the much more expensive 16-50 SDM lens).

I agree wholeheartedly with both statements. I own all three lenses - the 18-55, the 35/2.4, and the 18-135. The 18-55 sees little use anymore because the 18-135 is faster focusing. slightly better image quality, and has a better reach. Also, it is silent in operation which disturbs those being photographed less for better candids, etc. The 35/2.4 is truly an outstanding performer IMHO, it gets a few bad comments because it doesn't have an aperture ring (don't need one with dSLRs), has a plastic mount (none have been reported to have failed on Pentax cameras), and does not come with a hood (they're $3 on ebay). It's image quality though is truly solid and as Twitch said, and he ought to know, is better than the zooms - even the high priced ones like the 16-50.

09-09-2012, 01:24 PM	#1
Tatume Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Gloucester, Va. Posts: 76	lens value? Hello Folks, I’m going to order a Pentax-DA 17-70 mm F4 AL [IF] SDM lens from BHphotovideo, and when I do I want to try to sell some of my existing lenses. Could someone give me an idea of what I should ask for them? 1. Pentax DA L 18-55 mm F3.5-5.6 AL 2. Sigma UC Zoom 70-210 mm 1:4-5.6 Macro 1:4.7 3. Vivitar 100 mm 1:3.5 MC Macro 4. Samyang 100-500 mm Auto Zoom 1:5.6-7.1 These lenses are all in very nice condition. They are not scratched up, they do not have any fungus, they have been stored indoors in an air-conditioned home, and they have never been dropped or abused. The Pentax was purchased new in May, 2012 along with my Pentax K-5. The Sigma and Vivitar lenses were purchased new in the 1990s for use on my K1000; they are not auto-focus. The Samyang was purchased used from a friend who sold the lenses of a deceased friend as a favor to the widow, also in the 1990s and also used (only once) on my K1000. I paid $100 for it, but have no idea if I got a good deal. I’m going to spend $500 on the DA 17-70 lens, but am not under the illusion that I’ll recover that much from my older lenses. If you will help me evaluate them I would very much appreciate it. Thank you, Tom

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Keep K-x buy premium lens, get K-r and get good lens, get the K-7 w/ lens or K-5?	crossover37	Pentax DSLR Discussion	19	02-06-2011 10:38 PM

09-09-2012, 01:39 PM	#2
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	The best way is to look through the Marketplace Archives and see what has sold in the past. You can also do a search of eBay for completed sales. Sold Items - PentaxForums.com

09-09-2012, 03:44 PM	#3
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	But . . . . . DA 17-70 is . . . . SDM . . . .

09-09-2012, 03:46 PM	#4
Tatume Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Gloucester, Va. Posts: 76 Original Poster	Originally posted by Fontan But . . . . . DA 17-70 is . . . . SDM . . . . I'm sorry, I don't understand this remark. Would you elaborate please?

09-09-2012, 04:03 PM	#5
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	SDM lenses have a well earned reputation for unreliability.

09-09-2012, 04:07 PM	#6
Tatume Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Gloucester, Va. Posts: 76 Original Poster	Originally posted by twitch SDM lenses have a well earned reputation for unreliability. Hmmm. The reviews mentioned an occassional difficulty with AF, but go on the say it is unusual and corrected under warranty. What more can you tell me, as I reconsider the lens (thankfully prior to purchase)?

09-09-2012, 04:19 PM	#7
Tatume Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Gloucester, Va. Posts: 76 Original Poster	Perhaps I should consider the SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 lens instead (besides which, it is $100 less).

09-09-2012, 04:21 PM	#8
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	I'd price in a Mack extended warranty which aren't that much for any Pentax SDM lens you buy. Otherwise consider the Pentax 18-135 (which has a reliable focus motor) or the Sigma 17-70 (also a reliable focus motor)

09-09-2012, 04:29 PM	#9
Tatume Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Gloucester, Va. Posts: 76 Original Poster	Originally posted by twitch I'd price in a Mack extended warranty which aren't that much for any Pentax SDM lens you buy. Otherwise consider the Pentax 18-135 (which has a reliable focus motor) or the Sigma 17-70 (also a reliable focus motor) According to Photozone the 18-135 also has an SDM drive motor. Do the 18-135 and 17-70 have different SDM motors?

09-09-2012, 04:32 PM	#10
usmcxm35 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New York, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 215	18-135 has DC motor, not SDM. DC is baller, SDM is crap!

09-09-2012, 04:33 PM	#11
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by Tatume According to Photozone the 18-135 also has an SDM drive motor. Do the 18-135 and 17-70 have different SDM motors? Photozone is wrong. The relability survey conducted here on the forum show that the SDM lenses, particularly the zooms, fail. It also shows that none of the 100 18-135 DC lenses reported have failed.

09-09-2012, 04:39 PM	#12
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	The Pentax DA 18-135 is very very reliable, there is unanimous agreement on this.

09-09-2012, 04:45 PM	#13
Tatume Forum Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Gloucester, Va. Posts: 76 Original Poster	Do you guys consider the DA 18-135 to offer a big step up in image quality and color rendition over the 18-55 AL? Also, for shooting landscapes, would you consider the DA 35 mm F 2.4 AL to be an improvement over the 18-88 AL?

09-09-2012, 04:48 PM	#14
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	It's a small step up in image quality, but a big step up in range (135mm vs 55mm). The DA 35mm 2.4 AL is a very big step up in image quality vs any of the Pentax zooms (including the much more expensive 16-50 SDM lens).

09-09-2012, 05:11 PM	#15
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by twitch It's a small step up in image quality, but a big step up in range (135mm vs 55mm). The DA 35mm 2.4 AL is a very big step up in image quality vs any of the Pentax zooms (including the much more expensive 16-50 SDM lens). I agree wholeheartedly with both statements. I own all three lenses - the 18-55, the 35/2.4, and the 18-135. The 18-55 sees little use anymore because the 18-135 is faster focusing. slightly better image quality, and has a better reach. Also, it is silent in operation which disturbs those being photographed less for better candids, etc. The 35/2.4 is truly an outstanding performer IMHO, it gets a few bad comments because it doesn't have an aperture ring (don't need one with dSLRs), has a plastic mount (none have been reported to have failed on Pentax cameras), and does not come with a hood (they're $3 on ebay). It's image quality though is truly solid and as Twitch said, and he ought to know, is better than the zooms - even the high priced ones like the 16-50.