Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4 "blood"

oli83 · 10-18-2013, 05:34 PM

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Is this lens with this "bloody" coating really worth like $1000?

Someone offered me this lens and my jaw dropped as I was told the price.

**mattt** · 10-18-2013, 05:48 PM

Looks like a decimal error there.... check the lens review for an idea of what the going rate is...

SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.4 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

oli83 · 10-18-2013, 05:51 PM

I guarantee it's not. I met the guy in person. I saw it on eBay and it does costs $999!
If anybody knows why, please enlight us.

oli83 · 10-18-2013, 05:52 PM

Here it is:

SMC Pentax A 50mm F1 4 Lens | eBay

Colbyt · 10-18-2013, 06:02 PM

I think he is working on the PT Barnum method. I will sell you my 2 on a buy one get one free basis for that price.

vonBaloney · 10-18-2013, 06:04 PM

I saw one in the camera store last week for $195, which is high but that's typical for retail. I've sold them before for around $100-$120...

**mattt** · 10-18-2013, 06:18 PM

With respect to the Ebay posting.. a fool and his money are soon parted.

The best part of that BS, is it is probably plastic not "metal construction"

**jatrax** · 10-18-2013, 06:25 PM

Ebay Rule #1: Just because some 'entrepreneur' asks a fortune for something doesn't mean it's worth a fortune
Ebay Rule #2: Always do your own research
Ebay Rule #3: Caveat emptor
Ebay Rule #4: PT Barnum: (there's a sucker born every minute)

The much rarer f/1.2 version doesn't go for that much, maybe $600 - $700 at most. For this version (f/1.4) $200 - $225 absolute tops, with original caps & maybe the box.

I'll be happy to sell you mine at half price

**Just1MoreDave** · 10-18-2013, 06:59 PM

I just looked up what I paid for mine. You don't want to know.

It is mostly metal and feels a lot more substantial than the A50/1.7. It's the same optical formula as the FA, eight blades, needs a hood. I think $125 is a good price.

aoeu · 10-18-2013, 07:01 PM

No. If I get lucky I'll get a Benjamin for mine after I get an F or FA version for less than three Benjamins.

**Ex Finn.** · 10-18-2013, 07:50 PM

100 bucks max. and it better be in very good shape. +seller pays for shipping, that`s just me.

**LaurenOE** · 10-18-2013, 08:19 PM

I agree. That lens is only worth $100-150 tops.
It's not even one of those Japanese pristine ones that command a premium.
It's not NOS or NIB.

wombat2go · 10-18-2013, 08:57 PM

SMC Pentax -A 1:1.4 50mm
I paid a bit much for it a few years ago, but no regrets.
I like 50 mm for the 35mm film slrs (Ricoh's and Pentax MX here) and not really for the APS-C
It is probably one of the best lenses in my collection.

Here is a test shot indoors with CFL lamps, on a tripod positioned for the Pentax MX, but using the Pentax K-01, where the AOV is only 27 degrees or so.
(posted before, I think) maybe at f/5.6 or f/8, the K-01 can't record the f/- on -A lenses in manual mode.
https://app.box.com/s/vf8ny5z3gzowb8po2f13

JimmyDranox · 10-18-2013, 09:51 PM

If the coating looks like blood, maybe the owner has send the front element to recoating. It is posible that the lens was scratched, and they use more coating to hide it. Anyway, red coating has a very bad reputation between astronomers. You can find it on those very cheap plastic chinese binoculars.

Do not buy, not even for 100$.

siamthai · 10-18-2013, 10:46 PM

I paid 720 USD for mine and I thought that was expensive, but I bought a A 50mm f/1.2 in mint condition. Asking this price for a f/1.4 is close to fraud

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10-18-2013, 05:34 PM	#1
oli83 New Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 11	Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4 "blood" Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Is this lens with this "bloody" coating really worth like $1000? Someone offered me this lens and my jaw dropped as I was told the price.

10-18-2013, 05:48 PM	#2
mattt Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,907	Looks like a decimal error there.... check the lens review for an idea of what the going rate is... SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.4 Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

10-18-2013, 05:51 PM	#3
oli83 New Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 11 Original Poster	I guarantee it's not. I met the guy in person. I saw it on eBay and it does costs $999! If anybody knows why, please enlight us.

10-18-2013, 05:52 PM	#4
oli83 New Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Here it is: SMC Pentax A 50mm F1 4 Lens \| eBay

10-18-2013, 06:02 PM	#5
Colbyt Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Kentucky Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,418	I think he is working on the PT Barnum method. I will sell you my 2 on a buy one get one free basis for that price.

10-18-2013, 06:04 PM	#6
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	I saw one in the camera store last week for $195, which is high but that's typical for retail. I've sold them before for around $100-$120...

10-18-2013, 06:18 PM	#7
mattt Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,907	With respect to the Ebay posting.. a fool and his money are soon parted. The best part of that BS, is it is probably plastic not "metal construction"

10-18-2013, 06:25 PM	#8
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Ebay Rule #1: Just because some 'entrepreneur' asks a fortune for something doesn't mean it's worth a fortune Ebay Rule #2: Always do your own research Ebay Rule #3: Caveat emptor Ebay Rule #4: PT Barnum: (there's a sucker born every minute) The much rarer f/1.2 version doesn't go for that much, maybe $600 - $700 at most. For this version (f/1.4) $200 - $225 absolute tops, with original caps & maybe the box. I'll be happy to sell you mine at half price

10-18-2013, 06:59 PM	#9
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I just looked up what I paid for mine. You don't want to know. It is mostly metal and feels a lot more substantial than the A50/1.7. It's the same optical formula as the FA, eight blades, needs a hood. I think $125 is a good price.

10-18-2013, 07:01 PM	#10
aoeu Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 496	No. If I get lucky I'll get a Benjamin for mine after I get an F or FA version for less than three Benjamins.

10-18-2013, 07:50 PM	#11
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	100 bucks max. and it better be in very good shape. +seller pays for shipping, that`s just me.

10-18-2013, 08:19 PM	#12
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	I agree. That lens is only worth $100-150 tops. It's not even one of those Japanese pristine ones that command a premium. It's not NOS or NIB.

10-18-2013, 08:57 PM	#13
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	SMC Pentax -A 1:1.4 50mm I paid a bit much for it a few years ago, but no regrets. I like 50 mm for the 35mm film slrs (Ricoh's and Pentax MX here) and not really for the APS-C It is probably one of the best lenses in my collection. Here is a test shot indoors with CFL lamps, on a tripod positioned for the Pentax MX, but using the Pentax K-01, where the AOV is only 27 degrees or so. (posted before, I think) maybe at f/5.6 or f/8, the K-01 can't record the f/- on -A lenses in manual mode. https://app.box.com/s/vf8ny5z3gzowb8po2f13

10-18-2013, 09:51 PM	#14
JimmyDranox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ploiesti, Romania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,632	If the coating looks like blood, maybe the owner has send the front element to recoating. It is posible that the lens was scratched, and they use more coating to hide it. Anyway, red coating has a very bad reputation between astronomers. You can find it on those very cheap plastic chinese binoculars. Do not buy, not even for 100$.

10-18-2013, 10:46 PM	#15
siamthai Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Svealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 172	I paid 720 USD for mine and I thought that was expensive, but I bought a A 50mm f/1.2 in mint condition. Asking this price for a f/1.4 is close to fraud