Originally posted by Iann Cannon
Right now I'm looking at these two prime lens.
SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.7
SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.7
Well taking a look at evil bay, the f1.7 A goes for about $150 US. Also, just as an aside there are a couple of DA 50 f1.2 for $850 each, and an A 50/f1.4 for $370 . But going with a slightly lower speed A lens - f2.0 brings the price down to about $70. So, overall the prices rises with the A model with speed.
Going to the manual lens M, the prices are a bit different
M f2 - $10 to $40
M f1.7 - $25 to $50
M f1.4 - $160 to $220
There is also another way to pick up these lenses. Look for an old Pentax film camera (K1000, ME, MX, etc.) with lenses, on evil bay. I saw a few with 50/f1.7 lenses going for about $10 (camera body included). Sometimes they come with multiple lenses. There are M 28mm f2.8's plentiful in this way also.
So the M's can be significantly lower in price, especially with a camera body attached. I picked up an M 50/2 awhile back for $7 and several months later found an M 50/1.7 for $12. The prices have risen a bit, the f2's are plentiful, with the faster lenses a bit less so. A somewhat less expensive M 50/2 or 50/1.7 will get you by for the present, until you can find an A model that works for you.
... by the way - I sent you a PM (private message).
hope that helps.....
Last edited by interested_observer; 10-20-2009 at 08:13 AM.