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Originally posted by stevebrot ...or one where there is more product available used. That being said there are currently three ZK Distagon 35/2 on eBay in NEW (two @ $728 USD B-I-N) or EX+ ($887 USD or best offer) condition shipped from Japan. Those are both very competitive prices.
Steve
Back in 2012 all my gear was stolen including a Zeiss Makro Planar 2/100. Thankfully I was able to replace it and went on to collect six Zeiss ZK in total. I did this because I like them and enjoy shooting manual focus with the Zeiss, particularly once I installed an S type screen in my K5. Each to their own of course, as you've pointed out.
I just wanted to raise a point about ZK availability as I've been receiving a daily email from ebay on ZK since 2012, um, because I forgot to turn it off.
Well, I just clicked on a 'view all results' button in the ebay email and the followign Zeiss ZK lenses are available:
11 x Distagon T* 2/35 (Note-2 of the listings show a box only, so maybe there's only 9?)
2 x Distagon T* 2/28 (Note-images shown are not ZK, one is a ZE and the other a ZF)
2 x Distagon T* 2.8/25
1 x Planar T* 1.4/85
1 x Planar T* 1.4/50
In addition to the above there is also the ZS mount which is M42. These tend to be as rare as the ZK so you need to be a regular checker if you are keen. The ZK search will also pop up some Leica (ZM) mount along with some Zorki's and Jupiters.
The only other ZK lenses I've seen in these listings in four years are the 3.5/18 and the 2/50, though memory is probably making me wrong there. The last time I saw the 2/100 and 2.8/21 is back in 2012. Indeed, the Pentax Forums is likely to pop up the rarer ZK models more than ebay judging by some of the recent listings.
Anyhoo, I'm not disagreeing with you but wanted to point out that globally there are more ZK out there on the bay and the above listing is fairly representative of what is regularly available except for the 2/35; I've not seen this many in a while.
Righto, the sun is shining and the K-1, Zeiss 2/50 and DA 70LTD are ready in a bag to go for a ride on the Kwaka. Hooroo!
Tas