Pentax 35mm prices way down?

nickthetasmaniac · 08-07-2016, 07:50 PM

Is it just me or have the prices on Pentax 35mm gear dropped significantly?

This is purely anecdotal, but I had a couple of years away from Pentax and it feels like prices dropped a lot on the 'premium' gear during that time.

For instance, when I was last shooting Pentax a good LX with CLA would cost $500+ and $200-300usd would get you a pretty ugly beater at best, not there's a few very nice looking examples for that price. Likewise, I sold a K24/f2.8, K50/f1.2 and K135/f2.5 for probably 35% more than what I see them for now...

Has anyone else noticed this? I'm a bit puzzled to be honest, I thought the K1 would have jacked the price of quality FF lenses...

Then again, I might just be imagining it

ChristianRock · 08-07-2016, 08:00 PM

They were low before the K-1 came along. If anything, some lenses have gone up in price. And I think film bodies in general have slowly gone down. The LX specifically seems to stay at a steady price for the last 3+ years that I have been with Pentax.

GateCityRadio · 08-07-2016, 08:03 PM

The LX and MZ-S seem to stay pretty steady when it comes to price. The FA Limiteds stay pretty steady for the most part.

LesDMess · 08-07-2016, 10:34 PM

Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac

Then again, I might just be imagining it

I don't think you're imagining it but I do think you are wishing it to be true . . . me too . . .

For instance LX accessories come very few and very far in between and quite high when they show up. I can't remember the last time I saw a 250 back, motor drive, focusing screens or even that flash terminal cover! And how about that zebra lens for the K! I am still missing an S too!

**ChrisPlatt** · 08-08-2016, 04:13 AM - **2 Likes**

Prices always seem to go up when you're buying and down when you're selling...

Chris

Xmas · 08-08-2016, 04:14 AM

Originally posted by LesDMess

And how about that zebra lens for the K! I am still missing an S too!

Ive got a 46mm preset but no hint of a reasonable body. Seems to be shortage of kit...

LesDMess · 08-08-2016, 10:13 AM

Originally posted by Xmas

Ive got a 46mm preset but no hint of a reasonable body. Seems to be shortage of kit...

Can't say I'm familiar with that lens?

nickthetasmaniac · 08-08-2016, 06:27 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

Prices always seem to go up when you're buying and down when you're selling...

Chris

There's a truth...

wbsmith200 · 08-09-2016, 04:37 PM

I snagged a pair of KX film bodies recently. The average price came to about $70 CDN per body. As for lenses I have an M 50 f1.4, paid about $100 CDN for that off a local collector and a K 28 f3.5 lens, I think I paid about $120 CDN off a local camera shop. I find EBay prices are creeping up but I think most people are going to buy new glass for their K1's.

**monochrome** · 08-09-2016, 05:24 PM

$120 CDN for a K28/3.5 is astonishing. They've tended to go in a wave from $50USD to $200USD since 2011. IMO $200 is a steal.

Johnny Rod · 08-10-2016, 02:29 AM

The only way to really tell the prices on ebay is to look at sold prices, the asking prices vary ridiculously. I'm not sufficiently au fait to say if stuff is going up or down, but I do like a nose of the adverts, particularly for anything cheap I already have (and therefore could easily fix or figure out its condition), and a £30 ($45US) camera can be seen advertised for £10-150. Guess what, they don't sell at £150! Maybe they are hoping to snag the sort of person who would buy London Bridge if they were offered it.

wbsmith200 · 08-10-2016, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by dcshooter

K1000s in the US are selling for 2-3x what they were a year ago. It really depends on the item.

Noticed that here in Canada as well. A decent earlier production K1000 that hasn't been beaten to death with a K or M 50 f2 lens will set you back around $180 Cdn. My local camera pusher at Burlington Camera pointed while K1000s were made by the ship load, most are in about the same condition as a Ford Crown Victoria Taxi cab just after it's been retired.

I now have two KX's (the black one needs a CLA) and a MX. I just have to get some more lenses and I'm set.

nickthetasmaniac · 08-10-2016, 06:02 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by wbsmith200

I now have two KX's (the black one needs a CLA) and a MX. I just have to get some more lenses and I'm set.

Mmmhmmm...

Cuthbert · 08-11-2016, 07:18 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac

Mmmhmmm...

I like the smell of vintage lenses in the morning.

**monochrome** · 08-11-2016, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by wbsmith200

Noticed that here in Canada as well. A decent earlier production K1000 that hasn't been beaten to death with a K or M 50 f2 lens will set you back around $180 Cdn. My local camera pusher at Burlington Camera pointed while K1000s were made by the ship load, most are in about the same condition as a Ford Crown Victoria Taxi cab just after it's been retired.

I now have two KX's (the black one needs a CLA) and a MX. I just have to get some more lenses and I'm set.

You don't have enough KX'es. You need one each split-image and matte / microprism. In silver and black.

08-07-2016, 07:50 PM	#1
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	Pentax 35mm prices way down? Is it just me or have the prices on Pentax 35mm gear dropped significantly? This is purely anecdotal, but I had a couple of years away from Pentax and it feels like prices dropped a lot on the 'premium' gear during that time. For instance, when I was last shooting Pentax a good LX with CLA would cost $500+ and $200-300usd would get you a pretty ugly beater at best, not there's a few very nice looking examples for that price. Likewise, I sold a K24/f2.8, K50/f1.2 and K135/f2.5 for probably 35% more than what I see them for now... Has anyone else noticed this? I'm a bit puzzled to be honest, I thought the K1 would have jacked the price of quality FF lenses... Then again, I might just be imagining it

08-11-2016, 10:25 AM	#15
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by wbsmith200 Noticed that here in Canada as well. A decent earlier production K1000 that hasn't been beaten to death with a K or M 50 f2 lens will set you back around $180 Cdn. My local camera pusher at Burlington Camera pointed while K1000s were made by the ship load, most are in about the same condition as a Ford Crown Victoria Taxi cab just after it's been retired. I now have two KX's (the black one needs a CLA) and a MX. I just have to get some more lenses and I'm set. You don't have enough KX'es. You need one each split-image and matte / microprism. In silver and black. Last edited by monochrome; 08-11-2016 at 02:11 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Nature Working my way down.......	eaglem	Post Your Photos!	2	07-29-2016 03:31 AM
k3 prices up and down	dcmsox2004	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	3	03-16-2016 04:55 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax K10D (Reduced WAY down)	post_eos	Sold Items	4	01-03-2014 07:00 AM
Pentax lens prices coming down again at retail...but not the marketplace?	dmytty	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	67	08-10-2012 03:18 PM
Canon profits way down, Good For Pentax?	Samsungian	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	32	02-04-2009 10:02 AM

08-07-2016, 08:00 PM	#2
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	They were low before the K-1 came along. If anything, some lenses have gone up in price. And I think film bodies in general have slowly gone down. The LX specifically seems to stay at a steady price for the last 3+ years that I have been with Pentax.

08-07-2016, 08:03 PM	#3
GateCityRadio Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Greensboro,NC Posts: 503	The LX and MZ-S seem to stay pretty steady when it comes to price. The FA Limiteds stay pretty steady for the most part.

08-07-2016, 10:34 PM	#4
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac Then again, I might just be imagining it I don't think you're imagining it but I do think you are wishing it to be true . . . me too . . . For instance LX accessories come very few and very far in between and quite high when they show up. I can't remember the last time I saw a 250 back, motor drive, focusing screens or even that flash terminal cover! And how about that zebra lens for the K! I am still missing an S too!

08-08-2016, 04:13 AM - 2 Likes	#5
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,694	Prices always seem to go up when you're buying and down when you're selling... Chris

08-08-2016, 04:14 AM	#6
Xmas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 617	Originally posted by LesDMess And how about that zebra lens for the K! I am still missing an S too! Ive got a 46mm preset but no hint of a reasonable body. Seems to be shortage of kit...

08-08-2016, 10:13 AM	#7
LesDMess Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,235	Originally posted by Xmas Ive got a 46mm preset but no hint of a reasonable body. Seems to be shortage of kit... Can't say I'm familiar with that lens?

08-08-2016, 06:27 PM	#8
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361 Original Poster	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt Prices always seem to go up when you're buying and down when you're selling... Chris There's a truth...

08-09-2016, 04:37 PM	#9
wbsmith200 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Oakville Ontario Posts: 56	I snagged a pair of KX film bodies recently. The average price came to about $70 CDN per body. As for lenses I have an M 50 f1.4, paid about $100 CDN for that off a local collector and a K 28 f3.5 lens, I think I paid about $120 CDN off a local camera shop. I find EBay prices are creeping up but I think most people are going to buy new glass for their K1's.

08-09-2016, 05:24 PM	#10
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	$120 CDN for a K28/3.5 is astonishing. They've tended to go in a wave from $50USD to $200USD since 2011. IMO $200 is a steal.

08-10-2016, 02:29 AM	#11
Johnny Rod Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 122	The only way to really tell the prices on ebay is to look at sold prices, the asking prices vary ridiculously. I'm not sufficiently au fait to say if stuff is going up or down, but I do like a nose of the adverts, particularly for anything cheap I already have (and therefore could easily fix or figure out its condition), and a £30 ($45US) camera can be seen advertised for £10-150. Guess what, they don't sell at £150! Maybe they are hoping to snag the sort of person who would buy London Bridge if they were offered it.

08-10-2016, 01:07 PM	#12
wbsmith200 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Oakville Ontario Posts: 56	Originally posted by dcshooter K1000s in the US are selling for 2-3x what they were a year ago. It really depends on the item. Noticed that here in Canada as well. A decent earlier production K1000 that hasn't been beaten to death with a K or M 50 f2 lens will set you back around $180 Cdn. My local camera pusher at Burlington Camera pointed while K1000s were made by the ship load, most are in about the same condition as a Ford Crown Victoria Taxi cab just after it's been retired. I now have two KX's (the black one needs a CLA) and a MX. I just have to get some more lenses and I'm set.

08-10-2016, 06:02 PM - 1 Like	#13
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361 Original Poster	Originally posted by wbsmith200 I now have two KX's (the black one needs a CLA) and a MX. I just have to get some more lenses and I'm set. Mmmhmmm...

08-11-2016, 07:18 AM - 2 Likes	#14
Cuthbert Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,740	Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac Mmmhmmm... I like the smell of vintage lenses in the morning.