Why are the k2's so cheap on e-bay

arkansas72762 · 01-10-2009, 10:39 PM

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I just bought one local today. It's almost mint minus a battery door. I own the me super and other than no power winder option this looks to be a really solid camera that does alot. Is there a problem with this model? For a film camera this looks to be all the fun and control you would want??

wlachan · 01-10-2009, 11:02 PM

I think the K series was chunky and never a hit and that was the resaon that the M series was developed in the first place. K1000 was being popular as student camera, affordable and disposable, but that was it.

Blue · 01-10-2009, 11:35 PM

Originally posted by arkansas72762

I just bought one local today. It's almost mint minus a battery door. I own the me super and other than no power winder option this looks to be a really solid camera that does alot. Is there a problem with this model? For a film camera this looks to be all the fun and control you would want??

Ebay is sometimes unpredictable. I have seen them go for more. The K2 was one of the best bodies pre-autofocus bodies Pentax made. The K2 and the MX were the only bodies that were close to being a professional body and only surpassed IMHO by the LX.
While they may be heavy, they have nice lines Pentax made famous. The K1000 is a different beast and the reason it was a "student" camera was its fully manual straight forward operation, price and quality. I don't think anyone ever thought of a K1000 as disposable. The K2 (1975-77) and MX (1976-85) preceded the LX even though the MX was produced until 1985. The K2 has mirror lock up, DOF preview, Av and manual modes. The black ones actually look pretty sleek.

drewdlephone · 01-10-2009, 11:36 PM

The K2 was the original K mount flagship, but it didn't move in large numbers. One of the other reasons was the location of the ISO setting (on the lens mount collar) where it was a PITA to get at. Exacerbating this issue was the fact that the ISO setting also served as the exposure compensation setting when the camera was in it's automatic mode.

Blue · 01-11-2009, 12:02 AM

Originally posted by drewdlephone

The K2 was the original K mount flagship, but it didn't move in large numbers. One of the other reasons was the location of the ISO setting (on the lens mount collar) where it was a PITA to get at. Exacerbating this issue was the fact that the ISO setting also served as the exposure compensation setting when the camera was in it's automatic mode.

The ISO ring takes some learning to figure out initially but it really isn't that bad. How many times does a person change the ISO in the middle of a roll?

titrisol · 01-11-2009, 07:56 AM

My guess is that because the K1000 is so famous and the K2 was produced in less qtties it is far less known, thus demand is lower

lower demand = lower price

séamuis · 01-11-2009, 08:07 AM

ive never seen K2's go for cheaper than a K100o, but if they currently are I will be looking out for one.

stevebrot · 01-11-2009, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by wlachan

I think the K series was chunky and never a hit and that was the resaon that the M series was developed in the first place. K1000 was being popular as student camera, affordable and disposable, but that was it.

Chunky? Well, I guess that would be one way of putting it. Compared to the Nikon and Canon cameras of the day, the K body cameras are actually a little on the slender side. I, for one, prefer the K series bodies to the smaller M series. My hands are pretty big and the leetle beety MX and ME bodies are a pain.

Steve

(Looking for a KX in really good condition...)

stevebrot · 01-11-2009, 10:24 AM

Originally posted by séamuis

ive never seen K2's go for cheaper than a K100o, but if they currently are I will be looking out for one.

I have seen K1000s go for absurd prices on eBay. Here in the Portland, Oregon area, the going price used in a shop is usually over $150 USD with some version of the 50/2. A clean MX with CLA and 90 warranty goes for about $200-220. Go figure...

On the other hand, there is the occasional bargain on a K2 or KX. I missed bidding on a nice KX that went for only $65 on eBay in early December. I guess that it is safe to say that there is considerable price overlap and that the K1000 is often over-valued in some markets.

Steve

séamuis · 01-11-2009, 11:03 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I have seen K1000s go for absurd prices on eBay. Here in the Portland, Oregon area, the going price used in a shop is usually over $150 USD with some version of the 50/2. A clean MX with CLA and 90 warranty goes for about $200-220. Go figure...

On the other hand, there is the occasional bargain on a K2 or KX. I missed bidding on a nice KX that went for only $65 on eBay in early December. I guess that it is safe to say that there is considerable price overlap and that the K1000 is often over-valued in some markets.

Steve

I suppose you haven't seen this? look at the information he added to his current sale on the right. talk about ridiculous.

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/fda0cf6f51.jpg

stevebrot · 01-11-2009, 01:03 PM

Originally posted by séamuis

I suppose you haven't seen this? look at the information he added to his current sale on the right. talk about ridiculous.

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/fda0cf6f51.jpg

"SLR Entry professional film camera"!!!!

It even appears to be one of the extra special and rare lightweight limited edition made in China models! Do you suppose he has a NIB Pentax-A 50/2 to match?

Steve

Blue · 01-11-2009, 08:23 PM

A black K2 with a 50mm f2 M lens went for $133.50 and a chrome one with a 50mm f1.7 M lens went for $51 and a KX chrome body went for $36. Considering the lens, the Chrome K2 was a good deal.

PENTAX K2 35MM SLR CAMERA-BLACK w/ 50mm LENS & CASE - eBay (item 220339708504 end time Jan-11-09 17:51:08 PST)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220339705287&ssPageN...MEWA:IT&ih=012

arkansas72762 · 01-11-2009, 09:59 PM

The f1.7 was worth 51 bucks and the camera was free.. I don't get it. lol

séamuis · 01-11-2009, 10:00 PM

Originally posted by Blue

A black K2 with a 50mm f2 M lens went for $133.50 and a chrome one with a 50mm f1.7 M lens went for $51 and a KX chrome body went for $36. Considering the lens, the Chrome K2 was a good deal.

PENTAX K2 35MM SLR CAMERA-BLACK w/ 50mm LENS & CASE - eBay (item 220339708504 end time Jan-11-09 17:51:08 PST)

PENTAX K2 35MM SLR CAMERA w/ 50mm f/1.7 LENS & CASE - eBay (item 220339705287 end time Jan-11-09 17:42:06 PST)

yea I was watching those. I fell asleep (I work at night). when I got up, I said 'if one of those went for less than $100 I will be pissed'.... sure enough I was pissed.

I miss so many good deals because im on a different sleep schedule than most.

séamuis · 01-11-2009, 10:02 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

"SLR Entry professional film camera"!!!!

It even appears to be one of the extra special and rare lightweight limited edition made in China models! Do you suppose he has a NIB Pentax-A 50/2 to match?

Steve

how many LX's & 50mm 1.2's could one buy with $5,000? oh and throw in an A* 85mm 1.4 or two...

01-10-2009, 10:39 PM	#1
arkansas72762 New Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Springdale Arkansas Posts: 16	Why are the k2's so cheap on e-bay 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. I just bought one local today. It's almost mint minus a battery door. I own the me super and other than no power winder option this looks to be a really solid camera that does alot. Is there a problem with this model? For a film camera this looks to be all the fun and control you would want??

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01-10-2009, 11:02 PM	#2
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	I think the K series was chunky and never a hit and that was the resaon that the M series was developed in the first place. K1000 was being popular as student camera, affordable and disposable, but that was it.

01-10-2009, 11:35 PM	#3
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by arkansas72762 I just bought one local today. It's almost mint minus a battery door. I own the me super and other than no power winder option this looks to be a really solid camera that does alot. Is there a problem with this model? For a film camera this looks to be all the fun and control you would want?? Ebay is sometimes unpredictable. I have seen them go for more. The K2 was one of the best bodies pre-autofocus bodies Pentax made. The K2 and the MX were the only bodies that were close to being a professional body and only surpassed IMHO by the LX. While they may be heavy, they have nice lines Pentax made famous. The K1000 is a different beast and the reason it was a "student" camera was its fully manual straight forward operation, price and quality. I don't think anyone ever thought of a K1000 as disposable. The K2 (1975-77) and MX (1976-85) preceded the LX even though the MX was produced until 1985. The K2 has mirror lock up, DOF preview, Av and manual modes. The black ones actually look pretty sleek.

01-10-2009, 11:36 PM	#4
drewdlephone Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Nanaimo, BC Posts: 261	The K2 was the original K mount flagship, but it didn't move in large numbers. One of the other reasons was the location of the ISO setting (on the lens mount collar) where it was a PITA to get at. Exacerbating this issue was the fact that the ISO setting also served as the exposure compensation setting when the camera was in it's automatic mode.

01-11-2009, 12:02 AM	#5
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by drewdlephone The K2 was the original K mount flagship, but it didn't move in large numbers. One of the other reasons was the location of the ISO setting (on the lens mount collar) where it was a PITA to get at. Exacerbating this issue was the fact that the ISO setting also served as the exposure compensation setting when the camera was in it's automatic mode. The ISO ring takes some learning to figure out initially but it really isn't that bad. How many times does a person change the ISO in the middle of a roll?

01-11-2009, 07:56 AM	#6
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,852	My guess is that because the K1000 is so famous and the K2 was produced in less qtties it is far less known, thus demand is lower lower demand = lower price

01-11-2009, 08:07 AM	#7
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	ive never seen K2's go for cheaper than a K100o, but if they currently are I will be looking out for one.

01-11-2009, 10:15 AM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by wlachan I think the K series was chunky and never a hit and that was the resaon that the M series was developed in the first place. K1000 was being popular as student camera, affordable and disposable, but that was it. Chunky? Well, I guess that would be one way of putting it. Compared to the Nikon and Canon cameras of the day, the K body cameras are actually a little on the slender side. I, for one, prefer the K series bodies to the smaller M series. My hands are pretty big and the leetle beety MX and ME bodies are a pain. Steve (Looking for a KX in really good condition...)

01-11-2009, 10:24 AM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by séamuis ive never seen K2's go for cheaper than a K100o, but if they currently are I will be looking out for one. I have seen K1000s go for absurd prices on eBay. Here in the Portland, Oregon area, the going price used in a shop is usually over $150 USD with some version of the 50/2. A clean MX with CLA and 90 warranty goes for about $200-220. Go figure... On the other hand, there is the occasional bargain on a K2 or KX. I missed bidding on a nice KX that went for only $65 on eBay in early December. I guess that it is safe to say that there is considerable price overlap and that the K1000 is often over-valued in some markets. Steve

01-11-2009, 11:03 AM	#10
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by stevebrot I have seen K1000s go for absurd prices on eBay. Here in the Portland, Oregon area, the going price used in a shop is usually over $150 USD with some version of the 50/2. A clean MX with CLA and 90 warranty goes for about $200-220. Go figure... On the other hand, there is the occasional bargain on a K2 or KX. I missed bidding on a nice KX that went for only $65 on eBay in early December. I guess that it is safe to say that there is considerable price overlap and that the K1000 is often over-valued in some markets. Steve I suppose you haven't seen this? look at the information he added to his current sale on the right. talk about ridiculous. http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/fda0cf6f51.jpg

01-11-2009, 01:03 PM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by séamuis I suppose you haven't seen this? look at the information he added to his current sale on the right. talk about ridiculous. http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/fda0cf6f51.jpg "SLR Entry professional film camera"!!!! It even appears to be one of the extra special and rare lightweight limited edition made in China models! Do you suppose he has a NIB Pentax-A 50/2 to match? Steve

01-11-2009, 08:23 PM	#12
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	A black K2 with a 50mm f2 M lens went for $133.50 and a chrome one with a 50mm f1.7 M lens went for $51 and a KX chrome body went for $36. Considering the lens, the Chrome K2 was a good deal. PENTAX K2 35MM SLR CAMERA-BLACK w/ 50mm LENS & CASE - eBay (item 220339708504 end time Jan-11-09 17:51:08 PST) http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220339705287&ssPageN...MEWA:IT&ih=012

01-11-2009, 09:59 PM	#13
arkansas72762 New Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Springdale Arkansas Posts: 16 Original Poster	The f1.7 was worth 51 bucks and the camera was free.. I don't get it. lol

01-11-2009, 10:00 PM	#14
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by Blue A black K2 with a 50mm f2 M lens went for $133.50 and a chrome one with a 50mm f1.7 M lens went for $51 and a KX chrome body went for $36. Considering the lens, the Chrome K2 was a good deal. PENTAX K2 35MM SLR CAMERA-BLACK w/ 50mm LENS & CASE - eBay (item 220339708504 end time Jan-11-09 17:51:08 PST) PENTAX K2 35MM SLR CAMERA w/ 50mm f/1.7 LENS & CASE - eBay (item 220339705287 end time Jan-11-09 17:42:06 PST) yea I was watching those. I fell asleep (I work at night). when I got up, I said 'if one of those went for less than $100 I will be pissed'.... sure enough I was pissed. I miss so many good deals because im on a different sleep schedule than most.

01-11-2009, 10:02 PM	#15
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	Originally posted by stevebrot "SLR Entry professional film camera"!!!! It even appears to be one of the extra special and rare lightweight limited edition made in China models! Do you suppose he has a NIB Pentax-A 50/2 to match? Steve how many LX's & 50mm 1.2's could one buy with $5,000? oh and throw in an A* 85mm 1.4 or two...