Value of Pentax cameras

**Baard-Einar** · 12-13-2014, 03:21 PM

Originally posted by Moe49

No. But close.
I have never seen a black 'S' sell for more than a black 'AP' in similar condition. I do wonder if there are fewer black 'S' cameras than black 'AP's though, solely because I think there are fewer 'S's made (no more that 3000?) than 'AP's.

Me too! If the 'right' one comes along, a really nice one, 'click'.

Not easy to find! And then to top it it should have a black lens of course. I have a very Nice black K, and a little worn black S. so a black AP would make me droole..

Travis fare · 12-21-2015, 03:09 PM

I have an Asahi Pentax K and H-2 with many lenses all in leather Asahi cases. Anyone interested in buying? Tried to add photo from phone, but didn't work.

Aoresteen · 01-05-2016, 06:20 PM

Why no mention of the Spotmatic Motor Drive, ESII Motor Drive, and the Spotmatic F motor drive? And the 250exp backs? Those models are getting really hard to find nowadays. And are expensive!

Pentax ES II black Motor Drive outfit

**gofour3** · 01-05-2016, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by Aoresteen

Why no mention of the Spotmatic Motor Drive, ESII Motor Drive, and the Spotmatic F motor drive? And the 250exp backs? Those models are getting really hard to find nowadays. And are expensive!

Pentax ES II black Motor Drive outfit

Yeah I saw that last year and posted the link somewhere on this forum. Amazing kit and extremely rare in that condition.

Phil.

**Digitalis** · 01-05-2016, 08:44 PM

Not long ago, there was an auction of the Pentax LX 2000 Silver edition - though this came with a set of silver FA limited MIJ lenses, as well as the chrome 50mm f/1.2 special, all in mint condition - the whole lot sold for nearly $25,000US

atakumar · 08-29-2016, 09:01 AM

Hi,

The most valuable Pentax camera ever is the Black Pentax S.
I have one and it is the rarest Pentax and one of the most rare of all Japanese camera's.
Thank you,
Joe

Craftsman · 08-29-2016, 05:35 PM

Well post a picture of it. Please

atakumar · 08-30-2016, 06:39 AM

Hi,

In my post from yesterday I said that the Black Pentax S was the most valuable and rarest Pentax.
If you look at the numbers produced for the S which is just over 4 thousand and most of those were silver.
The AP were made in much larger numbers so more black AP and K were produced than black Pentax S's
Look up the numbers produced.
As far as the rare LX camera's. They were not production cameras. Made in small numbers
with rare skin and unusual metals.
The Pentax S was a production camera.
I have all of the lenses but it took me years to get the 55mm f 1.8 Takumar.
The 58mm f 2.0 was also hard to locate and also took years to purchase.
I have a 58mm f 2.4 and the 83mm f1.9 which is a great performer.
I have used the 83mm f1.9 on my MZS.
I have owned two of the 83mm f1.9 in 42mm
and two 58mm f 2.0 at one time.
The old Asahi Lenses were great performing Lenses.
Thank you,
Joe

**Moe49** · 08-30-2016, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by Craftsman

Well post a picture of it. Please

I posted a picture of my Black 'S' back at post #24, if you are interested in such.

**Baard-Einar** · 08-30-2016, 12:01 PM

Originally posted by Moe49

edit 2/6/15:
Just 'clicked'. I bought a black AP with an all black Takumar 58/2.0 Sonnar preset attached. The camera is in 'fair' condition, the lens in 'good' condition.
I decided to add them to my collection anyway, because both are so rare, rarely seen 'for sale' in any condition.

Ah! Do post a photo of your black A P.

Craftsman · 08-30-2016, 04:59 PM

Originally posted by Moe49

I posted a picture of my Black 'S' back at post #24, if you are interested in such.

Beautiful camera. Love the early Pentax cameras. Even at those prices they are still inexpensive compared to,Leica.

**Moe49** · 09-10-2016, 12:17 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Moe49:

edit 2/6/15:
Just 'clicked'. I bought a black AP with an all black Takumar 58/2.0 Sonnar preset attached. The camera is in 'fair' condition, the lens in 'good' condition.
I decided to add them to my collection anyway, because both are so rare, rarely seen 'for sale' in any condition.

Originally posted by Baard-Einar

Ah! Do post a photo of your black A P.

Since you asked

It is not the 'prettiest' Black AP around. It needs a bit of TLC and a CLA. The shutter curtains appear fine.
I found a NoS top cover and film door for it (shown in the last photo).

**Baard-Einar** · 09-10-2016, 01:45 PM

Originally posted by Moe49

Since you asked

It is not the 'prettiest' Black AP around. It needs a bit of TLC and a CLA. The shutter curtains appear fine.
I found a NoS top cover and film door for it (shown in the last photo).

Fantastic. It looks good! Nice find for the new top and film door.

Thanks posting!

lesmore49 · 09-10-2016, 02:11 PM

I still have my first two cameras. A chrome Asahi Pentax S1a, bought new in Feb., 1968 and a black bodied Asahi Pentax ES ll, bought new in '74, I think. They still work, still look pretty good, still have their cases, still have their orig. lenses. I don't plan on selling them but do plan to put them in a camera display at home.

I never sell anything camera related and am closing in on 50 years of photography. Have Zeiss medium format, Leica RF, Mamiya TLR, Yashica RF and TLR, etc. I've never thought most old film cameras are worth selling, as I don't think you would get a lot of money for them unless it was something like one of Alfred Eisenstadt's Leica RF's, that kind of thing.

I'll keep them, display them, I get a lot of pleasure out of looking at them, thinking of the memories associated with them and using them occasionally.

**monochrome** · 09-10-2016, 04:33 PM

Lately I have been fortunate to acquire a spotless K with Zebra 55/1.8, and a silver ESll that is nearly perfect. These were both auction pieces that were not competitive. My conservative maximum bid was not closely approached.

08-29-2016, 09:01 AM	#51
atakumar New Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Western Finger lakes New York state Posts: 2	most valuable pentax camera Hi, The most valuable Pentax camera ever is the Black Pentax S. I have one and it is the rarest Pentax and one of the most rare of all Japanese camera's. Thank you, Joe

08-30-2016, 06:39 AM	#53
atakumar New Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Western Finger lakes New York state Posts: 2	The rarest and most valuable Asahi Pentax Hi, In my post from yesterday I said that the Black Pentax S was the most valuable and rarest Pentax. If you look at the numbers produced for the S which is just over 4 thousand and most of those were silver. The AP were made in much larger numbers so more black AP and K were produced than black Pentax S's Look up the numbers produced. As far as the rare LX camera's. They were not production cameras. Made in small numbers with rare skin and unusual metals. The Pentax S was a production camera. I have all of the lenses but it took me years to get the 55mm f 1.8 Takumar. The 58mm f 2.0 was also hard to locate and also took years to purchase. I have a 58mm f 2.4 and the 83mm f1.9 which is a great performer. I have used the 83mm f1.9 on my MZS. I have owned two of the 83mm f1.9 in 42mm and two 58mm f 2.0 at one time. The old Asahi Lenses were great performing Lenses. Thank you, Joe

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12-13-2014, 03:21 PM	#46
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964	Originally posted by Moe49 No. But close. I have never seen a black 'S' sell for more than a black 'AP' in similar condition. I do wonder if there are fewer black 'S' cameras than black 'AP's though, solely because I think there are fewer 'S's made (no more that 3000?) than 'AP's. Me too! If the 'right' one comes along, a really nice one, 'click'. Not easy to find! And then to top it it should have a black lens of course. I have a very Nice black K, and a little worn black S. so a black AP would make me droole..

12-21-2015, 03:09 PM	#47
Travis fare New Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 1	I have an Asahi Pentax K and H-2 with many lenses all in leather Asahi cases. Anyone interested in buying? Tried to add photo from phone, but didn't work.

01-05-2016, 06:20 PM	#48
Aoresteen Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 55	Why no mention of the Spotmatic Motor Drive, ESII Motor Drive, and the Spotmatic F motor drive? And the 250exp backs? Those models are getting really hard to find nowadays. And are expensive! Pentax ES II black Motor Drive outfit

01-05-2016, 08:38 PM	#49
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	Originally posted by Aoresteen Why no mention of the Spotmatic Motor Drive, ESII Motor Drive, and the Spotmatic F motor drive? And the 250exp backs? Those models are getting really hard to find nowadays. And are expensive! Pentax ES II black Motor Drive outfit Yeah I saw that last year and posted the link somewhere on this forum. Amazing kit and extremely rare in that condition. Phil.

01-05-2016, 08:44 PM	#50
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Not long ago, there was an auction of the Pentax LX 2000 Silver edition - though this came with a set of silver FA limited MIJ lenses, as well as the chrome 50mm f/1.2 special, all in mint condition - the whole lot sold for nearly $25,000US

08-29-2016, 05:35 PM	#52
Craftsman Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Traveling Posts: 54	Well post a picture of it. Please

08-30-2016, 09:09 AM	#54
Moe49 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz Mtns. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 874	Originally posted by Craftsman Well post a picture of it. Please I posted a picture of my Black 'S' back at post #24, if you are interested in such.

08-30-2016, 12:01 PM	#55
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964	Originally posted by Moe49 edit 2/6/15: Just 'clicked'. I bought a black AP with an all black Takumar 58/2.0 Sonnar preset attached. The camera is in 'fair' condition, the lens in 'good' condition. I decided to add them to my collection anyway, because both are so rare, rarely seen 'for sale' in any condition. Ah! Do post a photo of your black A P.

08-30-2016, 04:59 PM	#56
Craftsman Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Traveling Posts: 54	Originally posted by Moe49 I posted a picture of my Black 'S' back at post #24, if you are interested in such. Beautiful camera. Love the early Pentax cameras. Even at those prices they are still inexpensive compared to,Leica.

09-10-2016, 01:45 PM	#58
Baard-Einar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oslo Photos: Gallery Posts: 964	Originally posted by Moe49 Since you asked It is not the 'prettiest' Black AP around. It needs a bit of TLC and a CLA. The shutter curtains appear fine. I found a NoS top cover and film door for it (shown in the last photo). Fantastic. It looks good! Nice find for the new top and film door. Thanks posting!

09-10-2016, 02:11 PM	#59
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,349	I still have my first two cameras. A chrome Asahi Pentax S1a, bought new in Feb., 1968 and a black bodied Asahi Pentax ES ll, bought new in '74, I think. They still work, still look pretty good, still have their cases, still have their orig. lenses. I don't plan on selling them but do plan to put them in a camera display at home. I never sell anything camera related and am closing in on 50 years of photography. Have Zeiss medium format, Leica RF, Mamiya TLR, Yashica RF and TLR, etc. I've never thought most old film cameras are worth selling, as I don't think you would get a lot of money for them unless it was something like one of Alfred Eisenstadt's Leica RF's, that kind of thing. I'll keep them, display them, I get a lot of pleasure out of looking at them, thinking of the memories associated with them and using them occasionally.

09-10-2016, 04:33 PM	#60
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Lately I have been fortunate to acquire a spotless K with Zebra 55/1.8, and a silver ESll that is nearly perfect. These were both auction pieces that were not competitive. My conservative maximum bid was not closely approached.