The Canadian Government's surplus site (Crown Assets) has posted a FA* 250-600mm f/5.6 lens for sale. Being in the region, I went to take a look today. The lens is in great condition, a few dings on the finish (normal) but the glass is pristine. Comes with case, filters, cover, etc. It is complete. The rather cute RCMP officer who showed it to me said it was 2 years old (I can;t vouch for this). I tried the lens and the clarity was excellent. Link below. Inside the case was a Pentax Forums printout from the lens database so they could "evaluate the value".

Right next to this drool fest lens is something that is going up in the next few days: an A* 1200mm f/8.

A few caveats:
I believe you have to be a Canadian citizen to be able to buy. Not sure about that. You may want to look further into it, or lean on a Canuck buddy for this one.
There is NO SHIPPING INCLUDED. It's pick-up only, so you have to make your own arrangements.
It's closed bidding so you place your bid and hope it's the highest.

This is legit, folks. I have bought quite a few things from there, including camera gear, musical instruments, jewelry, etc.

What's for Sale - CADC

Follow the link and type "Pentax" in the search field.

[Marc Langille]

Looks good!

It may have been acquired 2 years ago, but that lens was last manufactured 2004: FA* 250-600/5.6 ED [IF]

I believe my copy is also a later edition - that's based on the serial number I have, it's pristine condition and vs. someone I know who bought their lens in the 1990's.

I'd do it.

Cheers,
Marc

[Pauld]

If I lived in Ottawa I would be bidding on that in a second!
Wonder how much it will go for?

[cmohr]

MMMMmmmmmmm... Silvery....

[Steinback]

Unfortunately for low value items the CADC sales process only really works for people who live reasonably close to the location making the sale. I've seen lots of interesting items posted over the years but unless I was looking to buy something high value like a ship or a tank chassis the travel costs associated with the purchase are prohibitive. If I could afford it this lens (at a couple hundred dollars below market value) would be at the lower end of the price range that might justify a gamble on a mid week vacation in Ottawa to inspect and bid.

It is interesting to see that the RCMP was using long Pentax glass. A few years ago a large number of FA 28mm and FA 50mm macro lenses hit the Canadian market after the Edmonton police service sold their Pentax equipment off to a used camera dealer.

[pop4]

If only I wasn't halfway across the other side of the world, I'd be making an offer for that in a heartbeat!
I wonder if any of our Canadian members will be willing to help out...

[Peter Zack]

Steinback, This will sell quite a bit lower than it's normal resale value. I bet somewhere from $2500-3500. You don't live that far away to drive up and pick it up (or even a cheap commuter flight). thorswolf has already inspected it for you, all you have to do is bid......

[thorswolf]

Steinback, This will sell quite a bit lower than it's normal resale value. I bet somewhere from $2500-3500. You don't live that far away to drive up and pick it up (or even a cheap commuter flight). thorswolf has already inspected it for you, all you have to do is bid......

Peter is right on that point. Take it this way: if you bid $2500-3500, and you win, then it's worthwhile to come down and pick it up. If it's not the winning bid, then no loss.

I will post the pics I took of the lens this evening as well as the two test shots I took with it.

[Clinton]

thorswolf: why aren't you buying this lens?

[jpzk]

This is the chance of a lifetime for me!!

Some of you may know that I have been looking for such a lens for a long time and I hope this may be it!

Thanks (seriously!) for the hint thorswolf.

If I am lucky, my daughter will pick it up - she lives in Ottawa!!

Cheers!

JP

[thorswolf]

Who said I wasn't bidding??
I placed the bid my bank account can handle (barely).

It doesn't rule out anyone else trying for it.

[Clinton]

Heh, someone else has already noticed: SMC Pentax-FA 250-600MM - FM Forums

They think this lens will go unnoticed and not sell for much.. yeah whatever.

Edit: Oh, and they want to strap it on a Nikon??!!

[Peter Zack]

Once it gets on an internet forum.......

[Clinton]

Or google crawls it for a search index.

[jpzk]

If I am not successful with my bid for that lens, I'll bid on Marc Langille's for $500.00 !!

JP