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Objektiv SMC Pentax Pentax-A* 135mm / 1: 1.8 F1.8 | eBay

One up for Auction in Europe looks nice

[dragon132312]

They always cost a fortune, even way back when. I would still love to find an A20 2.8, well worth the $300 or more they go for when they even come up considering its the widest manual focus A lens before prices get really cracked.

Thanks for posting /Its interesting to see the original prices I haven't seen a A20 go for $300 more in the $400 range . Interesting that the 85 and 135 are the same price .

[baro-nite]

I think the biggest problem I have always had with the A star primes (my dream lenses) is that there is nothing they can do that is worth the extra money.

Then why are they your "dream lenses"?

Thanks for posting the 1985 B&H price list -- very interesting to see what has held value (relatively speaking) and what hasn't.

[ironlionzion]

Thanks for posting the 1985 B&H price list -- very interesting to see what has held value (relatively speaking) and what hasn't.

also very interesting to see the sheer selection of lenses offered in 1985. Top notch primes from 15mm to 600mm. Wow. I guess we're now at 15mm to 560, albeit with a few gaps in between

[JohnBee]

I think the biggest problem I have always had with the A star primes (my dream lenses) is that there is nothing they can do that is worth the extra money.

I wonder how this lens compares to something like a Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135mm 1.8?
If there would be any advantages either way(aside from the AF of course).

[PPPPPP42]

They are my dream lenses because I would still love to have them, but I only dream about it because they cost too damn much. As I recall the inflation calculations mean that $1 in 1985 is $2 now, I would seriously consider the A* lenses at double their original price but things have gotten quite a bit ridiculously beyond that.

[JohnBee]

Closed at:

$1754.00

[froeschle]

1410€

Average price is about 1127€ (max: 2040€, lowest: 755€) according to Pentax A* 1,8/135 @ ebay

[Phil1]

My guess was $1700 US. Add shipping, insurance and duty etc. from Zurich. Do I get a roll of digital film? A good buy and it sure looked like it was in nice condition from the pic. 28 bids on it and it fill out from 640 EU to the final 1,410 EU in the last 10 seconds. My rate of exchange is 1.2988 to the US dollar would equal $1,831.

[Phil1]

Quote: "They are my dream lenses because I would still love to have them, but I only dream about it because they cost too damn much. As I recall the inflation calculations mean that $1 in 1985 is $2 now, I would seriously consider the A* lenses at double their original price but things have gotten quite a bit ridiculously beyond that."

You have to factor in the rarity, quality, condition and how frequently they come up in the market place and of course demand. A simple dollar devaluation scale doesn't do it. The real world price and value is what was just paid plus shipping, insurance, duty etc for the buyer.

Shelby Mustang coupes were only $7K new.............

[PPPPPP42]

In all honesty if I had ridiculous amounts of money in my bank account, since the Pentax A series is the only lens series for me I probably woulda pissed away $1800 on the lens myself. Some people consider that a reasonable price for a light lunch.

The '67 Shelby GT 500 had a base price of about $4200 as I recall, and even with inflation that's still only about $17 or $18K now. I believe $7500 was the intended price of the super snake which never really made it into mainstream production.

EDIT: Actually people who can afford to pay more than $1000 for a meal should be shot, there's just no excuse for that no matter how hard they might have worked to become rich.

[Phil1]

Here you go, start shooting.....Shelby GT350 for sale | Hemmings Motor News

[dragon132312]

My guess was $1700 US. Add shipping, insurance and duty etc. from Zurich. Do I get a roll of digital film? A good buy and it sure looked like it was in nice condition from the pic. 28 bids on it and it fill out from 640 EU to the final 1,410 EU in the last 10 seconds. My rate of exchange is 1.2988 to the US dollar would equal $1,831.

With the exchange rate and if you pay by paypal Its closer to $ 1900 exchanged brought an item from Europe for 650 Euros was & 880 Aust by the time i paid for it , I avoid the Euros stick with US dollars at lest you Know what you will pay usually the same , Unfortunately we dont get the quantity of hard to find lenses in Australia so most of my buys come from over seas Mostly Japan & USA Canada will only buy from Europe an less if the price is really good .

I wonder how this lens compares to something like a Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135mm 1.8? If there would be any advantages either way(aside from the AF of course).

I think some time people miss the point , to compare lenses for me is a no issue here , If i want the best 135 for canon i would buy L135/2 or sony i would buy Carl Zeiss Sonnar 135mm 1.8 but i shoot a Pentax so i would buy this lens , i may or may not be as good ,is it worth the price ,May be not, its only worth as much as your willing to pay ,my limit was $1500 and it took me 3 years to get one for the price i was willing to pay , I l really like my lens so far and the more i use it the better results i get from it ,for me its part of my A lense collection and a tool to take photos . If you want a particular lens keep looking one always turns up some where. Happy Hunting

[bossa]

The 135/1.8 lens is 'equivalent' to a 202/2.8 lens on Full Frame. 200/2.8 lenses are common and reasonably priced so is it just the price of the camera that would make you question whether it's worth buying one or the other?

D600 @ $2100
Nikkor 180/2.8 $600 (or Sigma/Tamron 70-200/2.8 for around $1000)


K-5 II @ 1300
A 135/1.8 1700

Hmm...

[dragon132312]

To me its not the amount the lens costs compared to other lenses and systems these are part of a working collection and the enjoyment i get from using them , I could just go and buy a D800 and 24/70+70/200+85/1.4 135/2 would be all i need except a long telephoto. would be a great setup but not for me at this stage ,may be later if i cant manual focus any more

[Danny Delcambre]

A* 135 f1.8 value $1,200 to $2,000 depend on good condition. My A* 135mm f1.8 for $50. I am lucky. I love it. It is very RARE.