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A* 1200/8 -- the ultimate Pentax rarity · 05:41 AM

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Very RARE Pentax A Star SMC 1200mm 1200 mm F8 F 8 Ed Lens | eBay

At US$8,000 I expect this one will sell fairly quickly.

Jean Poitiers · 03-10-2013, 08:00 AM

Wow ... I'd like to see that monster in person ... J

**Kerrowdown** · 03-10-2013, 08:13 AM

Originally posted by First Poster

US$8,000 I expect this one will sell fairly quickly

I'm thinking your probably right, it still seems like a lot of money for what I consider to be a very occasional use lens.

The expense only just starts here, new seriously heavy duty tripod, Wimberley Gimbal Head Mk II etc. to even consider using such a beast. Gym membership would just not cut it for hand holding.

**Fontan** · 03-10-2013, 08:37 AM - **1 Like**

It would be the ultimate companion for my Q.

**monochrome** · 03-10-2013, 08:41 AM

Drop-in filters and soft front cap are missing. Another member bought one for $7,500 about 18 months ago on eBay with the filters. B-I-N was $15,000 OBO - he offered $7,500 and was accepted.

**Clinton** · 03-10-2013, 09:03 AM

You folks are getting good at lens-spotting.

The lens may not come with the soft front cap, however someone has put the very large front protective filter on this. I think this one ran me $750 to import, so I'd say you're getting a deal there. You *might* even be able to ask if they have the front cap.

The front cap says Pentax, it's black, and it has a fuzzy interior. It looks kinda like a bag in a way. It's not a pinch cap, and I doubt you'll find a lot of 150mm pinch cap. You could probably use the right soft bag in it's place.

When my lens arrived, I posted this: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/160461-1200mm-has-arrived.html

This is now the 5th such lens I've seen for sale since I started here with PentaxForums and Pentax.

Frankly, this seems like a pretty fair deal. Good luck with your purchase. If you ever want one, now is your time!

**Clinton** · 03-10-2013, 09:10 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

Drop-in filters and soft front cap are missing. Another member bought one for $7,500 about 18 months ago on eBay with the filters. B-I-N was $15,000 OBO - he offered $7,500 and was accepted.

It looks like it has the drop in filter holder. That's really all you need if you want to put filters inside.

**monochrome** · 03-10-2013, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by Clinton

It looks like it has the drop in filter holder. That's really all you need if you want to put filters inside.

Yes, I saw that - but I'm a gear geek.

Really I'm just opining the Offer Price seems very well in the ballpark and I, of course, defer to your actual experience with the lens.

And I'll never, ever own one. By the time I've spent $7,000 that many times on all the other things $7,000 can buy first, that many times, I'll be dead.

Douge · 03-10-2013, 09:50 AM

Originally posted by Fontan

It would be the ultimate companion for my Q.

Haha, I'd love to see that!

This lens looks like it could be a dangerous weapon

GordonZA · 03-10-2013, 10:06 AM - **1 Like**

Chuck Norris shoots it hand held....

post_eos · 03-10-2013, 11:15 AM

Originally posted by GordonZA

Chuck Norris shoots it hand held....

Without SR. At f16. With an ND filter.

**boriscleto** · 03-10-2013, 11:17 AM

Originally posted by GordonZA

Chuck Norris shoots it hand held....

His artificial hip is as good as any carbon fiber tripod...

**baro-nite** · 03-10-2013, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by kerrowdown

... seems like a lot of money for what I consider to be a very occasional use lens ... The expense only just starts here, new seriously heavy duty tripod, Wimberley Gimbal Head Mk II etc. to even consider using such a beast. Gym membership would just not cut it for hand holding.

I figure another US$1,500 minimum for a truly suitable tripod and gimbal head. And, as you say, occasional use, unless your house is a good viewing area for difficult-to-approach wildlife.

Originally posted by Fontan

It would be the ultimate companion for my Q.

The reduced weight of the body would make for easier hand-holding.

Originally posted by Clinton

This is now the 5th such lens I've seen for sale since I started here with PentaxForums and Pentax.

Wow, not quite so rare as I thought. I wonder how many were made.

littledrawe · 03-11-2013, 12:06 AM

Originally posted by kerrowdown

I'm thinking your probably right, it still seems like a lot of money for what I consider to be a very occasional use lens.

I could have used that lens every time I went out this winter for the raptors I've been shooting. If that means that I only have to get half as close to them as I've had to with my 600mm I could have shot them for twice as long without them getting spooked and also gotten shots I missed because I wasn't close enough in other situations. It may be an occasional use lens for some but if you have it you can make it a regular use lens if that is your shooting style or you want to adapt to the lens. I personally would love to have one.

Tom S. · 03-12-2013, 08:07 AM

For those of you with far deeper pockets than I have!

Pentax A* SMC 1200mm

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03-10-2013, 09:03 AM	#6
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,915	You folks are getting good at lens-spotting. The lens may not come with the soft front cap, however someone has put the very large front protective filter on this. I think this one ran me $750 to import, so I'd say you're getting a deal there. You might even be able to ask if they have the front cap. The front cap says Pentax, it's black, and it has a fuzzy interior. It looks kinda like a bag in a way. It's not a pinch cap, and I doubt you'll find a lot of 150mm pinch cap. You could probably use the right soft bag in it's place. When my lens arrived, I posted this: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/160461-1200mm-has-arrived.html This is now the 5th such lens I've seen for sale since I started here with PentaxForums and Pentax. Frankly, this seems like a pretty fair deal. Good luck with your purchase. If you ever want one, now is your time! Last edited by Clinton; 03-10-2013 at 09:09 AM.

03-10-2013, 09:26 AM	#8
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Clinton It looks like it has the drop in filter holder. That's really all you need if you want to put filters inside. Yes, I saw that - but I'm a gear geek. Really I'm just opining the Offer Price seems very well in the ballpark and I, of course, defer to your actual experience with the lens. And I'll never, ever own one. By the time I've spent $7,000 that many times on all the other things $7,000 can buy first, that many times, I'll be dead. Last edited by monochrome; 03-10-2013 at 09:51 AM.

03-12-2013, 08:07 AM	#15
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317	Pentax 1200mm on ebay For those of you with far deeper pockets than I have! Pentax A* SMC 1200mm

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03-10-2013, 08:00 AM	#2
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Wow ... I'd like to see that monster in person ... J

03-10-2013, 08:13 AM	#3
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,866	Originally posted by First Poster US$8,000 I expect this one will sell fairly quickly I'm thinking your probably right, it still seems like a lot of money for what I consider to be a very occasional use lens. The expense only just starts here, new seriously heavy duty tripod, Wimberley Gimbal Head Mk II etc. to even consider using such a beast. Gym membership would just not cut it for hand holding.

03-10-2013, 08:37 AM - 1 Like	#4
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	It would be the ultimate companion for my Q.

03-10-2013, 08:41 AM	#5
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Drop-in filters and soft front cap are missing. Another member bought one for $7,500 about 18 months ago on eBay with the filters. B-I-N was $15,000 OBO - he offered $7,500 and was accepted.

03-10-2013, 09:10 AM	#7
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,915	Originally posted by monochrome Drop-in filters and soft front cap are missing. Another member bought one for $7,500 about 18 months ago on eBay with the filters. B-I-N was $15,000 OBO - he offered $7,500 and was accepted. It looks like it has the drop in filter holder. That's really all you need if you want to put filters inside.

03-10-2013, 09:50 AM	#9
Douge Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 301	Originally posted by Fontan It would be the ultimate companion for my Q. Haha, I'd love to see that! This lens looks like it could be a dangerous weapon

03-10-2013, 10:06 AM - 1 Like	#10
GordonZA Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Planet Earth Photos: Albums Posts: 351	Chuck Norris shoots it hand held....

03-10-2013, 11:15 AM	#11
post_eos Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Riverside CA Photos: Albums Posts: 269	Originally posted by GordonZA Chuck Norris shoots it hand held.... Without SR. At f16. With an ND filter.

03-10-2013, 11:17 AM	#12
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Originally posted by GordonZA Chuck Norris shoots it hand held.... His artificial hip is as good as any carbon fiber tripod...

03-10-2013, 12:06 PM	#13
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,295 Original Poster	Originally posted by kerrowdown ... seems like a lot of money for what I consider to be a very occasional use lens ... The expense only just starts here, new seriously heavy duty tripod, Wimberley Gimbal Head Mk II etc. to even consider using such a beast. Gym membership would just not cut it for hand holding. I figure another US$1,500 minimum for a truly suitable tripod and gimbal head. And, as you say, occasional use, unless your house is a good viewing area for difficult-to-approach wildlife. Originally posted by Fontan It would be the ultimate companion for my Q. The reduced weight of the body would make for easier hand-holding. Originally posted by Clinton This is now the 5th such lens I've seen for sale since I started here with PentaxForums and Pentax. Wow, not quite so rare as I thought. I wonder how many were made.

03-11-2013, 12:06 AM	#14
littledrawe Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Red Rock Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,514	Originally posted by kerrowdown I'm thinking your probably right, it still seems like a lot of money for what I consider to be a very occasional use lens. I could have used that lens every time I went out this winter for the raptors I've been shooting. If that means that I only have to get half as close to them as I've had to with my 600mm I could have shot them for twice as long without them getting spooked and also gotten shots I missed because I wasn't close enough in other situations. It may be an occasional use lens for some but if you have it you can make it a regular use lens if that is your shooting style or you want to adapt to the lens. I personally would love to have one.

A* 1200/8 -- the ultimate Pentax rarity

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!