PENTAX Pentax SMC 500mm f/4.5 Lens 4003915052047 | eBay

*I have no affiliation with the seller.

You are bidding on a Pentax SMC 500mm, f4.5 lens with box, case, collapsible lens hood and front and rear lens caps. The lens barrel looks new. The optics are clear, no scratches or fungus. However, viewed from the rear of the lens, three specks can be seen in the interior of the lens (see photo). It is being sold "as is" and "no returns".

Current bid is $81 + shipping.

[luftfluss]

I have on occasion, but it is a bit of hand full as other have mentioned.

That is a lovely photo!

I bought one in 2016 but found out very quickly that it's not a lens to be taken lightly! To say it's a big lens is a gross understatement! I had to buy a gimbal. To try using this behemoth without one is pure folly! To take this camera/lens combo out into the field is a real chore and takes a great deal of dedication to the task at hand.


I originally bought it from a guy in Prescott, Arizona for $200.00 with the intention of taking some photos of elk in the coming spring. It was at least as clean as the one mentioned on eBay, but the case was another thing. It was deteriorated like most of them you find. A little super glue and some black leather dye and it looked presentable.


It produced some very nice images, but after a couple of months, it became very apparent that it just wasn't my cup of tea. I sold it for $250.00 and went on my merry way. A good experience all in all, but it's definitely in a niche of it's own.

Yes, unless you have a "go to" spot that's reliable for wildlife shooting and affords a place to set yourself up for a while, I realize that such a lens is impractical. I do have the nearly-as-large Adaptall 2 200-500/5.6 (31A) and it's fun on a tripod, but rather beastly in the field.

I envy that you were able to at least try out the K 500/4.5 and not lose any $$ in the deal.

[Kerrowdown]

That is a lovely photo!

Thanks for that.

[monochrome]

You guys ought to mess with the K1000/8!

I have a plan to sell excess gear (KP, DA Limiteds, most of the non-collectible m42), buy the right legs and a Wimberley and use these long lenses - and my SMCP primes collection - with the K-1. That was the original plan but I got sidetracked by the KP.

[luftfluss]

You guys ought to mess with the K1000/8!

I've never considered wrestling with the Black Dragon. If you survive, I hope you post pics.

[gofour3]

You guys ought to mess with the K1000/8!

+1 Yep it needs additional support on the camera end to stop vibrations. Same problem with the equally heavy 6x7 Takumar 600/4.

Too much gear to carry by yourself on a shoot, luckily my wife helps me sometimes for a small fee......

Phil.

[dadipentak]

You guys ought to mess with the K1000/8!

I had one of those once, too--great fun. Happy to say I found it a good home with a forum member.

[clickclick]

What is the IQ on one of these like compared to the D FA 150-450?

[monochrome]

What is the IQ on one of these like compared to the D FA 150-450?

I don’t know anyone who has had both. I think the IQ of the K500/4.5 is very good in skilled hands. Motion blur is an issue for me. I’ve see sharp images from the 1000/8 but it needs multi-point rigid support to get sharp photos, which is cumbersome. The advantage of the 150~450 is modern design, lens correction, weight and AF. The advantage of the 500/4.5 is $1,500 of pocket money.

[clickclick]

The advantage of the 500/4.5 is $1,500 of pocket money.

You made me laugh with that. Too late though - think it was the second lens I bought after getting my K3II. Very pleased with it, but also like vintage lenses and their qualities too.

[dadipentak]

What is the IQ on one of these like compared to the D FA 150-450?

I haven't experienced the D FA and I don't have the most discerning eye but--though antiquated--these are serious lenses which were top-of-the-line in their day. The workmanship was as good or better than the standard today.

My take is that the key advancements since their heyday have mostly been in the sophistication of the systems (e.g., auto-aperture & auto-focus) more than the optics. As far as optics are concerned, the significant advances have been the lens coatings with the result that modern lenses are significantly less subject to chromatic aberrations than vintage glass.