FA* 250-600 $6000 in seemingly good condition

FA* 250-600 $6000 in seemingly good condition · 10:45 AM

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Folks, I'm seriously holding myself back from hitting the buy it now button. If I didn't already own one, I would today. If you've been in the market, I believe now is the time.

[Serviced] SMC PENTAX-FA* 250-600mm F5.6 IF&ED PZ AF Lens w/Case Filters #0896 | eBay

**Clinton** · 07-22-2018, 08:50 PM - **1 Like**

I suspect that the foam decomposed around the lens, and damaged the finish. Also, you're certainly going to have to find a 49mm filter to replace the one with cleaning marks. As to the lens itself. Do you care if the outside isn't pristine?

I dunno, I bought a FA* 600 with much worse finish, clearly from much use, but the glass is great.

cmohr · 07-22-2018, 09:04 PM

I agree with what you say about the finish on the outside, I was the guy that bought Ron's FA*600/F4, and yes, there are scratches and scuffs on the paintwork, but, the glass is in excellent condition , and all works perfectly.

For $6k usd, it does look like a good buy, and it's a pretty easy fix to get some new foam cut to put back in the trunk.

I'm surprized that the FA*600/f4 at agfacamera on fleabay hasn't sold yet, only $7120.00usd.

h4yn0nnym0u5e · 07-23-2018, 12:48 AM

Originally posted by THoog

I want you
I need you
But there ain't no way
I'm ever gonna love you
Now don't be sad
'Cause two out of three ain't bad

(who knew Meat Loaf was a Pentaxian?)

And he also observed that "Objectives in an eBay Listing may be More Experienced than they Appear"...

or something like that

**jbondo** · 07-23-2018, 05:10 AM - **1 Like**

it has been serviced, but doesn't state the specifics of what it was serviced for - 'We performed disassembly cleaning, focus adjustment, zoom function adjustment at a specialty shop' Given the external physical appearance, I'm wary of possible element etching if the reason it was serviced might have been due to fungus.

**dadipentak** · 07-23-2018, 05:53 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Clinton

@dadipentak

Wait---wha? Oh, yeah, wow!

Thanks for the heads-up but no: my magic bird tree is down and my right shoulder is seriously busted so I'm really out of that game.
In fact, I just invested in a Micro 4/3 system and I'm getting ready to sell my F*600/4

The problem with buying/selling these big ~~old~~ vintage lenses is that 'minty' copies extremely rare. There are those (like my 600/4) which are a bit beat up but totally functional and optically superb. The thing is--even if there's a return option--shipping is really expensive.

normhead · 07-23-2018, 05:57 AM

Originally posted by dadipentak

Thanks for the heads-up but no: my magic bird tree is down and my right shoulder is seriously busted so I'm really out of that game.

I went in to see my doctor complaining of shoulder pain. Turns out I have two torn rotator cuffs, both inoperable. I'm still using 5 pound weights trying to build up strength. I used to do the same exercise with 15 pound weights. Life sucks.

SSGGeezer · 07-23-2018, 08:50 AM

Originally posted by normhead

I went in to see my doctor complaining of shoulder pain. Turns out I have two torn rotator cuffs, both inoperable. I'm still using 5 pound weights trying to build up strength. I used to do the same exercise with 15 pound weights. Life sucks.

It is called getting older and a life well lived Norm!

I often agree with your sentiment though when the ankles hurt worse than usual.

littledrawe · 07-23-2018, 03:23 PM

Looks like oxidative damage on the outside. hhmmmmm

**Clinton** · 07-26-2018, 06:39 AM - **1 Like**

I guess the exterior wouldn't matter to me. I'm going to take my lenses into harsh conditions, and not care if the exterior gets scratched. I'm not running an optical museum; I want to use my gear.

**dadipentak** · 07-26-2018, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by Clinton

I guess the exterior wouldn't matter to me. I'm going to take my lenses into harsh conditions, and not care if the exterior gets scratched. I'm not running an optical museum; I want to use my gear.

That's my approach, too.

Clinton
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07-22-2018, 08:50 PM - 1 Like	#16
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,910 Original Poster	I suspect that the foam decomposed around the lens, and damaged the finish. Also, you're certainly going to have to find a 49mm filter to replace the one with cleaning marks. As to the lens itself. Do you care if the outside isn't pristine? I dunno, I bought a FA* 600 with much worse finish, clearly from much use, but the glass is great.

07-22-2018, 09:04 PM	#17
cmohr Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Brisbane. Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,824	I agree with what you say about the finish on the outside, I was the guy that bought Ron's FA600/F4, and yes, there are scratches and scuffs on the paintwork, but, the glass is in excellent condition , and all works perfectly. For $6k usd, it does look like a good buy, and it's a pretty easy fix to get some new foam cut to put back in the trunk. I'm surprized that the FA600/f4 at agfacamera on fleabay hasn't sold yet, only $7120.00usd.

07-23-2018, 12:48 AM	#18
h4yn0nnym0u5e Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 333	Originally posted by THoog I want you I need you But there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you Now don't be sad 'Cause two out of three ain't bad (who knew Meat Loaf was a Pentaxian?) And he also observed that "Objectives in an eBay Listing may be More Experienced than they Appear"... or something like that

07-23-2018, 05:10 AM - 1 Like	#19
jbondo Loyal Site Supportaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 503	it has been serviced, but doesn't state the specifics of what it was serviced for - 'We performed disassembly cleaning, focus adjustment, zoom function adjustment at a specialty shop' Given the external physical appearance, I'm wary of possible element etching if the reason it was serviced might have been due to fungus.

07-23-2018, 05:53 AM - 1 Like	#20
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by Clinton @dadipentak Wait---wha? Oh, yeah, *wow!* Thanks for the heads-up but no: my magic bird tree is down and my right shoulder is seriously busted so I'm really out of that game. In fact, I just invested in a Micro 4/3 system and I'm getting ready to sell my F*600/4 The problem with buying/selling these big ~~old~~ vintage lenses is that 'minty' copies extremely rare. There are those (like my 600/4) which are a bit beat up but totally functional and optically superb. The thing is--even if there's a return option--shipping is really expensive.

07-23-2018, 05:57 AM	#21
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by dadipentak Thanks for the heads-up but no: my magic bird tree is down and my right shoulder is seriously busted so I'm really out of that game. I went in to see my doctor complaining of shoulder pain. Turns out I have two torn rotator cuffs, both inoperable. I'm still using 5 pound weights trying to build up strength. I used to do the same exercise with 15 pound weights. Life sucks.

07-23-2018, 08:50 AM	#22
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by normhead I went in to see my doctor complaining of shoulder pain. Turns out I have two torn rotator cuffs, both inoperable. I'm still using 5 pound weights trying to build up strength. I used to do the same exercise with 15 pound weights. Life sucks. It is called getting older and a life well lived Norm! I often agree with your sentiment though when the ankles hurt worse than usual.

07-23-2018, 03:23 PM	#23
littledrawe Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Red Rock Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,514	Looks like oxidative damage on the outside. hhmmmmm

07-26-2018, 06:39 AM - 1 Like	#24
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,910 Original Poster	I guess the exterior wouldn't matter to me. I'm going to take my lenses into harsh conditions, and not care if the exterior gets scratched. I'm not running an optical museum; I want to use my gear.

07-26-2018, 02:29 PM	#25
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by Clinton I guess the exterior wouldn't matter to me. I'm going to take my lenses into harsh conditions, and not care if the exterior gets scratched. I'm not running an optical museum; I want to use my gear. That's my approach, too.