Super rare lens sighting in the wild, and it's for sale!

McBain Camera in Canada has a SMC 15mm F3.5 for sale. It is in their main store in Edmonton, Alberta. https://www.mcbaincamera.com/

Was just put in their display section, hasn't even made it onto their website yet. McBain is a reputable retailer, so don't worry about doing biz with them. I've bought lots from them over the years.

Condition: Looks unused, except it has my fingerprints on it from handling it today. Black finish is intact. No scuff or scratches on the body. Glass is clear and clean. Mount looks new, barely used if at all. Settings for filters move freely and clicks nicely in place. Focus ring is smooth and buttery. Camera salesguy and I both agreed it likely sat in a cupboard and was never taken out. Price: CAD$1,199 = USD$890.

It even comes with the front and rear caps. The front cap is a special size and is easy to lose. Even the front cap has almost no paint wear.

I already have a SMC 15MM F3.5 so this one can go to someone else! But if I win the lottery all bets are off. I'm still tempted, though!

[sergysergy]

There are two (or three) versions of this lens. The aspherical one is the rare one.

SMC Pentax 15mm F3.5 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

[tranq78]

There are two (or three) versions of this lens. The aspherical one is the rare one.

SMC Pentax 15mm F3.5 Reviews - K Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

If it were the AL version I wouldn't have posted about it. It would already be in my possession. Still the 15mm/3.5 is very rare, especially one as clean as this one. The AL version is rarer than teeth on a hen.

[yucatanPentax]

It's interesting to compare the M42 version(s) (9.78 avg rating) lens with the K-mount version (7.93 avg rating).

Supposedly they had the same optical formula (unless someone had a very rare aspherical version), but the reviews are far apart. It's not only a film to digital issue, because many of the M42 reviews are on digital cameras.

Interesting and hard to reconcile.

[UncleVanya]

It's interesting to compare the M42 version(s) (9.78 avg rating) lens with the K-mount version (7.93 avg rating).

Supposedly they had the same optical formula (unless someone had a very rare aspherical version), but the reviews are far apart. It's not only a film to digital issue, because many of the M42 reviews are on digital cameras.

Interesting and hard to reconcile.

Reading the reviews a very few low scores are pulling down the k mount version. Only one person has used both but that person had the aspheric version in m42 and couldn’t rule out that the differences were related. One of the very bad reviews is based on a recollection of a 3 week ownership in the 80s on film. I would read all of the ratings with skepticism and look at images to make conclusions.