Originally posted by whatever7 Isn't the Pentax-A version the superior one?
Given recent sales of other uncommon * lenses such as the FA* 250~600 and the F*300 (even some sales here), I wouldn't call the price totally out of line for a spotless example - but this lens has cosmetic flaws. It is not a collector-quality example. Buyer overpaid for a user-quality lens.
The Asahi Optical Historical Club considers the "A" version one of a very few Pentax Masterpieces.
Masterpieces 1981 - SMC Pentax-M* 300mm f/4 lens
An outstanding lens, which equalled or surpassed in optical and mechanical quality, compactness and handling its best competitors of that era.
1984 - SMC Pentax-A* 85mm f/1.4 lens
An outstanding lens, which equalled or surpassed in optical and mechanical quality and handling all best competitors of that era.
1984 - SMC Pentax-A* 135mm f/1.8 lens
An outstanding lens, which equalled or surpassed in optical and mechanical quality and handling all best competitors of that era.
1986 - SMC Pentax-F* 300mm f/4.5 lens
An outstanding lens, which equalled or surpassed in optical and mechanical quality, compactness and handling all best competitors.
1989 - SMC Pentax-A* 200mm f/4 Macro lens
An outstanding lens, which surpassed in optical and mechanical quality all best competitors.
Last edited by monochrome; 03-13-2009 at 08:01 PM.