jptreen Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pentax-SMC-FA-star-24mm-f-2-0-AL-IF-Autofocus-FA-lens_W0QQitemZ140217935298QQihZ004QQcategoryZ30070QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Does anyone know what it's worth, with the Sigma retailing at about 250 pounds? Although, I wonder why anyone would ever want to sell it :) I bet it'll reach silly money before the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
personalphotos Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 It might but anyone serious about this lens will have a few issues. No original hood and that would be damn near impossible to find. A hood IMO is essential for any lens but particularly a wider angle lens. Second is that the seller doesn't have the box. Why anyone who owns such a high end lens would toss the box, I don't understand. Third, the condition. Scratches on the front glass would tell me that this was not well cared for. Sure accidents happen but if the lens had the hood this would be hard to have happen. The scratches will effect picture quality at some point, maybe not soon but at some point. The SMC coating is the top layer of the front element, it can and will peel over time when scratched. Then you will have flare control and contrast control issues with this lens. My guess would be the lens has passed through many hands or a pawn shop find. So if that's so the history and care would be suspect. But you're right, the price will get silly. My bet? 350 pounds.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stemked Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Sorry, I'm not good at converting pounds to dollars (and the way the dollar is falling, its anyone's guess). 6 years ago I saw a really nice one of these at a shop for about $350. Being the logical person I was (?) and after hearing that 'Pentax will be dead in a couple of years' I figured I'd wait until everyone started dumping their K-mount equipment and pick up * more * lenses. Yah, right! My best guess would be in the $700-900 range, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is a lot more than that. It is the widest of the * lenses and with a need for wide lenses with dSLRs it is conceivable the lens in a bidding war could go twice that. It is beaten up, but boy is it ever a lovely piece of glass. Great manual focus feel, great autofocus lens properties too. Pretty heavy though. It is always possible to get a third part hood that will work or try Pentax USA; sometimes they surprise you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miserere_mei Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Douglas, you saw one of these for $350 and didn't buy it? Allow me to slap you on the head for that [sLAP!]. The exchange rate is about 1 GBP = $2. I would love one of these babies. I have a 24mm f/2.8, which is wide enough for me, but not fast enough! I really need that extra stop, but it seems like it costs about $1,000. You can get an SMC 24mm f/2.8 for maybe $250, but the FA* 24mm f/2 usually sells for around $1,250. Given this item's state, I agree with Doug's estimate, which would make it 350-450 GBP in Her Majesty's currency. For that price you can buy TWO brand new Sigma 24mm f/1.8s. But such is the World. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry thirsty Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I haven't been watching these recently, but I saw one a couple of months ago go for $630ish USD. This one here is pretty beat up; I wouldn't think it would get that high. Although if people are really paying $1250 for them, maybe I'll have to reconsider keeping mine :) A 400% profit would be pretty sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afs760bf Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 You can get a Sigma 24mm/f1.8 for about $350. Maybe not quite as good, but not quite as expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miserere_mei Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 Barry, it's what I'm going to get at some point. I've heard nothing but good stuff about it, and I would love to see a showdown between it and the FA* 24mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_kuhne Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I don't know which is technically better, but the Sigma received very fine test reviews, and it has an unusual close focus magnification, especially for a wide angle. For those reasons, I passed on the Pentax back when it was still available new, and saved money buying the Sigma. I have not been sorry. The sigma proved to be a fine lens, indeed! Built like a tank! I find I use it fairly often for both film and digital. With film it's a fast extra wide, with digital you get a view similar to a 35mm lens on film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewg_ny Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I obviously don't have one to try but there is some chance (67mm filter size, bayonet hood, internal focus, 24mm equiv angle of view) that the hood from a DA 16-45 f/4 or FA 24-90 f/3.5-4.5 might fit (by the way those hoods are interchangeable--I have both). It is not a guarantee however as I'm still looking for a better hood for my FA 20-35 f/4 when used on APS-C. I was disappointed that the 58mm 28mm equiv hood from the FA 28-105 f/3.2-4.5 wouldn't fit it. Half the reason I bought the 28-105 was so I could try this out. (Just try and locate a replacement FA 28-105 58mm bayonet hood--my most credible-looking internet lead was from a store in Lithuania--unfortunately none of the web translation engines I found can handle Lithuanian so I couldn't actually order it!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougmiles Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Got mine new from Matsuiya Store on Ebay last May for $659. They're not known for low prices, but they often have the goods. I love the lens... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miserere_mei Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 "Got mine new from Matsuiya Store on Ebay last May for $659. They're not known for low prices, but they often have the goods." Given the prices I've seen it go for, this is actually cheap, especially if it was new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
personalphotos Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Not Bad $427.00 USD (215 GBP). The guy got more for it than I would have paid. I bet if he had shown it as a worldwide item, he's have gotten close to $550/600.00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now