Pentax-A SMC f1.7 50mm price?

[jim_karthauser]

Hi all, I have one of these that I would like to sell. I know nothing about

pentax (I use canon) so does anyone have any idea how much this should be

worth? Its perfect working order. Whats the difference between pentax-A and

pentax-M as I also have a pentax-M 50mm 1.7.

All answers appreciated. Thanks

[andrewg_ny]

I would recommend looking at KEH and e-bay for what others are selling this for. These are reasonably commonly sold with manual 35mm camera bodies which is how I got mine. The 'A' is more desirable than the older 'M' because it allows use of all exposure modes (Program AE, Shutter priority, etc.) on the D-SLRs. The 1.7 is also considered of higher quality (as well as speed) than the very common f/2.0.

[markku_ylilammi]

The speed difference between f:1,7 and f:2 is totally meaningless.

Although the 50/1.7 is undoubtedly a fine lens the quality of the 50/2 is amply sufficient for a present DSLR.

 

I paid 50 euros (USD 65) for an M 50/1.4. I think an A series lens can be a little bit more expensive but f:1.7 should be less expensive than f:1.4 Perhaps you can ask for USD 100 and come down until the price is acceptable for both parties. If you don't need Pentax lenses you should sell them before Hoya-Pentax stops manufacturing cameras.

[stemked]

The 50mm f1.7A is optically substantially a better lens than the f2 (at least the A version). It is also significantly lighter than a f1.4 lens and is a better lens to reverse for macro work than a f1.4.

 

As to price, they USED to run about $60-80 used. I wouldn't care to bet what you might be able to get for them now. In addition to checking out keh, go to ebay (you have to be a user) and use the 'completed items' section to see what they have been selling for currently.

[ksargent]

I believe I paid about $70 for mine a couple of months ago. It is a splendid lens and well

worth the money. I wouldn't over look the earlier K-mounts without the A however. I have a

couple of those and they are easy to use and give wonderful results. One does have to rotate

the aperture ring however; a task which many digital photgraphers seem to find cumbersome

or difficult for some reason. They would rather spin the little dials on the camera.

 

Ken

[a few images]

They've been selling on ebay for between $30 and $60. Everyone is all about the 50mm f1.4 now. They won't touch the f1.7 or f2.. You can't give away the 50mm f2!

[steven_moseley1]

Hi,

 

On evilbay UK ALL the SMC-A series lenses are doing a healthy trade even the 50mm f1.7 and f2 lenses, because the DSLR crowd are buying them as portrait lenses...

 

cheers Steve.

[r.t. dowling]

I actually had a really difficult time finding an A-series 50/1.7 a few months ago when I was shopping for one. The ones I did find were in mediocre to poor condition and were still going for at least $50. Eventually I did manage to find a decent one for under $100. The A-series 50/1.4s were even more difficult to find, and way out of my price range.

[a few images]

People selling the 50mm f1.4 are getting smart and not even messing with 'no reserve' auctions and just listing them as 'Buy Now' for like $189 or so. I've seen a bunch go between $150 and $250 now..

 

There are options however, and I'll probably kick my self in the rear for saying this but.. One way to get a 50mm f1.4 is to get the screw mount version and buy a screw to k-mount adapter (screw mounts are far cheaper, under $75 mostly). The other, and this is my little secret, is to look closely at all the 'pentax 35mm cameras' for sale.. Some have the k-mount 50mm f1.4 mounted to the camera but not described (only shown in photo) with no bids and no reserve.. Yours for maybe $10 plus shipping :)

[luke_lau]

Tom, i cant believe i have not thought of that! anyways, i got a Asahi SMC Pentax-M 50mm f1.7 off ebay that is attached to a Pentax 35mm SLR for $46 whereas auctions for the particular lens alone usually goes up to around $60-70, i've even seen a 50mm f2 gone up to $100+ for some reason..