ASAHI PENTAX 28 mm LENS

johnnywalker · Jun 15, 2022

I have a neighbour who is an avid buyer and seller of almost anything. He bought this lens thinking it looked almost new, but knows virtually nothing about cameras and lenses. He googled it to determine a value, and was shocked to see the same lens ( he thinks) going for over US$1000. These lenses were from Japan and described as "like New". I told him it seemed awfully steep to me, but not knowing zip about Pentax lenses, I told him I'd ask the experts - that means you guys and girls.
Attached are some pictures of the lens. I must say the lens does look "like new", is very smooth to focus and has no dust or fungus that I can see.
What he is really looking for is a fair price to ask for the lens. TIA for any help offered.

xkaes · Jun 15, 2022

That's a hard to find lens, for use, but you can get a Vivitar or Kiron 28mm f2.0 (same lens) for Pentax for around $100. I would think he could easily get $300, but $1,000? No way

BobD · Jun 15, 2022

There are several of these that reportedly sold recently on eBay for $1,000 or a bit more. Most are from Japan-based sellers plus one from UK.

The original K-mount lenses (pre-M-series) are pretty rare, in the USA anyway. I'm not sure why. I thought the early K-mount cameras (K-2,Kx,Km,K1000) were popular here so I would expect a lot of such lenses would have been sold too but even the 50mm "original K-mount" lenses are hard to find now.

summicron1 · Jun 15, 2022

You say "going for," but is that asking price or actual sale price?

I'd check "sold" listings on ebay to see what the current market is bearing. If the lens really is primo that can add value, but actual sales are a starting point.

BobD · Jun 15, 2022

The price in my post above is from actual eBay selling prices. At least that is what is shown on eBay "sold" search. Selling prices can be easily faked on eBay and sometimes are but I don't think that is the case here.

Paul Howell · Jun 15, 2022

Pentax Forum lists it at $527. Likely not a current price, unsure when the database was last updated.

Pentax K Prime Lenses - Reviews and Specifications - SLR and Interchangeable Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Pentax lens review database with reviews of Pentax lenses including K-mount, M42 screwmount, 645, 6x7, and DA digital lenses. Exhaustive Pentax lens listings with reviews and technical specifications of Pentax lenses.

www.pentaxforums.com

Huub · Jun 16, 2022

This specific lens design was developed by Carl Zeiss when Pentax and CZ were considering a closer cooperation somewhere in the '70. Another result of that cooperation is the actual K-bayonet. The cooperation didn't work out for some reason or the other and CZ later set up a cooperation with Kyocera, resulting the Contax line of camera's for which they designed the lenses.

The lens has been reported to have some special properties, hence it's high price. There are other f 2.0 / 28 mm lenses both by third party profiders and by Pentax, but non is said to deliver the quality this one gives.

Sean Mac · Jun 16, 2022

Sometimes called the "Hollywood".

Allegedly a Zeiss design for cinematography.

xkaes · Jun 16, 2022

Huub said:
CZ later set up a cooperation with Kyocera, resulting the Contax line of camera's for which they designed the lenses.

The Contax line of cameras and lenses with the C/Y mount was a result of a collaboration between Contax (and Zeiss) and Yashica (and Tomioka their lens manufacturer) -- starting in 1973. Kyocera had nothing to do with it.

Kyocera only became involved when it bought Yashica in 1983 (the New York Times said "merged", at the time) -- and it was all downhill from there!

AgX · Jun 16, 2022

xkaes said:
The Contax line of cameras and lenses with the C/Y mount was a result of a collaboration between Contax (and Zeiss).

Strictly speaking Contax did not exist, it was just a brand. What you mean is the west-german Zeiss-Ikon, the camera manufacturer, a former Zeiss subsidiary, who in 1956 became part of Zeiss again. But by 1972 Zeiss-Ikon has ended as manufacturer. But just before a cooperatiion with Asahi was planned.

But the Zeiss story is complex, as the whole german camera industry. Even more so due to spin-offs after the war.

maltfalc · Jun 16, 2022

Paul Howell said:
Pentax Forum lists it at $527. Likely not a current price, unsure when the database was last updated.

Pentax K Prime Lenses - Reviews and Specifications - SLR and Interchangeable Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Pentax lens review database with reviews of Pentax lenses including K-mount, M42 screwmount, 645, 6x7, and DA digital lenses. Exhaustive Pentax lens listings with reviews and technical specifications of Pentax lenses.

www.pentaxforums.com

that price is the average paid by everyone who left a review, regardless of when they bought it. the price history graph isn't helpful either because it's based on the date of the review, not the date of purchase.

johnnywalker · Jun 17, 2022

Thanks everyone, much appreciated! I'll post his actual sales price when it's sold.

ASAHI PENTAX 28 mm LENS

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