price of pentax lenses....need suggestions

[mps]

My camera is a Pentax ZX-M that I love, my first 35mm. But it came with a crappy zoom so I went and bought a 50mm prime about a year ago. I recently started looking for a longer focal length(~85mm) and am amazed and what the prices are for used lenses! I guess the compatibility of older lenses on the new digital stuff is driving it up. I hate to get rid of the system as it was my first, but I can't really afford to add more lenses either. Any suggestions on non-Pentax lenses for >50mm focal length that are decent and affordable?

Thanks for any suggestions.
Meghan

 

[BobbyR]

My camera is a Pentax ZX-M that I love, my first 35mm. But it came with a crappy zoom so I went and bought a 50mm prime about a year ago. I recently started looking for a longer focal length(~85mm) and am amazed and what the prices are for used lenses! I guess the compatibility of older lenses on the new digital stuff is driving it up. I hate to get rid of the system as it was my first, but I can't really afford to add more lenses either. Any suggestions on non-Pentax lenses for >50mm focal length that are decent and affordable?

Thanks for any suggestions.
Meghan

WHAT do you consider affordable?

 

[Paul Howell]

If you think you can live with stop down metering there are lots of 3rd party M 42 lens that will work with your camera with an adaptor. Yashica, Mamyia, Fuji, Chinon, Vivitair to name just a few. But an 85mm in any mount will cost , never made in great number so on the rare side. Consider a 105.

 

[Oldtimer Jay]

Maybe?

I do quite a bit of lens testing for fun and out of curiosity. I use a good chart that allows readouts across the full frame in actual lines per MM. I have found that the Sigma 28-90MM 3.5-5.6 zoom to be a true standout. If you watch Ebay you can come up with one for around $70. I bought the Quantaray rebagded version which is identical for my zx5-n for $50 and its performance is excellent.