Finally, I have a weekend story to tell, in Shel's fashion. And the weekend is not over yet! I'm driving around the central California coast. Looking around the Spanish missions, some wineries, etc. This afternoon I was walking around San Luis Obispo, when I saw a photo shop that looked like it had used equipment. I entered, expecting no more than a K1000 or two, maybe a 50mm 1.7 or a Spotmatic. Well, I found a counter full of very interesting Pentax stuff. Among it, a K85 1.8 (yes!) for $199. Brassing in the barrel, nothing ugly but it shows plenty of use. Glass with the normal (minimum) amount of dust. The ouside slightly shows that it has been cleaned but the coatings are intact, no haze or anything strange when I shone a flashlight through it. Diaphragm symmetric, dry and snappy. OK, this is not all. They also had a 30mm 2.8 in similar condition (probably same owner) for $99. I told Kathleen (one of the store owners) that I thought it was underpriced (yes, I'm not that good a businessguy). I still asked what price I could get if I got the two lenses. She gave me a $30 discount! So I got a K85 1.8 in great user condition for $169 and a 30mm 2.8 for $99. Other lenses I saw, and which I'm not interested on :-) : A50mm1.2, for $350 M24mm 2.8, $169 (I should be interested on this one, but with this purchase plus the M100 2.8 I'm waiting from KEH I've more than gone past my limit for a few months) Also, I don't remember the prices of these: M24-50 f4 400-600 f8-12 reflex (quite a beast this is) M40 2.8 (this was at its usual overpriced self, about $260) And quite a few other things. I spent two great hours talking with Kathleen and Mischa about everything from Leicas to Kodak Brownies, EXAs and my 60mm pancake design that you have already seen a few months ago (http://www.jbuhler.com/HLimited). Very good people and fellow camera geeks, obviously (they don't shoot Pentax, but seem well aware of the quality of the lenses and bodies) I pointed them to the pdml page, they might join the list. BTW, the store is Photography 101, (805)785-0101. Spent the rest of the day walking around with the 85 on the MX. It is wonderful to focus, being so bright, and handles great on the MX. Tonight I went to a drive-in theater, and shot a roll and a half of all-American pictures during a not really too spectacular sunset (rediscovered the ZX5N, it and the FA35 are a great combo). The movie was Tomb Raider (ugh) Had it been Shrek, it would have been a perfect weekend :-) Anyway, just wanted to share. Are the prices I paid as good as I think? I gather they are from past posts on the list, but haven't seen anything that lets me directly compare. What do you guys think? j (suscribed to the list from other account just to post this) -- Juan Buhler http://www.jbuhler.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
