bakubo wrote:Today at a shop I saw a Pentax MX + 50mm (I think it was an f1.4, but might have been f1.7) that appeared to be in very good condition for $42. They also had a Yashica Electro 35 GSN (with its 45mm f1.7 lens) for $10 -- I bought one of these in 1977 and gave it to a cousin for Christmas. They were in a glass case and I think they both still worked, but I didn't ask anyone. If I was glued to one place like most people I would have bought both just for nostalgia's sake and put them on a shelf. Probably the Pentax 50mm lens that was on the MX is worth more than the selling price of both together.
I was back at the same shop today and they still had the Pentax MX + 55mm f1.8 for $42. They also had a Pentax Spotmatic + 50mm for $42, a Minolta SR-7 + 50mm (55mm?) for $42, a Canon AE-1 body (no lens) for $21, etc.
They also had a Yashica ML 55mm f2.8 macro (manual focus) with original front/rear caps and a Kenko 52mm skylight filter for $5. I looked it over and it looked to be in really good shape so I bought it. I'll buy a cheap ($12 or so) Yashica-to-m4/3 adapter for it. This is a well made metal lens of the old style (probably late 70s or early 80s). For $5 it was a no-brainer. When I got home I did a quick search and it appears to be well regarded:
http://forum.manualfocus.org/viewtopic.php?id=16516
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/36311245
http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Contax/Yashica_lenses
I also bought an old (probably mid-1990s based on the styling) A-mount Tamron AF 70-300mm f4-5.6 with original front/rear caps/hood and a Kenko 58mm skylight filter for $3. It also looks to be in good shape. Probably the lens is not so great, but again for $3 why not? I don't have my A700 or A100 here with me in Japan so I can't check to make sure it operates. Maybe I will sell it on ebay/craigslist later after I check it out.
This shop isn't a camera store, but they have lots of used musical instruments (many, many electric and acoustic guitars), amps, drums, keyboards, old computer stuff, etc. They have a case with just a small amount of camera gear since it isn't really their focus. I think that is why the prices are so low. They don't realize that an old, but good, manual focus macro lens has new life with mirrorless and adapters.