OMG I won another one: Pen 20/3.5

[m_m]

Originally Posted by uhoh7

there really are still deals to be had at the evil place. Especially this time of year.

Curious: what's special about this time of year that makes deals easier to get?

[uhoh7]

TY shawdow fox

M_M I think it's because people are indoors more and not so fired up to get out and shoot. I saw this same lens go for nearly 400 in the summer, and all spring noticed prices rising on all sorts of lenses. Someone made the comment "prices always rise in the spring" I thought about it and now I really see it--i think. Of course there are always ups and downs between auctions, so I might be crazy (as well as defensive, hehe)

Anyway the marvelous little 20 came today, and i took both the 20 and the 25/2.8 out for some shots on the nex (original 5, not new much better 5n) These are croped with true edges (or close) on right and left, where SA can be seen on full size examples. They look pretty good at this size


20/3.5

25/2.8


20/3.5 to see SA I'll link to full size--check edges
http://www.flickr.com/photos/5529947...n/photostream/


25/2.8 similar SA as the 20, yet sharper center--in fact, the centers on the 28 are incredible really
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6035/...6a32bcab_o.jpg

at first I thought this was simply soft corners as can often be seen with retro wides and even the sony 16--sensor issues now far improved with the 5n. But then I started catching edges in perfect focus, below is not a terrible example


note chrome rail on red truck. This is wide open at 3.5 with the 20. It is sharp (nearly) to the edge. Full size:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/5529947...n/photostream/

I would love to see good scans of these same lenses on film to see if the SA is exagerated on digital: full infintiy landscape I think is the best test.

At any rate they are so impressive in the center of the frame Wonderful builds too. Interestingly the 42/1.2 shoots just as sharp at f/8 with no apparent SA.

[uhoh7]

full size

shot with nex-5n

[viewfinder-m2]

Originally Posted by uhoh7

This one came as kind of a shock. I've watched a few of these go for big money--well around 400. Which of course is crazy.

I happened to catch this auction and as I do now, just dropped my high bid with Gixen: 235USD.

take a look:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...EOIBSA:US:1123

now I just have to find a 60/1.5 and I'm done! (i have the 25/2.8 and 42/1.2)

there really are still deals to be had at the evil place. Especially this time of year.

Congrats! You literally got a steal on that one. I've been following that particular lens and when it does show up it's not cheap!
Enjoy it...

[j_newy]

WOW! I really like that second shot uhoh7! I think I might have to save an beg for the 25mm...

I recently won a Pen FT set on the bay, I was pretty stoked!

It set me back a few pennies but it included:
Pen FT
38/1.8
50-90/3.5 (apparently this is rare? I dunno, I really just wanted the Pen and 38)
150mm f4
Adaptor for Nikon lenses
Right angle viewfinder

plus case, all caps and a uv filter or two, very happy!!!!!!

Also I own a Nex5 and reckon its the bee's knees! Such a great little camera, people are amazed at how advanced they are. Not sure if I'll upgrade to a newer Nex (I'll dream of a Nex 7 for awhile haha).

Any recommendations on a adapter for Pen lenses on a Nex? I've used a few chinese cheapies and haven't had too many dramas.

Such beauty in such a small (expensive) package!

[raytoei@gmail.com]

nice set. i have the OM to Pen adapter.

[astro8]

I just shot 72 frames on my newly aquired pen-ft with 38/1.8 on tmax 3200 out on the street & in and around a restaurant tonight for the '7 rolls in 7days' project. I'm curious as to how these shots will turn out.

I have a 20/3.5 in the mail too. I think these 2 lenses will be all I need. I love how the little pen feels in the hand, the portrait orientation and the lowlight focus wasn't a problem at all.

I'm starting to like it better than my r-d1 and m2

It may just be the 'honeymoon' period...time (and results) will tell....

[raid]

I have a PEN FT with the 38mm lens and a zoom. It is fun to use Pentax lenses on the PEN via an adapter. The cropping is similar to using some lenses on the M 4/3 system.

[weihsuan]

With credit to this thread, I went on a search for the 20mm f3.5 for my Pen FT. This morning, to my delight, managed to get a bundle of Pen FT + 20mm on the bay for 200usd.

Can't wait for its arrival!

[eurekaiv]

Wow... if the lens is ok (which it at least appears to be) you got a great deal. Congrats!

[astro8]

My 20/3.5 arrived. I won it off ebay for just over $100, as it was hazy.

I pulled it apart and cleaned the elements. Haze wiped right off. It now looks pristine, inside and out.

Now to go take some photos with it....

[I Love Film]

Total nonsense.

Originally Posted by rxmd

Don't announce too loudly that you're using a sniper, as that is against eBay's terms of service; if the guy who came second in line reads this thread and complains, you could lose your item and/or your eBay account.

[Dana B.]

C'mon folks: let's see some pics.

[rxmd]

Originally Posted by I Love Film

Total nonsense.

Actually it's not. I'm registered on eBay Germany which disallows snipers to this day - they don't do much against them, but they won a lawsuit against the developers of Bid-o-Matic about this. At the time when I was writing the post you're criticising (almost a year ago!), I wasn't aware that this policy was different between different countries.

[Dana B.]

Pen F - Tri-X

[astro8]

Great shot, Dana B. !

[Dana B.]

Thanks Astro. Going to have to crank up for another Pen-F stroll. Saw this same dude today in Santa Monica.

[wblynch]

I have 2 Pen-F lenses, a 40/1.4 and 50-90 zoom.

I want to get a PEN-F (gothic-F) body but was dissuaded by the price run up a couple of years ago. Maybe it's time to go looking again?

I like the idea of the ebay sniper since I've fallen asleep or missed the fury at the end of many auctions and lost out quite frequently.

[goamules]

I have a Pen-FT working body, a working Pen-F medical version, and another frozen Pen-FT. Maybe it'd be possible to parts swap the viewfinder and mirror on the frozen Pen-FT onto the Pen-Medical to get a working F camera. Or get the working FT. I could sell you any or all, PM if interested.

[zuiko85]

I have a Pen F and the Pen 20 f3.5, 38 f1.8 and 100 f3.5 plus the 50~90 zoom and a couple of the 150 f4, the 150's were very cheap but came as basket cases. I fixed both, to a degree, but might wind up taking them apart to make one good lens. My favorite kit is the very compact body+20+38+100 combo. I would like to get a m4:3 body and Pen F adapter but that is really to much for me to spend at this time. I have to have eye level viewing so even if the E-PL1's can be had for about $150 I'd still be on the hook for a VF-2 for another $250. Still shoot a fair amount of half frame and really like the 4:3 aspect ratio.