I always check Craigslist for that little old lady selling camera equipment that she really doesn't know very well. I've found a few deals here and there but nothing exceptional, until yesterday anyway.
I found a posting that was a little odd because the description didn't make sense. It was for two old Minolta AF lenses, and both are somewhat rare and typically expensive. The asking price was essentially lower than the worth of the lesser of the two...couldn't be true, could it?
Well, I met the seller* this evening, tested and inspected the lenses, and handed over the cash for the two perfect lenses. The first is a Minolta 35mm f/2.0, which is considered to be one of the sharpest prime lenses ever made by Minolta and the best portrait lens available for the Sony/Minolta mount. It's worth approximately $500. The second lens is the Minolta 200mm f/2.8 APO, which is worth around $800-900, based on the latest auctions.
Total cost, $450. 😀
Moral of the story...keep a keen eye on Craigslist and perhaps every three years, you'll find a fantastic deal! Can't wait to try these out, though I'm probably going to wind up selling the 200mm to fund the 35mm. I'm not positive though since the 200mm would be perfect for capturing my daughter in gymnastics. Decisions, decisions.
*The seller wasn't a little old lady -- she was a beautiful ~30 year old woman, former photography student who probably knew the value but wanted a quick sale for cash for an upcoming move.
I found a posting that was a little odd because the description didn't make sense. It was for two old Minolta AF lenses, and both are somewhat rare and typically expensive. The asking price was essentially lower than the worth of the lesser of the two...couldn't be true, could it?
Well, I met the seller* this evening, tested and inspected the lenses, and handed over the cash for the two perfect lenses. The first is a Minolta 35mm f/2.0, which is considered to be one of the sharpest prime lenses ever made by Minolta and the best portrait lens available for the Sony/Minolta mount. It's worth approximately $500. The second lens is the Minolta 200mm f/2.8 APO, which is worth around $800-900, based on the latest auctions.
Total cost, $450. 😀
Moral of the story...keep a keen eye on Craigslist and perhaps every three years, you'll find a fantastic deal! Can't wait to try these out, though I'm probably going to wind up selling the 200mm to fund the 35mm. I'm not positive though since the 200mm would be perfect for capturing my daughter in gymnastics. Decisions, decisions.
*The seller wasn't a little old lady -- she was a beautiful ~30 year old woman, former photography student who probably knew the value but wanted a quick sale for cash for an upcoming move.
