Price of an F* /FA* 600mm f4

Does anyone know how much these ones go for "usually" in the UK, or can give me some prices fetched recently?

I realise prices might vary significantly between copies depending on condition, etc... for such expensive glass, but I was curious to know if it was closer to 2000£ or 5000£.

TIA

5000quid very good condition, assuming the price won't vary significantly worldwide for such a rare item.

but... Canon 600L USM IS is at the same price for new...

Thanks.
Is that the price for a lens located in the UK, or to be imported from abroad - sounds a little on the high side to me?

There's been one on sale here for at least a year for about £4000. Not sure if they actually have it or not though!

I've read comments that the lens is still available on special order from Pentax Japan, but there are issues with ordering it from Pentax Europe due to some hazardous material legislation (?!).

Try asking 'Matsuiyastore' They seem to have a very good reputation for finding Pentax lens. They have several interesting Pentax lens on this site. Will search for your wants, apparently. Might be worth a try. They probably give you some idea of what the cost could be.
Thoramay

Thanks for the link Tim, and Thoramay.

Someone posted a link on a french forum to a place in Japan where you can buy one new, but it's over a 1.000.000 Yen, if I managed to decifer correctly.

That said, I am specifically interested in the market price of that lens in the UK - which admittedly might be difficult to pinpoint as I don't remember having ever seen one for sale on this forum nor on eBay.
The reason being, the price might be very different from the US or French one, beacuse it is very problematic to buy such a lens used from abroad (you might really want to have a close look at it before parting with 4.000£, not to mention import duties), and therefore price discrepancies might develop.
Basically, I'd like to know if I can find them here cheaper than what they go for in France

I recall the last one on ebay going for something like £3000, give or take £500.

If you are looking for a new one, then just ask some suppliers for a quote.

I think we can guess it would be a Special Order.

They really do build to order then John? Must be a sure way to get a hand crafted lens I suppose.

It's reputed that some lens factories may have just one worker skilled in finishing certain esoteric lenses. When that worker is on holiday, then it just waits...

Thanks, I don't remember that one, but it's useful to know.

Thanks for the suggestion John, but ordering one new would be waaaaaay over my budget

I've placed a request in the "wanted" section at Ffordes, we'll see what comes up.

Buying to order was once an option but I believe all production has now ceased

Yeah it looks like that.
Also the DA 16-45 but we already knew that, the surprise is that the DFA 100mm is also on the discontinued.
link

I found the English pages and it looks from the following that the 600mm f4 and some other interesting lenses are in fact stiull available:

http://www.pentax.jp/english/imaging/filmcamera/lens/index35_list.html#super-telephoto

It also appears here under the lenses for DSLR's :-

link

I wonder if Chris can get hold of one :