ANGENIEUX - Why so expensive?

[chris00nj]

Every so often there is a lens made by the French firm Angenieux up for sale on eBay and they always go for beaucoup bucks (especially if it is a Leica mount). Most of the lenses are approaching 60 years old.

Are these just the greatest lenses ever ever ever, or is it collectors running up the prices?

 

[raid]

Maybe both are factors.
I have one SLR zoom lens by Angenieux.
It is a very fine lens (70-210/3.5 macro).

 

[mjflory]

Scarcity is definitely a factor as well. Angenieux is well known for their cinematographic lenses, but their still camera lenses, and especially their LTM lenses, are less common.

 

[hans voralberg]

Mostly because they are rare

 

[schaubild]

They invented (and named) the retrofocus lenses. In their time these constructions were far ahead of the competition and are still remarkably good.

Together with the Kern macros and Kinoptik tele lenses these were the base of the great image Alpa had. But their production output was 1/100 of what Leica did, which makes them very rare.

 

[David Murphy]

Yes, well Angenieux was at one time (perhaps still) the gold standard for zoom lenses in cinemaphotography. They were extremely expensive and very sought after. They also invented the retrofocus wide-angle, enabling wide-angle lenses on cameras with an intrinsically long backfocus such as the SLR or certain movie cameras. This sort of legendary engineering ability has contributed to their reputation overall.

 

[chris00nj]

Linked is one that just sold for $2600. It was a 50mm f/1.5. I'd rather get a Leica Summilux for that money

 

[Ronald M]

You are paying for their past glories.

 

[rogerchristian]

Here is a link.

http://www.angenieux.com/index.php?rub=22

 

[Rayt]

They are fine lenses with a look you can't find off the shelf anymore. Don't dismiss them without giving them a try. If you are into ultra sharp and high contrast then these are not for you.

 

[Revolucion Artistico]

I sold a ltm 35 2.5 in about a 7 condition for 1200 US and I paid about 175 US for it not knowing what it was at the time.

 

[deepwhite]

I just got mysef an Arri Standard Mount to Leica adaptor, but have no idea at all which Angenieux lens to buy. I'd love to choose one within the 21mm~50mm range. Can someone please recommend one for me? Thanks in advance.

 

[Revolucion Artistico]

That 35 2.5 I mentioned was a superb lens but as mentioned above not HC or tack sharp but it did have a look all its own.

 

[deepwhite]

Thanks. I'll see if I can find more info on that lens.