430 dollars for a NIB M-Hexanon 90/2.8?

[StuartR]

Hey guys, I was just wondering if you thought this was a good deal. I am in Sapporo Japan now, and one of the local camera shops has a brand new M-Hexanon 90/2.8 on closeout for 48000 yen. That's about 430 bucks. It sounded like a good deal to me, but I was wondering what the going rate was. They also had a brand new 28/2.8 (it's small!), but that was more expensive at around 68000 yen (610 bucks). In any case, they sounded like good buys to me. I am pretty tempted by the 90...it is quite small and the build quality is excellent. I think it is bigger than the Tele-Elmarit, but smaller than the TE if you include its giant hood.

In other news, yodobashi camera has the 50, 35, 28 and 25 ZM lenses. The 25 ZM was 110,000 yen (988 dollars), but that of course does not include the absurdly expensive viewfinder or hood. Anyway, I thought I would just get your input on this stuff.

 

[rover]

Bump, Peter will be up soon with an answer to this one.

 

[thpook]

I paid about 300 bucks for mine used, but in mint condition, and when you see these lenses on the Bay they can get pretty expensive. I'd say that 430 bucks for a lens that is the equal of the tele-elmarit in every way is a very good deal.

I love my 90.

And my new M6. Happy birthday to me!

 

[zeos 386sx]

...one of the local camera shops has a brand new M-Hexanon 90/2.8 on closeout for 48000 yen. That's about 430 bucks. It sounded like a good deal to me, but I was wondering what the going rate was. They also had a brand new 28/2.8 (it's small!), but that was more expensive at around 68000 yen (610 bucks). In any case, they sounded like good buys to me.

Stuart,
The U.S. MSRP on the 90mm is $650 and the MSRP on the 28mm is $900 so both sound like good deals. However, consider import duties if you take them someplace.

 

[ray_g]

Stuart, that 90mm is a bargain at that price, brand new.

 

[StuartR]

Well, I snapped. I bought it today and put it to good use immediately. It handles extremely well, and the build quality feels much better than the Tele-Elmarit that I inherited from my father. Its focusing is smoother, and the aperture ring is more solid. I also prefer the built in hood to the clip on one (the built in one is rather long...so I am not too worried about flare). My only complaints are the metal push on cap (I prefer a plastic snap-on cap...you don't have to worry about it scratching things up or getting scratched, nor becoming loose) and the orange lettering. I wish they had either copied the leica and gone with yellow like they did on the UC hexanon, or perhaps red to match the old black paint lenses. They are both completely minor issues though, so I am not worried. I cannot wait to drop off the film and see how the results are. I am guessing that it will outperform the tele-elmarit...

 

[zeos 386sx]

Congrats! Please post pictures when you get the time.

 

[peter_n]

Crikey I completelty missed this the first time around. You got that 90 at a terrific price - congratulations! I had one and I really liked it but I wanted something smaller and lighter for travel so I got a "thin" TE. Still regret selling the 90 M-Hex though. 🙁

The 28 at $610 for a brand new lens is not bad. A LN sample sold on eBay last week for ~$650 as I recall. The 28 has a closest focus of 0.7M and the aperture goes down to f22. Great lens!

As you've noticed, the build quality is unreal - you'll get used to the orange engraving - they needed to differentiate the product and it is very legible. Enjoy your lens and I look forward to seeing some pics from it!

 

[StuartR]

Thanks guys, I am glad that the price was good. I will certainly post pictures when I can, but I am away for 3 months or so, and I don't have access to a scanner, so it might be awhile. I am actually suprised about this lens versus the thin Tele-Elmarit M that I had. Though I do not have it in front of me, it seems to be about the same length, only a little thicker. I don't mind this as it uses 46mm filters, like my 50, 35 and 135mm lenses, which makes things a lot easier for me. I only really need two sets of filters now -- 46 for Leica M and the Hexar AF and 67 for Mamiya 7, large format (I only have one lens...it takes 67mm), and Leica R and the 75 lux with a 67-60 stepping ring.

Anyway, I felt it actually has a better focus throw and aperture clicks than the tele-elmarit-M...the process of getting it ready to shoot is marginally quicker as well. No fumbling with removing the plastic cap, removing and reversing the clip on hood. Now I just take off the cap and extend the hood. Granted, this is very minor difference, but it is one less thing to fumble with. As for lens collimation problems, I hope I will not have any. The lens seems to line up right at infinity, so that's a start. In any case, i am very happy with my purchase. I hope it performs as well as my dear departed 35mm f/2 Hexanon...I sold it in favor of the 35mm summilux ASPH. The performance was pretty much comparable (the hexanon had a cooler color balance), but the Hexanon was a stop slower...so off it went.