Nicca with Tokyo Nikkor 50 1.4 $599

[raid]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nicca-IIIa-...163?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item3f280c6b33

 

[Pioneer]

Nicca

Nicca

My Sears Tower Type 3 (a Nicca sold through Sears and Roebuck) is a very nice camera and my Nikkor HC 50/2 is a stunning Sonnar copy. I understand that the Nikkor HC 50/1.4 is just as nice, but faster.

 

[raid]

The Tokyo version of the 50 1.4 is in high demand.

 

[splitimageview]

Ooh, I wish it were the collapsible...

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Oh dear lord.

Phil Forrest

 

[raid]

I have the less expensive Tower 35 with Nikkor 50/2.

 

[johannielscom]

Still there! ��

 

[raid]

Is the asking price too high, Johan?

 

[Jack Conrad]

What's the difference between the Tokyo version and the Japan version, besides perhaps rarity and money?

Here's a Tower/Japan version being auctioned right now.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/tower-kogak...099712202?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item232e3ea2ca

 

[goamules]

They are both equally good, it's hype.

 

[lam]

The Nikkor is a superb lens. This is a great setup.

 

[Jack Conrad]

They are both equally good, it's hype.

I suspect you're right. These older lenses have considerable
copy variation from one to the other, so it's often difficult to determine such subtlety as oof rendition until you actually work with a specific lens.
I also reckon that the Tower/Japan camera will sell for about half what the Nicca/Tokyo camera is going for. The Nicca does appear to be a bit cleaner and more well cared for, though.

 

[raid]

I suspect you're right. These older lenses have considerable
copy variation from one to the other, so it's often difficult to determine such subtlety as oof rendition until you actually work with a specific lens.
I also reckon that the Tower/Japan camera will sell for about half what the Nicca/Tokyo camera is going for. The Nicca does appear to be a bit cleaner and more well cared for, though.

You are mistaken, Jack. A clean Tower will sell for more than $300 with a Nikkor 50/1.4. A Tower with the Nikkor 50/2 can be found for $350-$450.

 

[stompyq]

I saw a similar setup for $180 in another forum. Not sure if it sold. I think the price is a little too high

 

[goamules]

I really like my Nikkor 50/1.4, it stays on my Tower. Early (as well as late) Nikkor lenses made in Leica mount were rigorously tested and were consistently good. There was no sample to sample variation, that's what David Duncan discovered when he visited their plant and compared his Leica lenses to the new Nikkors. They were all better, so he bought one and Nikon became the photo correspondent's camera for a generation.

 

[OlliL]

I saw a similar setup for $180 in another forum. Not sure if it sold. I think the price is a little too high

The obvious:

WHERE???? 😉

 

[johannielscom]

Is the asking price too high, Johan?

I wouldn't say it is.

Providing the lens is clean, this is a good price. The lens is the prize, the camera is a bonus. A bonus that is (or theoretically can be, at least) as good as a Leica Barnack camera.

In the past I have devoured your lens tests Raid, and the Tokyo models there came out very good. LeicaTom used to have one too and results from this lens never seized to amaze me. But, the lens needs to be in good condition to pull that off, a lens in lesser condition is just so-so...

I'm happy with my Tower-45, W-Nikkor 1.8/35mm and will be with the Tanar 2.0/50mm that is coming in the mail, but otherwise I would certainly give this Nippon Kogaku Tokyo Nikkor a try.

 

[goamules]

The Nikkor 50/1.4 used to be a cult lens, maybe that's being forgotten in this digital age. Good! Maybe I can get another! I notice the 50/2 has been selling very cheaply the past period, surprising that people are buying sleepers, little known makers, Russian clones, and other cult lenses for more, sometimes much more, than the better Nikkors. Fads and fashion. But I see a 1.4 did recently sell for over $1000, so someone still likes them. 190868672352. This $430 sale is more normal 261256483254, and here is one with a Leica IIIf which sold for $760 350838597846.

I compared three 1950s fast Sonnars in Leica mount here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129340

 

[stompyq]

The obvious:

WHERE???? 😉

I think it was largeformatforum. I can't seem to find the original ad so it must have sold. I would have bought it myself if i didn't get a Nikon S2+50mm 1.4 for a song recently

 

[OlliL]

There are quite some deals on LFF.
Maybe the audience there doesn't like "full frame", or it's a reason to get suspended... 😀