OM Zuiko Lens Prices -- 21 f2.0 and 40 f2.0

[dtcls100]

Just happened to be looking at that auction site today and saw recent ACTUAL sales of OM Zuiko 21mm f2.0 lenses going for $3500 to over $6000!!! Also saw actual sales of OM Zuiko 40mm f2.0 lenses around $2,000 to $2,500! What is going on here? I happen to have both of these lenses in near mint condition. Bought the 40mm about 3 years ago for $400. Have had the 21mm for about 20 years and probably paid around $500. I actually like both of these lenses and never seriously thought about selling them before, but at these prices the idea of selling them is very tempting and getting a Nikon Z9 body. I see many other higher end Zuikos are holding their own price-wise, but nothing like those two lenses. Just curious what is going on here with those two lenses.

 

[ka7197]

Sell them, and you will regret dearly.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Looks like lens went from tool to collectible status.

While where are good 21 fast lenses are made and available, this one is not made anymore and might have some collectioning value.

Or maybe it is super cine lens now for digital and digital cine lens prices are higher than photography lenses.

 

[xayraa33]

The OM Zuiko 21mm f2.0 and 40mm f2.0 lenses were never low priced even when new when compared to the more mundane OM Zuikos...they were not that common and sort of primo and elitist so they take on a mythical status of desirability in later years and the bumped up price reflects that.

 

[plummerl]

The OM Zuiko 21mm f2.0 and 40mm f2.0 lenses were never low priced even when new when compared to the more mundane OM Zuikos...they were not that common and sort of primo and elitist so they take on a mythical status of desirability in later years and the bumped up price reflects that.

Um, not if you go back a few years. From a B&H Photo ad, in a September, 1984 Modern Photography,

40mm/f2 : $84.90 ($224 in today's dollars)
21mm/f2 : $275 ($724 in today's dollars)

 

[xayraa33]

Um, not if you go back a few years. From a B&H Photo ad, in a September, 1984 Modern Photography,

40mm/f2 : $84.90 ($224 in today's dollars)
21mm/f2 : $275 ($724 in today's dollars)

I never have seen anything that cheap in Canada, a very common standard lens the 50mm f1.8 Zuiko new cost me 100 dollars plus tax in the early 1980s , in 1976 a new OM 1 with the speed demon lens of 55mm f1.2 cost me over 625 dollars ...in July 1977 a new spare chrome OM 1 body cost me 130 dollars to buy from Henry's in Toronto.

 

[p.giannakis]

Olympus is the new Contax nowadays - prices hiked up in everything with the Olympus on its nameplate. The OM-10 sells for £80-£90 (if not more) when 10 years ago no one would by it for £20. The more exotic optics like the 21 or 40 are fetching collector's prices. I commented once on a facebook group and i was told that i live in the 2010's and that i should move on from that era.
I bought my 35f/2 in very good condition from ffordes almost 10 years ago for £70. Have you seen it's recent prices !