Tokyo Kogaku Nikkor f2/50 pricing help

[f16sunshine]

What's the right price for an excellent copy?
I'm having trouble finding the sweet spot for a lens I'm selling.
There was a lot of interest it seemed not too long ago.
Thank you for your input.

 

[ferider]

It's a great performer. My experience is prices range between 200 and 300 these days. I got mine for a little less but that was a year ago.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

This might help

http://www.antiquecameras.net/sonnarlens.html


I'd say the numbers are fairly close to market price.

 

[f16sunshine]

Thanks Roland.
I may need to hang onto it longer. It is a great little lens but, now I have a Nikkor f1.4/50 for my Sonnar and the little f2 sees little use. I paid for a CLA and want to get that and my initial cost back. There seemed to be added interest in the Tokyo version at one point.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

I see the Nikkor 50/1.4 in three categories, the early "5005", the "Tokyo", and the later "Japan" versions. There seems to be a lot of interest in the two earlier versions either because of rarity or the difference in optical design in the 5005. I've seen a few threads with attention towards how the earlier Nikkors have a different rendition that the later Japan versions.

Of course those were all towards the 50/1.4. I don't know if there was any changes in the 50/2 optical formula during its production. Maybe there was a change in coatings.

 

[f16sunshine]

It's this one. Not sure how early or late. The glass is in beautiful shape. I put it at $400 but now think that it is too high. Thanks for the link Darren.

 

[ferider]

Well, yours is the rarer Tokyo version, which is equivalent to the 5008 (same glass with different serial nr.). It's very early, 1950/51. I am thinking you are not too far off with your current price.

Basically the earliest (5008 and NKT) and latest (black aperture rim) are the most valuable ones.

I too just sold my 50/2 since I have a 50/1.4 (Tokyo as well).

 

[f16sunshine]

Thanks again Roland. I'll just wait it out and re-list later if I need to or keep it 🙂 . Wish I had the front cap.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I would put it at closer to $300. My late 5cm F2 Black Ring was ~$200. I also have a collapsible Nikkor 5cm F2, which is fairly rare. That one would be in the $400 range, but mine was $250 with a Nicca III attached to it.

 

[LeicaTom]

Yeah, seems that 80% of all the "TOKYO" lenses have dented front rims (the Korean War was hell on cameras) ~ but seriously, when the glass is minty and barrel likewise, the "TOKYO" rigid HC f2 is a $300 priced lens.

I sold my 1950 one and I regret it, I replaced it with a mint 1957 version off my Tower 35, and the lens is a fantastic performer (maybe one of the BEST lenses to match on a M8) ~ but that later "JAPAN" signature is just a little more defined and sharper than the original *creamier* "TOKYO" formula......I love both, it's really the look in the eyes of the beholder.

Tom

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The construction of the front module's fixture changed sometime in the 62xxxx block. Had to do with the mechanics of setting the stand-off. Found out when I tried my spare 61x block front group with a later lens.

But- my 1948 collapsible appears to be as sharp as the late-version lens. The coatings changed, and the color rendition is slightly different. The 1948 lens is quite sharp. I also have two in S_mount, total of four.

 

[LeicaTom]

The construction of the front module's fixture changed sometime in the 62xxxx block. Had to do with the mechanics of setting the stand-off. Found out when I tried my spare 61x block front group with a later lens.

But- my 1948 collapsible appears to be as sharp as the late-version lens. The coatings changed, and the color rendition is slightly different. The 1948 lens is quite sharp. I also have two in S_mount, total of four.

Yeah, I would consider even trading a "stepper" IIIC body for a LTM collapsible with caps if someone had one? 😉

I really miss that "Tokyo" I had (I think it was a #621 job) and I know that it had your blessing/magic done to it as well, even with average cleaning marks, it was a real performer, I was shooting it on my FIRST 1945 Leica IIIC K grey (now Dr Leo's camera) the combo was just unbeatable ~ I wish I could find another "really well broken in" rigid "Tokyo"one again soon........anyone feel generous? ~ I would shoot lot's of pretty pinups with it for sure 😀

Tom

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The collapsible is a real collectors lens. That is opposed to a users lens. The mechanism does not stay in place as well as the Summicron and SUmmitar. The locking tabs are not as strong. Optically, its great. It does not close-focus like the Rigid lens. Prices on them have dropped, at one time Woodmere wanted over $1000 for the collapsible Nikkor in LTM.

 

[LeicaTom]

The collapsible is a real collectors lens. That is opposed to a users lens. The mechanism does not stay in place as well as the Summicron and SUmmitar. The locking tabs are not as strong. Optically, its great. It does not close-focus like the Rigid lens. Prices on them have dropped, at one time Woodmere wanted over $1000 for the collapsible Nikkor in LTM.

Yes, I missed one for $225 last year uggh!!! ~ Yeah I'm better off with staying with the rigid one.

Well, here's a good question, I know the #5005 "Tokyo" and the later "Japan" SC f1.4 50mm's have different signatures ~ but what about the #3 starting "Tokyo" f1.4's ~ what is their status as an
"in-between" lens.

As I said before it's all in the eyes ofthe beholder, but they all seen to have slightly different veriying signatures.

Tom

PS: Ohh and I saw a really rare one a while back (I presume it's a rare one) while I have NEVER SEEN one before ~ a #5005 or was it #5008 f2 HC!!!!!!
I would think that lens too has a nice early style signature? ~ now there's a Nikkor/LTM can of worms for you 😀

 

[ferider]

Yes, I missed one for $225 last year uggh!!! ~ Yeah I'm better off with staying with the rigid one.

Well, here's a good question, I know the #5005 "Tokyo" and the later "Japan" SC f1.4 50mm's have different signatures ~ but what about the #3 starting "Tokyo" f1.4's ~ what is their status as an
"in-between" lens.

Regarding the 5005 and the 3* 50/1.4 NKT, according to Rotoloni they are one and the same, Tom.

Roland.

 

[LeicaTom]

Regarding the 5005 and the 3* 50/1.4 NKT, according to Rotoloni they are one and the same, Tom.

Roland.

Ahh ok...well then, I'm not missing anything, I still have my battle scared #5005 ~ shooting mostly
Blk N Wht's with the M8.

Tom

 

[ferider]

Did you see that stepper with 35/2.5 go for US 300 today ?

 

[dexdog]

the same seller had a Tower 45 /Nicca 5L with 50/2 nikkor go for $393.

 

[raid]

Did you grab this deal?

 

[LeicaTom]

I didn't see the "stepper" with a wide angle on it ~ anyone have a link? ~

But I did find some "static" museum props to use
when photographing my IIIC K's ~ *9 rolls of July 1946 dated Isopan Ultra Agfa film - in the original shelf box * $30

A couple of days ago, I saw this 45' "Half Race Stepper" ~ Summitar rig for auction

http://cgi.ebay.com/Leitz-Leica-III...ViewItemQQptZFilm_Cameras?hash=item2eab505ab0

Well, at $400 it was no bargain, but it was an interesting serial number with a matching numbers Summitar.

I was watching that Tower, I almost went after it, but that would have been another
"White Elephant" here at home........ at under $400 it was a good deal, as long as the shutter's in order.

Tom