when did the 28 m rokkors get so expensive?
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chrispiper
Established
Prices seemed to go up just as I was getting serious about getting my first 28. I have a 50 and 90 M-Hexanon and like them so I thought I'd look for a 28 M-Hex. Crazy high prices. Same for Zeiss. Ok what else it out there? I've heard about this M-Rokkor, seems like a low budget alternative. Read a bit and find out about the white spots. Actually got a $200 copy with the spots that shot fine but it spooked me so I gave it back. By that point I was getting less and less thrilled to be thinking about a $600+ expenditure for a possibly fringe use lens. Enter the 28 Ultron f/1.9. Now that was more like it, in terms of price and performance. I found a nice one, and then found a Canon 28 f/2.8 just a week later. I got both for practially what I would have spent for a single M-Hex, M-Rokkor or CZ lens. I still kind of like the idea of the M-Hex, just because I like my 50 and 90 so much, but in terms of images, I like my current setup just fine.
awilder
Alan Wilder
Never owned the Rokkor as clean ones were scarce when I owned my CLE but I have used the CV 28/3.5 and it's performance and build quality was top drawer. Given it's small size, price and performance, I wouldn't hesitate to take a new CV 28/3.5 over a Rokkor. If you need f/2.8 get a ZM or Hexanon, both would easily out perform the Rokkor.
For higher speed go for the 28/1.9 Ultron.
For higher speed go for the 28/1.9 Ultron.
David Murphy
Veteran
Part of the reason the price of all better quality Leica and Leica related items are on the rise is due to the fact that eBay and PayPal together typically take 10% of the selling prices. This is on the rise too. New eBay "fee reductions" are coming soon too (all eBay fee hikes are marketed as fee reductions for those not aware).
eBay is a major market place for rangefinder related collectibles. These significant seller costs have been successfully passed on to buyers by sellers and are also reflected in higher values for the same items sold off-eBay.
Another factor is that Cosina-Voigtlander does not seem interested in making the affordably priced rangefinder lenses and cameras they were once known for.
eBay is a major market place for rangefinder related collectibles. These significant seller costs have been successfully passed on to buyers by sellers and are also reflected in higher values for the same items sold off-eBay.
Another factor is that Cosina-Voigtlander does not seem interested in making the affordably priced rangefinder lenses and cameras they were once known for.
raid
Dad Photographer
I am so glad that after I send out the lens to a buyer here, he returned it because white spots were found that I did not see before. Now I still have my 28mm/2.8 Rokkor-M.
Palaeoboy
Joel Matherson
Quite odd. I try to monitor prices of CLE stuff and last time I looked the Rokkor 28 was as cheap as its ever been. In fact I saw a user one with a bit of wear on the barrel ie silver showing on the aperture ring, go go $169 not long ago. There was a time that it fetched almost as much as the Version 3 Elmarit as it was equivalent in optical quality and considerably smaller so that fueled the market for a while but when the Voigltander, Zeiss and Konica offerings became quite affordable the prices of the Rokkor seemed to plummet. I have seen many go for around 300 USD so you are well in the ballpark Back Alley. There is probably just a slight run on them at the moment, prices will be down again im sure. You just have to keep bidding to your limit and then the rush is over you will get one. Good lens by the way.
back alley
IMAGES
i just saw one listed on ebay at 748., with 'clean' glass except for a ton of little white spots...
hexiplex
Well-known
The white spots on my example don't affect the image at all, it's even got a ton of light scratch marks and what appears to be some faint haze in the centre. The lens is decidedly low contrast however, and most likely is even more low in contrast because of the aforementioned flaws.
I don't think 748$ is asking too much for a good clean example of this lens, but I also don't think that 748$ is a good price for a lens that has a case of the spots.
I don't think 748$ is asking too much for a good clean example of this lens, but I also don't think that 748$ is a good price for a lens that has a case of the spots.
Palaeoboy
Joel Matherson
Thats too much even it its a perfect example
Palaeoboy
Joel Matherson
I Just saw the one you mean, 51% off yeah right LOL To put it in perspective there is another listing for a CLE, and all three CLE lenses filters and some boxes for double that price. One thing I have noticed it that some sellers just ask outrageous prices with any item associated Leica. I have seen sellers in Hong Kong and the USA asking used prices for the Version 3 Elmarit higher than a new current ASPH version, they know they are overcharging but sit and wait for that sucker that doesnt know any better.
DougFord
on the good foot
...its coming around again.
The Ricoh GXR; a new m-mount @ 1.5 crop means 28mm lenses will be in demand. Maybe some early positioning going on?
The rokkor is light weight and quite a good performer. Mines been JohnVanSteltenized and I'm more then half interested to see how it might perform on a GXR.
The Ricoh GXR; a new m-mount @ 1.5 crop means 28mm lenses will be in demand. Maybe some early positioning going on?
The rokkor is light weight and quite a good performer. Mines been JohnVanSteltenized and I'm more then half interested to see how it might perform on a GXR.
raid
Dad Photographer
Even with a 2X crop, the Rokkor is a 56mm lens that I can enjoy.
filmfan
Well-known
I want one.
roundg
Well-known
I didn't monitor the price trend of this lens. About two year ago, a good one with white spot normally went for 300-350USD. A really mint without white spot could double the price.
Not sure how much they sell now.
Not sure how much they sell now.
kanzlr
Hexaneur
the M-Hexanon 28 does fine on my GXR...wouldn't mind trying a Rokkor to accompany the 40mm one I already have, but not at current going prices. Second hand dealers asking € 550,-- here...!!
sleepyhead
Well-known
I recently bought a 28mm M-Rokkor in excellent condition (no sign of white spots or haze), with original hood for around 500 Euros.
On one hand that's expensive, but for me, it was worth it: the M-Rokkor has the perfect combination, for me, of:
* image quality (sharp, but not too contrasty; great bokeh, low distortion)
* Ergonomics and size
* Built quality
I don't care that it brings up the 35mm framelines on a Leica M camera, as I use it on an M3 paired with the Zeiss 50mm C-Sonnar.
I can do almost everything I want photographically with just those two lenses!
On one hand that's expensive, but for me, it was worth it: the M-Rokkor has the perfect combination, for me, of:
* image quality (sharp, but not too contrasty; great bokeh, low distortion)
* Ergonomics and size
* Built quality
I don't care that it brings up the 35mm framelines on a Leica M camera, as I use it on an M3 paired with the Zeiss 50mm C-Sonnar.
I can do almost everything I want photographically with just those two lenses!
sleepyhead
Well-known
I will just add, that for me size was the most important factor, so I ruled out the f/2 28mm lenses (although I would also love to own the 28mm Summicron...).
It boiled down to the M-Rokkor or the Leica 28mm Elmarit ASPH.
I looked at as many photos on Flickr as I could for those two lenses. I concluded that the 28mm Elmarit was just too clinically sharp compared to the Rokkor. (Although it would be nice to test them side-by-side...)
It boiled down to the M-Rokkor or the Leica 28mm Elmarit ASPH.
I looked at as many photos on Flickr as I could for those two lenses. I concluded that the 28mm Elmarit was just too clinically sharp compared to the Rokkor. (Although it would be nice to test them side-by-side...)
kermaier
Well-known
You should use your M-Rokkor and never look back at the Elmarit-M. The Minolta may not be quite a sharp and contrasty, but it's not far off the Leica's performance. And they're almost exactly the same size and (IMO) build quality.
::Ari
::Ari
raid
Dad Photographer
Ari,
Is your lens still dot free?
The spots suddenly came to my lens.
Is your lens still dot free?
The spots suddenly came to my lens.
kermaier
Well-known
Mine is still free of the spots since a cleaning at FocalPoint, but it developed a fair amount of garden-variety haze in the front element group, which causes the lens to flare noticeably. 🙁
Since I have a bunch of other 28s, I'm procrastinating sending the M-Rokkor off for another cleaning.
::Ari
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