Why is this 50mm so expensive?

[aoresteen]

This just popped up on eN+Bay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160578090498&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Is this all black 50mm f/2 really that rare or is the seller trying to create his own market?

 

[RanceEric]

I saw that yesterday and was wondering the same thing... that's not just expensinve, but ridiculously so.. I could get a black SP for that..

 

[Sonnar Brian]

He thinks it is the rare all-black lens that came with a Black Nikon S2. It is not, it is a later Black 5cm F2. Uncommon compared with the chrome lens, but will not get the price he thinks it will.

 

[aoresteen]

So Brian, what is a fair price for the lens?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I paid $100 for my chrome 5cm F2 in S-Mount. Same optics as this one. Mine is a SN64 block.

Prices are up- I would think $300 is closer to the mark. Those more familiar with some fine details of the lens might correct this, but it looks like a late issue lens based on the 74 block SN. The S2 lenses were much lower numbers. They are heavier brass, and few were all black. The "standard" lenses lost some weight, used alloys, and were black finish- at about the time of the Nikon SP.

 

[RanceEric]

That's a price I would be more willing to pay for that lens.. MAYBE $400, since it has the rear cap.. I had a black 5cm f/2 that was beat to hell, with excessive cleaning marks that was on my S3, sold that for $60 on ebay.. shocked me, I was willing to just give it away.. I would like to get that lens (in nice condition) though

 

[NIKON KIU]

Super rare

Super rare

Very few all black 5cm f2 are known to exist. Most all have chrome filter rings.
Nikon Historical society has less than 10 discovered! in over 30 years of research.
The kicker is that none of the serial numbers are in batches, the numbers are spread all over the place.
If this one is legit, it is worth at least $2000...don't know about $3650 though.
Please note, it's pretty easy to unscrew the filter ring holder and paint it black.

Brian must be thinking the all black 5cm 1.4

 

[ferider]

Very few all black 5cm f2 are known to exist. Most all have chrome filter rings.
Nikon Historical society has less than 10 discovered! in over 30 years of research.
The kicker is that none of the serial numbers are in batches, the numbers are spread all over the place.
If this one is legit, it is worth at least $2000...don't know about $3650 though.
Please note, it's pretty easy to unscrew the filter ring holder and paint it black.

Brian must be thinking the all black 5cm 1.4

Well, the all black 50/1.4 (original Millenium) is not so cheap either 🙂

 

[NIKON KIU]

Roland,
There were 2500 "Olympic" 50mm f1.4 produced but less than a dozen of these have been discovered.

How is that for being rare?

 

[CameraQuest]

doesn't anybody use the search?

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45374&highlight=rarest+Nikon

Stephen

 

[enasniearth]

all black 5cm f2

all black 5cm f2

i had a a 5cm f2 with the black filter ring several years ago .
the front glass was very scratched , the black finish on the lens and the front ring showed wear . it was the real lens not a repaint or front ring missing .
i sold it for $650
did not know only 10 were known at that point .
thought it was like the all black 5cm 1.4 perhaps 600 made .

the price this seller is asking is too high ,
he has two black paint canons for sale also at a high price .

 

[jsrockit]

Sure is pretty though...

 

[Mister E]

i had a a 5cm f2 with the black filter ring several years ago .
the front glass was very scratched , the black finish on the lens and the front ring showed wear . it was the real lens not a repaint or front ring missing .
i sold it for $650
did not know only 10 were known at that point .
thought it was like the all black 5cm 1.4 perhaps 600 made .

Although $3000 for a good copy is a better deal than $650 for a destroyed copy 🙄. You could have swapped out the glass!

 

[_goodtimez]

Very few all black 5cm f2 are known to exist. Most all have chrome filter rings.
Nikon Historical society has less than 10 discovered! in over 30 years of research.
The kicker is that none of the serial numbers are in batches, the numbers are spread all over the place.
If this one is legit, it is worth at least $2000...don't know about $3650 though.
Please note, it's pretty easy to unscrew the filter ring holder and paint it black.

Brian must be thinking the all black 5cm 1.4

Nikon Kiu, I have one 50mm f2 lens with a dented filter ring and I would like to remove it to replace it or straighten it.
Does it just unscrew from the end of the lens 🙄

 

[Highway 61]

Does it just unscrew from the end of the lens 🙄

Basically, yes - but you will benefit of a better grip if you remove the lens barrel off the main barrel and remove the aperture command ring.

Some early lenses have a set screw which holds the front ring in place, so, better look at the front ring with the aperture ring off before trying to unscrew the front ring at the risk of breaking the set screw or ending up with a front ring which wouldn't budge because of a twisted and broken inside set screw.

 

[_goodtimez]

Highway 61, thanks, I'll try tomorrow.

 

[NIKON KIU]

Nikon Kiu, I have one 50mm f2 lens with a dented filter ring and I would like to remove it to replace it or straighten it.
Does it just unscrew from the end of the lens 🙄

Only the late version, black with chrome front ring.
Or as highway61 said.

 

[enasniearth]

nikkor 5cm f2 all black

nikkor 5cm f2 all black

Although $3000 for a good copy is a better deal than $650 for a destroyed copy 🙄. You could have swapped out the glass!

the black paint showed some wear , the all black 5cm f1.4 was going for $1000-$1500 back then .
i sold it for half the value of a nice all black 1.4 .
until the new nikon rangefinder book came out i was unaware how rare this all black 5cm f2 type is .true the glass could be changed , if i had it now , well i would keep it at that price .