NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: jhinkey on July 30, 2015, 18:05:38
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What's your opinion on what the current fair price should be for the 125/2.5 APO assuming it's in excellent condition and with hood?
I have an opportunity to pick up a native AIS version in the next month or so . .
I currently have the 105/2.5 AIS and 135/2 APO Ziess (ZF.2), but am looking for something better than the 105/2.5 and smaller/lighter than the 135/2 APO. Plan on using it mostly wide open . . . :) on my D800 and impending A7RII.
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John
I got the CV125 about 2 yrs ago and the Zeiss APO135 last year.
I ended paying about the same amount for both. The CV has almost doubled in price on eBay since when I bought mine. It's too hard to work out what is a fair price but I wish I had bought another 2 years ago! It's like your 16mm 3.5 fisheye spares!
I do find that the Zeiss seems crisper on D800E even when both are right on focus. It exposes about 1/2 EV less at the same f stop and shutter speed so looks like more global contrast SOOC and is a touch cooler. It has more resolution. It is a little bit more APO as my CV can just see purple highlights on high contrast edges where none can be seen on the Zeiss. It feels like it is a more modern rendering.
However, the CV has a special magic on the Df that makes it my preference on that camera. It also balances better, goes 1:1 and imparts a sense of 'wholeness' to everything. If I could afford it, I'd get another. Hence what's a fair price? YMMV!
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Going price on the bay is around $2000 / €1700 which is a fair price for a mint lens I woulds say.
If you intend to use it on anything mirrorless you might consider a Canon EF version which supports EXIF registration and electronic aperture control on the Sony a7 series.
Here's mine with the Commlite adapter:
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2903/14359582395_dcb222e0c3_c.jpg)
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JA, you are so classy with your presentation :)
The photo is really cool!
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Going price on the bay is around $2000 / €1700 which is a fair price for a mint lens I woulds say.
If you intend to use it on anything mirrorless you might consider a Canon EF version which supports EXIF registration and electronic aperture control on the Sony a7 series.
Here's mine with the Commlite adapter:
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2903/14359582395_dcb222e0c3_c.jpg)
Thanks, the AIS version is preferred since I will be using it on my D800 and A7RII, otherwise the EF version would be best as you say.
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I'm looking for one as well, but the only two a see on eBay are way too expensive ($1959 (EX) and $2400 (Mint).
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I'm looking for one as well, but the only two a see on eBay are way too expensive ($1959 (EX) and $2400 (Mint).
It seems that the AIS version is always more expensive - I believe since it can be adapter to many more bodies, though with the new AF capabilities of the A7RII it may now be the other way around. I have a line on one for $2300 or so . . .
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It seems that the AIS version is always more expensive
Blame our Norwegian administrator for that, he bought the then unknown lens for next to nothing only to discover it was an optical gem, this news went like wildfire within the Nikon community with the other mounts following a few years later.
Original retail price was $600, in it's peak days it went for six times that on eBay because there are only a few made (Zeiss is to blame for that).
I bought one brand new in box last year for its original retail price, my luck was that the seller didn't know what he was selling and I knew precisely what it was 8)
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The highest possible "fair" price is the suggested retail price that the manufacturer figured out based on the production and development costs. The normal "fair" price is so-called "street price" for which is is sold while it is in production (except for when it is sold as surplus stock).
Any prices higher than those are not fair at all.
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The highest possible "fair" price is the suggested retail price that the manufacturer figured out based on the production and development costs. The normal "fair" price is so-called "street price" for which is is sold while it is in production (except for when it is sold as surplus stock).
Any prices higher than those are not fair at all.
Well, my definition of a "fair price" is something close to the average selling price of the same model in the same condition - i.e., the average selling price of what the market has been recently willing to pay. I.e., if the average price that this same lens is selling for is $2K then something close to that would be fair in my book. Obviously what the market is willing to pay goes up and down with supply/demand and other external forces/events.
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Yes, I understand the point of the thread and the second hand price is decided by the balance demand and supply.
That said, I personally am reluctant to pay extra for the "brand" or "rarity", which I don't think is the essential part of the "tool".
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It seems that the AIS version is always more expensive
Blame our Norwegian administrator for that, he bought the then unknown lens for next to nothing only to discover it was an optical gem, this news went like wildfire within the Nikon community with the other mounts following a few years later.
Original retail price was $600, in it's peak days it went for six times that on eBay because there are only a few made (Zeiss is to blame for that).
I bought one brand new in box last year for its original retail price, my luck was that the seller didn't know what he was selling and I knew precisely what it was 8)
I'm trying, or was trying, to buy one here in India. I've only found one, mint/mint-. The guy selling is a very good photographer , and he did quote the Bear!!! He is asking more than the Zeiss 135 APO (list here at $2,261.33 at todays exchange rate. He has six, different mounts, Lanthars (two 125's) . He did not give me a price.
He also has a contact in Japan who scouts for lenses for him. He said that an absolute Mint (boxed and unused) can go for as much as $3,000. I was expecting to pay in the $1,800 range and hoping to be lucky and find some one who did not know the lens/reputation. Love your story :) , never happens to me :( . I would pay $2K for a mint(-) here but not an import since Customs and Excise can be an unknown here in India.
I've been exchanging messages with Erik, who gave me some suggestions for alternative lenses. At the moment I may just go for a mint 75-150 f3.5 E , not quite the same but a useful FL range for me ;) . Not one of Erik's alternatives, but a heck of a lot cheaper than the APO 125 :) . The guy with the 125 APO did offer some good advice about dealing with Zeiss India on the 135 APO price :)
Tom
Edit: just for fun ;D....... While searching the net for a good deal on the 105 f4 Ai/Ais macro I came across this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-UV-Nikkor-105mm-f-4-5-/231620677812?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35edab10b4
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Yes, I understand the point of the thread and the second hand price is decided by the balance demand and supply.
That said, I personally am reluctant to pay extra for the "brand" or "rarity", which I don't think is the essential part of the "tool".
I figure that if I buy one and later sell it I will either break even or maybe lose just a bit - I consider it a rental fee. I've never lost $$ on any of the more exotic (and good) lenses, but that first time can come if for some reason the market gets flooded with them or they become less desirable. I plan on using it for candids of my girls - a priceless enterprise - and selling it when done.
That's actually why I bought the 135/2 Ziess, but it's kind of big and heavy for my purposes. I tried to use it as a low light landscape lens, and it does well, but believe it or not my lowly 135/2 AIS Nikkor is not that far behind in image IQ at infinity (it's not very good at MFD) and gets the job done. Of course the 135/2 APO Zeiss is excellent at all distances and apertures :) at a high cost for sure.
Perhaps when the A7RII arrives I will feel differently about the Zeiss.
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John, I understand the "fair" price will vary according to the individual sense of value for a particular item. And only hope you will be able to find the CV125 at the price you can reason and to resell at minimal loss or even with some profit.
What I don't like about the "premire price" is that it can have a great fall whenever a promising alternative emerges at the price that the premired item used to be sold when it was current. Hence my sentiment and rumblings. :)
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At the moment I may just go for a mint 75-150 f3.5 E , not quite the same but a useful FL range for me ;)
I willing to part with mine, it's in mint++ condition, really like new :)
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:( I literally just bought one for $95 here. I asked a friend about that lens and a 105 f4 Macro Ais (a lens which Erik did recommend). As chance would have it he had just sold a 105 f4 in Mint condition this morning and was awaiting the bank transfer. He did know a guy selling a Mint-/Ex++ 75-150 f3.5 and I just made the transfer. I also sent the guy with the APO 125 CV a standing offer just in case he ever wants some guaranteed quick cash. I cannot see that happening but worth the effort (not much ;)). Who knows :) ....
but thanks for the offer :) .
Tom
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Ahhhh, the lens with the ugly hood.
I ended up with 3 copies of the Ais version and don't use any.
It is a rather delicate lens which does not take a beating in a heavy environment and usage. I would call it an Artsy lens.
Unfortunately, at the moment I cannot afford shooting with a non AF lens as my shots involve movement of both camera and models.
As for a fair price......I consider a fair price whatever you need to pay to acquire a lens or any product or service.
In Trade, Fairness has nothing to do with the definition of Trade. It is only wingers remorse.
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Ahhhh, the lens with the ugly hood.
I ended up with 3 copies of the Ais version and don't use any.
It is a rather delicate lens which does not take a beating in a heavy environment and usage. I would call it an Artsy lens.
Unfortunately, at the moment I cannot afford shooting with a non AF lens as my shots involve movement of both camera and models.
As for a fair price......I consider a fair price whatever you need to pay to acquire a lens or any product or service.
In Trade, Fairness has nothing to do with the definition of Trade. It is only wingers remorse.
Then perhaps you'd want to sell one of your 125/2.5 CVs to me :).
I won't be taking it out into the mountains . . .
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Ahhhh, the lens with the ugly hood.
I ended up with 3 copies of the Ais version and don't use any.
It is a rather delicate lens which does not take a beating in a heavy environment and usage. I would call it an Artsy lens.
Unfortunately, at the moment I cannot afford shooting with a non AF lens as my shots involve movement of both camera and models.
As for a fair price......I consider a fair price whatever you need to pay to acquire a lens or any product or service.
In Trade, Fairness has nothing to do with the definition of Trade. It is only wingers remorse.
Then perhaps you'd want to sell one of your 125/2.5 CVs to me :).
I won't be taking it out into the mountains . . .
As you have 3, I could take another. ;D
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A "fair" price is a price a market at a given time is willing to pay for an item. I don't get this discussion about "fair", sorry.
No-one is holding a gun on someone's head and forces someone to buy... :)
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:( I literally just bought one for $95 here. I asked a friend about that lens and a 105 f4 Macro Ais (a lens which Erik did recommend). As chance would have it he had just sold a 105 f4 in Mint condition this morning and was awaiting the bank transfer. He did know a guy selling a Mint-/Ex++ 75-150 f3.5 and I just made the transfer. I also sent the guy with the APO 125 CV a standing offer just in case he ever wants some guaranteed quick cash. I cannot see that happening but worth the effort (not much ;)). Who knows :) ....
but thanks for the offer :) .
Tom
Tom
I paid A$19 for my 75-150mm but postage $22! I got a like new Silver ring version with firm zoom ring. It has some of the characteristics of the 105 2.5 Ais but unfortunately loses a lot of that around 135-150mm on the D800E. It does better on the Df. I feel that the 50-135mm - which can also be bought relatively cheaply - is better at the 135-150mm zone.
I borrowed a friends AF 135mm DC for 6 months and that renders skin beautifully - I think that lens would suit your fabulous photos and all your portraits. The bokeh is enchanting. It's quite compact and has AF to boot.
JJ
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Thanks JJ. Not a big, open market here so I take what I can get :( . I may have found a new DC135 f2D here in India. I have found a DC105 f2D but also a 105 f2.5 P-C (Ai'd)..... decisions :( .
Tom
I think any of our Sony FX shooters looking for any of the APO Lanthars should be looking at the Canon mounts very quickly. Pentax mounts are even cheaper but no idea about using those. Seem to be running about 50% of the price of Nikon mounts but that will not last long ;) .
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A "fair" price is a price a market at a given time is willing to pay for an item. I don't get this discussion about "fair", sorry.
No-one is holding a gun on someone's head and forces someone to buy... :)
Well, that is right in general. But in the present case there is a market (however limited) for this lens, and if a seller is offering it at a price which is much higher than the price at which comparable quality lenses normally sell then that is too high (aka unfair). Some people are more aware of the market price than others and it is reasonable to seek their opinion.
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If four are on sale now in Bay for around 1.700+ EUR, does assume they made price-agreements.