FOUND!!!!! Nikkor 16mm f/3.5 fisheye disappeared

[atpaula]

I have 4 copies of this lens, but only one in mint condition for my collection.
Last year I bought a copy from the USA eBay and it disappeared ont he way to my house. Insurance paid for it.
Last month I bought another copy ( the last model, which I don't have) from Japan and brazilian customs inexplicably returned it to the sender.
It appears the universe is conspiring against me acquiring this lens. Mystical lens?

[Bjørn Rørslett]

The national Customs would act this way if the item had inadequate paperwork with it. A Pro forma Invoice will always be required and sadly many sellers don't understand the necessity of including this with the shipment. In my country, I get a warning letter that mandatory papers are lacking and have the chance of acting accordingly to clarify particularities of the goods held in customs, but do need to act within 2 weeks otherwise the shipment is returned. As our postal service has become quite sluggish and inefficient after privatization (heard that before??) the window of opportunity to deal with the matter can be frighteningly narrow.

Hopefully there eventually will be a 16/3.5 out there especially for you.

[atpaula]

The national Customs would act this way if the item had inadequate paperwork with it. A Pro forma Invoice will always be required and sadly many sellers don't understand the necessity of including this with the shipment. In my country, I get a warning letter that mandatory papers are lacking and have the chance of acting accordingly to clarify particularities of the goods held in customs, but do need to act within 2 weeks otherwise the shipment is returned. As our postal service has become quite sluggish and inefficient after privatization (heard that before??) the window of opportunity to deal with the matter can be frighteningly narrow.

Hopefully there eventually will be a 16/3.5 out there especially for you.

Thanks.
I asked the seller to ship it back to me using a different service (DHL or FeDex). I really want this lens, which seems to be in mint condition.
I'm still waiting for the customs answer about the reason for the return.

[Macro_Cosmos]

What a story!

I acquired my copy from China and paid a lot for shipping, I don't use it much but the sharpness and resolution is just amazing. Those built-in filters are fun to use, and hey, the lens is also one of the rarest fisheyes!
Old nikkor fisheyes are classes above the fishys produced in the same era; I heard they were mostly used for industrial purposes. I don't have the original lens cap however which is a shame. 

[jgould2]

Hi Aguinaldo.

What a terrible experience. I have an Ai-'D copy sn 275283 (probably built within a few weeks of yours) and it is one of my favorite lenses and is in mint condition.  The built in red,orange and yellow filters are a very unique feature (though the yellow is somewhat green).  The focus ring is as smooth as butter.

 Glad to see that it seems to be working out for you (though in a very strange way).

JIM