Contax 100mm 3.5

[F16SUNSHINE]

Orio this Q is for you mostly but maybe someone else has an idea also. I found a new in the box(really new) copy of this lens. Do you think $400 is to much to pay for it? I have a Planar 100 f2 and now the zuiko 100 2.8 so I will add it mostly out of want not need. Maybe I should wait for a used copy. The sight of a brand new Contax lens is very irresistible. What do you think is it to much?

Andy

[Orio]

It's not too much. You should take it before someone else does.
For the shop copy (like new, but no box) I paid 250 Euros including courier shipping.
For the camera fair copy (glass perfect, little barrel wear) I paid little less, 170 Euros.
In both cases, I think I got good prices, because I saw this lens more often sold for more than 250 EUR, than I saw it sold for less.
At today's change, 400 USD are 270 Euros, which for a new copy in box surely is a great price,.
Get it, don't wait.

[poilu]

hi sunshine
400$ is a good price for a new one
I see mint- for 360$
used are rare and less expensive but new is new

[F16SUNSHINE]

Thankyou my fellow Contaxians. I knew I could count on you for support. I will grab it. Orio congrats on selling the Helios. It is nice that it went to a member.

[F16SUNSHINE]

It's a not happening. The sellers wants more and the lens is an AE so I would probably want to CLA. From what I understand Contax changed to MM in 1984 so this lens is very old for new. An unmounted new lens that has been sitting so long may have dried focus heli-grease. Lenses need exercise to stay functional. It makes me a bit nervous. The search will continue.

[Orio]

Really he wants more now? What a j***. I hate sellers that do like that just because someone shows interest in an item.
AE version? I wasn't even aware that this lens was produced as AE. I thought that it was produced in the MM era only.
My two copies are both MM, so I can not advice on a AE version quality. Maybe it's the same, maybe it was improved like it happened with other lenses in the Contax line. For sure it would be interesting to compare an AE version with a MM one. For some lenses that are cheap (like the Distagon 35) I bought both versions on purpose to compare. But the Sonnar 100 is too expensive for that curiosity!
Anyway, I saw one Sonnar 100 for sale at Keh.com, take a look, it is rated EX+ at 400USD but it's not clear if it's an AE or MM (keh shop uses "MM" for signifying both "millimeters" and "multimode", so it's often ambiguous).
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[F16SUNSHINE]

[Orio]

[F16SUNSHINE]

[quote]OK Andy, should I ever sell one of mine, you get the priority. But, it's not likely to happen, because it's a lens that I treasure much now and after my accident with the Planar 135, I am wanting to keep a spare for the lenses that I really use and rely upon (if I can afford it that is).
But I can do other for you, I can keep my eyes open on the real shops here, and the camera fairs. If I can find a copy, and if you give me the green light to buy it for you, I can do it. Contax was pretty popular in Italy in the film era - not as Nikon or Pentax, but the used fairs and markets always have supply of contax lenses.

[Orio]

for the 6 Ps

Should it happen that I am in a city and find one in a shop, that is, say, MM version, glass perfect, and barrel aesthetics good or acceptable, and have no way to contact you, what is the max amount you would like me to spend?

I ask because it happens to me to go sometimes to cities and walk into shops, without having it planned - and usually those are the occasions where I find the best bargains (when I go there on purpose I rarely find what I want)
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[F16SUNSHINE]

Well that is a smart question. If you found one that is optically perfect and cosmetically sound pay as you would for your own purposes. My feeling is you know how much is too much. $400 for newish and then down from there for used dependent on condition (if it is perfect for me it is new mounting marks mean nothing to me). I want you to know I really appreciate the offer. In the US, Contax was a off/premium brand. Our shops do not have so much variety of Contax lenses. You either find nice bargains from sellers with litttle knowledge or, ripoffs from sellers with big ambition. I can not blame either for their ignorance.

[Orio]

[F16SUNSHINE]

Thanks Orio, And once again best of luck on the weather for Sunday!!