Prices on AR Hexanon 2/35

[alex ph]

I read good reviews about Hexanon 35mm f2, together with mentions on its rarity and high price. I gave a look at ebay. Ok, BIT prices are over $200. But when I looked at sold items I was quite impressed to see one recently sold at $69.99, another at $85.00. Both look very well preserved, the second one just pristine. Further on, I see two other copies sold at $120-130. Still that does not correspond to an idea of an especially rare and expensive lens. If you look at 2.8/35 sold the median price turns around $40-50.

While I am reading on the forum that ebay prices jumped up, it seems to be the true in the case of 2.8/35 but it looks the opposite for some rarer lenses such as 2/35. Or is it just a wave effect? Or maybe everyone who wanted to acquire a nice Hexanon 2/35 did it in the latest two yeras, and this cuts the interest?

What is your experience with rare lenses you wished to get two or three years before?

[newst]

There are a number of reasons a lens or a manufacturer's lenses go up or down in price over time.

During the DSLR 'era' there was a market for a good number of older lenses that could be adapted for use in newer cameras. Konica Hexanon lenses, as good as they are, didn't get a lot of play because Konica's cameras were designed with about the shortest back flange distance of any of the major SLR manufacturers. Adapting to a DSLR required at the least a reducer lens be introduced that would increase the expense and reduce the image quality of the lens in question. With a wealth of good quality SLR lenses in the market already Hexanons were ignored.

The introduction of mirrorless cameras changed this only somewhat. The size of the cameras allowed the Hexanons to be mounted close enough to the sensor not to require a lens but with Micro 4/3 and APS-C cameras you were only using the sweet spot of any adapted SLR lens. Hexanons weren't necessarily better than the competition. Hexanon sales started to trend up but not to an extreme extent. This is when I started using Hexanons on the NEX-6. Excellent lenses much less expensive than the competition.

Then in 2014 Sony introduced a full frame mirrorless camera and people could use those old SLR lenses as they were designed. Prices for just about all the SLR lenses started going up, including Hexanons.

By now that market is getting sated. Prices have peaked for lenses that photographers want to use to take pictures with. Those lenses that become collectibles however will continue to demand premier prices.

In addition, over time, some of those who are going to gravitate to older lenses get settled into a kit they are happy with. In my case I settled on a kit consisting of Minolta Rokkor SLR lenses and a kit consisting of Zeiss Contax Rangefinder lenses. I have sold of almost everything else. I know of others who, like me, have stopped buying lenses and settled in to take photographs. With fewer buyers prices will come down.

[Gardener]

With rare lenses you can't always rely on past sales because underpriced lenses get snapped up in minutes. For example, last week a Minolta MD 28/2.0 was sold on ebay for $30. How long do you think it was available? I saw it within 30 seconds, and it was too late.

[Attila]

[Attila]

I sold my latest AR version for 200 USD to a forum member just a few day before.

[konicamera]

[alex ph]

I agree, chance plays a huge role in cases of underpriced BIN. Although the second case I mention, the $85.00 Hexanon 2/35, was on sale during several days and was taken with only one bid.

So, I guess Steve is right pointing out that competent buyers who spent years in this forum find themselves now in another step of evolution. I do not mean photo addict humans transforming into superhumans. On the contrary, years after the wonderful world of mirrorless got created, and golden rush for lenses has calmed down a bit, experienced people become more selective. I guess if you see a rare lens at $30 you'll buy it anyway. But if you see it at $80 and this does not match your preferred system or your particular project, you may skip it without regret.

Selling and buying here, on the forum, is another story, much more related to rational choice, trust and respect, as compared to chance and suspense intrinsic to our ebay experience.

[stevemark]

[quote="konicamera"]

[newst]

[quote="stevemark"]

[jamaeolus]

I agree prices have been trending up as a general thing. (Which for me is a good thing as I am mixing hobby with investing) But there are still treasures to be found. I found a Konica 57 1.2 on an autoreflex "as is" that was just listed as "50mm" lens but I examined the photos closely and noticed some identifiers. It had a BIN of 120 USD. Came in in pretty good shape. the filter ring had a ding which hammered out to functional with a wooden dowel. If you have a specific lens you are looking for save it on your screen, also be sure to use advanced and "worldwide" search under newly listed and refresh repeatedly. It may take a while but there is a pretty good chance your target will pop up eventually.