Zeiss 85/1.2 at ebay

[dirk]

FYI

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=21965&item=7511145772&rd=1

it is not mine I do not know the seller. But I know that some of you might be interested in this lens. MAde in Germany, "50 Years Contax"

 

[wang]

Yesterday I acquired my second 85 1.2 in mint condition. The seller also sold his 21 2.8 in mint condition to me. Two lenses caused me 3.2k. I feel like winning the lottery.

In Hong Kong, many people do not know what is happening in e-bay.

 

[djg]

$3.2K for both of those lenses is a total steal! How'd you swing that?

 

[fotografz]

Fabulous bargain Chi !!!!! You are a shrewd and wise buyer.

Those lenses will most likely never be duplicated ever again because no one would pay the price they would cost to produce if made now. You have made an investment in pure gold !!!!

 

[wang]

The price of 21 2.8 shot up for reason that it can be used on Canon. The price will go up further if more people is using the Canon. On the other hand, if Canon DSLR is replaced by something else in the future, the price of 21 will go down.
God knows what will happen to Canon DSLR. Could it be replaced by some more sophisticated means of photography ?
I don't know what should I do with my second 21 2.8, definitely I should not shoot it because it will reduce its price. Shall I sell it to make a profit ? Shall I keep it and make more profit at a latter date ? I am definitely keeping my first 21 2.8 as I like so much that I will never sell it no matter what price.

 

[fotografz]

Chi, if something happens to Canon DSLR it will most likely be Canon who does it. While other camera makers are struggling, the well financed Canon juggernaut keeps rolling into the future. Informed sources say the next wave due to be announced is a 24 meg, full frame replacement for the 1DsMKII. That kind of leap forward will most likely sound the death bell for even more camera companies.

I think the C/Y super lenses will retain value for some time to come simply because they can be used on such powerful digital cameras. However, if Canon should "wake up" and turn their attention to bolstering their lens line-up with better wide angle glass, then the need to adapt other lenses may diminish. For longer lens applications Canon has some decent glass. The now discontinued Canon 200/1.8 is due to be reintroduced to market as an Image Stabilized (IS) version. This lens was aready one of the best out there, and with IS will probably be an untouchable image making tool.

 

[wang]

I saw a third 85 1.2 from a seller. He is asking for 3.6k. It is a mint version of 50 year edition. What is the price for a mint 85 1.2 in e-bay ? I had a good look but recently there is not a sale of 85 1.2.

 

[fotografz]

Paid $4,000. for Mint- 60 year with hood and metal cap. They usually go for more on e-bay when shown there. Most are sold privately.

 

[wang]

One of my old 85 1.2 has a small bit of fungus in it. I thought the best place to have a service is Zeiss, Germany. So, I e-mailed them. This is their reply.

> Dear Mr. Wang,
>
> in case of severe fungus groth on the glass surfaces of photographic lenses
> we generally refrain from any repair attempt because of the high risk of
> contamination.
> If such a lens is brought to our benches, the spores of fungi would spread
> to all places
> including all used tools. This would be a danger for other lenses as well,
> which never
> had a fungus problem before.
>
> If you find fungus on outer surfaces at an early state, try to clean by
> yourself and separate
> this lens from others.
>
> I am sorry to give you this hard statement, but these rules have been
> decided after some
> very bad experiences in the past.
>
> With best regards
>
> Dr. Hubert Nasse
> Carl Zeiss AG
> Camera Lens Division, Laboratory
> phone   49-(0)7364-20-2846
> FAX      49-(0)7364-20-4045
> e-mail      nasse@zeiss.de
>
> Internet   www.zeiss.de/photo

Do you believe this is their reply for my 85 1.2 ?

 

[dk0]

Yes, what Zeiss says is true. You must be extremely careful with preventing fungus. Once fungus visually appears on one lens, it is almost certain that one or more lenses that have been stored and/or handled with that contaminated lens has fungus as well. You may not see it in the other lenses at first, but the spores are probably too small and still incubating. (This is one of the reasons why I do not purchase used lenses from Asia, which due to the extreme humidity (Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, etc.) have a much higher probability of fungus infection.)

Unfortunately, your 85/1.2 should be destroyed. Otherwise, you risk losing all of your other lenses as well. I would not trust anyone who says that they can clean it, unless they work for a disease control center and have access to bio-containment equipment (extremely expensive). However, if you really want to try and save this lens, you will have to purchase all the tools to open and clean the lens yourself, work in a location that is isolated, wear disposable lab clothing/masks/gloves/etc., open and clean the lens thoroughly (using the right chemicals to kill fungus, yet not deteriorate/damage the lens surface), then dispose of everything (tools and clothing) and finally irradiate the lens with UV light.

To try and save your other lenses, you can try to irradiate them with UV l&s to kill any incubating spores. Then, keep radiating them regulary especially after each use. When not in use, you should store your lenses in an electronic cabinet that removes all moisture and maintains constant humidity. These cabinets are easily found in Hong Kong and Singapore.