Current prices for Canon 28/2.8 and 35/2.8

[sreidvt]

I'm shopping for the Canon 28/2.8 and 35/2.8 and would be grateful to know what they tend to sell for right now (in excellent condition with perfect glass).

Thanks,

Sean Reid
Contributor, Camera Reviewer
Luminous-Landscape

[sreidvt]

And a follow-up question...any good leads on reputable shops to find these. I've tried KEH, B&H, Calumet, etc.

Sean

[back alley]

sean,
i've seen some advertised at different sites for varying prices.
(yeah, i know big help)
price range from 300 to 450 american bucks, usually closer to the 300 mark.

i'll take a look around and see what i can come up with.

i can't vouch for the sites though having never done direct business.
to date i have been lucky on ebay, in both price & quality and on this site from rff members.

ebay has both great quality and low prices IF you are patient.
being poor what i lack in funds i make up for in patience.

joe

[rover]

I believe Kevin's Cameras has a 35,

http://kevincameras.com/index.html

and I didn't see either at Ritz,
http://www.ritzcam.com/catalog/frameset.php?category_id=1180

I have only heard good things about both shops, and I find that their prices are reasonably fair. I think that on some products they are high, but they know what they really have so what I am reading as a normal item may actually be a rare collectable.

[Brian Sweeney]

I have seen Canon 35mm F2.8 lenses in EX or so go for $200 on Ebay from sellers with reliable ratings.

[sreidvt]

Thanks for the replies so far. $200 does seem to be the going E-Bay rate for the 35/2.8. I appreciate the link to Kevin's Cameras and have it bookmarked now. I really like the way they provide detailed pictures for each item.

What I like so much about the 28/2.8 is the combination of high resolution with lower contrast - it's perfect for black & white work. Does the 35/2.8 "draw" the same way as the 28? Do they have the same kind of look?

Thanks,

Sean

[back alley]

hey sean,

i took a look at the places i go to check out inventory and prices and came up empty. there must be a run on canon lately.

kevincameras has an inventory that changes quite a bit so i'm guessing that they actually sell some gear. i find their prices a bit high but then their stuff looks great in the photos so it might be worth it.
they also have a ebay site with buy it now pricing that has a good deal every now & then.

joe

[Brian Sweeney]

This Canon 35mm F2.8 has a BIN of a bit over $200. The BIN price of a current Canon 28mm with finder is just under $400.

Ebay Auction for 35mm F2.8 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3858419342)

I have been shooting with several "classic" 35's as of late: 35 f2.5 Nikkor, 35 F2.8 Canon, 35 F2.8 Leitz Summaron with Eyes, and 35 F3.5 Nikkor. All have perfect glass. The Summaron and Nikkor F2.5 are sharp with higher contrast; the Canon is sharp with less contrast -and is probably the look that you want-, and the F3.5 Nikkor (a 4-element design) is sharp closed down a bit. The Summaron had good contrast and captured subtle differences in color. Scanning will not do them justice, but i will try a few this weekend.

The Nikkor 3.5cm F3.5 in LTM was sharp stopped down to F5.6, and was a nice surprise for $80. Next roll will include my 8.5cm F2.8 Steinheil Culminar that cleaned up quite nicely. It was $15 on Ebay!

[aizan]

sean, you live in northampton? i went to school for a while at hampshire, but i took some classes at smith so the photos in your review brought back some memories.

just keep checking ebay and tamarkin. tamarkin's december 5th catalogue lists one (lot #134) for $250-500. maybe you can call stan if it sold?

[sreidvt]

Aizan,

No, I actually live in Vermont but I photograph often in Northampton. I have had several people e-mail me who have good associations with Northampton.

Brian,

Thanks for that information. The Canon 35/2.8 sounds like it might be just what I want for that focal length. I have a chance to try one out tomorrow so I'll see how the files look.

Joe,

Thanks very much for checking. I appreciate it.

Cheers,

Sean

[sreidvt]

Thanks to a friend locally who owns the lens, I've been testing a Canon 35/2.8 today. I'm not sure why this lens has had mixed reviews (not here) because it's a great little lens. I happen to also have a Voigtlander 35/2.5 here now as well as the 35/1.9 Ultron. I compared the former to the Canon this morning and here's what I've seen so far (looking at 100% view files from the R-D1).

The Voigtlander is sharper overall but the Canon is sharper in the corners.

The Canon, not surprisingly, has less contrast - which is just what I wanted.

Thanks for the input so far. I've got a lead on a couple 35s and possibly a 28.

Sean

[Brian Sweeney]

You had better be prepared to pass some of those leads onto Joe if you pass! With a positive review of Canon Glass, he is going to pine away for one!

[sreidvt]

Well, if this one is as clean as the seller promises, I should be in good shape. Won this one: <http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3857933821&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:US:6> for $191.50

It certainly *seems* good and his feedback record is solid. Now if he'd just answer my e-mails...<G>

Sean

[sreidvt]

The other leads are from Kevin's Camera (and so are really thanks to rover). Kevin has a minty 35/2.8 for $300 and bargain quality 28/2.8 for an unknown price. I'm holding out for a cleaner 28.

Cheers,

Sean

[back alley]

Originally posted by Brian Sweeney
You had better be prepared to pass some of those leads onto Joe if you pass! With a positive review of Canon Glass, he is going to pine away for one!

am i that cheap & superficial, really?

yes, yes i am...

joe

[rover]

Glad to hear that you are making progress. I have a Canon 135/3.5 waiting for pickup at the post office.

[sreidvt]

Spoke with the seller who seems like a nice older guy - retired NASA engineer. He's a collector who's thinned his camera collection from 1200 to 600 (that's just bodies, never mind lenses, etc.) He's going to send me a list of other items he has for sale. Shall I post it to the list? He says he has another 35/2.8 for sale that's not as minty as the one I just bought (which apparently is like new). Alas, no 28/2.8...My search for the white whale continues...

Cheers,

Sean

[rover]

Oh, you have to share that list. Wow, there has to be something on it that I need!

[back alley]

sean,

i think i may need to see that list FIRST, you know, to make sure it's ok for public viewing.
maybe just email it to me directly...;)

joe

[sreidvt]

Joe,

The way you're willing to take a bullet for the sake of the whole platoon just puts tears in my eyes. Thanks for stepping up to protect us from whatever potential harm may be in that list.

<G>

Sean

[back alley]

it's the least i can do.
these guys are like brothers to me...

joe

[rover]

Brothers at the dinner table trying to get their fill before the only thing left are the crumbs.:)

[back alley]

details, details...

[sreidvt]

I'll be away shooting Saturday and perhaps Sunday so hopefully by Monday I'll have this list from the collector and can post it as a PDF or something. Which Canon 50s have high resolution and lower contrast? I think he has a few of those.

Sean

[sreidvt]

Geez, first I was a "rangefinder wannabe" now I'm "just learning to focus a rangefinder camera"....? Who the heck came up with these categories? <G>

Sean

[back alley]

the 'big cheese' is the guy you wanna talk to...

you can change it to whatever you like whenever you like,(fyi)

joe

[taffer]

A list of nice Canon stuff for sale, where ? when ?!?!

:D

Btw welcome Sean ! Also, you may change your 'surname' to something you like more from the User CP button, edit profile section.

[sreidvt]

Thanks. It looks like I can't edit my profile (perhaps I haven't posted enough...) I don't really care much about my "rank", it just seems kind of goofy. <G> I've seen that kind of thing on other lists too and have never quite understood why its done at all.

Anyway...I've e-mailed the collector and I'm sure he'll send me a list as soon as his time allows. I'm curious to see it too.

Best,

Sean

[rover]

I think we may have to organize a drafting order so that we don't end up fighting over the same stuff. This as long as I have first dibs on any Contax stuff.

[back alley]

ok, fattest first!

i tip the scales at just over 300 pounds.
ok, maybe a bit less...;)

joe

[rover]

I will cut my hair tomorrow, I use my own clipper, no guard, at the short setting, but you have me beat with shortest hair too. :D

[sreidvt]

Gene hasn't sent me updated list but the October list is at:

http://usedcamera.angelcities.com/gene_list.html

He says some things from that list have been sold and he has other things that aren't listed. His e-mail is at the bottom.

Cheers,

Sean

[sreidvt]

He also has this: VINTAGE CANON IVSB RANGEFINDER CAMERA, MINTY

<http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30027&item=3858435380&rd=1>

If someone wants the body, I'd like the lens. Let me know if you'd like to buy it together.

Sean

[Pherdinand]

"39. Konica Auto-S 1.6, 47/1.6 Hexanon, cse, #610 Ex $39"

Hmmmm...

[sreidvt]

I included the Canon 35/2.8 today when I did test pictures with the Leica 35/2 ASPH, Voigtlander 35/2.5 and Voigtlander 35/1.7.
Basically, the Canon is sharp on center and soft in the corners wide open. That improves with smaller apertures but the Voigt 35/2.5 (and the other two) are better in the corners at all apertures. Of course, the Canon has lower overall contrast and its color response is very similar to the Leica and not too similar to the Voigtlanders. Objectively, the other three are better lenses but I'm going use my Canon 35/2.8 for awhile and see how I like it for my normal projects. I haven't done the formal tests yet but it does not seem to vignette at all on the R-D1. I love the small size.

Cheers,

Sean