Russian MP-2 (20mm, M39 Leica) with VF on the Bay

[arbib]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150203997048&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=005

WOW !!! $600.00 starting bid............

12 Hours left From the Time of this Post.....7:40pm EST USA 1/15/2008

[chambrenoire]

There is a chrome version for 330$ Buy It Now (http://cgi.ebay.com/Russar-MP-2-lens-20mm-f5-6-with-finder-Leica-M39-thread_W0QQitemZ120210916363QQihZ002QQcategoryZ300 63QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) - but the seller doesn't accept Paypal :(

[xayraa33]

I'd rather buy the CV 21mm for that price.

[arbib]

I'd rather buy the CV 21mm for that price.

I was thinking more in a rare (for real) collectible..for those who collect FSU Gear.

Yes, I too would get a CV 21, 25, or 28 over the FSUs for a user lens..Agreed

[M. Valdemar]

The later model black ones usually go for $300- $400 with finder.

I've bought and sold about a dozen. Occasionally you come across a dud, but generally they are quite sharp and fun to use. Works fine on Epson R-D1, makes a very compact outfit.

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/9242/russar1cr1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[peterm1]

I have seen some reveiws of these, and by all accounts these are pretty good lenses but the asking price is too high in this case IMHO.

[Rayt]

That auction has been there forever so I guess the general bidding public feels the same way.

[conradyiu]

what is the recent 2009 market price for this Russar 20mm? would like to get one. a shop around me have both black and chrome one and finder, US600 with finder, out of my budget ....

[Roger Hicks]

I've bought and sold about a dozen. Occasionally you come across a dud, but generally they are quite sharp and fun to use.

I must have been unlucky because I've owned one and used two and both were among the worst lenses I've ever used. As a user, the Voigtländer 21/4 has it all.

Cheers,

R.

[brachal]

what is the recent 2009 market price for this Russar 20mm? would like to get one. a shop around me have both black and chrome one and finder, US600 with finder, out of my budget ....

fedka has one for $625, so that's probably a reasonable price. Prices for rarer or more collectible FSU lenses have gone up quite a lot in the last couple of years.

[Armoured]

One is selling in Moscow for about $430 (12500 rubles). Not cheap and the shop is not the cheapest, but it is considered a rare lens.

http://www.fotofishka.ru/index.php?productID=805

[PMCC]

I must have been unlucky because I've owned one and used two and both were among the worst lenses I've ever used. As a user, the Voigtländer 21/4 has it all.

My late black version Russar MR-2 works a treat, sharp as I could wish, and I find it loads of fun to use. I love the pancake form factor, and it makes a handy set-up on an LTM body. Part of the appeal is that it's an über-cool looking lens, no FSU ugly duckling; the parallax-correcting metal finder is only slightly smaller than a Sony TV set.

[Tom A]

I did pick one of these up in Rome about a decade ago. It was cheap (I think about $100) and came with the finder, everything in original packaging. I was mainly interested in the finder - so the lens was a bonus. I did a quick roll as a test - gave the roll to a 1-hour lab and strange pictures. Looked like really bad "fish-eye" shots - fuzzy, out of focus etc.
Some "optical analysis" revealed that one of the center elements was never installed!! Good thing, the finder was perfect (and they are good finders). I have had those lenses before and after the "Roman" one and they are not bad - but a VC 21f4 is much, much better - and comes with all the elements installed!
The lens was a black one, with a # 880808 or something like that - so it went to a friend who likes #8 on things - and he did not care about the missing element!