50mm 1.2 Advice.....

ricpr · 09-07-2006

I have an opportunity to buy a 50mm 1.2 lens. The price is $299. What is the going price for this lens in good condition? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

Silva Lining · 09-07-2006

Depends upon the make really? It is a Canon?

back alley · 09-07-2006

assuming it's the canon, that price is just about on.

joe

JeremyR · 09-07-2006

Sounds a bit high--many of these lenses sell on eBay in the low $200 (US) range, and the occasional specimen sells for under $200. Of course if you can get it with the hood for $300, by all means snap it up!

Cheers,
Jeremy

back alley · 09-07-2006

200 for the 1.2, really?

Gabriel M.A. · 09-07-2006

Yeah, $200, really? I thought the prices were going up. Maybe some sellers are not in on this. Quick, buy before they drive'm up even higher. With the "new" Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L, and the purchasing frenzy that will be with the new M8 and RD-1s (that is, if Epson's smart and actually supplies its distributors), 40mm and the 50 f/1.2 will be snapped up in droves.

ricpr · 09-07-2006

Whoops.... The lens is the Canon screwmount.

JeremyR · 09-07-2006

We are talking about the LTM Canon 50/1.2 right? Here's one that sold for $225:
http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-50mm-1-1-2...QQcmdZViewItem

I paid about $160 for mine, two months ago. Not in the greatest condition (aperture blades are a bit oily) but the glass is relatively clean and it's still working.

Cheers,
Jeremy

JimG · 09-07-2006

Canon 50mm 1.5 ( Ser & Can ) $ 260 / $ 330 Down Made in 1952. 7 elements Uncommon - Sonnar copy

from: http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/can.htm

JimG · 09-07-2006

Oops I meant
Canon 50mm 1.2 $ 290 Level Made in 1956. 7 elements Many think highly of this fast lens. High Res - low contr.

http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/can.htm

Silva Lining · 09-07-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricpr

I have an opportunity to buy a 50mm 1.2 lens. The price is $299. What is the going price for this lens in good condition? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

I think that is a good price, if the lens is in good condition - if it has an original hood with it - bite their arm off!

I paid around $600 for a Canon VT Deluxe with 50 1.2 and hood about a year ago.

Opinion is a bit marmite on this lens, but I love mine and use it on my M3 most of the time.

Daniel Unkefer · 09-08-2006

I just bought one for $177, and I'm enjoying using it on my Bessa-R. This combination does work

Mine's in nearly new condition, has a circular smear around the outside edge of the rear elements. Could be oil, probably needs a cleaning.

ChrisN · 09-08-2006

Do check carefully for any appearance of haze on the element immediately behind the aperture iris - check by looking while shining a flashlight through the ens fom the other direction. That element, for some reason, has a tendency to grow a fungus that acid-etches the lens coating. If that has happened the lens might be almost worthless.

Daniel Unkefer · 09-09-2006

Thanks Chris!
The flashlight trick does indeed show -every- flaw. My Canon 1.2 has a "film" about 2mm uniformly around the outer circumference of the lens, in the next to inside element/group. I still think it looks like oil. And, some very longish scratch marks, from the outer edges towards the center, not too bad. The 80% center of the lens is crystal-clear, luckily.

ricpr · 09-09-2006

Well I bought the lens for $270. Tried Chris' test.......crystal clear. There is some oil on the blades. Is there someone that services these lenses? I've got the Canon 7 loaded, but I'm 35 miles from Austin,Tx so it's all football today.

venchka · 09-09-2006

Good going! With the hood too! Are you through buying all the good Canon RF gear in Texas? If so, I would like to know where you are getting all this stuff. Seriously, I would like a nice Canon LTM lens or two. I spend most of my time east of I-35 and north of I-10. For the right deal, I will go further.

Good luck with all of your great gear.

ricpr · 09-09-2006

The hood is from my Canonet camera. I am going to give the hood a try. Oddly enough, I found this lens in a camera shop in Austin called Precision Camera. They have quite a bit of vintage stuff and have some posted on their web site. They have a Canon 7 and some lenses. There is a non Canon brand 135mm lens for @$20 that looked in good shape. Thanks and good luck hunting...

venchka · 09-09-2006

Good grief. I check their web page all the time. I don't recall them listing a 50/1.2. Or I missed it. I'll pay closer attention. Thanks!

ricpr · 09-10-2006

The lens was on their web site. I did not know they had a web site. I saw the lens when I went to Precision to buy a Canon EF lens for my Wife to use for wedding photography last weekend. It was originally listed @ $350, reduced to $299. I offered $270. The salesperson called the owner of the lens to make the offer.