Just run into a Nikon M with 1.5/50 !

Wouter · 03-26-2012

Totally unexpected, I ran into this kit at the brazilian auction site today. I found lots of info on the body, but the lens is somewhat enigmatic and seems to be quite rare. Does anybody have more information ?

KEVIN-XU 愛 forever · 03-26-2012

Any photos of this lens please?

Wouter · 03-26-2012

but will post pictures of body and lens when I do.

Vickko · 03-26-2012

Yep. Rare. Typically expensive.

A couple articles:
http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Nikon_RF_Lenses.html
http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/nhs/50f15/50f15.htm

Congratulations on the find.

Vick

raid · 03-26-2012

Is it a $2000 lens? Congrats.

sp9107 · 03-26-2012

it was a $2000 lens, at least it was about 2 years ago. not sure now, the last one i had was a screw mount version i think i sold it for about $1500. good luck!

Wouter · 03-27-2012

The lens seems to be so rare that I cannot find previous sales on ebay ?

enasniearth · 03-27-2012

The lens was only made for about a year , it was original on a Nikon m.
There were about 800 made in Nikon bayonet and another 500 in Leica screwmount .
The reason it was only made for a short time is that it was replaced by the 5cm 1.4 .
Nice find .

NIKON KIU · 03-27-2012

Some of those lenses came with mis-engraved Nikons...

KEVIN-XU 愛 forever · 03-27-2012

This lens is only for collector I think. You can simply use Nikkor 50mm f1.4 in Leica-screw-mount instead in a pretty reasonable price.

Wish Wouter could post some pictures to show this rare lens. That would be great if you can also use this lens to take some pictures. : )

Wouter · 03-27-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by KEVIN-XU 愛 forever

This lens is only for collector I think. You can simply use Nikkor 50mm f1.4 in Leica-screw-mount instead in a pretty reasonable price.

Wish Wouter could post some pictures to show this rare lens. That would be great if you can also use this lens to take some pictures. : )

I'm receiving it tomorrow, will post some pics of course.

NIKON KIU · 03-30-2012

The wait continues.....

Wouter · 03-30-2012

The seller went to post it and at the postoffice discovered that express shipping would be more than he had charged me. He then decided to send it by economy shipping ...

Result: I have to wait a week longer. And that for a 5 dollar difference. Some people never learn how to be professional. Needless to say I told him quite strongly I didn't like the way he had proceeded.
Nikon Kiu I can send you some high res pics of the equipment - once it arrives - if you inform your email by pm. If you want to see specific details, please inform.
Cheers

Wouter · 04-08-2012

I received the camera and lens a couple of days ago. Some time went into cleaning (!) and testing. I am sure a tech could clean it up better by partially dismounting it, something I do not have the guts to do. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the optical elements are in really good condition and that the camera, despite its age and apparently active workspan, is fully functional, with clean, clear and contrasty view-and rangefinder.

Attached some pics. Let me know what you have on info on this camera and Nikon history of the early 50ties period.

Wouter · 04-08-2012

Some more pics:

migtex · 04-08-2012

Wouter

Based on the pics and looking at Bob Rotoloni The Complete Nikon Rangefinder System book (get one, seriously it's an investment and great reading) both body and lens match.
The lens is the most interesting because from the "907" series, it has a different style of engraving (in fact yours is 11 serial numbers after the one in the book) than the other later "907". This lens model had more lens made in Leica mount (408) than on Nikon S mount (389). It's optical formula is unknown but Bob writes to be close to Sonnar design. It was made during the "Occupation" hence the engraving with "TOKYO", these lens are the so call "Tokyo Lens".
Cherish the baby and show some pics with it.

Wouter · 04-09-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by migtex

Wouter

Based on the pics and looking at Bob Rotoloni The Complete Nikon Rangefinder System book (get one, seriously it's an investment and great reading) both body and lens match.
The lens is the most interesting because from the "907" series, it has a different style of engraving (in fact yours is 11 serial numbers after the one in the book) than the other later "907". This lens model had more lens made in Leica mount (408) than on Nikon S mount (389). It's optical formula is unknown but Bob writes to be close to Sonnar design. It was made during the "Occupation" hence the engraving with "TOKYO", these lens are the so call "Tokyo Lens".
Cherish the baby and show some pics with it.

Thank you migtex. I'll sure take some pics with this lens and post them here.

VinceC · 04-10-2012

A very nice find. That's the lens that made Nikon/Nikkor famous. Life photographer David Douglas Duncan used a Leica-mount version of this lens to cover the start of the Korean War in 1950, and word very quickly spread through photography circles and photo magazines that a no-name Japanese company was making lenses that we sharper than their German counterparts. Within a few months it was improved to the much more widely available 50/1.4.

sp9107 · 04-10-2012

it is ebay right now, already has 1 offer,

rlouzan · 04-10-2012

I hate people taking advantage of RFF members knowledge, for the sole purpose of reselling on the bay

.

Robert

Quote:

Originally Posted by sp9107

it is ebay right now, already has 1 offer,

Vobluda · 04-10-2012

So lame lame lame:/

Wouter · 04-10-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlouzan

I hate people taking advantage of RFF members knowledge, for the sole purpose of reselling on the bay

.

Robert

I have been a rff member for quite some time. I have bought and sold quite a few items here. I have informed this community about this find because I thought it would interest nikon rf enthousiasts. I knew about its value before posting the news on this forum - it's on the net for anyone to find. Do I now have to ask permission from fellow rff members to sell something on ebay ? Do I have to ask permission to use information that circulated on rff ? Come on, please.

"For the sole purpose of reselling on the bay" - I take this as an offense. You have no basis to state this. I like rangefinder talk, that's it. I also use them.

rlouzan · 04-10-2012

Perfectly legal but morally questionable. We've seen it happen many times with military LTM cameras.

Quotes:
* found lots of info on the body, but the lens is somewhat enigmatic and seems to be quite rare. Does anybody have more information ?
*The lens seems to be so rare that I cannot find previous sales on ebay ?
*Attached some pics. Let me know what you have on info on this camera and Nikon history of the early 50ties period.
*Thank you BLEEP. I'll sure take some pics with this lens and post them here.
__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wouter

I have been a rff member for quite some time. I have bought and sold quite a few items here. I have informed this community about this find because I thought it would interest nikon rf enthousiasts. I knew about its value before posting the news on this forum - it's on the net for anyone to find. Do I now have to ask permission from fellow rff members to sell something on ebay ? Do I have to ask permission to use information that circulated on rff ? Come on, please.

"For the sole purpose of reselling on the bay" - I take this as an offense. You have no basis to state this. I like rangefinder talk, that's it. I also use them.