RF645 100mm on photo.net

sf · 01-19-2007

Here is the link

buy it

http://www.photo.net/gc/view-one?cla...d_ad_id=671462

VictorM. · 01-19-2007

$1000???!!!

Dougg · 01-19-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by VictorM.

$1000???!!!

Yeah, the lens was made in low quantities and is hard to find (right, George?), and I've seen 'em go as high as $1400 (last June 23) on eBay. I got mine almost 4 years ago new from Adorama at $439 after the $50 rebate. Maybe now would be a good time to "take my profit" and run with the money?

sf · 01-19-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dougg

Yeah, the lens was made in low quantities and is hard to find (right, George?), and I've seen 'em go as high as $1400 (last June 23) on eBay. I got mine almost 4 years ago new from Adorama at $439 after the $50 rebate. Maybe now would be a good time to "take my profit" and run with the money?

Yes. Hard to find. Very. I got Clarence here on RFF to find me one in England. Thanks, Clarence. I LOVE the 100mm. It was worth every dime.

sf · 01-19-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisPlatt

No doubt a good lens, but $1000?

Chris

Doug and I saw one go for $1400 and change last year. They regularly go for over $1000 on the auction site, and I have NEVER seen a more beautifully performing lens. It is worth the dough because of its performance alone...many would surely pay $1000 for some exotic Leica 75mm or 90mm lens. But, you add how rare the lens is, and that value increases.

I think that fact that the lens is a unique performer is what does it for me. I can't get the same look from any other piece of glass. Closest I have seen is the 75mm heliar, but that's the wrong format, and the 100mm is alot smoother.

clarence · 01-19-2007

I really was glad to help. And I'm even more satisfied that you like the lens so much, George.

Clarence

Pablito · 01-19-2007

The method behind the ad seems a little sleazy to me. Set a price or run it as a bona-fide auction. Either would be fine, but this muddled middle ground reeks of greed and exploitation. Oh, I'm probably overreacting...

sf · 01-19-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pablito

The method behind the ad seems a little sleazy to me. Set a price or run it as a bona-fide auction. Either would be fine, but this muddled middle ground reeks of greed and exploitation. Oh, I'm probably overreacting...

funny thing is, I think this is the guy that bought the 100mm out from under my hesitant self last year. The lens is in LN- condition, I remember seeing it. Probably NEW by our standards. The price was ... less than $1000.

RObert Budding · 01-20-2007

It is a stunning lens. Perfect for environmental portraits. But the focus isn't close enough for tight head shots (but I find those a bit boring myself).

sf · 01-20-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by RObert Budding

It is a stunning lens. Perfect for environmental portraits. But the focus isn't close enough for tight head shots (but I find those a bit boring myself).

I got it to focus pretty close - .7 meters approx., but still that is not close enough for tight headshots.

How many rangefinder users shoot tight headshots, anyway? Zero.

beethamd · 01-20-2007

If the lens was in the UK I may have thought about buying it. Taxes etc...

sf · 01-20-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by beethamd

If the lens was in the UK I may have thought about buying it. Taxes etc...

right, yeah. I paid $65 to the US Government to import mine.

beethamd · 01-20-2007

You see - If I'd bought the one in London and you bought the one over there... oh well.

sf · 01-20-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by beethamd

You see - If I'd bought the one in London and you bought the one over there... oh well.

You could send me $1000 and I can buy it for you and ship it as a worthless piece of glass...but that wouldn't work too well, I'd guess. And I don't trust the post at all.

beethamd · 01-20-2007

How much did you pay for your lens? About £400? When I saw your lens advertised I nearly bought it - but for some reason I didin't. The same with Bessas - don't know why I haven't bought one yet - or the Ikon.

Worthless piece of glass? Did you write and delete that a few times?

sf · 01-20-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by beethamd

How much did you pay for your lens? About £400? When I saw your lens advertised I nearly bought it - but for some reason I didin't. The same with Bessas - don't know why I haven't bought one yet - or the Ikon.

Worthless piece of glass? Did you write and delete that a few times?

Hey, it;s 4am here. My brain is oozing out through my eyes.

I paid $650 for mine. I think that was it. + 50 GBP shipping. So, I guess that comes to $730 or something, then add the $65 the US Government stole from me, and that makes it close to $800. Worth it. Really worth it. But if I had bought the 100mm that this guy in Photo.net bought, I would have paid only $450. I almost bought it but chickened out and let it sit for a few hours - in which time he bought it. I am assuming this is the same lens. May not be.

I wouldn't buy a Bessa again. Or the Ikon - not by a long shot. It just doesn't get good reviews for quality. For that kind of money, I'd surely buy a used M6 first. Or M3 and lens. I owned an R3A and it took good pictures, but I had to send it in to be replaced when I first received it because it had horrible alignment problems. The replacement wasn't perfect either. I lie, though. I would buy the Bessa L and 15mm heliar if one comes around again here on RFF.

Yes, I thought about not even writing that phrase inside the same field as mentioning the 100mm, but whatever. I was thinking I could buy it and send it to you, but there is no way you'd want to send such a pricey treasure through the post without accurate insurance. No way at all.

Goodnight.

beethamd · 01-20-2007

George - The gesture was appreciated. Pricey treasure - that's better. Much better. Now - get to sleep!

jtm · 01-20-2007

You guys are killing me! I've been just about ready to convince myself that I don't use my RF645 (with all three lenses) enough to justify keeping it, and then you have to come in a gush about how wonderful that 100mm lens is. I don't think I could sell my 100 for $1000, though, since I paid $399 (just happened to look at the B&H or Adorama used listing at the right time, I guess).

The frustrating thing is that I would use the camera a lot more if I could scan the film myself. Aparently, I could sell the whole kit for $2000, which would buy a decent scanner. But without the camera, I wouldn't need the scanner. Rats.

erikhaugsby · 01-20-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisPlatt

Yeah, I sold my 75mm Heliar, too.

What mount was it in?

ChrisPlatt · 01-20-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikhaugsby

What mount was it in?

LTM. Too short for portraits in any mount...

Chris

dbseney · 01-20-2007

George is right, this lens was purchased from KEH with a LN- rating. It is a great lens, but circumstances force me to sell it.

As to the price, I checked on the auction site and found the same lens going for $1400 in July and $1315 in June. Based on those prices, I thought $1000 was modest (some humor implied). Sorry that setting a price and then letting people bid offended, but that somehow seemed fair to me.

Donald

sf · 01-20-2007

I love the look of the heliar. I don't like close portraits anyway. If I get back into 35mm, the 75mm and the 15mm will be two of my first purchases.

sf · 01-20-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbseney

George is right, this lens was purchased from KEH with a LN- rating. It is a great lens, but circumstances force me to sell it.

As to the price, I checked on the auction site and found the same lens going for $1400 in July and $1315 in June. Based on those prices, I thought $1000 was modest (some humor implied). Sorry that setting a price and then letting people bid offended, but that somehow seemed fair to me.

Donald

Your price is fair. No kidding. $1000 is actually a good deal if the lens is 100% clean. Mine has small flaws (scratches and some almost imperceptable coating flaws). I wouldn't sell mine for anything, but if I lost my mind, $1000 would be the floor.

sf · 01-20-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtm

You guys are killing me! I've been just about ready to convince myself that I don't use my RF645 (with all three lenses) enough to justify keeping it, and then you have to come in a gush about how wonderful that 100mm lens is. I don't think I could sell my 100 for $1000, though, since I paid $399 (just happened to look at the B&H or Adorama used listing at the right time, I guess).

The frustrating thing is that I would use the camera a lot more if I could scan the film myself. Aparently, I could sell the whole kit for $2000, which would buy a decent scanner. But without the camera, I wouldn't need the scanner. Rats.

Hold that thought. If I get this job I am looking at, I'll be flush with cash. I could use a backup setup.