Dallmeyer Projection Lens Modified for Leica M - real value?

rwreich · Jun 24, 2016

A person I do not know is trying to sell a Dallmeyer projection lens modified for the Leica M mount on a facebook group.

He has it listed for $5k. What's the real value?

darkosaric · Jun 24, 2016

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dallmeyer-S...ch-25mm-f-1-9-with-original-box-/191904474754

Starting bid is 2000$, and nobody is interested. And also: and it doesn't cover the full frame sensor on my Sony --> that means it will not work on Leica M as it should.

Only collectors can (maybe) be interested in this. When you are in the range of thousands of $(€) - then some summicron or sumilux will be far better option.

rwreich · Jun 24, 2016

darkosaric said:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dallmeyer-S...ch-25mm-f-1-9-with-original-box-/191904474754

Starting bid is 2000$, and nobody is interested. And also: and it doesn't cover the full frame sensor on my Sony --> that means it will not work on Leica M as it should.

Only collectors can (maybe) be interested in this. When you are in the range of thousands of $(€) - then some summicron or sumilux will be far better option.

To be honest, I'm not interested in this lens. I just wanted to see how crazy this guy was. Thanks for responding!

Two23 · Jun 24, 2016

I've had four 19th century lenses adapted to Nikon F mount, including an 1851 CC Harrison Petzval. The lenses all cost less than $400 and the custom made (SK Grimes) adapters were about $225 each. The lens you linked really isn't even worth $1,000.

Kent in SD

Dan Fromm · Jun 25, 2016

Folks, Dallmeyer's Super Six was first designed around 1930. It is a slightly asymmetrical 6/4 double Gauss type and is similar to Taylor Hobson's Ser. 0 OPIC. Super Sixes have become cult items and sell for absurd (in my opinion) prices. I sold my 6"/1.9 via eBay ages ago. My wife's eyes got very big when she saw the selling price, and since the examples of that lens have brought five figures.

With respect to the auction listing posted above, it ain't over. Wait for the last minute snipe bids to come in.

rwreich · Jun 25, 2016

Dan Fromm said:
Folks, Dallmeyer's Super Six was first designed around 1930. It is a slightly asymmetrical 6/4 double Gauss type and is similar to Taylor Hobson's Ser. 0 OPIC. Super Sixes have become cult items and sell for absurd (in my opinion) prices. I sold my 6"/1.9 via eBay ages ago. My wife's eyes got very big when she saw the selling price, and since the examples of that lens have brought five figures.

With respect to the auction listing posted above, it ain't over. Wait for the last minute snipe bids to come in.

What about the FB link that I posted? 5k is reasonable?

Ko.Fe. · Jun 25, 2016

To me as Leica M film shorter value of this thing is zero. Because I don't want it for free.

AgX · Jun 25, 2016

Dan Fromm said:
Super Sixes have become cult items and sell for absurd (in my opinion) prices.

Any reasoning for a certain double-Gauss type lens to become a cult item?
(Well, there is the Helios-44, but I would not call it a cult item.)

Dan Fromm · Jun 25, 2016

AgX said:
Any reasoning for a certain double-Gauss type lens to become a cult item?
(Well, there is the Helios-44, but I would not call it a cult item.)

I don't know why, but the cultists like Dallmeyer Super Six (all focal lengths), Boyer Saphirs f/2.8 and faster, some f/2 TTH lenses and a few others. Not mine to reason why.

Ko.Fe., if you don't want any of these lenses that's fine with me. You are not obliged to buy any of them. But some people treasure them and pay a lot for them. You should accept that there's no disputing tastes and shouldn't complain that some people spend their money in ways you wouldn't spend yours. Do what makes you happy, let them do what makes them happy.

Chan Tran · Jun 25, 2016

I don't understand! Is it an enlarging lens or projection lens? Is it supposed to be any good?

StephenT · Jun 25, 2016

There is the old saying "You Gotta Buy BEFORE You Die." If YOU don't spend your money, SOMEONE ELSE will eventually!

AgX · Jun 25, 2016

Chan Tran said:
I don't understand! Is it an enlarging lens or projection lens? Is it supposed to be any good?

The difference between camera-, enlarging- and projection-lenses is
-) being designed for different image scales
-) projection lenses in addition to be heat-resistant and lacking typically an aperture

Dan Fromm · Jun 26, 2016

AFAIK, all Super Sixes were made to the same prescription. The difference between SSs made for pierojection and for taking is mounting only.

They weren't sold as enlarging lenses but people have hung all sorts of lenses on enlargers regardless of how the lenses were marketed and what they were designed for. I once bought a w/a aerial camera lens that had been removed from an enlarger. And I've seen 60/1.4 Saphirs that had been removed from enlargers, even bought one. Neither was much good at near distances. Go figure. Some things are not meant to be known.

The distinction we make between lenses optimized for taking and lenses optimized for enlarging is relatively modern. Boyer claims to have been the first to make lenses computed for enlarging. Saphir B, in the mid-1930s.

Dallmeyer Projection Lens Modified for Leica M - real value?

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