Going rate / little interest in a Nikkor W 360mm 6.5?

Ai Print · Dec 13, 2023

Hi, I am selling off all my 8x10" related equipment since I really don't see making room for or even trying to find an 8x10" enlarger and really just need 4x5" to meet my needs. Most of the stuff I have listed has sold reasonably well but the one thing that surprises me with not even a single bite is the Nikkor W 360mm f/6.5. I have it listed on here and eBay and I am getting not one offer, even after dropping the price by a couple hundred dollars.

I got it from Igor Camera in 2020 and when I got it, I noticed it had a tiny ding in one of the shutter blades but it operates perfectly, no issues at all and the speeds are dead on so I left well enough alone. I am starting to wonder if I am not even going to get half of what I paid for the darn thing.

Is this ding causing me grief in selling it?

Richard Man · Dec 13, 2023

To state the obvious, the market for 8x10 lens are tiny, and cost is always a factor.

Ai Print · Dec 13, 2023

Richard Man said:
To state the obvious, the market for 8x10 lens are tiny, and cost is always a factor.

I will see how it does this week at the price I have it at which is $100 less than I paid for it and if it does not gain interest, I'll have to go auction style on eBay, come what may. I still have a Fuji 250 f/6.7 to list that I may keep for 4x5 and of course, two 3005 drums...

Kino · Dec 14, 2023

Sorry you are having trouble selling your lens! If you can afford to, you might wait a few months.

Gear can tend to sell better at different seasons. If it doesn't spark interest around Christmas time, as Spring approaches and landscape photography looms on the horizon, you might get a better price.

Are you implying that you will be selling two 3005 Jobo drums or that you will be keeping them for your 4x5 work?

rcphoto · Dec 14, 2023

You have priced the lens several hundred dollars less than comparable lenses and that may be a red flag to some buyers. Also, patience might be your friend here. The group of people buying these is shrinking by the day, unfortunately.

Ai Print · Dec 14, 2023

rcphoto said:
You have priced the lens several hundred dollars less than comparable lenses and that may be a red flag to some buyers. Also, patience might be your friend here. The group of people buying these is shrinking by the day, unfortunately.

That is what I thought too. It’s a fantastic lens but I have no need for it in 4x5. So no one seems to be concerned with the small ding on the shutter blade then?

I may just raise the price back up and wait it out.

Ai Print · Dec 14, 2023

Kino said:
Are you implying that you will be selling two 3005 Jobo drums or that you will be keeping them for your 4x5 work?

I’ll be selling the two 3005 drums, I have 6x 3010 drums for 4x5 work.

BrianShaw · Dec 14, 2023

Ai Print said:
... So no one seems to be concerned with the small ding on the shutter blade then?

,,,

That would be a major concern for me, but I'm not a potential buyer so don't change your mind based on that.

mshchem · Dec 14, 2023

Igor......Oh Boy!

xkaes · Dec 14, 2023

I'm assuming that you have no need for a lens that long on 4x5 -- although that's not very long in my book. There are lots of 4x5 users that have lenses that long -- and longer. If you are selling it as an 8x10 lens, you are selling yourself short. There will be 4x5, 5x7 and other format users that would be interested.

It's easy to find out on EBAY what your lens -- and other 360mm lenses -- have been selling for. That will tell you right away what you can expect to get for it.

Ai Print · Dec 14, 2023

BrianShaw said:
That would be a major concern for me, but I'm not a potential buyer so don't change your mind based on that.

Well that’s kind of the whole point of this, I want to sell the lens but wonder how much this would / should affect the sale price.

What would be the major concern with it then, should I write it off as sell for parts, send it in to Carol Flutot to have the blade replaced?

Ai Print · Dec 14, 2023

xkaes said:
I'm assuming that you have no need for a lens that long on 4x5 -- although that's not very long in my book. There are lots of 4x5 users that have lenses that long -- and longer. If you are selling it as an 8x10 lens, you are selling yourself short. There will be 4x5, 5x7 and other format users that would be interested.

It's easy to find out on EBAY what your lens -- and other 360mm lenses -- have been selling for. That will tell you right away what you can expect to get for it.

I have a 350mm F11 Schneider Apo-Tele-Xenar, all set for 4x5 on the long end.

The 360 is on eBay, does not even have one watcher. I did my research and they go for around a grand, without the damn mark on the shutter.

Craig · Dec 14, 2023

I know it's not the same, but as a reference point I just bought the latest version of the Fuji 360 F6.3 on Ebay for $355. I haven't received it yet to know the condition, but it looks good in the photos.

BrianShaw · Dec 14, 2023

Ai Print said:
Well that’s kind of the whole point of this, I want to sell the lens but wonder how much this would / should affect the sale price.

What would be the major concern with it then, should I write it off as sell for parts, send it in to Carol Flutot to have the blade replaced?

I understand. Can’t help you assess the pro but can say that I bought a LF lens with a moderately damaged filter thread and wouldn’t have bought it if it hadn’t been highly discounted.

Regarding the what-if… if the blade is replaced then there is no issue at all. In fact, no real reason to disclose the repair in my opinion. Selling for parts seems too extreme to be a really valid option. There are no signs that the affected shutter blade is scraping or dragging and you seem willing to stand behind your word that it works as it should. To me it seems a cosmetic issue but like Schneider-itus some folks may have emotional aversion. I guess I’m one of them.

Whatever you do, I wish you the best.

xkaes · Dec 14, 2023

Craig said:
I know it's not the same, but as a reference point I just bought the latest version of the Fuji 360 F6.3 on Ebay for $355. I haven't received it yet to know the condition, but it looks good in the photos.

That's a great price -- especially if it is an EBC version (with lettering on the outside of the rim).

Craig · Dec 14, 2023

xkaes said:
That's a great price -- especially if it is an EBC version (with lettering on the outside of the rim).

It is. That's why I bought it!

Ai Print · Dec 14, 2023

Craig said:
I know it's not the same, but as a reference point I just bought the latest version of the Fuji 360 F6.3 on Ebay for $355. I haven't received it yet to know the condition, but it looks good in the photos.

I suppose that is not a bad call, check to see what the other big name 350-360 plasmats are going for. I found it in completed auctions, it is has a bit of cosmetic wear but other than that, great price.

I think I need to take mine off the board and get better pics of it then re-list it. I'll take whatever I get at this stage...

xkaes · Dec 14, 2023

Craig said:
It is. That's why I bought it!

And I see another Fujinon W EBC 360mm f6.3 -- with an all black shutter -- sold this month for $275 with free shipping. If I didn't already have a Fujinon C 300mm f8.5 and a Fujinon T 400mm f8, I'd be keeping my eye open!!!

ignatiu5 · Dec 14, 2023

Ai Print said:
The 360 is on eBay, does not even have one watcher. I did my research and they go for around a grand, without the damn mark on the shutter.

I too looked at the sold listings of that version of Nikkor – in recent months, all of 2 have sold, both roughly at the same price you had previously listed, and neither with the blade issue that you transparently and appropriately listed. So as previously mentioned, not a robust market for interest, and I would imagine that for the very few people looking, if they’re spending a grand on a lens, they’ll choose the one without any listed issues (however negligible) over one at the same price with a flaw. Good luck with the sale!

DREW WILEY · Dec 14, 2023

There is no lack of interest in 8x10 lenses of that focal length, and there are a sufficient number of people willing to spend way more than you are asking. But things go in cycles. And the current trend is people seeking either especially light and compact field lenses, or something with an extra-special reputation, but not so much general purpose studio plastmat lenses, which are quite common, and might perform quite satisfactorily, but are also on the bulkier and weightier side of things.

For example, your Nikkor W 360 is in a bulky no. 3 shutter, whereas the Fuji 250/6.3 is in a compact no.1 shutter, making it more desirable for field work (though it's a little shy on coverage for full 8x10 format). But take a Fuji 360/10 A, which has both a small shutter with light weight, plus a huge image circle, and the current asking price can be astronomical.

There are also inside tracks how these things are bought and sold. EBay is only one option. I'd rather deal with someone else on the LF format if possible.

So it's all about supply and demand. You might have better luck bundling it together with some of your other 8x10 gear, and moving it in that manner.

Robert Ley · Dec 14, 2023

Have you tried selling this lens on the Large Format Forum.? When I was shooting 4x5, I used that site for great info and buying and selling gear. Might try there.

Richard Man · Dec 14, 2023

@DREW WILEY wrote: "There is no lack of interest in 8x10 lenses of that focal length..."
Yea, but the question is "how many NEW 8x10 users are there each year" because existing users likely already have something that satisfy that range. I can't see this as a thriving market. I myself only got into the 8x10 niche 4-5 years ago, and I have 3 general purpose lenses and a bunch of portrait lenses.

xkaes · Dec 14, 2023

I've seen plenty of 4x5 & 5x7 users who prefer these long "beasts" despite their size and weight -- for various reasons, such as speed and IC.

DREW WILEY · Dec 14, 2023

Well, the weight a 360 in no. 3 can tug pretty hard on the front standard of a 4x5 folder. In a studio, and in relation to a very solid camera, that isn't too much of an issue. But in the field and with lighter cameras, it can be a distinct liability. And like I said, at the moment, the current trend in sales and pricing tends to strongly favor lighter, more portable lenses. That especially applies to the cumulative weight of 8x10 outdoor kits. I'm just hoping for a warmer Saturday, as forecast, prior to an incoming storm, to take my 8x10 backpack on another day walk. It seems to have gotten heavier every successive year after I turned 70. So I'm glad for my own lightweight set of lenses.

Richard, NEW 8x10 users have been relatively frequent in this area for one simple reason. They are younger and can't afford real estate or a well-equipped darkroom with a big enlarger, but are intrigued by actual darkroom prints, so seek out contact printing options instead, along with an 8x10 or 5x7 camera. If the particular 360 lens in question turned up in the local camera shop used gear case at the same asking price, it would probably sell within a week or less. Unfortunately, I can't recommend that option because they'd probably only give him a $100 for it.

_T_ · Dec 14, 2023

I find that interesting as I recently inquired about whether or not a local camera shop was interested in purchasing large format gear and they said no, they can't sell it. Which seems to track with the fact that they've had the exact same inventory of previously owned large format cameras, lenses and accessories sitting on a shelf for the past 2 years since I've been checking in. Apparently I've been the only one interested.

Going rate / little interest in a Nikkor W 360mm 6.5?

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