How old does a lens have to be to qualify as Antique?

[guangong]

Any camer or lens made before my birth, since I consider that year to be the beginning of the modern age. Most unnerving is to see one's toys and big-little books (does anyone else on apug remember these)being sold for very high prices. I own only one antique camera, a Leica, still going strong and currently loaded with film.(To reveal model would reveal my age.)
Everyone must feel this way. For many young people 1980 is already almost prehistory since history in public schools has been replaced with social studies.

 

[jim10219]

Anything that was made before I was born feels like an antique to me.

But the term "antique" is supposed to be reserved for items over 100 years of age. In any event, that term is thrown around so loosely that it's kind of lost all meaning.

In the case of lenses, I'd say anything that's not an anastigmatic. So basically, your Meniscus, Petzvals, Rapid Rectilinear/Aplanats, etc. If it's not a true antique, it's at least an antique design and can give an antique look.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I would say 100 years for "antique" and 50 years for "vintage" , anything else is just plain "old".

+1

 

[BrianShaw]

"Antique" and "Vintage" tend to be just like "Minty"... marketing terms and not much more.

 

[Dan Fromm]

If there is indeed a rule, where's the enforcer?

 

[E. von Hoegh]

"Antique" and "Vintage" tend to be just like "Minty"... marketing terms and not much more.

"Minty" is particularly annoying. "Mint condition Nikon F". How can anything be in "mint" condition if it was not made at a mint?

 

[AgX]

But often in language a term gets a life of its own.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

But often in language a term gets a life of its own.

Good writing is clear thinking made visible.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

As far as I remember the official US Government definition is 100 years. Most dealers or antiques go by that estimate. Vintage or semi-antique is normally 50 years old, but that is is not official.

 

[cooltouch]

Good writing is clear thinking made visible.

That's a pretty clear bit of good writing right there.