Want to Buy WTB: Nikon 35mm F2 AI-s manual focus prime lens

keithostertag · Feb 13, 2017

WTB: Nikon 35mm F2 AI-s manual focus prime lens in very good working condition, with lens caps. Looking for one made after 1980 or so.

Not interested in non-AI lenses. USA only please.

Willing to pay up to $100 total for lens, caps, and shipping to 47150.

I do not wish to use Paypal anymore, I will send check or money order, your choice.

Thanks,
Keith Ostertag

jwd722 · Feb 13, 2017

Good luck with that!!

Colin Corneau · Feb 13, 2017

jwd722 said:
Good luck with that!!

LOL. I actually have one I'm looking to sell. Until I saw his price...good luck with that, indeed.

Down Under · Feb 13, 2017

OP has obviously not checked prices on Ebay for this truly beaut lens. Or is he just trying his luck?

Whichever. Dreamtime, baby, dreamtime...

chip j · Feb 14, 2017

jimjm · Feb 14, 2017

Keith -

Unless you come across someone who's really desperate to sell, or doesn't know any better, you can expect to pay about twice that for a 35/2.0 AI in good condition.

You could get a 35/2.8 for that price, but in my experience the 35/2.0 lens is much, much better.

Good Luck with your search!

keithostertag · Feb 14, 2017

Of course I checked eBay before I posted. At the time I checked, one or two were going for about $125 + shipping, though of course there are several priced higher (most of which probably won't sell). eBay is _not_ the arbitrator of pricing folks! It is simply (sometimes) a useful tool. Personally, I haven't found eBay a good source of bargains for years. Like many of you I have been buying photo gear for many years, but unlike many here I am unemployed and financially hurting so I need to limit my spending on non-essential items. So I set my limits and hope for the best.

I have been offered a lens by an APUG member for < $100 including shipping. He claims it works fine but is cosmetically challenged, which suits me just fine. I trust him. In addition, he also has offered me a two week return policy.

I will post back in a week or two when I have the unit.

Thanks for your comments, and wish me sincere good luck, as Jimjm has-- thanks Jimjm!

Keith

jimjm · Feb 14, 2017

Good to hear, Keith.
That's one big plus to forums like APUG, you do sometimes meet members who are willing to sell gear for very good prices, as they know it will be used by a fellow photographer. And they can attest that it will perform as advertised.
Sometimes the gear that's in rough shape gives the best results because it was used so much. And older Nikon gear can certainly take a lot of use!

trythis · Feb 15, 2017

The other thing about ebay is as a seller you lose 13% of your sale+shipping price in fees. So that $125 ends up netting you $109 after Ebay charges its total of ~10% fees after paypal gets it 2.9% + 30 cents on top. If you are interested in cosmetically beater equipment asking here is actually a pretty good approach. Most of my bargain grade stuff comes from Apug and I know the seller has a clue as to its function. If you have a valuable item with a cult following, ebay can be a better place to sell even with the 13% loss. Many Apuger's already have (or had and sold) the cult doodad you are selling and know its actually no better than the other doodad that is much cheaper.

keithostertag · Feb 24, 2017

Yes indeed, that's my thinking as well.

So... I received the lens today and I am very happy with it! It has a few small areas on the surface of the lens where due to age the coating has rubbed or flaked off, but of course that won't impact the image at all. It has minor wear on the filter thread area, also no big deal. Aperture and focus work great. Testing it shows a sharp and good contrast image as expected. A nice lens, and a good deal at $90 including shipping!

I also was lucky to find an original metal Nikon lens hood for it locally for $5.

I'm using this on my Nikon D40X digital camera which accepts AI-s mount lenses just fine. (All my analog work is in large format, except an occasional medium format.)

Thanks to the seller, and to those who sent encouraging words.

Keith

keithostertag · Feb 24, 2017

BTW- the seller was Bob Peters, thanks very much Bob!

binglebugbob · Feb 24, 2017

Keith,
I'm pleased that someone will put it to good use. It was a pleasure dealing with you.
Bob.

Down Under · Feb 25, 2017

Gentlemen (posts #2, #3, #4, #5), let us now eat our words...

I for one will be taking my Nikkor 35/2 out of mothballs, and setting forth to document a new project - photographing flying pigs.

I am also preparing my list of budget el cheapo Nikkor lens 'wants' to be posted soon. It's a long one. Stay tuned...

Want to Buy WTB: Nikon 35mm F2 AI-s manual focus prime lens

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