Some Soft Focus Lens Sales Information

[Mark Sawyer]

For anyone watching the current "Pinkham" (200793158882), you might get a better deal on 120947619430. Then again, considering the current price, maybe not...

[Steven Tribe]

E**y 200793158882 - the apparently standard Wollensak petzval rebadged by P&S - for $2,200.
Someone obviously didn't use the search function here.

But not really relevant for this thread and CCHarrison's sales statistics, of course.

[Jim Graves]

15.5" Velostigmat II barrel lens with diffusion ... from KEH of all places ... $408 ... pretty much a steal. The bay # 120949488994 ... only problem was, my lens piggy bank is empty.

[Amedeus]

Also from KEH ...

Wollensak Verito 22 1/4" f/4 (271016985465) for $1825

Wollensak Verito 14" f/45 in Studio Shutter (120949481917) for $760

TTH 13" f/5.6 Anastigmat (290743875063) with soft focus knuckles for $997

TTH 15" f/4.5 Anastigmat (271017193959) with soft focus knuckles for $1291

[Amedeus]

Eidoscopes seem coming down. A fairly nice sounding 280mm just finished at $686, (#360470970542)

I just received this lens ... glass in excellent shape ... iris not so much, locked wide open because of a dent (out of round) and this will need some work ...

Need to machine a flange though but I knew about that one ...

[goamules]

Karl Struss Pictorial 12" with a 5x7 Korona on it for a rear lens cap, $2600
251120542138

yahhh...missed it.

[Amedeus]

You're not the only one who missed it ... head desk ... seems a few issues with the lens though ...

A 10" Veritar on Linhof board was sold for $705 (180945755184)

Few weeks back a Wollensak Vitax #5 was sold for $850 attached to the remains of a Century Studio Camera (280918921513)

[Amedeus]

Another Vitax #5 was sold today for $1400 (300758525514)

[Amedeus]

Voigtlander Braunschweig UNIVERSAL HELIAR 30cm F/4.5 Variable Soft Focus Lens sold for $1100 (140827183285)
18 inch Wollensak Verito Soft Focus Lens sold for $788 (230836189687)
Brass Dllmeyer 3A Soft Focus Lens sold for $1325 (230836193396)
Taylor Hobson Cooke 15.5", f5.6 soft focus portrait anastigmat (knuckles) on lensboard sold for $1,999

[cyberjunkie]

Karl Struss Pictorial 12" with a 5x7 Korona on it for a rear lens cap, $2600
251120542138

yahhh...missed it.

I spotted that Struss, even before the name of the lens was added to the description (i am looking for a beater super-cheap Korona, for parts).
When i asked about the functionality of the diaphragm, the vendor answered that he could see only ONE leave.
I am afraid that all the other leaves were missing; if the iris is stuck, usually you don't see anything moving.
Being a custom build, i don't think you can steal the leaves from another (cheaper) lens.
All in all, i don't think 2600 USD is so much of a bargain. As a collector's item, it's incomplete and probably quite difficult to repair (leaves must be re-made). As a user lens, i don't think that the Struss name has anything magic in it, that could balance the lack of a working iris.
From a user's point of view, being able to close 1/2 or 1 stop, makes for a huge difference, both in usability and image control.
Don't get me wrong, i'd love to own a Struss Pictorial, though i'm not sure i would spend lots of money in an incomplete example (if i could afford one, which is not the case, at the moment...).
I beg pardon if i'm sounding a little narrow-minded, but i don't understand the rationale behind some selling prices.
I am not referring to the Struss in particular, but i have seen other lenses with missing parts and/or in very bad conditions, being sold for good money.
Of course those lenses were very desiderable ones... so probably there are people who can't afford a good one, and resort to something within reach.
Tough i am left with plenty of doubts about the usefulness of a lens with the front element broken in two, or with incredibly BAD scratches, or with missing elements, etc. etc. (all true examples, and all sold for a good amount of money).

BTW, my own bid for the Korona/Struss auction was under 300 USD
A little bit naive, i know... but one in one hundred i get away with it, so it's worth trying!