A Tale of Two Lenses

[Steven Tribe]

Photo no. 1 shows a Rapid Rectilinear "Optimus" for 9x7" marketed by the London Stereoscopic Company.
Photo no. 2 shows a Rapid Rectilinear "Optimus" for 9x7" sold by the actual makers Perken, Son & Rayment.
In other words, identical lenses.
The first is in original lacquer with more than average loss of lacquer, brass discolouration. The second has been recently relacquered as the brass is still pale in colour.
Both were bought on e**y uk.
The first in 2009 by the poster for between 10 and 20 uk pounds.
The second a few days ago for 268 uk pounds.

Is this a confirmation of the increasing interest in RR's? Or is it just that product presentation means everything?

[eddie]

prices have been rising on most everything. RR just the same.

not really comparing apples to apples. one has no flange, no hood, no cap. if you were to have those items made they would cost another 250-300$....that puts it right in line with the "complete" lens. also rebranded lenses get less than original.....

veritos do not seem to be rising much if any.

ask garrett he will tell you shinny lenses get more. i do accident repair on cars. i shine things at work. no way am i doing it home. i like the older look anyhow.

[Matt_Bigwood]

Slightly off topic, but I've noticed the price of 178mm f2.5 Aero Ektars going through the roof - I bought one about five years ago for £33 (wish I still had it) and have seen one sell for over £1000 this year on ebay, and regularly they sell for hundreds of pounds.

[GPS]

Nothing to complain about, Steven. Get to work...

[Steven Tribe]

Eddie, it came with the flange. And this version (it was on the market for decades)never had a hood.
"Rebranded" - more like "Linhof selected"!! The London Stereoscopic Company had at least a good reputation as P, S & P. P, S & P never bothered with serial no. but LSC did!

[goamules]

I'd agree w/ Eddie, the higher priced lens is complete and shiny. Add 150% to the price of a ratty one. But it also depends on the day/market on the auction site. We've all seen one petzval go for a ton, while 6 others go for less than 200 dollars in a week. There is also a trickle down effect with brass lenses, where everyone hopes each type will increase in value. So they bid more and more...and the value increases!

[Steven Tribe]

Having taken a good look at my Optimus, I have decided it falls into the category "in need of refurbishment". Mainly because the seller used "unauthorised" methods to be able to read the engraving back then.

[Steven Tribe]

And this is what lens no. 1 looks like to-day.

[GPS]

And this is what lens no. 1 looks like to-day.

Finally you got the message... You have some good lens there, must be pretty rare and expensive...

[Steven Tribe]

There are thousands of RR/Aplanats around. This was often forgotten in one of my boxes - as it needed a new set of Waterhouse stops. The "Optimus" (Perken, Son and Rayment) were made for 20 years at least. The right "yellow" tinge in the lacquer comes after about 10 years!