Used lens price trend?

[E. von Hoegh]

I've noticed the wierdness in prices as well. When I was outfitting myself in the late
80s there were some real bargains available; I think the Internet has changed that.
For instanceeardorff V8,fs,good user with 4x5 back, 2 8x10 holders and a case-$995
6" US dagor,$49; 9.5" US Dagor $89; 10.75 US dagor, $149; 30cm CPG Berlin Dagor, $200. And let's not forget the 14" gold dot MC for $ 739. None of these came from garage sales or the like, all were ordered from ads in Shutterbug. Also, I think the various cults had yet to develop. I purchased most of the old US Dagors from Brooklyn Camera, when I asked why they were such a bargain I was told "they're just old lenses". The 14' Kern Dagor came from KEH, they couldn't get rid of them!

[Ole Tjugen]

My only Dagor is an old "original" - a Goerz Berlin 180mm f:6.8 Serie III "Dagor". It cost me the staggering sum of $25. My most expensive "classic" lens was a $200 150mm APO-Lanthar. I got a 14" Petzval for $85, a 300mm Symmar for $200. Most of my lenses have cost less than $150, even in shutters. This is all during the last 3 years.

The bargains are still out there!