Some Soft Focus Lens Sales Information

[Hugo Zhang]

Dan,

I came across these pages from Burk and James from long times ago on the net and it is amazing if you compare the old listing prices then and today's selling prices of those portrait lenses you have compiled. I wonder if this has anything to do with Jim Galli.

http://tnt-gifts.com/4877/bonus/dir/...rk_james-2.pdf

[Songyun]

Dan,

I came across these pages from Burk and James from long times ago on the net and it is amazing if you compare the old listing prices then and today's selling prices of those portrait lenses you have compiled. I wonder if this has anything to do with Jim Galli.

http://tnt-gifts.com/4877/bonus/dir/...rk_james-2.pdf

well, the stock price for Apple @1984 is $3....

[goamules]

If this catalog is from say, 1952, you multiply by 8 to get the approximate cost in today's dollars. I see a Vitax for $129, or $1032 in today's dollars. That's about what they go for today. What is more interesting is if you can see what these lenses were selling for only 7 years ago. A lot of lenses a few years ago were closer to the 1952 prices....

[Hugo Zhang]

I was not talking about general inflation. It's interesting to compare the prices of Pinkham & Smith lenses and Heliars. You know what I mean.

[BarryS]

It's a 1942 catalog. Man, were those Pinkham and Smith's cheap back then! You could pick up three P&S Semi-Achromats for the cost of Velostigmat and have change left over.

[eddie]

I was not talking about general inflation. It's interesting to compare the prices of Pinkham & Smith lenses and Heliars. You know what I mean.

A quick look had the 20 inch zeiss tessar at $720?!?!? They actually get less now I think......

[Paul Fitzgerald]

Hugo, thanks for the link, it's really handy.

"I was not talking about general inflation. It's interesting to compare the prices of Pinkham & Smith lenses and Heliars. You know what I mean."

I have quite a few of the big dogs and have used most of the lenses listed. I fully agree with their pricing comparisons.

The Carl Zeiss Tessar 20 in (500mm) f:5 (not 4.5) IS worth all of that and more, absolutely gorgeous and fits a 6x6 lens board for a C-1. Flat-out favorite portrait lens, wins hands down. Have fun finding another one.

If you like Heliars you will LOVE Dogmars, the big ones just have 'The Look'.
Their 20in (500mm) f:4.5 Goerz Anastigmat is a Dogmar, great portrait lens, will cover 14x17 wide open, 16x20 stopped down. Should cover 20x24 at portrait distance.

Have fun with the hunt people, mine are not for sale.

[nkrustev]

1 460 USD - Voigtlander Universal Heliar 300mm
item number - 320688824926

[Emil Schildt]

1 460 USD - Voigtlander Universal Heliar 300mm
item number - 320688824926

yes - I wanted that....

[Steven Tribe]

You already "have" one, Emil!