Am I missing something here? Petzval auction

[wfwhitaker]

Will, your lens is a magic lantern / stereopticon / projection lens with no flange, and questionable glass...I'd say $ 42 is in the park....sorry....

That does pretty much describe mine, but could just as well describe cia_love_animal's, too. Guess mine wasn't like "quiet lake", though...

[Allen in Montreal]

.......possible bidding manipulation going on....?!@?!?@....one bidder has 75% activity with that seller...I dont know and I am not accusing - but take a look and judge for yourself...

Dan

After that jewelry store in NYC got busted for having his staff bid up all his auctions and it made news all over the world just about, and E bay now hides the bidders names, I think this goes on a fair bit!

[Neil Purling]

I have found this auction.
It is a excessive amount for a no-name lens, if it is a projection Petzval.
Do projection Petzval's usually have a flap or rotating cap to protect the front of the lens?
I have a lens of about the same F.L. & speed, and i'm glad I paid far less because it was still attached to the lantern.

[Pete Watkins]

Neil,
I have what I believe to be a magic lantern lens with a flap in front of the lens. Not every lantern lens has this attatchment but I've seen a few lanterns for sale with this type of lens.
Best wishes,
Pete

[Emil Schildt]

There is a bell curve for Ohboy auctions. If you watch enough of them, you get a better sense of the real going rate. Sometimes a couple of newbies fight over a lens, and sells for higher than expected. But basically, what makes a petzval go for more are:
- complete with flange and hood
- larger focal lengths
- recognized "hot" maker
- actual photo lens vs magic lantern (though sometimes this gets reversed for a few auctions)
- accessories like waterhouse stops or lenscap
- excellent condition
etc....

I have been watching these auctions for a couple of years now, and I humbly disagree with one of your examples: the focal length.
In my experience short focal lenght's get higher prices than one would expect.. especially if combined with the "recognized "hot" maker"...

maybe because it can/has to be used on smaller cameras, and therefore makes it "easier" to get the swirly effects?

I have been looking for the smallest Dallmeyer portrait petzvals, and one ebay seller has sold surprisingly many of those. (I have no idea how he gets them in the first place..). the prizes always gets much higher than I can afford...

[soeren]

Maybe he makes them himself
Best regards

[Steve Hamley]

That does pretty much describe mine, but could just as well describe cia_love_animal's, too. Guess mine wasn't like "quiet lake", though...

Will, You should have had Dagor77 write your description for you!

Cheers, Steve

[Archphoto]

China perhaps ?

They like to copy everything.

Peter