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Nikon 1200mm


pete_witcosky

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KEH gives it at about $1500, which sounds about right to me. It'll probably be helpful to the buyer to figure out which version it is, this site (http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#800) lists serial numbers, so you can match it up. I'd guess that the 'N' would be the most valuable, but this lens comes up so infrequently, I honestly can't say.
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The decisive factor here is the model of the 1200mm. There were 3 different types, the first for a focusing adapter and no ED (probably not very good), the next a transition model also for the focusing adapter but with new ED optics (rumoured to be a good performer), and finally, the last AI/AIS with a third optical design and ED glass. I own the third model and it is an *excellent* performer, but of course, you need pretty good support for it. The 1200 ED is one of the few manual-focus Nikkors without an IR focus dot on it and I have confirmed that it doesn't need one, which tells something about the colour correction in play for this superlong lens.

 

Any of the versions of the 1200 were made in very small numbers and one rarely sees this lens today.

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Thanks guys for the answers and also to the serial number search. The model I have is the N version. #150064 I also looked into KEH and they wanted around 1500, but that is just the wholesale price. What type of markup do they put on their equipment? I would like to sell this lens or possible get it insured. THanks
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I would expect KEH to pay as low as 50% of what they can sell it for to buy a used lens. In other words, if they can sell it for $3000, they'll pay $1500 to buy it. If it is a popular item so that KEH can turn it around quickly, they may pay more, but for something that has a limited market, KEH needs to shell out money and could get stuck with that item for a while. Additionally, KEH provides a money back guarantee.

 

If you attempt to sell it yourself, most likely you won't be able to sell it for as much KEH can. But of course the bidding can go crazy in eBay.

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I actually own the 3rd generation 1,200 F11 ED telephoto lens which I bought from KEH for $2,800 about five years ago. There were very few of these lenses produced, mostly for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Mine was in "ugly" condition but the glass was perfect except for one little tiny mark at the far edge of the front glass.

 

There was another one in perfect condition available for sale at Adorama at the time but it was at least a thousand dollars more expensive and it was the 2nd generation. I wanted the 3rd as it worked with the meter on my D2H at the time.

 

I used the lens to shoot surfing at the beach and the lens is very sharp. However, the lens has great difficulty with back light and hard light which makes shooting surf photos after 10:00 AM pretty much lousy. This is true with most lenses at the beach, it's just much worse with the 1,200. Otherwise. it's a great lens but it is manual. Once I got the Sigmonster 300-800, I have't used the 1,200 since.

 

http://www.mdougherty.com/100-THEPHOTOEXPERIENCE/170-EQUIPMENT/8-nikkor1200if-ed-ais-htm.htm

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