Any comments on Nikkor 8.5 cm LTM?

[marke_gilbert]

Hi,

I just picked up a Chrome Nikkor 8.5cm f2 in Leica Thread Mount. I would appreciate any comments from anyone who has used this lens. Value?

Seems to be in really nice shape, clear glass, brown leather case, parallax corrected finder with case, hood and caps.Caps, case, finder are all "EP" marked. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

[andrew_schank]

As you may know, that lens is a copy of the 85mm f2.0 Zeiss Sonnar

originally for the Contax RF camera. I see them go anywhere from

$300 to $400 depending on condition not including the finder. If you

got one in really good shape with clean glass, I think you'll be

happy with the performance. It amazing to me how good some of the

primes from 40 to 50 years ago are even by today's standards.

[andy_piper2]

The Nikkor 85 f/2 is THE lens that persuaded David Douglas Duncan and

other Korean War photographers to start using Japanese glass on their

Leicas. I think I've heard they were about $10-15 in Tokyo at the time.

Once their LIFE and Magnum colleagues found out about the Nikkors and

Canons, the Japanese optical industry was on its way.

 

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I've never personally encountered the 85, but did have a 'Made in

Occupied Japan' LTM Nikkor 135 f/4 for a IIIc body I owned as a college

student in the mid-70's.

 

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EP should stand for Ehrenreich Photo-optical (later EPOI) - Nikon's

official US importer from the beginning until the mid-70's.

[michael_darnton1]

I think "EP" has a different meaning. Canon lenses of the era have

it, too.

[richard_oleson]

i had this lens in contax mount. subjectively, it seemed to be the

sharpest i've ever had... i recall taking a picture of my daughter

from about 20 meters away and discovering some 'foreign matter' on

the negative and being upset.... upon enlargement, the 'foreign

matter' turned out to be the image of a spider web behind her head!

 

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rick :)=

 

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rick_oleson.tripod.com

[marke_gilbert]

Hi,

Thanks for the answers. The "Ep" indicates that it was sold at

American PX's-- That much I knew, I was wondering if that contributed

to collector value. Keep the responses coming, all info is apreciated.

Best

[Aoresteen]

EP stands for Exchange Program. These items were sold to soliders

through the PX's as mentioned above. Canon also marked their cameras

with the EP logo as well. I used a Canon 85mm f/2 with EP makings on

my M3 for years.

 

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Some collectors like them, most want MIOJ markings (Made In Occupied

Japan).

 

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Enjoy your lens!

 

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Tony

[andy_piper2]

Thanks to Marke and Tony for correcting me on the 'EP' mark. The PX

system also probably had a great impact in getting Japanese equipment

into American hands and expanding respect for the products.

 

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Were Leicas available through PXs at any time?

[joel_matherson]

I have this lens in Nikon RF mount. Its an excellent lens and the

match of any Leica lens of the time. Coatings are harder than the

Leica ones of the same period so dont suffer from scratching and

coating loss. Very well made heavily chromed too. Well worth a look

if you use Leica screw mount.