Ektar 50mm 1.9 lens 1946

[eileen_mullen]

<p>I have recently unearthed this lens from grandfather's collection of various electronic items. He was an Electrical Engineer who specialized in Vacuum Tubes. He took extreme care with all his collections. It was carefully wrapped in tissue paper, and the paper and masking tape were rather yellowed from time. I don't believe it was used after the 1960's. It appears to be in excellent condition, however, I have no way to test it's functionality. Is this something a local Photography Store would be able to do? I live in driving distance of Beach Camera as well.</p>

<p>https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=D3317A5E4660349F!7351&authkey=!ADErswrU0dOD3KQ&ithint=folder%2c</p>

<p>There was also an Ektanon Television 90mm 3.5 L lens, also in the same excellent condition. <br>

<img src="https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=D3317A5E4660349F!7351&authkey=!ADErswrU0dOD3KQ&ithint=folder%2c" alt="" /></p>

<p>I will be looking to sell these to offset cost of long term care for my Dad, who has Alzheimer's. Any feedback and/or suggestions on how to proceed would be welcome, and appreciated.</p>

<p>Eileen<br>

NJ</p>

<p> </p>

[Mike Gammill]

To get some idea of its worth search for similar lenses on eBay and see how much people are paying for them.

[chauncey_walden]

<p>Eileen, according to Kodak's CAMEROSITY date code the serial beginning RA would be 1951 and it appears to be either a movie camera lens or maybe, because of the other lens you have, a tv video lens. Someone will possibly know which.</p>

[dan_fromm2]

<p>Isn't the OP's 50/1.9 Ektar the fast normal lens for the Ektra 35 mm camera?</p>

[chuck_foreman1]

My thoughts at first word were like Dann F. says... The Ektra 35mm . A picture of the lens and specifically

the mount should give a maybe a clue.

[thirteenthumbs]

<p>The f1.9 serial number of EO is 1946. I agree with Dan, its the fast normal lens for the Ektra http://www.cameramanuals.org/kodak_pdf/kodak_ektra_booklet.pdf</p>

<p> </p>

[eileen_mullen]

<p>I posted link to photos in my original post but I guess that was not clear. If you copy/paste this link it should take you to the images:</p>

<p>https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=D3317A5E4660349F!7351&authkey=!ADErswrU0dOD3KQ&ithint=folder%2c<br>

<br>

I appreciate the responses to my query. I have looked on ebay, and see an Ektranon Television 90mm lens relisted for about $700 (In the UK). However, I did not see any completed sold listings for the Ektar 50mm 1.9 lens.<br>

<br>

</p><div></div>

[steve_mareno1]

<p>Right, that is a potential problem. The market for the lens may be quite small.</p>

[dan_fromm2]

<p>Eileen, Steve's probably right. That is, the market for Ektras and accessories including lenses is probably thin. Not because of lack of collector interest but because not many were made and they don't come to market that often.</p>

<p>I've looked at eBay listings, only one sold, a beat up 90/3.5.</p>

<p>I can understand y'r financial stress and hopes of having, um, buried treasure. You might, but not much of it. Your best bet is to post the lenses on eBay with as many good pictures as you can at a reasonable starting price. And then accept what comes. I'd start 'em around $300. If no bids, relist at $250. And so on.</p>

<p>Do check the back of the Ektanon. It might be in Ektra mount. If so its rear will look like the 50/1.9's rear.</p>

[Sandy Vongries]

<p>Eileen, you have my deepest sympathy and respect. On anything rare, my suggestion is that you have a substantial reserve first time around. I have bought some very nice things for very little when there was no reserve. You need the money. Second time around, reserve can be less, and /or have "make an offer". All the best, Sandy</p>

[dhbebb]

<p>Here's at least one price guide:<br>

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/salebrowse.aspx?entry=ektra&intsaleid=18587&lotviewtype=listview<br>

You should sell the lens on e-bay but first have it appraised by someone who knows what they are doing. From your picture there seem to be speckles in or on the rear element - these may be dust but may also be mold, which would cut the value down from possibly $500 for mint condition to $250 for moldy but capable of being cleaned or even less for an unusable lens. As a rough guide hold the lens up to a light source and look through it, both straight and at a slight angle. If you see haze, a lot of speckles or, worst, ice-like patterns on the glass, this will greatly reduce the value, although the lens will always have some value because of its extreme rarity. It goes without saying that only a special microporous cloth should be used to clean the lens VERY lightly and caefully.</p>

[eileen_mullen]

<p>Thank you all for you kind words and suggestions. David, the speckles are just dust....I have a lens cloth I use on my Canon EOS lenses, however, opted not to touch anything on the lens. I figured I would take to local photography store and ask them to clean it (and hopefully get rear cap/canister for the lenses).<br>

<img src="c:\sky\kodak.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<div></div>

[eileen_mullen]

<p>And Dan, regarding the 'buried treasure', I also found box of vintage RCA velocity (ribbon) microphones from late 1940's - 1950s. One was the kind Larry King used, a RCA D77. The mics have been appraised at close to $6K, and they all work! So whatever the lenses sell for will be the cherry on top of this lot. <br>

Thanks again to all who responded. <br>

Eileen</p>

[dan_fromm2]

<p>Great! The more the better!</p>