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

-- Marke Gilbert (Bohdi137@aol.com), October 09, 2001

Answers

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.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), October 09, 2001.

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.

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.

EP should stand for Ehrenreich Photo-optical (later EPOI) - Nikon's official US importer from the beginning until the mid-70's.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), October 10, 2001.

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

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), October 10, 2001.

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!

rick :)=

rick_oleson.tripod.com

-- Rick Oleson (rick_oleson@yahoo.com), October 10, 2001.

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

-- Marke Gilbert (Bohdi137@aol.com), October 10, 2001.

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.

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

Enjoy your lens!

Tony

-- Tony Oresteen (aoresteen@mindspring.com), October 10, 2001.

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.

Were Leicas available through PXs at any time?

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), October 11, 2001.

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.

-- Joel Matherson (joel_2000@hotmail.com), October 16, 2001.