A rare and highly sought-after Nikkor 6mm f/2.8 Fisheye lens with an incredibly wide 220-degree field of view has popped up on eBay with a price tag of 130,000 euros ($146,152).
This particular lens failed to sell at last year’s Leitz Photographica Auction.
The Nikkor 6mm f/2.8 Fisheye-Nikkor Auto 220° is considered to be one of the most remarkable lenses ever created. It’s estimated that fewer than 200 were ever manufactured as they were specially made-to-order.
This lens is said to be in mint condition with flawless optics. It comes complete with a unique leather front cap, rear cap, original metal carrying case, multi-language instruction manual, and a rare repair manual.
This specific lens, produced in 1981, has been looking for a buyer for quite some time. The serial number on the eBay listing matches that of an unsold lens from the 20th Anniversary Leitz Photographica Auction catalog.
The auction showcased many incredibly rare cameras, which might explain why this remarkable Nikkor lens didn’t receive as much attention. Although it was valued between 80,000 and 100,000 euros at the auction, it failed to find a buyer despite an opening price of 40,000 euros.
The Nikkor 6mm f/2.8 lens is quite scarce, but its price can vary tremendously depending on several factors. It’s worth noting that there are three versions of this lens: the original Nikkor Auto from 1972, AI introduced in 1977, and AI-S from 1982.
Although they all seem to have the same optical properties, the differences lie in how the aperture ring is operated by the camera.
The wide range of prices seen over the years for this lens may be due to variations in age and condition.
This unique lens captured the attention of the photography world all the way back in 2012 when it first appeared on eBay with a price of $34,020. Another version of the lens sold for approximately $160,000 that same year.
In 2014, another listing appeared on eBay showcasing a video demonstrating the lens in action. This was highly unusual at the time. The seller was asking for $70,000.
One more listing surfaced in 2015 on Craigslist in the United Kingdom. The seller, however, did not specify a price and was “open to offers.”
Given the significant price range of this lens, ranging from as low as $34,000 to over $160,000, it’s unclear why this specific lens hasn’t found a buyer.
Its pristine condition and prestigious appearance in a renowned camera auction should make it incredibly appealing to collectors. Perhaps negotiation is possible, presenting an opportunity for interested buyers to acquire one of the most extraordinary lenses ever created.