Mike Stahulak writes:
<< OK, I'm the guy that pulled the trigger on that 90/2. I only feel
slightly foolish;) . . . I guess that if I had been patient, I might
have gotten a mint used version for $650 (or even $6.50, eventually).
Maybe. I dunno.>>
In response to:
<< I think 'Buy It Now' is a more potent seller's tool than most of us
have realized. This evening a Zuiko 21/2.0 went for $625, and a 90/2.0
for $775. These are each about $100 more than I can remember seing
either sell for on ebay in the past. Either Olympus on Ebay is once
again a seller's market, or 'Buy It Now' is sometimes making a big
difference in top dollar paid for some items. >>
and
<< I would have liked to pick a 21/2 back up . . . but $625? As much as
I love my 90/2 and I will never part with it, I'd never have paid $775.
You can buy them new from B&H for $999. Now, if the buyers are list
members, please don't take offense. >>
**************
Congrats on your purchase, Mike. For anyone who has been waiting 3 years
for one, they haven't got any cheaper. The grey market price has been
raising $100 per year on the 90mm f/2 (25%) and $15 per year on the 21mm
f/2 (3%). Factoring in that appreciation, you can rest easy that you
haven't "over-paid" for this condition grade. You also bought the only
Ex+ condition grade example (without engraving) that has been auctioned
in the last three years. Had the $736 comparible you used in making your
decision been a Buy It Now, it might very well have gone higher. You
also had the fact that there is only one of these available on eBay
every two months and that 1 in 5 are user grade (BGN or UGLY), so there
isn't much chance to wait and select. Looking at it another way, for
everyone that passes you by, the grey market price (and people's
benchmark for determining used value of mint/minty examples) will rise
another $17!
The opportunities for auction buyers of 21mm f/2 lenses are a bit
bleaker than the 90mm f/2. $625 is actually quite representative for
better condition grades than the one just sold. But again, the last sale
was a Buy It Now, which leads me to take exception to comparing Buy It
Now with open auctions. This is like comparing apples to oranges. Buy It
Now is a different venue, more like a classified ad or even a Shutterbug
ad, both with the added bonuses of more text and pictures. We have our
first Buy It Now examples of the 21mm f/2 and 90mm f/2. My guess is that
it portends the prices to come.
Two years ago I figured the price of a 90mm f/2 wasn't going to go down,
so I took a loan a bought one used. It was immediately after I lens
tested one. I'm glad I did since prices have maintained an upward trend
since the very earliest bargains on eBay.
Oh, and regarding carrying that new Zuiko in the Needles District: try
wearing a photographers vest under the backpack. If you have rain gear
and some zip lock plastic bags, that should be all you need.
Gary Reese
Las Vegas, NV
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