What are the odds? Two of the rarest and best fisheye lenses ever have been listed on eBay from different sellers. The more expensive lens is a Nikon Fisheye 14.3mm f/4 and has an eye-watering asking price of $249,999 / £201,693 / AU$404,433, with potential buyers invited to make an offer. If it sells for anything near that, it’ll smash the record for a Nikon lens sold at auction, which was a one-off Nikkor-O Auto 58mm f/1 that sold for somewhere in the region of $180,000 / £146,500 / AU$259,000 back in 2022.
This optic is also one-of-a-kind. It was commissioned especially for Disney and Digital Camera World reported that it had been acquired by Netherlands-based camera store, Leica Store Lisse, in June of last year. Back then it wasn’t up for sale, with the camera store’s Martijn de Clercq stating: “We are happy to have it in our collection ourselves!”
Well, it looks like the time has come to shift this incredible piece of camera – and House of Mouse history – with it appearing on Leica Store Lisse’s eBay store. The outlet also lists the optic on its website, where it mentions that Disney planned to use the lens to create a futuristic film that would be viewed on a 360-degree theater screen.
And if you like the sound of that, Leica Store Lisse also states: “With a bit of professional engineering this lens can be adapted to many modern cameras, such as Leica S or Hasselblad XCD”. But if $249,999 is a little out of your price range, have I got an affordable alternative for you!
Also listed on eBay right now is the Nikon AI Fisheye-Nikkor 6mm f/2.8, with its incredible 220° field of view, for just $113,087.80 /£83,514.63 / AU$182,886.27. One of these lenses appeared on eBay at the tail end of last year, but this one’s from a different seller – PhotoAlps GmbH, which is an authorized Leica seller.
The Nikon AI Fisheye-Nikkor 6mm f/2.8 is a truly legendary lens. It first appeared in 1972 and was only available through special order. According to MIR, AI versions were introduced in 1977, with AI-S versions appearing in 1982. And indeed, this example is listed as circa 1981. PhotoAlps GmbH describes the optic in question as “Near mint” – not bad for a lens that’s over four decades old.
And if, like me, $113,000 still isn't quite affordable enough, you may prefer to check out our best cheap lenses guide.
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