This rare, probably one-of-a-kind, Nikkor 58mm f/1.0 lens from the 1970s just sold for €187,500 at the latest Wetzlar Camera Auctions (more info available here):
“A particularly spectacular result was achieved for an ultra-fast 58 mm f/1.0 Nikon lens from the 1970s, which is probably a one-off. Two customers who connected by phone engaged in an exciting bidding war, so the lens was finally sold for an unbelievable EUR 187,500. This is the world’s highest price ever for a Nikon lens at auction.”
The auction listing can be found here:
“The only Nikkor-O Auto 58 mm f/1 known to us to date, with serial number 580101. The serial number is believed to be a combination of focal length and maximum aperture values, as well as sequential number 1 for the very first lens in this series. Developed for Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) photography with an engraved magnification scale instead of a distance scale. Two of the extremely rare CRT-Nikkor Auto 58 mm f/1 lenses known to us bear serial numbers in the 58111x range, which is why we assume that the lens offered here may be a prototype.
Included: Original blue rear cap (typical for experimental Nikon lenses), Adapter for Leica L mount for focusing to infinity.
Literature: Robert Rotoloni, “The Complete Nikon Rangefinder System”, p. 287 (illustrates the only other known NIKKOR-O f/1, but with 50 mm focal length); Uli Koch, “Nikon F The Lenses”, 2nd Edition, p. 256, 257.
Serial Number: 580101, Production Year: ca. 1970er”
Via Leica Rumors
