Leitz Plan 1.6X objective

[einman]

So I have been looking over my collection of objectives. I have a Leitz 160 TL Plan 1.6X objective I was considering selling. I went to e-bay to get an idea of what price to set. Generally, I simply list it for less than the lowest priced unless I consider it below my personal valuation of the objective. With that said can forum members chime in on what they consider a fair price for this objective. It is perfect physically and optically. The only one I found on E-bay listed for $1765 plus shipping and another can be found as part of a set for $800 with 3 other more common objectives.

Any comments?

[Alexander]

It is quite some special objective requiring the fitting condenser. The offer you found on Ebay is ridiculous and will never sell.

150 USD is what I personally would pay for it but you may find somebody who is willing to pay more.

[zzffnn]

I have bought two short Nikon Plan 1.2x iris objectives at drastically different prices (keeping in mind that optical quality of the Nikon is likely not as good as the [long barrel ] Leitz, so this may not be good reference; and I don’t know if the Leitz 1.6x has iris):

The first one I waited for a while and had to bid (on eBay) for it: I got it for around $100;

The second one was a “buy-it-now” on eBay, for which I paid $15 and gifted to a friend.

Both are in very good condition.

The second one was likely under-valued. I don’t know what is a fair price for the first one.

You can use eBay’s historical sale price in its search bar too. It depends on what your buyer is willing to pay and what you are willing to let go for, as always.

Maybe look into Nikon’s and Olympus’ counterparts too, and see their historical sale price? Some of these low magnification objectives do not need much eyepiece correction.

For $800 though, I would probably buy a Wild M450 and modify from it.

[charlie g]

Hi, einman and all...quite a few years ago I paid $200 for a Nikon plan 1X/ 160 tl, I paid $200 for a Nikon plan 2X/160 tl. The 2x I use often, the 1X sleeps in it's plastic vial in a cigar box.

charlie g

[einman]

It is quite some special objective requiring the fitting condenser. The offer you found on Ebay is ridiculous and will never sell.

150 USD is what I personally would pay for it but you may find somebody who is willing to pay more.

I definitely agree with you on the $1750 That is why I asked..LOL. Given it is more rare than a 2.5X I would expect it to sell a little north of the average 2.5x selling price.

[einman]

A historical search yielded a low of $75 for the 170 TL version and a high of $299 for the 160 TL version. Hmm..I may list it for $250 or best offer. I also have an extra 2.5x as well. I may just list that one and hang on to the 1.6x for a bit longer.

[Scoper]

Why not put it up for auction and let the market decide?

[Scarodactyl]

That's usually a good way to sell it for the starting price if at all. Demand for these sorts of objectives is rare and occasional.

[Sabatini]

Hello. I got a Leitz PL 1.6

Screenshot_2024-01-30-21-29-02-138_com.google.android.apps.photos-edit-min.jpg (95.07 KiB) Viewed 1303 times

. Only cost me $40.
It's always fun to Play with it.

[einman]

Excellent price $40. I have on occasion acquired objectives a surprising price.