p.4 #1 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
Part 1 of Photos
I declare this lens the Holy Grail of Nikon Refurbished lenses.
It appears as new condition as per Nikon refurbished guidelines. Case leather feels new. Filter pouch felt like it had never before been opened. The serial number puts it right in the middle of the AI-S run, so I'd guess early 1980s as the manufacture date. Tomorrow I'm going to call B&H used department and ask for the story on this lens (now that I have it in my hands). I'm also going to try and get in touch with Nikon and find out what surely is an amazing story behind how this came to be. If anyone has a contact at Nikon who they think can help me out, please PM me.
p.4 #5 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
Donzo98 wrote:
Ridiculous!!! Awesome man!! Just as advertised...
Like NEW!!!
Great deal...
Thank you!!! As you may have noticed, I opened it on a blanket on the ground. I thought about not opening the plastic, but I had to verify the serial number matched; fortunately, I was able to get the tape off without tearing the plastic and have put it all back together snug like I got it.
p.4 #6 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
highdesertmesa wrote:
Thank you!!! As you may have noticed, I opened it on a blanket on the ground. I thought about not opening the plastic, but I had to verify the serial number matched; fortunately, I was able to get the tape off without tearing the plastic and have put it all back together snug like I got it.
p.4 #8 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
Edgy01 wrote:
You didn’t open the box did you??
Now it’s not worth nearly as much!! I would have given you $8500 for it unopened!!
How great for you! I think both Don and I are the only guys who got better deals, but then that was over ten years ago!
Congratulations!
If you flip it, remember not to mount it on a body! Bragging rights, “never mounted on a body. Rear lens cap never removed!”
Wonderful!! I use it a lot because it’s so sharp.
Dan
– Thank you!! I had to make sure something resembling a Nikon 13mm lens was inside. I would have been happy if it had been in average shape, in which case I might have used it. This, however, will certainly not be opened again by me. Also, yes, I didn't remove the rear cap
p.4 #10 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
Gorgeous lens... incredible investment. I don't blame you for treating it like the treasure it so clearly is. No doubt there is a collector out there who will prize this lens and give you a handsome profit. Good luck with that.
p.4 #12 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
CGrindahl wrote:
Gorgeous lens... incredible investment. I don't blame you for treating it like the treasure it so clearly is. No doubt there is a collector out there who will prize this lens and give you a handsome profit. Good luck with that.
Thanks. I hope it does find a good home out there
Feb 12, 2018 at 11:44 PM
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p.4 #13 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
You should've livestreamed this.
Anyhoo, congratulations on this find. I can understand that it's strictly a collectible/investment at this point, but if you can afford it and probably do something meaningful with it later, why the heck not? Once I had some urge for rare and exotic lenses myself - none of them quite so expensive, of course, although I did jump through quite some hoops to get a discontinued Sigma 14mm f/2.8 lens - so it's not like it's impossible to comprehend.
p.4 #19 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
The lens is a thing of beauty. Wow! If and when you sell it I hope you get what the lens is worth and can use the money to buy something(s) that you can use. I love a bargain. Thanks for the great pics. Seeing it was half the fun for us.
p.4 #20 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
Snopchenko wrote:
You should've livestreamed this.
Anyhoo, congratulations on this find. I can understand that it's strictly a collectible/investment at this point, but if you can afford it and probably do something meaningful with it later, why the heck not? Once I had some urge for rare and exotic lenses myself - none of them quite so expensive, of course, although I did jump through quite some hoops to get a discontinued Sigma 14mm f/2.8 lens - so it's not like it's impossible to comprehend.
Thank you. I was going to video-record opening the box up, but I was worried about having a "Geraldo moment" where I opened the box and nothing was inside
– Thank you!! I had to make sure something resembling a Nikon 13mm lens was inside. I would have been happy if it had been in average shape, in which case I might have used it. This, however, will certainly not be opened again by me. Also, yes, I didn't remove the rear cap 
