Archive 2018 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
Guest
Guest
p.7 #1 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
This lens is ludicrous, and butt ugly to boot. Though it's fairly easy to see where Sigma got the inspiration to place the focus ring on the widest part of the barrel - their 12-24, 14-24 and 14/1.8 Arts are clearly the spiritual descendants of this lens. And they too are ugly as heck.
Its size and shape is also a reminder of why Aspherical glass is such a big deal. If I'm not mistaken, this 13mm unit has no aspherics so that's how huge and pricey (and slowwwww, aperture-wise) a conventional lens has to be if it were to be well corrected. It's insane how far the lens design had moved by now if even 14/1.8 can be had for much much less, in a much smaller package, and work decently to boot.
(sincerely yours, Captain Obvious)
Feb 14, 2018 at 05:52 PM
T-O Shooter Offline • • [X]
p.7 #2 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
highdesertmesa wrote:
Good points. The future "Mint-" condition if I shoot it might be more than the current "As new" price. Tough choices. Part of me wants to try in on my GFX soooo badly.
Is Henry P their manager? I called the next morning after ordering it and literally told them I didn't mind getting a bargain, but they should be sure since the last one sold for $25K on eBay in not as good condition. They were pretty matter of fact about it all, like it wasn't a big deal.
I see Henry P has made an appearance. Henry cruises the forums "cleaning up" any problems that someone might have with a B & H purchase. Such as perceived "open box" being sold as new.
Seems like he didn't say much about how that got sold for so little. I'd have loved to have been a fly on the wall when they figured that out.
p.7 #3 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
charles.K wrote:
Thank you James for starting this thread. There is a lot of negativity with gear acquisitions and people being aligned with brands and it is so refreshing to share the excitement with this legend of a lens.
You're welcome, Charles. It's been exciting to get all the positive feedback and discuss it with fellow aficionados and collectors. It's probably a once-in-a-lifetime find for me, at least at a price point I could afford. I'm glad I chose this forum in which to share it first.
p.7 #4 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
T-O Shooter wrote:
I see Henry P has made an appearance. Henry cruises the forums "cleaning up" any problems that someone might have with a B & H purchase. Such as perceived "open box" being sold as new.
Seems like he didn't say much about how that got sold for so little. I'd have loved to have been a fly on the wall when they figured that out.
Fly on the wall, indeed. My lens did get held up by one day – I ordered it last Wednesday night with overnight shipping and called twice the next day making sure it would ship out, but it didn't ship until Friday. It could have been UPS (RIP) screwed up, but part of me wonders if something else was going on behind the scenes on Thursday. Either way, I'm glad I have it now
p.7 #5 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
highdesertmesa wrote:
Fly on the wall, indeed. My lens did get held up by one day – I ordered it last Wednesday night with overnight shipping and called twice the next day making sure it would ship out, but it didn't ship until Friday. It could have been UPS (RIP) screwed up, but part of me wonders if something else was going on behind the scenes on Thursday. Either way, I'm glad I have it now
I think if “something else” was going on at BH, you would not have the lens right now
p.7 #9 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
highdesertmesa wrote:
Is Henry P their manager?
I'm director of corporate communications and function as our online reputation manager and customer ombudsman. I frequent numerous forums, Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms and contribute when I can based on 20+ years as a full-time professional photographer and a manager here for another 20+ years. That gives me access and insights which I hope others find useful. I am a manager, not the manager.
T-O Shooter wrote:
I see Henry P has made an appearance. Henry cruises the forums "cleaning up" any problems that someone might have with a B & H purchase. Such as perceived "open box" being sold as new.
It's so quaint how you think you know what I do around here and even more adorable how willing you are to reduce all I've ever done here to a simplistic cliche. My respect for you and your opinion is un-measurable.
Seems like he didn't say much about how that got sold for so little. I'd have loved to have been a fly on the wall when they figured that out.
I said what I have to say. I'm glad the OP is pleased with his purchase.
I know your copy is pristine, but I was surprised to see this offering mentioned on your post at PetPixel. You call it a scam. I've no idea, but am certainly curious... though not curious enough to attempt to buy it. Inquiring minds...
Feb 15, 2018 at 02:31 PM
T-O Shooter Offline • • [X]
p.7 #12 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
henryp wrote:
I'm director of corporate communications and function as our online reputation manager and customer ombudsman. I frequent numerous forums, Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms and contribute when I can based on 20+ years as a full-time professional photographer and a manager here for another 20+ years. That gives me access and insights which I hope others find useful. I am a manager, not the manager.
It's so quaint how you think you know what I do around here and even more adorable how willing you are to reduce all I've ever done here to a simplistic cliche. My respect for you and your opinion is un-measurable.
I said what I have to say. I'm glad the OP is pleased with his purchase.
You may do all of this "I'm director of corporate communications and function as our online reputation manager and customer ombudsman. I frequent numerous forums, ......" but the only thing I've ever seen you do on the forums is "clean up" some of B & H's messes.
For me to bow down to B & H and yourself, give you a "like" every time you make a post, you'll have to do more than have good prices and a return policy that's great for someone who wants to "borrow" your merchandise on a 30 day return period, but ends up on the downside in returns possibly being sold as new, unless I'm not to believe every fellow that makes such claims.
And if my opinion for you was based on how many times you jump in and actually give advice instead of being the "clean up person" it would be no opinion. I have yet to see you participate in the forums as a member instead of just dealing with B & H issues.
And I see you're a little touchy over me wondering if someone got fired over selling a $50,000.00 lens for $6000 or $8000. :} What's up with that.
p.7 #13 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
T-O Shooter wrote:
You may do all of this "I'm director of corporate communications and function as our online reputation manager and customer ombudsman. I frequent numerous forums, ......" but the only thing I've ever seen you do on the forums is "clean up" some of B & H's messes.
EDITED -- I just don't care what you think. I don't need to defend myself to you and I certainly do not need to justify my being active here and a contributor since 2003.
p.7 #14 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
henryp wrote:
EDITED -- I just don't care what you think. I don't need to defend myself to you and I certainly do not need to justify my being active here and a contributor since 2003.
I didn't think I'd need to reply again, but I guess the little bit of a nasty reply you now have edited above falls under "clean up" as well. Whatever I am, I have the guts to stand by what I say and not "clean" it up afterwards.
I know your copy is pristine, but I was surprised to see this offering mentioned on your post at PetPixel. You call it a scam. I've no idea, but am certainly curious... though not curious enough to attempt to buy it. Inquiring minds...
I saw two different listings using the exact same photo and being sold by two different companies, one of which was a home improvement store. Amazon cannot keep up with all these scammers.
p.7 #16 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
henryp wrote:
I'm director of corporate communications and function as our online reputation manager and customer ombudsman. I frequent numerous forums, Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms and contribute when I can based on 20+ years as a full-time professional photographer and a manager here for another 20+ years. That gives me access and insights which I hope others find useful. I am a manager, not the manager.
It's so quaint how you think you know what I do around here and even more adorable how willing you are to reduce all I've ever done here to a simplistic cliche. My respect for you and your opinion is un-measurable.
I said what I have to say. I'm glad the OP is pleased with his purchase.
Henry, I would love to know if this lens was a recent refurbish by Nikon that had just arrived, or if it had been refurbished a while back and arrived at B&H through another channel. With such a unique lens, it would be interesting to know a little more if you’re able to find out and willing to share.
p.7 #17 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
T-O Shooter wrote:
I didn't think I'd need to reply again, but I guess the little bit of a nasty reply you now have edited above falls under "clean up" as well. Whatever I am, I have the guts to stand by what I say and not "clean" it up afterwards.
Give it a rest. Your vile and following him around is pathetic. Save it for DPR.
p.7 #20 · Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S "Holy Grail". Did I get a good deal?
Max Power wrote:
Give it a rest. Your vile and following him around is pathetic. Save it for DPR.
Couldn't agree more. With 73 posts on FM he is hardly a person who deserves attention. I guess being obnoxious is one way of getting some. Actually, Henry has been a good friend on this forum. Yes, he is protecting B&H's reputation but he is also solving problems for members who are experiencing difficulty. Personally, B&H has gotten my business because they are so good at what they do.
Though it's fairly easy to see where Sigma got the inspiration to place the focus ring on the widest part of the barrel - their 12-24, 14-24 and 14/1.8 Arts are clearly the spiritual descendants of this lens. 
And they too are ugly as heck.