Angenieux Type Y1 · 90mm f/2.5

{"overview":"The Angenieux 90mm f\/2.5 Type Y1 is a short telephoto prime from the French maker Pierre Angénieux, produced during the post-war rangefinder and early SLR era. Built around a fast f\/2.5 aperture, it was aimed at portrait and available-light work and is encountered in a range of mounts consistent with the period.","market_narrative":"At UK auction, hammer prices for the Angenieux 90mm f\/2.5 Type Y1 have ranged from around £500 to £1,300 across the four recorded sales, with a median close to £675. The most recent result in June 2025 saw a clean example sell for £1,300, roughly double the levels seen in 2010–2011, and as of today the lens is worth noticeably more than a decade ago — though with only four data points the true market value can swing with condition and cosmetics.","buying_guide":"Inspect the glass carefully for fungus, haze and cleaning marks on the coating, as ageing French optics of this era are prone to internal bloom. Check that the aperture blades are dry and snappy with no oil migration, and that the focus helicoid turns smoothly without stiffness or grease that has turned to varnish. Confirm the mount is correct and undamaged, since the Type Y1 was supplied in several fittings and mis-described examples are common.","specs":"Key specifications on file are limited to the 90mm focal length and f\/2.5 maximum aperture of the Type Y1 designation; no further manufacturer data is provided in the source record.","faq":[{"q":"How much does an Angenieux 90mm f\/2.5 Type Y1 sell for at UK auction?","a":"Recorded hammer prices span £500 to £1,300, with the latest 2025 sale at £1,300 and earlier 2010–2011 results between £500 and £700."},{"q":"What is an Angenieux 90mm f\/2.5 Type Y1 worth today?","a":"Based on the four tracked auction sales, a clean copy is currently worth around £1,300 at saleroom level, while tired or mount-compromised examples have historically traded nearer £500–£700."},{"q":"Why does the price vary so much between examples?","a":"Condition of the coatings, cleanliness of the aperture and smoothness of the focus all weigh heavily on value, and the mount variant can also shift what buyers will pay."},{"q":"Is the Angenieux 90mm f\/2.5 Type Y1 a collectible lens?","a":"Yes — Angénieux primes of this period have a following among French-optics collectors, and the rising 2025 result suggests demand for clean Type Y1 copies is firm."}],"confidence":35,"reasoning":"SPECS and variants are empty and only four unverified sales records are available, so pricing commentary is directional and technical detail is deliberately limited."}