Nikkor 5cm F1.4 lenses- when did the optical formula change? I discovered that my 5005 series 5cm F1.4 lens has smaller diameter optics than the later 34x
lens. Found this out when the front optic passed through the fixture of the 34x lens. I was trying to replace the filter ring of the 5005 lens. I did a
comparison of the front modules, found the threads were different. Yesterday, I measured the outer diameter of the filter ring, and got 44.5mm. The outer
diameter of the 34x filter ring is 45.5mm. My LTM lens, a 326xxx lens is also 44.5mm. It is marked "Japan", not Tokyo. It turns out to be the same as
the 5005 lens. SO: here is my Speculation- Nikon increased the diameter of the optics to reduce vignetting when the decision was made to move to the 24x36
format and drop the 24x34 format of the Nikon S. This move was for the Nikon S2. Remember that the S2 was scheduled for release, but was delayed when the
finder was redesigned to "one-up" the Leica M3. So the improved lens was out before the S2. Nikon viewed its lenses in LTM for the Nicca as a
"lower priced camera", "Not invented here", and deemed it not worthy of reformulating the optics. That, and color film was gaining
popularity... How's that for speculation. ANYONE? Calipers and lenses? Next thread will be on color of lens coatings- which seemed to go back and forth
between blue and purple.
