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.
Nikkor 5cm F1.4 lenses- when did the optical formula change?
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 nikon61352 |
Nikkor 5cm F1.4 lenses- when did the optical formula change? |
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Posts: 128 02/16/08 11:45:31 |
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NIKON KIU |
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Posts: 256 02/16/08 13:53:13 |
Brian,
would enlarging the front element be considered a formula change? Kiu |
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nikon61352 |
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Posts: 128 02/16/08 16:29:17 |
Yes, it is regarded as a formula change.It is more exact to say that the "Prescription" of the lens changed. It is not just the front element, but
all of them as far as I could tell. The entire lens was scaled up, and the "optimization" changed. I believe that the 5005 lens has smoother
out-of-focus areas than the later lenses.
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NIKON KIU |
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Posts: 256 02/16/08 16:43:53 |
So, you're saying it's not just the front element or the front group? all the lens elements??
Kiu |
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nikon61352 |
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Posts: 128 02/17/08 21:53:00 |
All of the fixtures look like they increased diameter. I took apart the 5005 Nikkor and a later 35x at the same time. I had to repair both lenses. It looks
like they just "magnified" the lens slightly on all proportions. I did not use a caliper, but did try screwing the fixtures together. The later
lens' fixtures were all too big for the 5005 lens.
Anyone else have any experience with this? |
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NIKON KIU |
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Posts: 256 02/18/08 02:19:11 |
This is a very intersesting topic.
Why? The so called 5005xxxx series lens Brian is mentioning was the first batch of 50mm f1.4 lenses Nippon Kogaku produced. It 's serial number reveals it's design date, May of 1950 It was introduced officialy in October 1950 Brian mentioned this lens before in this topic: http://nikonhistoricalsociety.yuku.com/topic/622 What's interesting is that Bob Rotoloni claims the batch's last recorded number is 50052116, Brian's lens is 50052045 which is within the last 100, it came with the Nikon M Synch number M6093515 which is one of the last MS's equipped with the first batch of 1.4s Here's a quote from Bob's latest book regarding this lens: ...some slip on items(shades and caps) do not fit all examples( the 5005xxxx series and the 316xxx series that followed) because of a slight difference in the thickness of the the filter ring metal. the earlier lenses use a thinner guage metal and even though the filter thread is still 43mm, the outer diameter does vary...The serial numbers WERE changed to 316xxx by late 1951, according to Bob....I wonder why?? At that time, Nippon Kogaku was accused by Zeiss their lens was not a 1.4 but actually a 1.5!! Kiu |
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nikon61352 |
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Posts: 128 02/19/08 19:03:57 |
On a humorous note, the 1st Version "F1.4" Summilux WAS an F1.5. Same formula as a Summarit, same F-Stop as a Summarit,...
The elements in the Nikkor F1.4 are larger than the F1.5 Sonnar. Maybe I'll put them on the M-Adapter and onto the R2. The TTL meter can probably pick up the difference... |
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