Identifying Nippon Kogaku Japan 8.5cm

[jchabalk]

Hi there, i recently acquired this lens and have been trying to understand some more about its age and where it lies within the Kogaku 8.5cm lens series.

I've been reading around on this site but my lens doesn't fall into any of the serial number ranges or descriptions that i can find.

• 
  The serial number is "No.398762:"
  Aperture range f2.0 -> f32 (w/ detents)
  M39 screwmount
  Both screw on hood and lens body (near hood attachment point) have "JAPAN" engraved on them
  Silver body (rather than black)
  I have the leather case, M39 screw mount end cap and elastic plastic baggy for the front)
  Leather case has "Nippon Kogaku Tokyo" stamped in the center (each word on its own line)

Here's a picture of the lens info, happy to take more pictures if it'll help. I just want to try to understand some more of its... provenance.

 

[View Range]

This is a typical 8.5cm f2.0 Nikkor RF lens. Bob Rotoloni covers the lens in detail in his book starting on page 300. Some highlights - nearly 8000 lenses of this type were made in the Leica mount. Chrome and black versions were available.

 

[mfunnell]

I have one that's very similar, pretty much the same markings but SN 401863. Mine is a chrome-on-brass lens (I'm told black ones exist as well). Mine has a few flaws in the coating on the front element but is otherwise in great condition. I use it with a deep hood (48-49mm step-up plus B&W hood) so that gives me few enough problems in use.

My experience is that this lens is more than a bit soft and flare-y (though it's not really flare - dare I call it "glow") wide open. It sharpens up nicely at f2.8 and is quite sharp from f4 and narrower (I confess to not using it stopped down below f8 for the most part and then only to f11. f16, f22 and f32 are narrower than anything I can recall using, but are available). I find this lens is best when stopped down to somewhere between f5.6 and f8 but feel that f2.8 to f4 are entirely useable. f2 would be for specialty use, in a specialty I've never found.

The lens has a very long focus throw (many, many rotations - or so it sometimes seems) which can slow you down in one sense but does allow for accuracy (at close to the limit of accurate RF focus) but sometimes is a pain for fast-moving work. Nonetheless, I really do love this lens.

...Mike

 

[enasniearth]

85

85

Nikon made quite a few of the 85 f2 - it was very popular and still a desirable lens .

The colon , double dot , following the serial number indicates it is a duplicate serial number which makes it a bit more interesting .

 

[jonmanjiro]

The final series of LTM lenses fall within the s/n range No.396301 to No.404612, so your lens falls right in that range.

The lens glass looks a bit opaque in the photo. Is there haze in there?

 

[jchabalk]

thanks for all the info, this is great.

Is it right that the last run of these then was from between ~1953 - ~1956?

I think the fact that the elements look opaque is probably because i have the end cap on. The glass is in really great shape, i'll see if i can get some better pictures of it posted and a couple of examples shots from it if you're interested.

 

[mfunnell]

More info on this vintage of Nikkor 85mm lenses here:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/RF-Nikkor/RF85mm/

...Mike

 

[jchabalk]

Here are a few more pictures just for reference. I haven't really gone out shooting with it yet, i just got my M39 -> M mount flange today. I'll probably get out with it a little this weekend.

The glass is in great shape. There's a very minor mark visible on the front element (i don't think you can see it in the photographs and it won't affect image quality):

Front Element:

Rear Element:

Top side of lens:

Bottom side of lens:

Here's a quick picture, this was shot at F2. I've got a neutral density coming but it won't arrive until early next week. I'll take it out and try to put it through its paces this weekend and see how it goes