Author Topic: The Nikon Z7 with Extensions (Nikkor CRT)  (Read 2283 times)

Michael Erlewine

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The Nikon Z7 with Extensions (Nikkor CRT)
« on: December 20, 2018, 22:19:46 »
A dream of mine for many years has been to give the Nikon “O” CRT lens just a little more focusing-range room. On the Nikon D850, on a focus rail, it is very limited, but wonderful for what it can do.

No doubt this is one of my favorite lenses, thanks to being introduced to it by our own Akira right here on NikonGear.

I have been angling for extension rings and other mounts for the Z7 and thanks to the extensive knowledge of Erik Lund who turned me on to the Novoflex Adapter Set for Visoflex II/III to Leica M mount plus the Kipon M39-to-Z7 mounts for the Z7, I had everything I needed to find out if my dream can come true.

And absolutely, it can and did.

It not only gives me more focus-room, but since the Novoflex has various extensions, I can get close (but farther back than with the F-Mount or with two extension rings back far enough to take in an entire flower. This is perfect, and while I am just checking it out, here are a couple initial photos showing the new results of the new extensions.

The Kipon works perfectly and the Novoflex flawlessly, with the results that this opens the door to a much wider range of photography for the Nikon “O CRT.”

I am using a single extension ring (farther back) and two extension rings (closer).

This speaks volumes to me about the future of this new mount on the Nikon Z cameras. The problem for me with the Nikon “O” CRT lens is it was too limited in focus range. No more, and there are many other classic lenses that will benefit from the same treatment.
MichaelErlewine.smugmug.com, Daily Blog at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelErlewine. main site: SpiritGrooves.net, https://www.youtube.com/user/merlewine, Founder: MacroStop.com, All-Music Guide, All-Movie Guide, Classic Posters.com, Matrix Software, DharmaGrooves.com

Frank Fremerey

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Re: The Nikon Z7 with Extensions (Nikkor CRT)
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2018, 00:21:37 »
we continue to see the color fidelity of the D850 in the Z7 or is it even better? Phantastic results, thank you!
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Dr Klaus Schmitt

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Re: The Nikon Z7 with Extensions (Nikkor CRT)
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2018, 09:35:43 »
Very nice Michael! Seems to work well, as expected.

I finally got a first Nikon-Z to M65 adapter prototype...
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Akira

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Re: The Nikon Z7 with Extensions (Nikkor CRT)
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2018, 15:06:36 »
Michael, thank you for the exquisite images and kind comment.

Were it not for Birna's classic website, REDBOOK Nikkor website and Vivek Iyer's generous offer, I wouldn't have been able to put my hands on this optical gem.  Since then, I have always enjoy marvellous images shot by the folks here and there using the Nikkor-O.
"The eye is blind if the mind is absent." - Confucius

"Limitation is inspiration." - Akira

Michael Erlewine

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Re: The Nikon Z7 with Extensions (Nikkor CRT)
« Reply #4 on: December 21, 2018, 16:32:59 »
Michael, thank you for the exquisite images and kind comment.

Were it not for Birna's classic website, REDBOOK Nikkor website and Vivek Iyer's generous offer, I wouldn't have been able to put my hands on this optical gem.  Since then, I have always enjoy marvellous images shot by the folks here and there using the Nikkor-O.

I agree. I first learned of the Nikkor "O" CRT lens from Birna, but did not realize its beauty until I saw your photo of, I believe, a Japanese mum. I am still working with it and found a way today to get the lens and the Z7 even closer, so more wide range. I will post some photos perhaps later, but the CRT Nikkor needs lots of layers for my work. Takes a long to to shoot, load, process, etc.
MichaelErlewine.smugmug.com, Daily Blog at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelErlewine. main site: SpiritGrooves.net, https://www.youtube.com/user/merlewine, Founder: MacroStop.com, All-Music Guide, All-Movie Guide, Classic Posters.com, Matrix Software, DharmaGrooves.com

Michael Erlewine

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Re: The Nikon Z7 with Extensions (Nikkor CRT)
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2018, 14:57:14 »
Pushing the envelope with the Nikkor "O" CRT lens on the Nikon Z& using Leica/M39 extension tubes offers some pretty nice options.
MichaelErlewine.smugmug.com, Daily Blog at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelErlewine. main site: SpiritGrooves.net, https://www.youtube.com/user/merlewine, Founder: MacroStop.com, All-Music Guide, All-Movie Guide, Classic Posters.com, Matrix Software, DharmaGrooves.com

Birna Rørslett

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Re: The Nikon Z7 with Extensions (Nikkor CRT)
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2018, 15:24:22 »
Just completed my general M42>Z adapter with the 55/1.2 Nikkor-O in mind. The lens can be set to any required shooting distance.

See http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,8075.msg133809.html#msg133809

Michael Erlewine

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Re: The Nikon Z7 with Extensions (Nikkor CRT)
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2018, 15:39:05 »
Just completed my general M42>Z adapter with the 55/1.2 Nikkor-O in mind. The lens can be set to any required shooting distance.

See http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,8075.msg133809.html#msg133809

That's nice, of course. I don't have any very small helicoids, but I will look. Here is a question for you:

I believe the ideal magnification ratio is !:5 for the CRT lens. It seems this wonderful lens is not-so-sharp outside of that range, almost disappointing to see this lens turn ordinary. I also have a Z7 M42 adapter, which I have not played with. What lenses would you suggest for that?

P.S. I finally picked up a used Burzynski Ball head. It is in slightly rough shape, but can be cleaned up. I am tiring of my Arca C1 Cube heads, mainly because of the knob to tilt the whole head , which has never been solid (it's springy), this geared head's worst feature, IMO. I am hoping the Burzynski will be lower down and more stable. I may put it on one of my Sachtlers or RSS tripods. For the kind of stuff I do, I need solid, stable, and more solid.
MichaelErlewine.smugmug.com, Daily Blog at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelErlewine. main site: SpiritGrooves.net, https://www.youtube.com/user/merlewine, Founder: MacroStop.com, All-Music Guide, All-Movie Guide, Classic Posters.com, Matrix Software, DharmaGrooves.com