NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: Michio Akiyama on October 05, 2018, 13:33:15

Title: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Michio Akiyama on October 05, 2018, 13:33:15: Hello Nikon friends,

Nikon Museum is holding a special exhibition entitled "Prototype Lenses - Fascinating Images Captured by the Nikon Z 7 Mirrorless Camera" from October 2 to December 27, 2018.
I would like to show you a special report for you who can not visit the Nikon museum in Tokyo Japan.

http://redbook-jp.com/kenkyukai-e/2018/201810.html

Michio Akiyama/NIPPON

(http://redbook-jp.com/db/2018/10/15mmf4.jpg)

Nikkor-D 15mm F4, 1970 Nikon Museum Tokyo
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Erik Lund on October 05, 2018, 14:25:41: OK, that is nice with such a historical report captured with the new Z7 ;D 8)

Thank you!
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Nikkor Shooter on October 05, 2018, 16:30:32: Coooool… thanks for the link! :P
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Michio Akiyama on October 07, 2018, 08:06:31: (http://redbook-jp.com/db/2018/10/op10f28.jpg)

I love it!
AI-OP Fisheye-Nikkor 10mm F2.8S No. 100221, 1981
Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Akira on October 07, 2018, 08:30:59: Akiyama-san, thank you for the extensive report!
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Michio Akiyama on October 07, 2018, 10:53:05: (http://redbook-jp.com/db/2018/10/soft105.jpg)

Thank you Akira-san.
Is it yours?
Nikkor-S Suto 105mm F2.8, 1967
A soft focus lens.
Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Akira on October 07, 2018, 12:59:39: Quote from: Michio Akiyama on October 07, 2018, 10:53:05
Thank you Akira-san.
Is it yours?
Nikkor-S Suto 105mm F2.8, 1967
A soft focus lens.
Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition

Unfortunately, no. I wish I would own it!
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 07, 2018, 17:53:02: Thank you for the nice report.
Some lovely lenses at display :)
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: John Geerts on October 08, 2018, 13:19:35: Very interesting !!

Thanks for the review and photographs !
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Michio Akiyama on October 09, 2018, 03:52:22: (http://redbook-jp.com/db/2018/10/yellowcap.jpg)

I want this yellow rear lens cap.
Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Michio Akiyama on October 12, 2018, 11:47:40: (http://redbook-jp.com/db/2018/10/gn.jpg)

Blue Cap and GN Auto Nikkor 35mm F2 No. 281003, 1967
Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Roland Vink on October 21, 2018, 20:33:39: Interesting!
The soft focus 105/2.8 shown at the exhibit has serial number 281053, which is one higher than one offered on Yahoo Auctions recently, see http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/F105mm/105_28_Soft.html. Maybe Nikon produced lenses with different aspherical lenses to evaluate the effects?
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Roland Vink on October 21, 2018, 21:14:29: The prototype GN lens is obviously based on the regular Nikkor-O 35/2 lens. Here is a picture of an earlier prototype, also based on the 35/2, the concept is the same the details of the lens look quite different. Strangely the serial number is completely unrelated.
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Jack Dahlgren on October 21, 2018, 21:19:33: Quote from: Roland Vink on October 21, 2018, 20:33:39
Interesting!
The soft focus 105/2.8 shown at the exhibit has serial number 281053, which is one higher than one offered on Yahoo Auctions recently, see http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/F105mm/105_28_Soft.html. Maybe Nikon produced lenses with different aspherical lenses to evaluate the effects?

Based on the SN on the lens above (35mm f/3.5 with serial number 281003) it seems that the speculation about serial number being derived from f stop and focal length on the photosynthesis page is unfounded and is only coincidental. That said, the 105 as the show could be similar or different to the one at yahoo auctions.
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Roland Vink on October 21, 2018, 21:31:14: There are too many lenses with serial numbers seemingly based on lens parameters - max aperture, focal length, angle of view - for it to be a coincidence. For example:
6mm/2.8 fisheye, no 628001 - from focal length and aperture
8mm/8 fisheye, no 88011 - from focal length and aperture
7.5mm/5.6 fisheye, no 750011 - from focal length
Nikkor-N 24/2.8, no 242801 - from focal length and aperture
Nikkor-N 28/2, no 280001 - from focal length

In the 1970s many lenses had serial numbers in 1YYMM1 format or similar, where YY=year and MM=month. But there are also plenty of other lenses with serial numbers which don't seem to be based on anything. Who knows, it might be the birthday of the designer, or some other number, or just random??
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: bobfriedman on October 22, 2018, 01:37:01: excellent point Roland..

i do love these prototypes, wish i could visit..
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Akira on October 22, 2018, 02:41:44: Quote from: Roland Vink on October 21, 2018, 20:33:39
Interesting!
The soft focus 105/2.8 shown at the exhibit has serial number 281053, which is one higher than one offered on Yahoo Auctions recently, see http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/F105mm/105_28_Soft.html. Maybe Nikon produced lenses with different aspherical lenses to evaluate the effects?

Beware of the Yahoo Auctions which is a playground of more than one Nikon fraud groups.

Collecting product images should be the best way to utilize the site. :)
Title: Re: Nikon Prototype Lenses Exhibition
Post by: Dr Klaus Schmitt on October 24, 2018, 21:49:17: Quote from: Akira on October 22, 2018, 02:41:44
Beware of the Yahoo Auctions which is a playground of more than one Nikon fraud groups.

Collecting product images should be the best way to utilize the site. :)

Hmm, I am buying there from time to time, and never had an issue...
What were your (negative) experiences based upon...??