Ultra-Fast Glass for Nikon F-Mount

[Michael Erlewine]

There are two versions:
- the first marked "Nippon Kogaku Japan", serial no 72xxxx
- second marked "Nikon" and "M=1/5", serial no 82xxxx

 So even if the coatings are different, I wouldn't have much hope they are dramatically improved - it would need to be multi-coated or nano-coated for that.

So, do I get this right? The second version, has a different color coating, but it should be not much different (as for coatings) from the first. Somewhere i read that the second coat increased the contrast, which is a little weak in the first version.

Any thoughts on that?

[Roland Vink]

I don't have either lens, have never handled them, but the coatings - purple and amber - look typical of the single coated lenses from the 1960s and early 1970s. Given they are not designed for white light and are almost certainly single coated (8 elements in 6 groups - 12 glass/air surfaces) it is not surprising contrast is on the low side. I expect the same is true for either version since only multi-coating or nano-coating will make a significant difference here.

The fact the coating changed from purple to amber does suggest Nikon tried to improve performance, but that may only be for the designed spectrum, it may actually be worse in white light.  But as I said, I have never used either so can't be completely certain - you'd have to try to be sure - but Karlmera comments above suggests there is no practical difference.

[Bill De Jager]

Redbook claims a design range from 400-650nm. Not sure I believe that.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Neither do I. In the description, Nikon refers to transmission of specific phosphor(s). Some confusion as to what these phosphors actually were obviously exists. I have seen references to P1 (green, oscilloscopes), P11 (blue, oscilloscopes), P2 (blue-green, oscilloscopes and radar displays), and finally P20 (yellow, no specific usage indicated). Whatever phosphor(s) the lens is optimised for is not terribly important though, suffice it to learn that it is conceived as a narrow-band design.

The amount of chromatic aberrations one see once the lens is used for ordinary "white" light indicates the same. It is not designated for white light. Period.

[Michael Erlewine]

Neither do I. In the description, Nikon refers to transmission of specific phosphor(s). Some confusion as to what these phosphors actually were obviously exists. I have seen references to P1 (green, oscilloscopes), P11 (blue, oscilloscopes), P2 (blue-green, oscilloscopes and radar displays), and finally P20 (yellow, no specific usage indicated). Whatever phosphor(s) the lens is optimised for is not terribly important though, suffice it to learn that it is conceived as a narrow-band design.

The amount of chromatic aberrations one see once the lens is used for ordinary "white" light indicates the same. It is not designated for white light. Period.

Nevertheless, I like what the Nikkor "O" does, color and all. It has (obviously) a style all its own.

[KarlMera]

Nevertheless, I like what the Nikkor "O" does, color and all. It has (obviously) a style all its own.

You would also like the Wollensak Oscillo Raptar 1,4 88mm for 1:1, but its usable on Nikon until 1:2, mirrorless would be better.

[Michael Erlewine]

You would also like the Wollensak Oscillo Raptar 1,4 88mm for 1:1, but its usable on Nikon until 1:2, mirrorless would be better.

Are they often available? And how would I adapt it to Nikon F-mount? Thanks for the idea.

[KarlMera]

Are they often available? And how would I adapt it to Nikon F-mount? Thanks for the idea.

Sometimes in eBay. Reversed metal sunshade and k2-ring. But your o-nikkor is better.

[Michio Akiyama]

Hello Nikon friends,

The fastest lens in the F mount Nikkor lens is CRT Nikkor 58mm F1.0.
Yes, it is F mount.
This lens appeared in the Nikon Kenkyukai Tokyo meeting.

Michio Akiyama/NIPPON  A member of NikonGear and Nikon Kenkyukai Tokyo



CRT Nikkor 58mm F1.0

[Michael Erlewine]

Hello Nikon friends,

The fastest lens in the F mount Nikkor lens is CRT Nikkor 58mm F1.0.
Yes, it is F mount.
This lens appeared in the Nikon Kenkyukai Tokyo meeting.

Michio Akiyama/NIPPON  A member of NikonGear and Nikon Kenkyukai Tokyo

CRT Nikkor 58mm F1.0

Since the speed of a lens, I am told, is calculated at infinity and I shoot close-up, that speed is not F1.0 for my work. Also the Repro Nikkor is stated as having F1.0, as well. Either way, these lenses are fast enough.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

The effective 'speed' of the Repro 85/1 is f/2 at 1:1.

The f-number is defined for infinity focus,  by the way.

[Michael Erlewine]

The effective 'speed' of the Repro 85/1 is f/2 at 1:1.

The f-number is defined for infinity focus,  by the way.

I think I just said that in my post. LOL.

[KarlMera]

Is that not a rule for all lenses?

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Of course, but something easily overlooked when talking about "ultra-fast" lenses. In particular, when lenses designated for a short register distance is put on a DSLR, the drop in effective aperture is very significant. The  asymmetric optics of most fast lenses makes the decline in "speed" even more dramatic. For example, the famous f/0.75 Heligons are just f/2.2 on an F-mount camera.

The CRT Nikkor is f/1.4 effective at 1:5 which is pretty good.

[JKoerner007]

Hello Nikon friends,

The fastest lens in the F mount Nikkor lens is CRT Nikkor 58mm F1.0.
Yes, it is F mount.
This lens appeared in the Nikon Kenkyukai Tokyo meeting.

Michio Akiyama/NIPPON  A member of NikonGear and Nikon Kenkyukai Tokyo



CRT Nikkor 58mm F1.0

How would you say this lens compares to the Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S qualitatively?

I found the AI-S to be basically useless to f/4 .. and to have high CA there, but razor-sharp.

Don't see the point of f/1-1.2, unless they're sharp wide-open.

Am kind of kicking myself for letting this one get away (Pre-AI 55mm f/1.2):