100mm f2.8 Repro-Nikkor on eBay

[Bill De Jager]

If you have a few coins to spare you could bid on this. Starting bid is US $4,999.95.  Design range is 2.5x to 1x with the optimum at 1.5:1, resolving at 160 line pairs per mm.  Scroll down listing for spec sheet (attn. Roland).  Supposedly once used by Donald E. Trumbull who worked on special effects for some well-known movies.  The original list price in the 1970s was US $1150.

[ray_parkhurst]

That lens was for sale on eBay for several weeks with a $900 price tag. I put in an offer for $700 but the seller didn't want to go that low. Eventually someone bought it, and started it at 10x the price (now only 5x) !. It's certainly rare, but its damage was a big turnoff for me so I didn't want to pay much for it. Would be interesting to see how the 100mm performs, but I was not willing to fork over $900 for it, let alone $5k. If only it had a bigger aperture...

[Bill De Jager]

Wow... didn't know that story.  They're presenting it as being in pretty good shape.

[Michael Erlewine]

I wonder how it compares to the 85mm Repro-Nikkor which I have? Any thoughts?

[Birna Rørslett]

These are specialised tools, optimised differently. The Repro 85mm f/1 is designed for 1:1.

[ray_parkhurst]

I wonder how it compares to the 85mm Repro-Nikkor which I have? Any thoughts?

These are specialised tools, optimised differently. The Repro 85mm f/1 is designed for 1:1.

Yes, specialized tools for narrow mag ranges and applications. I've read that the 85RN was designed as a relay lens, and I've seen some test results where it was used that way to improve the working distance of a higher magnification system. The 100RN seems have been designed for animation, which is sort of a blend between taking and printing. It may be an early version of the 105PN.

Wow... didn't know that story.  They're presenting it as being in pretty good shape.

It looks like they've attempted to repair the damage, but there is still evidence in the trim ring threads. Trim ring damage doesn't guarantee optical problems, but knowing how this looked before the repair was done still gives me pause.

[Toby]

Just for fun, here are a couple of shots with a 85mm f1.0 Repro-Nikkor. Amazing sharpness wide open. I wish the flange distance was a bit longer--this is on a Sony A7RII flush with the focusing mount

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

nice, razor-blade-DOF!!

[dickb]

Interesting indeed. Do you know how many mm thick your focussing adapter is in this setup? Perhaps there is a way to shave a few mm off of it to allow further focus.

[Michael Erlewine]

The threads are not a problem. I bought the lens and it works well.  Easy to fit the D850 or Z7.

Here are a couple of images with that lens.

[Toby]

Interesting indeed. Do you know how many mm thick your focussing adapter is in this setup? Perhaps there is a way to shave a few mm off of it to allow further focus.

My adapter ring is a couple of mm thick, because I have a 48mm to 52mm adapter ring with a 52mm to Sony E reversing ring, It is worth noting that the Nikon Z7 as a shorter flange distance than the Sony by 1mm or so. I'm not willing to start cutting the lens barrel down to get closer. What I could do and may do is to take a M42 to Sony E adapter ring, which is less than 1mm thick and glue it (firmly!) to one of the external threaded rings that came with the Repro Nikkor, in order to reduce the distance by the amount of the 48-52mm adapter.

[Dr Klaus Schmitt]

Beautiful results Michael!

[dickb]

My adapter ring is a couple of mm thick, because I have a 48mm to 52mm adapter ring with a 52mm to Sony E reversing ring, It is worth noting that the Nikon Z7 as a shorter flange distance than the Sony by 1mm or so. I'm not willing to start cutting the lens barrel down to get closer. What I could do and may do is to take a M42 to Sony E adapter ring, which is less than 1mm thick and glue it (firmly!) to one of the external threaded rings that came with the Repro Nikkor, in order to reduce the distance by the amount of the 48-52mm adapter.

Do I understand you correctly that you mounted the lens directly onto the rear female 48mm thread, with the 48mm-52mm step up ring and then the 52mm Sony E reverse ring? That doesn't allow any focussing. The thickness of that adapter set is hard to reduce, as it is already quite minimal. One way I like to setup similar lenses is by mounting them into a larger helicoid, say a 58mm helicoid coupled with a 58mm Sony E reverse ring. The technical drawing of the Repro 85 shows a 55mm rear diameter, so it may be possible to use a 58mm helicoid. This way you get a minimal minimum extension and a useful variable longer extension. One potential problem is that this wide helicoid leaves very little room for your fingers to get to the E-mount release button on your Sony. Especially when tripod mounted.

[Michael Erlewine]

I mount the camera/lens on a focus rail. Less jarring the camera for focus stacking.

[dickb]

Very nice images Michael. These are short stacks taken with the 100/2.8, right? The threads discussion concerned the Repro Nikkor 85/1.0.