Candidate for the new suffix for Nikkor nomenclature?

[Akira]

Nikon filed a new patent for a crystal sapphire element:

https://hi-lows-note.blog.ss-blog.jp/2020-01-31

The element offers high Abbe's number like that of an ED element and at the same time high refraction index.

An 84.25mm/f1.97 lens was filed along with the element as realization sample filed.  Unfortunately, Nikon seems to have abandoned the chain of suffixes relating to the glass elements.  Otherwise, the lens would have been called "Nikkor Z 85mm F2.0 CS".  (Of course, if it would use ED elements, the name should be longer...)

[Roland Vink]

Wow, sapphire crystals are slow, expensive and energy-intensive to produce, and being one of the hardest materials, would be difficult to shape and polish.

[Akira]

Wow, sapphire crystals are slow, expensive and energy-intensive to produce, and being one of the hardest materials, would be difficult to shape and polish.

Yes, indeed.  The only usage for the relatively common products I know of is the cover glass for the luxury watches (also for the rangefinder of Leica M series?).

I've heard that the big round window on ISS through which the astronauts shot the images on earth with Nikon rigs is also made of supphire crystal glass, and it costs about 20 million USD!

[MILLIREHM]

Interesting - thanks Akira for the link
I am wondering about the lens. 85 mm f/2 is not the type of lens ti see the most urgent need for improvement of correctin chromatic aberration

[Akira]

Interesting - thanks Akira for the link
I am wondering about the lens. 85 mm f/2 is not the type of lens ti see the most urgent need for improvement of correctin chromatic aberration

Nikon has just released the Z mount 85/1.8.  The optical designs accompanying the applied patent may be just for the references.

[John Geerts]

Perhaps a new Micro Nikkor ?

[Akira]

Perhaps a new Micro Nikkor ?

Hmm...I'm not sure.  85mm Micro would be a bit too unusual at least for the FX format.  And the travels for the focusing elements look too short for a micro, compared to AF-S 60/2.8?

[F2F3F6]

Leica seems also to use the sapphire "glass" for their rear screen (on their "improved models" Leica M-P or M10-P).
Wait and see if Nikon will use sapphire on future lenses, but if it is hard and solid, why not as a front element of long lenses or fisheyes and super-wideangles ?

Sure the price tag will be as unique as the lenses (remember in the 70's, the first Zeiss 250 Apo Sonnar, Leica 180 Apo Telyt, Nikon ED lenses or Canon Fluorit lenses...?)