If it's any help, the characters next to the scale are 距離（米）. The first two taken together are pronounced "kyori" and mean distance in Japanese, and the 3rd character in parenthesis is pronounced (usually) as "bei", but in this case is used as an abbreviation for meters.
So, this tells me this was likely manufactured solely for domestic Japanese use.
thank you for your help. Nikon USA could not figure out what it meant so they actually forwarded images to Nikon Japan to translate. Looks like I can tell them what it says now
I paid hardly anything for it because the seller had no idea of the value of the lens. He just knew it wouldn't mount to a current camera so to him it was worthless. I recognized the value and got my hands on it as quick as i could. I was going to keep it because of its historical value but there is so much interest from so many museums and collectors that I think I will let it go soon. Nikon rumors is going to post about it next week and after that I will decide where it will go live
Might want to see if you can get a copy of that issue.
Adam Mullins wrote:
I paid hardly anything for it because the seller had no idea of the value of the lens. He just knew it wouldn't mount to a current camera so to him it was worthless. I recognized the value and got my hands on it as quick as i could. I was going to keep it because of its historical value but there is so much interest from so many museums and collectors that I think I will let it go soon. Nikon rumors is going to post about it next week and after that I will decide where it will go live ...Show more →
I saw post by Adam on Nikon Rumors about this lens, I'm also curious to know what's this lens, seems it was made for WWII use but I'm still searching the web for more information.
Well, I found out everything I need about the lens.
It is an infrared lens developed by the Japanese. There were only two ever made. The “Nikon Historical Society” published a magazine featuring my exact lens (with pictures) but with serial number Nr. 30002A. My lens is Nr. 30001A. They featured the article in 2012 saying that “this lens may be a sole survivor unless the additional lens still exists today” which it does, because I have it.
The lenses mounted to either an eye piece or an infrared camera.
The article compares the lens to a 300mm F/2 Nikkor lens made in the 80s that sold for $25,000.
Now we all know what it is and how valuable it is
For more images of this 2 of a kind lens, look here, http://adammullinsphoto.blogspot.com/
I am thinking about listing the lens on ebay this Friday. If anyone is interested, contact me here, [email protected]
Well, I found out everything I need about the lens.
It is an infrared lens developed by the Japanese. There were only two ever made. The “Nikon Historical Society” published a magazine featuring my exact lens (with pictures) but with serial number Nr. 30002A. My lens is Nr. 30001A. They featured the article in 2012 saying that “this lens may be a sole survivor unless the additional lens still exists today” which it does, because I have it.
The lenses mounted to either an eye piece or an infrared camera.
The article compares the lens to a 300mm F/2 Nikkor lens made in the 80s that sold for $25,000.
Now we all know what it is and how valuable it is
For more images of this 2 of a kind lens, look here, http://adammullinsphoto.blogspot.com/
I am thinking about listing the lens on ebay this Friday. If anyone is interested, contact me here, [email protected]
