Why is the older 5cm tick mark 9 blade worth more? Is it just rare or is there something special about it.
That lens can be found for $20-40 but the oldest tick mark one sells for hundreds. I don't understand it and I don't know what they mean by tick marks.
mysh wrote:
Why is the older 5cm tick mark 9 blade worth more? Is it just rare or is there something special about it.
That lens can be found for $20-40 but the oldest tick mark one sells for hundreds. I don't understand it and I don't know what they mean by tick marks.
Its a bit like the postage stamp where they inadvertently printed a few sheets with the airplane upside down. Rarity affects price. Tick mark lenses are rare and hence command a higher price... not because they produce better images. Here's an explanation if you want to do a bit of reading...
Venky wrote:
I need help. I have a copy of the 5cm f2 Nikkor-S with 9 aperture blades. I would like to know how to mount it on D810 without modifying. Any particular adapter required or is it unusable on modern DSLR. Thanks.
There is no solution aside from cutting the aperture ring. There is no conversion kit for a lens that old. Personally, I wouldn't cut the aperture ring simply because it ruins a lens aesthetically. Of course, the lens will mount without a problem on a Df or on any Nikon film camera, so it certainly has value. It also can be mounted on third party cameras with the correct adapter. Certainly the lens has some value, but alas, with the D810 you're not going to get there from here...
I'll mention in passing that Rafael has mounted older lenses on newer cameras when the mount is small enough that it bypasses the AI lever on the mount. I wouldn't want to try it myself because if might not work, but he may join the conversation with some relevant information.
Some of the earliest 9-bladed Nikkors (I have a tick mark 5cm f2 and 10.5cm f2.5 will not, while somehow some samples around that early serial number range don't have that issue) do not mount on the Df either. The rear lip on the mount is just too deep. And I am not getting their aperture rings cut or changed, so they usually spend their time on a plain prism Nikon F, or an F2SB.
Not sure if I tried those samples on the couple F4 copies I have. I suspect that pairing may not work either.
CGrindahl wrote:
Its a bit like the postage stamp where they inadvertently printed a few sheets with the airplane upside down. Rarity affects price. Tick mark lenses are rare and hence command a higher price... not because they produce better images. Here's an explanation if you want to do a bit of reading...
thanks it is interesting and also good for me to know to keep my eyes open for them. I am sure people sell them often without knowing they are special.
the solitaire wrote
The 55mm f1,2 does produce magic when used wide open. It's a bit like fairy dust. Apply liberally for maximum effect
I would add you want to look for the Nikkor-SC or later model. I have the Nikkor-S and am quite jealous when I see SC model posts here. The S is extremely soft at f/1.2, even when you luck out and guess the right focus distance. Without serious post processing even the in focus shots would not be much fun to show here. When it all works out, though, even the (usually least expensive) Nikkor-S 55/1.2 delivers pretty epic subject isolation.
my favorite Nikkor-S 55mm f/1.2 shot from a few years ago
CGrindahl wrote:
There is no solution aside from cutting the aperture ring. There is no conversion kit for a lens that old. Personally, I wouldn't cut the aperture ring simply because it ruins a lens aesthetically. Of course, the lens will mount without a problem on a Df or on any Nikon film camera, so it certainly has value. It also can be mounted on third party cameras with the correct adapter. Certainly the lens has some value, but alas, with the D810 you're not going to get there from here...
I'll mention in passing that Rafael has mounted older lenses on newer cameras when the mount is small enough that it bypasses the AI lever on the mount. I wouldn't want to try it myself because if might not work, but he may join the conversation with some relevant information.
There is another way. I purchased a 105mm f2.5 PC that had been Ai'd. This was early in my collecting so I didn't know much. What they did, as far as I can tell, was to take the tab off of a lens cap and glue it onto the aperture ring so that it would move the AI tab. Thus Ai'd. I'll try to get a photo of it. I did over pay for it as it was not a factory Ai kit. $165
RicHammond wrote:
There is another way. I purchased a 105mm f2.5 PC that had been Ai'd. This was early in my collecting so I didn't know much. What they did, as far as I can tell, was to take the tab off of a lens cap and glue it onto the aperture ring so that it would move the AI tab. Thus Ai'd. I'll try to get a photo of it. I did over pay for it as it was not a factory Ai kit. $165
The AI tab on the Df folds down to accommodate pre-AI lenses. The difference between the pre-AI and AI lenses is the AI lenses have a notch cut in the bottom of the aperture ring so the lens is mounted without damaging the AI tab. Here is a link that shows the different versions.
Honestly, I don't know how ADDING something to a pre-AI lens would enable it to be mounted on a modern DSLR because the bottom of the aperture ring would still damage the AI tab... unless the diameter of the pre-AI lens is small enough that it can mount INSIDE the AI tab. If that is the case you could add a tab, but it would be as easy to change the aperture on the lens and then do the same thing on the camera as is done on the Df. You would want to select the lens in the non-CPU register to give guidance to the camera about what has been mounted.
Good luck working this out Venky. And thanks to Ric and Samy for making their contributions to the conversation. I note my early lenses, a 5cm f/2 and a 5.8cm f/1.4 S both fit the Df but the 5cm is a six bladed lens, not a nine bladed version.
Curtis, all 3 of your copies make me look ashamed at mine. It looked pretty battered when I bought it, but 3 years of use do show, and the lens lost a fair bit of pain ever since I own it.
I do still hope to find a better copy at some point though, mainly so I can have one that remains pretty.
Joseph, even though I use my copy of the lens wide open a lot, I do enjoy the results the lens can give stopped down. An allround talent.
Venkat, I believe you PM'ed me about that 5cm lens. The aperture ring on these is narrow enough to mount it on a modern DSLR without cutting it. You will need to remove the aperture prongs though, because these are in the way.
I heard some of these do not fit even then because the skirt on he aperture ring is too tall. Unlike newer lenses, the 5cm f2 Nikkor-S has a threaded aperture ring that screws on to the lens body. Possibly some were screwed on a rotation less then others.
Here is my fully reversible 5cm f2 Nikkor-S Ai conversion
Adapting a Nikon F lens to a Nikon F mount would no work because you'd lose infinity focus, as the register distance changes. It would have the same effect as mounting tubes, like he PK-11, would
Dave, he 9 bladed version sells for more then the 6 bladed version because photographers value he better rendering when stopping down. (by now, collectors picked up and stockpile these too)
The tick mark has rarity value over the other versions for collectabiity mainly. The tick mark lenses were Nikons first SLR lenses back in 1959. No other reason to it then just that
Joseph. wrote:
Curtis, Chris, and Buddy - A massive THANK YOU for the detailed list!
I did explore some AF-S glass the past few months but my MFNG's never left. I am eager to start shooting MFNG's again. I am reading the last few posts and I can't believe that Leighton switched to Fuji and sold most of his MFNG's. If true, that is very sad. You (Leighton) and Curtis, are the driving force behind this thread. Leighton, I hope someday you pick up a Nikon FX body again and start shooting MFNG's again like the olde times.
Don't be sad Joseph. It was the right move for me. I still have my trusty 50-135/3.5 that I shoot on the Fuji and I hope to acquire more old Nikkors in the future. As far as the FX camera, I'll likely never buy a DSLR again.
Other then the 50-135 f3,5, the 5cm f2 Nikkor-S mentioned by Venkat and Dave is really small and would still be fairly small adapted to the Fuji. It's output however is truly unique.
The 85mm f2 is another small lens that will do well, and on the wide end, the 20mm f3,5 Ai is a solid performer. the crop sensor should work past the lens' weaknesses by using the center of the projected image circle and leaves out the weaker corners.
For a nice standard lens, the 24mm f2 Ai will give you a nice 35mm equivalent, and a 35mm f2 is still as mall lens and would bring you in 50mm FoV territory. From here onwards, the 50-135 f3,5 should have your focal lengths covered.
All this 55/1.2-talk lately made me aware that I still have to try this "golden oldie" with/on film. Will do this in the coming days.
Here are some fresh prints, far from perfection (I will never be a good printer), but it was a welcome break from shooting bushleague-sports ;-)
I don't recall the lenses used, the 50/1.4 SC Auto was involved for sure and maybe the 180ED or 135/2 too.
Ohne Titel
by Georg, auf Flickr
FM2, Kodak T-Max 400 at 1600/33 in XTOL
This was shot during the last Christmas-Fair, it took me a while to "fill" the entire roll.
schwacher Kaffee, starke Russinen
by Georg, auf Flickr
FM2, Kodak T-Max 400 at 1600/33 in XTOL, lens was probably the 50/1.4 SC
weak coffee with my shooting-buddy, the big ol Russian ladies were made in Красногорск
The cheap swing-lens-cameras are a ton of fun to shoot with.
Man on a mission
by Georg, auf Flickr
FM2, Kodak T-Max 400 at 1600/33 in XTOL, lens was probably the 50/1.4 SC
my shooting-buddy with his amazing vintage Sinar
Ohne Titel
by Georg, auf Flickr
FM2, Tri-X 400 expired in 2005, 50/1.4 SC, shot on the dull and rainy "Good Friday"
This small bridge is a typical product of the former GDR ("East-Germany"). I like it's "flowing shape".
In many times the workers of the large agricultural societies (farmers were forced into it, there were almost no independent farmers in the GDR) made stuff like this for their villages during or after work.
The negative was very "foggy" and together with the dull weather I couldn't get much life into the print.
...and finally, hope I don't step into trouble for jumping over the 4-images-max-hurdle, a shot from my direct neighborhood:
Ludewigbecken
by Georg, auf Flickr
FM2 + 20/3.5 UD, red-filter, T-Max 400 at 1600/33, XTOL
My neighborhood is in a constant change. A biotech-company will replace a small wharf.
Exome and genome sequencing instead of fixing leaking wooden boats or coating riveted steel-boats with red lead.
Went to the local beach on a wild goose chase for Southern Right Whales - if there were any they were well hidden in a fog that rolled in on the cold water.
I did however get a shot of a pair of African Black Oystercatchers using the 300 4.5 +TC14B on the D200 - effectively 630 mm. Handheld.
Thanks for the likes and hope your still along for the tour!
To answer Curtis regarding the camera and lenses. Of course I took the Df since it is the smallest and lightest. The lenses .... I limited myself to four. The first is the 18mm 3.5, figured it would be a good one for the desert, red rocks scenery. Then the 35mm F1.4 which is a great lens and sharp. Of course the 58mm NOCT and the last was the 105mm F1.8.
Midway thru the trip Peter used the 180mm F2.8 and I was on the fence about taking it instead of the 105mm when packing. The 180 is a desert island lens for sure.
Today is some of the boneyard at Davis Monthan. To capture it you would need a helicopter since its about four miles by four mile of parked aircraft, all surplus or surveyed from all the armed services. There are even some foreign.
Leading off is the POW sculpture, the Air Force, Russian and U.S. Marines FA-18s wrapped in protective cloth.
Georg That was a treat seeing another Norma. I opened mine up for a portrait, shown with a 14-in Commercial Ektar. Maybe Nikon will make a digital back someday?
Joseph. wrote:
I feel like my MFNG addiction is coming back
I really love the feel of the all-metal Nikkors. Currently have the 55 1.2 and 105 2.5 PC (both have metal focusing rings) Can you guys please post a list of ALL Nikkors wider than 55mm that have metal scalloped focusing rings?
I appreciate the help.. thanks!
Joseph, just playing the role of the Devil's adjutant here, like the Master and Buddy:
You need some more of the heavy metal family
Top (wide angles):
20/3.5 UD, 24/2.8 NC; 28/2 NC, 35/2 OC, 35/1.4 NC
Middle (normal):
55/1.2 SC, 50/2 HC; 50/1.4 SC, 55/3.5 Micro
Bottom (teles):
85/1.8 H, 105/2.5 P (Sonnar), 105/2.5 PC (Gauss), 135/3.5 QC, 200/4 QC, 300/4.5 H
All shots with D610 + Nikkor 85mm f1.4ais at 1.4m + tripod + built in flash + diffuser, ISO 400 at 1/60s, side views at f/1.4, front views at f/2.8.
Edit: oops, I need to update this family shot, since the new to family all scalloped monstrous 8mm/2.8 is in the process of AI conversion and cosmetics.
