[Brightcolours]

I kinda suck at product shots, it needs thought and care and time. Sorry for that <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':unsure:' />...











Here I have two Ultra-Micro-Nikkors now. The 55mm f2, and a 28mm f1.8. They are special little lenses who lack focus rings... they are designed to focus at a set distance. And then they deliver crazy sharp optics: They are 5 times or more sharper than the better/best 35mm SLR lenses.



Nikon calls its "macro" lenses "micro" because they started to develop them for micro film purposes. These Ultra-Micro-NIKKORs were used in the late 60's and 70's (and into the 80's) in the microchip production. With a flange distance of around 20mm, a small image circle and the lack of focus mechanics, they are indeed specialty lenses, only really interesting for collectors, macro purists and photography "geeks". When they were in production they were extremely expensive (because they have extreme optics). Because of "Red Book Nikkor" the interest in the ultra-micros has surged again, each of them now being worth a few 1000 euros/dollars now. Hard to know their current value, as these lenses rarely surface for sale.



They used to come in wooden boxes with red velvet lining, instead of the cardboard used for the D(SLR) lenses we all know.



The 28mm f1.8 only is really usable reverse mounted, so I will have to track down a 40.5mm filter thread to something else adapter/ring, turning the lens from a 1:10 to a 10:1 macro lens (when used at the designed distance). The 55mm f2 can be used both normally mounted on a DSLR, the mirror box acting as an extension tube (and allows the image circle to "grow") , or reverse mounted. At the designed distances the lens is either an 1:4 or a 4:1 lens. It shares the 40.5mm filter thread with the 28mm f1.8.

[mduraj]

I'm really interested in samples of these lens.

[Brightcolours]

[quote name='Efective' timestamp='1302428020' post='7523']

I'm really interested in samples of these lens.

[/quote]

I will post a few handheld samples from/with the 55mm f2 when the gallery part of photozone works again. I currently can not yet use the 28mm f1.8 (has to be reverse mounted on anything else than maybe a Sony NEX with appropriate very short helicoid focus thingy), somewhere in future I will be able to test it out.

[miro]

What about bokeh, loCA and flare resistance of this lenses?

[Brightcolours]

[quote name='miro' timestamp='1302679827' post='7578']

What about bokeh, loCA and flare resistance of this lenses?

[/quote]

These lenses were designed to be at a specific distance to the subject, and of course a specific distance to the film. Either reversed or "the normal way around".



I can not yet try the 28mm f1.8 one, as I lack a 40.5mm lens thread adapter + whatever else is needed to get it to AF-mount.



The 55mm f2 I am trying with a make-shift self made adapter, which is thicker than necessary, acting as an extension tube and instead of giving 1:4 magnification, reaching almost 1:2 magnification.



This lens was designed for photographing merely totally flat subjects. However, its bokeh is SMOOTH, especially for a 55mm lens. Very surprising. I really like the character of its bokeh.



This lens also was designed to be used with a very narrow spectrum of light, a monochromatic green (e-line). As such, it never was meant to be used in colour photography. I do see some LoCA evidence, but I am using it with an "extension tube" so I am not yet clear on how it will perform either at 1:4 or reversed (making it 4:1). It behaves quite well though, LoCA wise.



I do see some coma like distortion towards the edges, which may disappear when using it towards 1:4 or reversed.



At 1:2 magnification, it obviously will not be used in situations where lens flare will appear, so I can not tell you. It has very advanced coatings (especially for the time, 1965), and I have not noticed any bad veiling or loss of contrast yet with backlight.

[Brightcolours]

[quote name='Efective' timestamp='1302428020' post='7523']

I'm really interested in samples of these lens.

[/quote]

Finally, here a few samples from the 55mm f2 on APS-C, at about 1:2 magnification (due to rather thick make shift adapter). Under each image some 100% crops.

The samples are not special, and were handheld on a day with a slight breeze, so not the best possible results. The images are either at f5.6 or f8. I will make some wide open samples later.



It will take some time before I will make 1:4 and 4:1 images with this lens, and images with the 28mm f1.8...

[Yakim]

[quote name='Brightcolours' timestamp='1301959559' post='7376']

The 28mm f1.8 only is really usable reverse mounted[/quote]



Why?

[Brightcolours]

[quote name='Yakim' timestamp='1302994954' post='7689']

Why?

[/quote]

Because on any DSLR focus will be inside the lens. And on its designed flange distance the image circle is only a few mm wide.