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Nikkor micro 55/2.8 AIS
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 2:23 pm    Post subject: Nikkor micro 55/2.8 AIS Reply with quote
right now I'm very happy Smile
look at this beauty in MINT condition
and for only 120€ inc. shipping



PostPosted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Gorgeous. You will love this lens


patrickh


PostPosted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm loving it already Smile


PostPosted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Great price for a minty lens, boxed!


PostPosted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 6:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
One of my favorite Nikkors...Besides Macro use....the lens is sharp at infinity wide open....Stopped down to just f4 or further to f5.6 it is unbelievably sharp and excellent for landscapes.

If the 55/2.8 Micro has not had a CLA in the last 10 years or so, it will eventually get oil on the diaphram blades and stick....It costs less than $100 to have it fixed at Nikon (or Nikon Authorized Service), and the new grease doesn't separate and migrate....or if you feel bold do it yourself.




PostPosted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Congratulations, a good find and a great purchase you are not going to regret! Get an extension tube, though, since without you won't be able to make it to life-size - it goes somewhere around 1:2 without.

I paid 93€ (converted form USD) for mine, which was near-mint and came with a CPL on top, so you paid a reasonable price as well =)


PostPosted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Congrats! I have the same lens and it's a gem.


PostPosted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I can see... Surprised its very very sharp


PostPosted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I went for the 55mm F3,5, which doesn´t have this diaphragm problem at all. But I would be curious if there is a big difference in image quality.


PostPosted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 2:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
BenediktW wrote:
I went for the 55mm F3,5, which doesn´t have this diaphragm problem at all. But I would be curious if there is a big difference in image quality.


If you got the Ai then it is supposed to have better infinity focus and sharper wide open than the Ai-S 2.8....

One other little gem and specially if someone is looking for a pure macro lens, is the 2nd version of the 3.5/55 Micro-Nikkor with Compensating Aperture than Bjorn Rorslett talks about ... It's the only lens of the series that is optimized 100% for macro (the other ones had to compromise some macro capabilities for infinity performance) .

I've read some reports that this lens has a resolution of 100+ lp/mm at 1:10 ~f8 and since I own it I can confirm than at 1:10~1:1 the lens is insanely sharp....


PostPosted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
The oily-blades problem doesn't seem to affect all of the 55mm/2.8 micro Nikkors. Maybe it only shows in the earlier series. Mine has the number 386007, which is not much older than yours, and I never had a problem.
A great all-purpose lense, not only for macros (which I rarely do anyhow).

Fo a comparison of the different versions, check Fredrik Rassmusen's page. He is very partial to the 3.5 version:

http://www.momentcorp.com/review/index.html


Thomas


PostPosted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 2:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
my lens is newer I think, serial number is 585941, maybe it's 10 years old or so...


PostPosted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 2:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Of course, you are right. I mixed up the photo of your lense, where the number '5' at the beginning is visible, with the photo of BoomerDepp's lense, which is 39.......
Thomas


PostPosted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I just ordered, mint of course Smile , Nikon M2 adapter Wink
for 25€ I think it's a reasonable price...


PostPosted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 10:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Mine is an older one (S/N 231211)...I love the color rendition as well as it's sharpness


PostPosted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 10:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Keysersoze27 wrote:
BenediktW wrote:
I went for the 55mm F3,5, which doesn´t have this diaphragm problem at all. But I would be curious if there is a big difference in image quality.


If you got the Ai then it is supposed to have better infinity focus and sharper wide open than the Ai-S 2.8....

One other little gem and specially if someone is looking for a pure macro lens, is the 2nd version of the 3.5/55 Micro-Nikkor with Compensating Aperture than Bjorn Rorslett talks about ... It's the only lens of the series that is optimized 100% for macro (the other ones had to compromise some macro capabilities for infinity performance) .

I've read some reports that this lens has a resolution of 100+ lp/mm at 1:10 ~f8 and since I own it I can confirm than at 1:10~1:1 the lens is insanely sharp....


This is indeed the sharpest for macro work of the 55/3.6 Micro-Nikkor's built in four versions from '63 to '69.


quoting Bjørn Rørslett....

The modified Micro-Nikkor from the mid '60 had much flatter image field than the first version of 1961, and gave close-ups with tremendous sharpness. Despite its single-layer coating, the deeply recessed front element ensured flare problems were minimised. This lens had an outstanding feature directed at the non-TTL light meters of its era, viz. an aperture that changed f/numbers by itself as the lens was focused closer. This meant the photographer could measure exposure the usual way and let the lens take care of the adjustment needed by the close-focus extension. Really neat if you didn't use TTL (I did TTL, however, with my Nikon F Photomic of these halcyon days, and the aperture re-re-adjustment was cumbersome indeed - I ended up doing stopped-down metering with it). The 55 mm Micro was optimised for close-ups with peak performance at 1:10 magnification, and the image quality suffered when it was used for landscape shots. For close-up work, peak performance was between f/5.6 and f/8. The near symmetrical design ensured that it performed well when reversed onto a bellows or extension tubes. I have used it this way successfully for shooting macro images on 6x9 cm and 4x5" formats.

Some confusion exists as to which Micro-Nikkor is the one with adjusting aperture. Partly this is due to the term "Micro-Nikkor P" used in Nikon literature, whilst the lens itself only is engraved "Auto". At least my sample is. Since there is an immediate successor without the compensating feature, but "P" designation, identifying this model is not easy. However, a lens with chrome barrel, magnification factors printed in light blue, and hill-and-dale focusing and aperture collars likely is the real thing.


You'll note Bjørn say's the version has hill-and-dale focusing and aperture collars...upon further investigation the first version only has a hill-and-dale focusing collar.


Serial #'s 188128 - 209525 built from '63-'65...




Serial #'s 211242 - 226318 built from December '66-'67...




Serial #'s 238087 - 268037 built in '68...




Serial #'s 269122 - 273083 built in '69...




of note Bjørn Rørslett had the following below to say about the later and final optical version....which was made in seven versions in the F,C,K & AI from '68 til '79,when it was finally replaced by it's successor the Micro-Nikkor 55/f2.8 AI-S which isn't necessarily a sharper for macro work...non the less the 55/2.8 performs fairly well in macro,just not quite as good as the compensating aperture version of the 55/f3.5 for macro work.


Bjørn Rørslett said....

The final successor to the second type of 55 Micro-Nikkor had multicoating (hence the "C" designation). There evidently was a "P" without multi-coating prior to the "P.C" version.

Nikon gave it a better image rendition for shooting distant objects, meaning there had to be some quality sacrifice for close-ups. Since most users didn't use it for really close-up work anyway this modification was a comprise that made most users happy (not counting me, I continued to use the older model to this day ..). Maximum sharpness needs an aperture setting of f/8. Beyond f/11-f/16, sharpness rapidly deteriorated.

Last edited by Boomer Depp on Sun Jan 31, 2010 11:43 pm; edited 3 times in total


PostPosted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 11:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Interesting to see!

This is the version I have:



F 55/3.5 Micro-P 600001 - 728347 - 1968 - 1973 5/4 0.241 1:2/1:1 52 66.5 55 235 HN-3

This is what photosynthesis.co.nz says (http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#55micro).

The strange thing is, I hardly take any macro shots, but I love the Micro for architecture because of its zero distortion, the great contrast and its special touch for rough surfaces (it loves concrete Very Happy ).


Regards

Benedikt


PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 5:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Interesting stuff, Boomer. Mine looks identical to the first one you show, s/n 194xxx. I've never really paid attention to it before, but watching the iris as I racked the focusing helical in and out, I could see the aperture open up slightly as I racked the helical toward close focus. Cool.

So, mine, which is the first version it would appear, has this feature.

I use my 55/3.5 pretty much exclusively for macro photography, so I can't say that I've ever evaluated its capabilities at infinity focus. But I can tell you that this lens is amazingly sharp as a macro. I am very satisfied with mine.

I used to own a 55mm f/2.8 Micro years ago, but sold it when times got lean. It was a nice lens, but I seldom used it back then.


PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 1:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Boomer Depp wrote:

This is indeed the sharpest for macro work of the 55/3.6 Micro-Nikkor's built in four versions from '63 to '69.



The first version after the 5.5cm/3.5 is the one Roslett talks about . #188128 ~ 209525 '63~'66 the only one with chrome barrel.

Mine is #1948xx build on '64 but I use it with a M2 ring not the original M(magnification factors printed in light blue) .

Magnification is from ∞ ~1:2 and with the M(2)-ring its 1:2~1:1.
Sharp like hell , a little on the cold side but nice colour rendition in general, mediocre infinity performance.


PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 6:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have the second version of the 55/3.5 #'s 211242 - 226318 with the hill and dale (scalloped) focusing and aperture rings.But rarely doing macro work that requires such sharpness and liking the contrast & color of my other macro lens,this lens is rarely deployed for such exacting macro work.

Actually it was Bjørn Rørslett's statement about the chrome barrel and the hill and dale focusing and aperture collars (rings),and the conflicting statement about the lens at Photography in Malaysia (MIR) which led me to investigate this further.

courtesy of MIR...

This NON-AI 55mm f/3.5 MICRO-NIKKOR, was believed to be the first version. It has a CHROME front filter rim while later version was supplied in black finish.

Two years later, the preset aperture lens design on the early Micro-Nikkor was revised in a straight forward lens design in 1963, the new version came with an automatic diaphragm within. The main difference as compared to the earlier preset lens design is, unlike the earlier one, this lens has an infinite variable focusing mechanism which uses double helical system to enable it to reach physically with a reproduction ratio of only 1:2. However, with a matching Nikon M1 Extension Ring, this can even reach a 1:1 life size magnification. The lens has a wider focusing grip in scalloped design but the aperture ring remained a ridged type.

The lens has an auto compensating diaphragm as when focus nearer, the aperture compensates automatically. Exposure compensation scales and reproduction ratio indications are imprinted for easy reference too.

Of note MIR states also....

Many Subsequent versions introduced were more confined to cosmetic changes and practicality where, for an instance, a black finish version to replace the chrome front filter ring to minimize chances of internal reflection was introduced later. The aperture ring was another area where the ridged design was replaced with a scallop version for improved handling and grip.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/6070nikkor/micro/index.htm

Bjørn Rørslett's and MIR's differences led me to check the Photosynthesis website and they show all four cosmetic versions of this version of the lens to have the compensating aperture which were optimized for macro work.The first version did indeed have a chrome barrel ring,but the next three versions were black...The earlier 5.5/3.5 and the later P & P.C and the final K & AI versions did not have the compensating aperture,and had a difference in the diameter(66),length(55.5),overall length(65) & weight(240) of the lens from the earlier and later versions of the lens.

http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html#55micro

http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#55micro


PostPosted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Boomer ,

You might be right about this...

It seems that even in the lens manual than I own the chromed and black versions are treated like the same.
I have uploaded the manual in rapidshare:

http://rapidshare.com/files/344473782/55_3.5_Micro-Nikkor_compensating_aperture_manual.pdf.html


So it seems that #188101 - 273153 are the same optically with cosmetic changes...
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