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| SUPPLEMENTARY INFO: LEICA Visoflex Telephoto lenses were sold between 1936~1955 / 1956~1966 for the fast Leitz TELYT 400mm f/5.0; a slower Telyt 400mm f/5.6 was introduced bet. 1966~1971. Contarex has a Tele-Tessar 400mm f/5.6. | ||
| Part
Two - Nikon
(Nippon Kogaku K.K.) RF
Nikkor-T.C
1:5.0 f=50cm(500mm f/5.0) telephoto lens
for Nikon Bayonet S-Mount Rangefinder cameras Year Introduced: 195x#; Discontinued: probably
in 1961/2 # Stated date of release of this version in Nikon Rangefinder Magazine as 1955. This was supported by R. Rotoloni's An illustrated History of Nikon RF cameras which has given a more precise date as February, 1955; however, Mr. P.Braczho's Nikon Hand Book has suggested as early as Sept. 1952 with the Preset version introduced in 1954. No info on the exact date of release for the Leica SM (LSM) version. For quite some time, no one knows if ever a Nikkor-T 500mm f/5.0 super-telephoto lens was delivered in a manual mount but I would think there are probably two versions being produced back in those rangefinder days. However, one thing is for sure, a version has a preset diaphragm mechanism version. In between, Nikon also had produced an alternate Leica SM mount (M39) model for other camera brands. Next, the M39 Screw Mount version has no preset diaphragm installed onto. Whether the same manual diaphragm for the LSM has been used as Nikon own early version has not been confirmed previously but as the M39 Leica SM version has a very different look from pictures shown in most publications and/or literature (see below for a series of the LSM version by Kelvin LI) . So, personally, I would think such possibility strongly exist. Next, please take note that Nikon had also introduced a fixed aperture F-mount Reflex-Nikkor 500mm f/5.0 Mirror lens in 1961 and SHOULD NOT be mixing up with this variable-aperture telephoto lens. i.e. The Mirror-Nikkor has only a fixed f/5.0 aperture. Controlling aperture of that Mirror lens is via use Neutral Density Filters or alternating film speed/types. Partly this was one of the main reason why the rangefinder S-mount model was so low in production figure with the debut of the F-mount Reflex Mirror Nikkor lens. |
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NOTE:- Recently, with a stroke of luck, Kelvin LI, a long time active Ebayer who specializes in collectible cameras had presented a rare LSM Nikkor-T 50cm f/5.0 in his collectible auction. With permission, I am compiling the said lens here for all Nikon enthusiasts to share the thought I felt earlier. This lens has a S/N 647099 |
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| Credit: Images of this rare, early version Nikkor-T.C 50cm f/5.0 in LSM courtesy of Mr. Kelvin LI from his popular gokelvincameras@Ebay Store. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. | ||
| The Nikkor-T.C
50cm f/5.0 LSM
version
has a few areas which are quite different from the models that has the Nikon's own
Preset Diaphragm Mechanism installed. I wouldn't think Nikon will specifically released
a version with a different design in Leica SM i.e. assuming just like what Nikon
did for the Nikkor-Q 25cm in M39 SM which wasn't supplied with the preset mechanism,
but you can compare the lens tube section and even the wooden box that was supplied
with the lens (as standard accessory) where they are so different from version in
Nikon S-mount that followed (See below for another view of a version with Preset
diaphragm control). Another point of interest is:- I do notice from the few photos
that I gathered over the years on the Nikkor-T 50cm lens (as well as pictures used
in the respective publications from the few Guru collectors such as R.Rotoloni and
P.Brackzo etc. ) that virtually all of them were coated as indicated from the lens
data as Nikkor-T.C 1:5 f=50cm. The on-lens f/5.0 maximum aperture can be considered as moderately fast in enabling available light photography. And when combining it with a faster ASA film type, it may provide good shutter speed options to prevent possible action blur which can be quite common in super-telephotography. By the way, this lens was also one of the only few Nikkor lenses that ever provided with a small f/45 minimum aperture (It provides a useful DOF scales referencess: f/45, f/22, f/16 and f/8.0). By combining this extended level of depth of field control options and its strong perspective compression optical characteristic, all these elements may be useful for certain kind of creative and/or special application photography. |
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A preset version w/S/N 647054 of the Nikkor-T 50cm f/5.0 telephoto lens with an original Nippon Kogaku K.K. wooden box. |
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| Credit: All image(s) displayed here courtesy of CamRon8888@Ebay® where his EBAY STORE often list many hard to find used photographic equipment. Image(s) copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer. (Still available as of 04.2008) | ||
| This is a very huge and heavy lens. As you can see a typical setup from the illustrative photo below with the customary combination in a RF Nikon body, Reflex Housing (shown is a Model 2 Unit) where even the dedicated lens hood is an extra-long type. Neither the weight factor at approx. 8.5kg would suggest this is a very friendly lens to hang aorund with. A very steady and rigid tripod is a MUST and Nikon had the tripod socket also in a extended scale in diameter. You can literally forget about handheld shooting unless you have special interest in "blur and movement" photography... Some Japanese Nikon collectors had suggested (as well as R.Rotoloni) total production is less than 300 units. I think it has both a lot to do with the price tag it came along as well as finding good, vast application for this extremely rare piece of Nikkor super telephoto lens. Today, even after half a century, the scenario also remains the same - except for small group of Nikon collectors / researchers / camera historian who may be specifically wish to re-building up a complete lens library of the glorious old days of Nikon rangefinder system. |
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Credit: A lovely picture
of this Nikkor-T
50cm f/5
lens with Nikon Reflex Housing Model was scanned and retouched from Nikon RF Magazine
Photographer:  ® |
Basic Technical Specification for Nikkor-T.C 1:5.0 f=50cm (RF
Nikkor-T.C 500mm f/5.0) super
telephoto lens:
Lens Mount: Nikon Bayonet S-mount for RF models (Short Mount)
Compatible Models: Nikon S-Series rangefinder models via Nikon Reflex Housing; Nikon F/Nikkormat
via N-F Tube
Focal Length: 500mm (50cm);
Maximum / Minimum Aperture: f/5.0 / f/45
Angle of View: 5° diagonal (2.5 V x
4 H)
Optical Construction: 3 elements in 3 groups-
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Minimum Focusing Distance: 8m (approx. 24.5 ft) ~ OO |
| Credit: Images at the left courtesy of Mr. Kelvin LI from his popular gokelvincameras @Ebay Store. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. | |
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Optical Design / Diaphragm as well as structural dimension for the Nikkor-T.C 1:5 f=50mm (RF Nikkor-T.C 500mm f/5.0) telephoto lens |
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(Marked values: Plain color display system for both Feet: starts from 6000, 1000, 400, 200 .. & Metres: 2000, 600, 300, 150 ... |
| Other Information: Possible manual Diaphragm control for Nikon but LSM version has not preset diaphragm control ring; on-lens Tripod socket provided. Serial Numbering References:- from 647000~647248 (less than 300 Units*). Ref: Mr. Robert Rotoloni, author of An Illustrated History of Nikon Rangefinder Cameras. * Japan Nikon S-series magazine had also indicated less than 300 units were being produced. |
Back | NEXT | 2/2 Also compare this Nikkor-T 50cmm f/5.0 with the F-mount Reflex-Nikkor / Mirror-Nikkor 50cm f/5.0 OR proceed to the S-mount Reflex-Nikkor 100cm f/6.3 Telephoto lens section
Part One - Nikkor-T 1:4.5 f=35cm | Part Two - Nikkor-T.C 1:5.0 f=50cm
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