Additional Information on Manual Focus Zoom-Nikkor 180-600mm f/8.0 ED

Credit: Images courtesy of Adorama® Inc. "Ebay - Mathew Duren" <ebay@adorama> Webisite URL: Adorama.com, who also operates a popular Ebay Store. All images appeared herein are Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved.

Zoom-Nikkor 180-600mm f/8.0 ED

The Nikkor super telephoto zoom 180-600mm f/8.0 ED is a very special lense. It has an amazing 3.3X zoom ratio, silky smooth one touch sliding zoom design and has an Xtra long lens extension with a superlative image quality with the use of rare earth optical glass in its optical design. This incredible Nikkor tele-zoom lense is almost a stop faster than the Non-Ai comparable and its f/8.0 maximum aperture is maintain throughout the entire zoom range. An thoughtful built-in L-shape cantilevered rotatable tripod collar was designed for balanced tripod operation in either the vertical or horizontal format positions; the 360° rotatable tripod collar facilitates easy and quick lense handling during any shooting conditions.

The lens was general seen as an worthy upgrade from the Zoom-Nikkor 200-600mm f/9.5~10.5 which has shown its age in the prevailing climate of professional users' market at the time.

This Nikkor zoom was among the first series of Nikkor telephoto zooms that offered "ED" glass in its optical design to tackle optical aberrations, in particular Chromatic aberration which commonly causing degradation of optical image when focal length exceeds 300mm and above. The deployment of ED glass in its design has significantly improved its optical performance where incredible high contrast and colour rendition can be realized in such long reach photography. Introduced in and around 1974/5 along with another Nikkor super tele-zoom, the Zoom-Nikkor 360-1200mm f/11 ED, both "earth-moving" debut of these lenses in the photo community offered Nikon photographers a good alternative to look at flexibility of high quality zoom lenses other than those offered at the telephoto range. Incredibly, up to a few years ago, Nikon still offers these two original Nikkor ED tele-zoom on a special order items basis - that was almost 25 years from its official debut back in 1974/5 !

Credit: Images courtesy of Adorama® Inc. "Ebay - Mathew Duren" <ebay@adorama> Webisite URL: Adorama.com, who also operates a popular Ebay Store. All images appeared herein are Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved.

Pre-Ai 180-600mm f/8.0 ED Zoom-Nikkor

The original 180-600mm f/8 ED Zoom Nikkor employs a ingenious mechanical-compensation zooming system and a lens construction of 18 elements in 11 groups to provide for continuously variable focal length settings across the useful 160mm to 600mm telephoto range.

Credit: Images courtesy of Adorama® Inc. "Ebay - Mathew Duren" <ebay@adorama> Webisite URL: Adorama.com, who also operates a popular Ebay Store. All images appeared herein are Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved.

To ensure maximum lens performance and highest image quality, this Nikkor zoom is fitted with some lens elements of Nippon Kogaku's original ED glass. The use of ED glass in its design was aimed to fullest correction of chromatic aberration via approximately 90% reduction of the secondary spectrum across the full 400nm to 1000rurn range; as result, images taken with this lense can provide exceptionally sharp, even at full aperture, with further advantage that infrared focus shift is also fully eliminated. The use of NIC lens coating process in its lens elements, too, aids in ensuring high performance by holding flare and ghost in check. Another outstanding feature of this zoom optic is excellent close focus capability, and without the need for a supplementary lens (such as those used in the previous 200-600mm Nikkor zoom); this Zoom-Nikkor can capture subjects as close as 2.5m (8.5 ft) at all focal lengths, including its longest setting at 600mm. Additional conveniences provided include the fully automatic diaphragm with settings to f/32, the 360' rotatable tripod mounting collar, and focal length/depth-of field markings for rapid lens operation. Some very early version of this lense has a different older grip design on their focusing/zoom ring and they may have bear an old "Nippon Kokagu" name but it was soon replaced with a sole "Nikon" name tag and the texture of the grip was used as the picture shown above. an important point for you to note is, the few Nikkor super tele-zooms introduced during this period can only operate in stopped down metering on exposure measurement.

Technical Specifications for this Non-Ai version:

Focal Length: 180-600mm
Maximum aperture: f/8.0; Lens construction: 18 elements in 11 groups

Picture Angle: 13°40'~ 4°10' Distance Scale: Graduated in meters, and feet from 2.5 (8.5ft.) to infinity (OO). Corrective refocusing for infrared Photography is NOT necessary <<< --- Click a new browser window to see its optical construction, 94k Gif File

Focusing/Zooming control: Via single control ring; reference marking for focal length settings of 180mm, 200mm, 250mm, 300mm, 350mm, 400mm, 500mm and 600mm are provided. An additional ring locking screw also provided for zoom/focus lock.; Aperture scale: f/8.0 - f/32; Diaphragm: Fully automatic

<<< --- Click a new browser window Selection of recommended Focusing screens (Nikon F2)*, 23k Gif File * The screen types are applicable with Nikon F3.

Exposure measurement: Via stop down method; but meter coupling prong is NOT provided
Tripod Mounting: Via socket in tripod mounting collar; collar is rotatable on lens for vertical and horizontal format picture taking; it is click stop at each 90° of rotation, a collar locking screw is also provided.; Attachment Size: 95mm (P-1mm)
Filters: 95mm screw-in; Mount: Nikon F Bayonet Mount
Dimensions: 105mm dia. x 403mm long; 395mm from the flange; Weight: 3,200g
Accessories Included: Rear protective cap LF-1 (108-00 401); 95mm screw In from lens cap (108 05-401); 95mm screw in lens hood HN -16; Lens carrying strap
Optional Accessories: 95mm screw in filters, Semi soft camera lens case CZ -1860 (108-05-306); Nikon Product Code No. 108-05-120

Ai Zoom-Nikkor 180-600mm f/8.0 ED Despite the lense has a faster aperture and a longer zoom range, a comparative view of both Ai 200-600mm f/9.5 and the 180-600 f/8.0 ED zoom shows the ED lens is not significantly longer than the non-ED version. The "upgraded" lense still measures 105mm dia. x 403mm long as compared to the 200-600mm lens's 89mm dia. x 382mm dimension. Somehow the updated lense weighs heavier at 3,400mm - almost 200g more than the original version. Despite with the upgrade, the lense still requires to be operated in stopped down metering mode as the meter coupling prong is still being omitted in this version.

Further, during this period, Nikon has already introduced the non-Ai TC-1 | TC-2 (and subsequent Ai-Spec TC-200 and TC-300) but in a published 1978 Nikkor sales literature, the Company has not addressed whether the teleconverter(s) can be used on the lense while in the lense compatibility sections, all the tele-extenders have been classified under an alarmingly red "Not Usable" column. Whatever it is, the main sales points highlighted in the sales manual were still confined to " ... its wide zoom coverage ranging from 13° 40' telephoto to 4°10' super-telephoto. The use of Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass for outstanding picture quality. Combined zoom and focusing rings for fast handling. Focuses down to a close 8-1/2 feet (2.5m). Built-in cantilevered rotatable tripod collar for balanced tripod operation in either the vertical or horizontal format positions and supplied with 95mm screw-in front lens cap and hood, carrying strap, and hard lens case. Photographic uses include photojournalism, sports, wildlife, and zoom blurs...".

Specifications:

Focal length/Aperture: 180~ 600mm f/8
Lens construction: 18 elements in 11 groups
Picture angle: 13° 40'~ 4° 10'; Diaphragm: Automatic
Aperture scale: f/8 ~ f/32 on both standard and aperture-direct-readout scale
Exposure measurement: Via stop-down method
Distance scale: Graduated in meters and feet from 2.5m (8.5 ft) to infinity (oo)
Weight: 3.4kg; Dimensions: 105mm dia. x 403mm long (overall); 395mm extension from flange

If you wish, this illustration was based on a 1978 copy, you can still download and make comparison with earlier one. <<< --- Click for a 56k PDF File

Attachment size: 95mm (P= 1); Tripod Mount: Removable/Rotatable tripod collar provided.
Front lens cap: Screw-in; Lens hood: Screw-in (HN-16); Lens case: CZ- 1860;; Note: Serial number(s) may have been started from 174701for the Ai-S version and this zoom lense is only available based on a special order basis.

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Ai-S Zoom-Nikkor 180-600mm f/8.0 ED

Among all available options, the Ai-S mount of this lense seems to be the most viable in terms of lens/camera compatibility. For the first time, this extraordinarily Nikkor super telephoto zoom lense can unleash its full potential with the convenient full aperture metering/viewing/composing. This has expanded its broad scope of applications where photographers now can be more assuring with positive, responsive exposure measurement with any Ai Nikon bodies.

With its spectacular zoom range from 180mm telephoto to 600mm super-telephoto that constantly provides powerful magnifications (couples with its single focusing/ zooming ring that provides extra-fast handling) and with ever improving high speed film types in place - making it to be possible for a wide variety of applications such as in sports, wildlife observation, travel, scientific research, shooting any distant subject or in photo journalistic assignments.

The lense still focuses to 2.5m (8.5 ft.), although it can also be considered as incredibly close for a zoom lens with such long focal lengths but a significant change in this version is its capability to use in conjunction with a selection of the few Teleconverters. The use of tele-extender(s), other than it can magnify the focal length to a 360-1200mm super zoom but it can shorten its minimum focusing distance as well. Well, as extenders usually demand compensation of exposures (varies from one f-stop (1.4X) to two f-stops (2X)), it will effectively turn the lense "slower" to either f/11 or f/16 with such foal length extension. Thus, the use of steady support may not be just good enough to minimize changes of blurry images caused by slow shutter speeds (unless the lighting condition is "extraordinarily in your favour") and the use of fast speed film types is always recommended for higher success rate in such kind super-telephotography. Other than that, the 360° rotatable cantilevered tripod socket collar allows balanced tripod mounting with quick change from horizontal- to vertical-format shooting; and it is removable when hand-holding the lens. Overall, in a quick summary, the Ai-S version can be considered the best performance among all available options - provided you can afford # it.

# This Nikkor super-telephoto ED zoom lense is not cheap- even at used condition where it may command as high as between USD4,400-5,200-00* while many other third party alternatives from Sigma, Tokina, Tamron etc. (Has a slower maxium aperture and usually they carry with a variable lens speed design) may only be selling new at almost one third cheaper at approx. USD1,000-00 a piece. Source: * Macbroom's Camera Blue Book by Amherst Media, Inc.

Specifications of Zoom 180-600mm f/8 ED

Focal length/Aperture: 180-600mm f/8
Lens construction: 18 elements in 11 groups
Lens Coupling: Ai-S; Mount: Nikon F-Bayonet mount
Picture Angle: 13°40'~ 4°10'; Focusing/Zooming control: By a single ring, a zoom/focusing locking screw is provided.

Diaphragm: Automatic Focal length markings: 180mm, 200mm, 250mm, 300mm, 350mm, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm

Aperture scale: f/8-f/32 on both standard and aperture-direct-readout scales
Maximum Reproduction ratio: 1:3; Exposure measurement: Via full aperture method; meter coupling ridge provided for Ai cameras
Distance scale: Graduated in meters and feet from 2.5m(8.5ft.) to infinity (OO)
Weight: 3,600g; Dimensions:105mm dia. x 402mm long (overall); 395mm extension from lens flange: Filters: 95mm front screw-in;
Tripod Mounting: Via socket in tripod mounting collar; collar is rotatable on lens for vertical and horizontal format picture taking; it is click stop at each 90° of rotation, a collar locking screw is also provided.

Front lens cap: Screw-inl Lens hood: HN-16 screw-in type; Lens case: CZ-1860 hard leatherette Credit: Images courtesy of Adorama® Inc. "Ebay - Mathew Duren" <ebay@adorama> Webisite URL: Adorama.com, who also operates a popular Ebay Store. All images appeared herein are Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved.

Usable teleconverter(s): TC-200*, TC-201**, TC-300, TC-301 or TC-14; * Usable, but there is occasional vignetting. Certain exposure modes with selective Nikon SLRs bodies will not work efficiently. ** Usable, but there is occasional vignetting. Note: Serial number(s) may have been started from 174701for the Ai-S version and this zoom lense is only available based on a special order basis. As at year 2002, this lense may still be available.

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Recommended links to understand more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

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Co-developed with my web buddy, Rick Oleson® & Denmark, Creator of the Nikon Repair Group Mailing-List; A contributing effort to Michael Liu's Classic Nikon SLRs and Nikkor optic site.

Credit: MCLau®, who has helped to rewrite some of the content appeared this site. Chuck Hester® who has been helping me all along with the development of all these Nikon websites; Lars Holst Hansen, 'Hawkeye' who shares the same passion I have; Ms Rissa, Sales manager from Nikon Corporation Malaysia for granting permission to use some of the official content; Ted Wengelaar, Holland who has helped to provide many useful input relating to older Nikkor lenses; Some of the references on production serial numbers used in this site were extracted from Roland Vink's website; Hiura Shinsaku from Nikomat Club Japan. Lastly, to all the good people who has contributed their own expeience, resources or kind enough granted permission to use their images of their respective optic in this site. It is also a site to remember a long lost friend on the Net. Note:certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets & brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible for may discrepancies arise from such dispute except rectifying them after verification. "Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Site made with an Apple IMac.