OT: Optical Formula for 50/1.4 Nikkor for SLR

[Mackinaw]

Just curious if anybody knows the optical formula of an older 1970's 50/1.4 Nikkor (serial# 1020212, non-AI). I first thought that it was Sonnar-based but now I'm not sure.

Jim B.

[colyn]

If the lens is marked Nikkor-S it is a 7 element.

I believe newer versions of the non-AI were also 7 element.

[laptoprob]

afaik there are no sonnar 50's for SLR because of the mirror being in the way. In rf's the lens can be closer.

Sadly....

[Mackinaw]

If the lens is marked Nikkor-S it is a 7 element.I believe newer versions of the non-AI were also 7 element.

Yep, it is a Nikkor-S. I know that Canon used a 7 element design, in 6 groups, for the FD 50/1.4. I wonder if the Nikkor's similar.

And I didn't know that a sonnar-design couldn't be adapted to a SLR.

Jim B.

[hans voralberg]

Personally havent seen a Sonnar SLR lens, lots of Tessar and Planar though. Read somewhere on this forum that the Nikkor-S is a Planar type 7 element design

[Dave Wilkinson]

Mine's a sixties f1.4 and a very nice lens, coincidently I took it out this afternoon as a change from my rangefinders, light was dull and flat, but here's three as I watched some fishing boats coming ashore near my home (FP4-in ID11-12min.)

Dave.

[Spyderman]

It's a "Planar", or in other words "double gauss" design. See here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-Gauss_lens).

BTW: about 99% of all SLR standard lenses f/1.2 to f/2 are double gauss designs.

[colyn]

The Nikkor-S lens were a 7/5 formula while the newer 50's were 7/6.

Check the below site..


http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html

[Brian Sweeney]

It should be added that the Sonnar formula was commonly used in SLR Telephoto's.

But Sonnar formula "normal" SLR lenses- I think there was one or two. I'll have to look.

The original Nikkor 5.8cm F1.4 was a Planar formula lens with the front element split into two of lesser strength. Same approach as the Summarit, except that the rear lens was split on it. The Nikkor 50/1.4's for SLR's got a bit more complex to clear the mirror.

Just to add: The Takumar 5.8cm F2 of 1957 is one of the few Sonnar-based SLR lenses that I've heard of.