Once the series was complete, EL-Nikkor lenses were continuously improved.Īround 1980, optical design of EL-Nikkor lenses was modified and a gradual shift to the 'N' series, the exteriors of which were changed to take darkroom operation into consideration, was began. The EL-Nikkor series was completed with the additional release of theĦ3mm f/3.5, 105mm f/5.6, and 135mm f/5.6 in 1966, the 50mm f/4 in 1967, and In 1966, the EL-Nikkor 80mm f/5.6, the first lens in the series, was Was to present a plan for the EL-Nikkor series, a line of enlarger lenses, in theġ960s. Well received for its superior performance, and the response at Nippon Kogaku Performance had also been increased, released in 1957. Released in 1948 and another faster (brighter) 50mm f/2.8, with which Kogaku began at an early point in 35mm history with the first 50mm f/3.5 Since enlarger lenses were very well suited to the compactĬameras being developed at the time, planning of such a lens at Nippon Lenses were used for photoengraving and Cine-Nikkor lenses for cinematicĪpplications. Two examples are the Apo-Nikkor and Cine-Nikkor lines of lenses. Therefore, as 35mm cameras became more and more popular, means of enlarging the photos captured with them were developed.Īfter WWII, Nippon Kogaku was involved in the development of binoculars,Ĭameras, photographic lenses, and also lenses used in a variety of other fields. However, with 35mm film that has a frame size of just 24x36 mm, contact printing is difficult because the resulting photos are so small that it is often difficult to identify even the primary subject, let alone fine details. Even contact prints of images captured with 6x9 cm and 6圆 cm medium-format cameras were just large enough for viewing. Images captured using 4x5 in., 8x10 in., and other large-format cameras were often printed using a method known as contact printing (an exposed and developed piece of film is placed emulsion side down, in contact with photographic paper, light is thrown through the negative, and the paper is developed to reveal the final print), the defining characteristic of which is that the resulting print is the same size as the original. While there is no established theory as to when enlargers and enlarger lenses first came into existence, it seems likely that the need for such devices was recognized, and that they became relatively common around the same time that 35mm cameras from Leica and other manufacturers became popular. The subject of Tale 64 is an EL-Nikkor enlarger lens. That said, it is a lens that is very familiar to those who have enjoyed photography since the film age.

In this Tale, I'd like to talk about something a little different a NIKKOR lens that is not exactly a photographic lens. The characteristically uncharacteristic EL-Nikkor 80mm f/5.6N- EL-Nikkor 80mm f/5.6N

Nikon lens serial no