Mexecutioner
Well-known member
If you are looking for this elusive set you most likely know what they are and how they perform.
While I don't expect a huge amount of interest in these specialty items I prefer listing them here hoping there is someone that has been wanting them.
Included in this sale are the following:
1) Nikon HL-1X Macro Nikkor 1:6.3 f 12cm. This lens is optimized for 1.2x - 4x (indicated as 1x on the barrel). It is color coded with a red ring. The lens comes standard with Leica M39 threads, and included is the rare adapter ring with this lens. This adapts the Leica M39 to Nikon-F mount. The lens cover is also included and threads onto the lens.
2) Nikon HL-5X Macro Nikkor 1:4.5 f 65mm. This lens is optimized for 2.5x - 10x (indicated as 5x on the barrel). It is color coded with a yellow ring. The lens comes standard with Leica M39 threads. This also attaches to the Nikon BR-15, This adapts the Leica M39 to Nikon-F mount. The lens cover is also included and threads onto the lens.
3) Nikon HM-12X Macro Nikkor 1:4.5 f 35mm. This lens, in RMS mount, is optimized for 8x-20x (indicated as 12x on the barrel), color-coded with a light-blue ring. Included is the rare Nikon RMS to M39 adapter. Comes in its protective original plastic case with Nikon cap.
4) Nikon HM-20X Macro Nikkor 1:2.8 f 19mm. This lens is optimized for 15x-40x according to Nikon Multiphot literature (optimal magnification indicated as 20x on the barrel), color-coded with a white ring. The lens comes in RMS mount, and included is the rare Nikon RMS to M39 adapter. Comes in its protective original plastic case with Nikon cap.
5) Included is a third Nikon RMS to M39 adapter. The set comes in a yellow Pelican case with a foam insert, where the lenses have been stored when not in use.
All Lenses are Clear Clean No Haze, Fungus or Scratches.
Some other notes and fun facts:
Nikon, and Nippon Kogaku before it changed name to Nikon, used to market the Multiphot, a complete photomacrographic system including a 4 by 5 inch body and bellows or an alternate configuration with two sets of bellows with 3-30 cm and 6-60 cm extension and Nikon F attachment, a vertical support and focuser for the bellows, and numerous accessories. Among the latter are the four Macro-Nikkor lenses (described above).
A first thing to note about these lenses is that they reach their maximum magnification only when used on the 60 cm Multiphot bellows, i.e., with a bellows extension much higher than normally available in macro bellows. A second thing to note is that these lenses were originally designed for use with large-format (4" by 5") film. This means that they produce an image circle more than three times the size necessary to cover a 24 by 36 mm sensor (i.e., more than six times the size of an APS-C sensor). In practice, this means that all Macro-Nikkors can be used with DSLRs at magnifications substantially lower than the ones specified by Nikon as the lower limit for each lens model. These lenses are very sharp and, unlike certain lenses for large-format cameras, can exceed the sensor resolution also when used with small-format DSLR cameras. In fact, the Nikon Multiphot system for which these lenses were designed was subsequently made available in two configurations, one with large bellows, 4" by 5" film back and a suitably large reflex box for focusing and framing, and the other with narrow bellows are a Nikon F male attachment for use with Nikon film SLRs.
The two longest focal lengths have an aperture preset ring with click-stops that limits the range of movement of the aperture ring. The latter is grease-damped and has no click-stops. It is also possible to set the preset ring to the end of its range and use only the aperture ring to set the aperture.
The aperture scale is graded in progressive units ranging from 1 to 6 or 7 (depending on lens model). Each unit corresponds to one diaphragm stop, so the 65 mm f/4.5 has an aperture ranging to nominal f/28 (at the 6 setting).
In order to avoid a loss of resolution because of diffraction, the aperture should not be closed past the magnification-dependent values. It must be noted that the magnification ranges of the Macro-Nikkor 19 mm and 35 mm, even when used fully open, lie entirely within the region visibly affected by diffraction when used with a DX (APS-C) sensor of roughly 10 megapixels. The Macro-Nikkor 35 mm and 65 mm are marginally affected by diffraction already at f/4.5 (the 1 setting) and 7x, and detectably at f/5.6 (halfway between the 1 and 2 settings) and 8x. The Macro-Nikkor 12 cm, on the other hand, is limited by sensor resolution, rather than diffraction, throughout its magnification range at f/5.6 (the 1 setting), and can be stopped down to f/11 (the 3 setting) at 1.3x.
The two models shown above are said (on other web sites, not by Nikon) to use a reversed Xenotar optical formula with 5 elements in 4 groups (this is similar to a double-Gauss, but with a divergent concavo-convex single element in place of the rear doublet). At least some versions of the Micro-Nikkor 55 mm f/3.5 AI and the rangefinder Micro-Nikkor 55 mm f/3.5 did use a Xenotar formula.
The rear elements of the two Macro-Nikkors are much wider than their front ones, and the front nodal point is displaced forward, in order to increase the working distance. The 65 mm is also quite long (between its front and rear element) for a lens of this focal length.
Shipping and PP fees included to Lower 48.
Asking Price is $3500 O.B.O. This is a pretty unique set in great condition so no low ball offers please. Not interested in trades.
The last 2 photos are actual images I took using these, I believe I used the 65 for both.
While I don't expect a huge amount of interest in these specialty items I prefer listing them here hoping there is someone that has been wanting them.
Included in this sale are the following:
1) Nikon HL-1X Macro Nikkor 1:6.3 f 12cm. This lens is optimized for 1.2x - 4x (indicated as 1x on the barrel). It is color coded with a red ring. The lens comes standard with Leica M39 threads, and included is the rare adapter ring with this lens. This adapts the Leica M39 to Nikon-F mount. The lens cover is also included and threads onto the lens.
2) Nikon HL-5X Macro Nikkor 1:4.5 f 65mm. This lens is optimized for 2.5x - 10x (indicated as 5x on the barrel). It is color coded with a yellow ring. The lens comes standard with Leica M39 threads. This also attaches to the Nikon BR-15, This adapts the Leica M39 to Nikon-F mount. The lens cover is also included and threads onto the lens.
3) Nikon HM-12X Macro Nikkor 1:4.5 f 35mm. This lens, in RMS mount, is optimized for 8x-20x (indicated as 12x on the barrel), color-coded with a light-blue ring. Included is the rare Nikon RMS to M39 adapter. Comes in its protective original plastic case with Nikon cap.
4) Nikon HM-20X Macro Nikkor 1:2.8 f 19mm. This lens is optimized for 15x-40x according to Nikon Multiphot literature (optimal magnification indicated as 20x on the barrel), color-coded with a white ring. The lens comes in RMS mount, and included is the rare Nikon RMS to M39 adapter. Comes in its protective original plastic case with Nikon cap.
5) Included is a third Nikon RMS to M39 adapter. The set comes in a yellow Pelican case with a foam insert, where the lenses have been stored when not in use.
All Lenses are Clear Clean No Haze, Fungus or Scratches.
Some other notes and fun facts:
Nikon, and Nippon Kogaku before it changed name to Nikon, used to market the Multiphot, a complete photomacrographic system including a 4 by 5 inch body and bellows or an alternate configuration with two sets of bellows with 3-30 cm and 6-60 cm extension and Nikon F attachment, a vertical support and focuser for the bellows, and numerous accessories. Among the latter are the four Macro-Nikkor lenses (described above).
A first thing to note about these lenses is that they reach their maximum magnification only when used on the 60 cm Multiphot bellows, i.e., with a bellows extension much higher than normally available in macro bellows. A second thing to note is that these lenses were originally designed for use with large-format (4" by 5") film. This means that they produce an image circle more than three times the size necessary to cover a 24 by 36 mm sensor (i.e., more than six times the size of an APS-C sensor). In practice, this means that all Macro-Nikkors can be used with DSLRs at magnifications substantially lower than the ones specified by Nikon as the lower limit for each lens model. These lenses are very sharp and, unlike certain lenses for large-format cameras, can exceed the sensor resolution also when used with small-format DSLR cameras. In fact, the Nikon Multiphot system for which these lenses were designed was subsequently made available in two configurations, one with large bellows, 4" by 5" film back and a suitably large reflex box for focusing and framing, and the other with narrow bellows are a Nikon F male attachment for use with Nikon film SLRs.
The two longest focal lengths have an aperture preset ring with click-stops that limits the range of movement of the aperture ring. The latter is grease-damped and has no click-stops. It is also possible to set the preset ring to the end of its range and use only the aperture ring to set the aperture.
The aperture scale is graded in progressive units ranging from 1 to 6 or 7 (depending on lens model). Each unit corresponds to one diaphragm stop, so the 65 mm f/4.5 has an aperture ranging to nominal f/28 (at the 6 setting).
In order to avoid a loss of resolution because of diffraction, the aperture should not be closed past the magnification-dependent values. It must be noted that the magnification ranges of the Macro-Nikkor 19 mm and 35 mm, even when used fully open, lie entirely within the region visibly affected by diffraction when used with a DX (APS-C) sensor of roughly 10 megapixels. The Macro-Nikkor 35 mm and 65 mm are marginally affected by diffraction already at f/4.5 (the 1 setting) and 7x, and detectably at f/5.6 (halfway between the 1 and 2 settings) and 8x. The Macro-Nikkor 12 cm, on the other hand, is limited by sensor resolution, rather than diffraction, throughout its magnification range at f/5.6 (the 1 setting), and can be stopped down to f/11 (the 3 setting) at 1.3x.
The two models shown above are said (on other web sites, not by Nikon) to use a reversed Xenotar optical formula with 5 elements in 4 groups (this is similar to a double-Gauss, but with a divergent concavo-convex single element in place of the rear doublet). At least some versions of the Micro-Nikkor 55 mm f/3.5 AI and the rangefinder Micro-Nikkor 55 mm f/3.5 did use a Xenotar formula.
The rear elements of the two Macro-Nikkors are much wider than their front ones, and the front nodal point is displaced forward, in order to increase the working distance. The 65 mm is also quite long (between its front and rear element) for a lens of this focal length.
Shipping and PP fees included to Lower 48.
Asking Price is $3500 O.B.O. This is a pretty unique set in great condition so no low ball offers please. Not interested in trades.
The last 2 photos are actual images I took using these, I believe I used the 65 for both.