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Thread: Nikon Nikkor AM 210mm f/5.6 ED -Experiences?

  1. #1
    rayograph
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    Nikon Nikkor AM 210mm f/5.6 ED -Experiences?

    I'm looking for a macro lens for my 5x7 and noticed the Nikkor AM 210mm is priced pretty competitively compared to the Schneider or Rodenstock versions. I googled the Nikkor but came up empty handed. Has anyone here had personal experience with the lens? I would appreciate any thoughts, positive or negative.

    Thanks!

    Ray

  2. #2

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    Re: Nikon Nikkor AM 210mm f/5.6 ED -Experiences?

    No experience, but I have the brochure and I can read. At infinity the lens barely covers 4x5. At 1:1 @ f/5.6 the image circle is 310 mm, much more than 5x7 needs. At f/22, 400 mm. What more do you need to know?

  3. #3
    rayograph
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    Re: Nikon Nikkor AM 210mm f/5.6 ED -Experiences?

    Thanks Dan, I have the specs. Like my post says, personal experience with the lens. Thanks

  4. #4

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    Re: Nikon Nikkor AM 210mm f/5.6 ED -Experiences?

    I have one, it is fabulous, based on the formula of the legendary apo el nikkor. There is a nice 120mm version also. Easily the best LF macro lens ever made, IMNSHO.

  5. #5
    Mark Sawyer's Avatar
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    Re: Nikon Nikkor AM 210mm f/5.6 ED -Experiences?

    210mm is a bit long for a dedicated macro on 5x7. At just 1:1, you'll use 420mm of bellows, and at 2:1 you'll need 630mm.

    Ernest Purdum has a good article on macro lenses on this sites home page that's worth going through if you haven't read it:

    http://www.largeformatphotography.info/macro.html
    "I love my Verito lens, but I always have to sharpen everything in Photoshop..."

  6. #6

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    Re: Nikon Nikkor AM 210mm f/5.6 ED -Experiences?

    Bellows draw aside...

    210mm is roughly the same length as the diagonal of a 5x7 negative, and is therefore a "normal" focal length for that format. If we use a lens much shorter, our photographs can suffer from foreshortening.

    Hence, some people prefer to use slightly longer lenses for close work: the perspective we get is often more flattering, just as it is with portraits.

    In my experience the 210mm length is great for close work with 4x5 and OK with 5x7. These are not the greatest photos, but you can see some made with a 210mm Macro Sironar on 4x5 here: http://www.kennethleegallery.com/html/macroSironar/ and others made with a 240mm APO Nikkor on 5x7 film here: http://www.kennethleegallery.com/htm...r240/index.php

  7. #7

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    Re: Nikon Nikkor AM 210mm f/5.6 ED -Experiences?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Lee View Post
    Bellows draw aside...

    210mm is roughly the same length as the diagonal of a 5x7 negative, and is therefore a "normal" focal length for that format. If we use a lens much shorter, our photographs can suffer from foreshortening.

    Hence, some people prefer to use slightly longer lenses for close work: the perspective we get is often more flattering, just as it is with portraits.

    In my experience the 210mm length is great for close work with 4x5 and OK with 5x7. These are not the greatest photos, but you can see some made with a 210mm Macro Sironar on 4x5 here: http://www.kennethleegallery.com/html/macroSironar/ and others made with a 240mm APO Nikkor on 5x7 film here: http://www.kennethleegallery.com/htm...r240/index.php
    Agreed 'In full'... 110%.

  8. #8
    rayograph
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    Re: Nikon Nikkor AM 210mm f/5.6 ED -Experiences?

    Thank you all that contributed something constructive, as well as endorsements. I have since purchased a Nikkor AM 210mm from a fellow member. It's in the mail!

    Best regards,

    Ray

  9. #9

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    Re: Nikon Nikkor AM 210mm f/5.6 ED -Experiences?

    Does the Nikkor AM 120 cover at infinite? However, could I use it as a 'normal' lens? Thank you

  10. #10

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    Re: Nikon Nikkor AM 210mm f/5.6 ED -Experiences?

    The 120? 4x5, no. 2x3, yes. Image circle @ infinity @ f/22 is 125 mm.

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