nikkor m 300mm 9 versus kowa 305mm 9

[kleinbatavia]

Good day all,

As some of you may recall from other posts, I am somewhat disappointed by the performance of my nikkor m 300mm lens. It's sharp, throws a large circle and is highly portable, but somehow the images don't do it for me. Now of course this is personal, I know of many people who love the images this lens produces. Anyway, I've got the opportunity to pick up a graphic-kowa 305mm 9 at what I think is a good price. It will offer coverage to boot, but I'm just wondering whether a switch makes sense. I love the images I get with my computar 150, but have no experience with the kowa lenses. Happy to have your 2c on this.

[fishbulb]

I think what you have to ask yourself is WHY you're not satisfied with the Nikkor 300 f/9.

Maybe you want more vignetting, more optical aberrations, a soft focus effect, lower contrast, swirly background blur, a more retro design aesthetic, a larger aperture, a different focal length, a different optical formula, or any of a dozen other things.

Once you answer that "why" question, you'll know what kind of lens you're after.

To me, the switch doesn't make that much sense, the Computar 305 is a good lens that should perform similarly to the Nikkor for most practical purposes except for ultra large formats where the Computar's coverage is better.

[Drew Wiley]

What is your format? The Nikkor 300M is a very sharp, but rather limited in terms of image circle on 8x10 film, esp compared to the Kowa. But it has plenty of wiggle room on 4x5 or 5x7 and is wonderfully compact.

[Lachlan 717]

Buy it. Try it. Keep it or resell it.

You'll either end up having a great lens and possibly some extra $$ when you sell the Nikkor, or sell the GK for around what it cost you.

And you will have definitively answered your question!

[Corran]

Did you get the GK 305 on eBay today? I bid on it, wanted to try it on 8x20...

I don't know what your issue is with the Nikkor-M (I have it as well) but I doubt anything would be much better, unless you are looking for a specific effect.

[karl french]

I bid on that one as well. Didn't try too hard considering I have a 12" Gold Dot Dagor. But thought it would be interesting to compare the two on 7x17. Back on track, I used to have the older Nikkor Q 300mm f9. I liked the character of the image it produced better than the Computar 210/9 I currently have. The Computar throws a big sharp image circle but there is something that just doesn't do it for me. Keep in mind you're comparing two very different lens designs and two very different size lenses. Copal 1 Tessar vs. Copal 3 Plasmat.

[Steve Sherman]

I may be able to speak to your exact question.
I have a Phillips 7x17 and own a Graphic Kowa 305mm lens (not the same coverage as a Computar) My Kowa barely covers the 7x17. I was trying to do a shot with some slight rise, about 3/8" and the Kowa did vignett a bit. I was shooting with a friend who let me borrow his Nikor 300 M lens. The Nikon threw a slightly larger image circle however the sharpness on the Nikon deteriorated going towards the edges much sooner than the Kowa 305mm. I would offer that the Nikon began to soften at about 1.25" from the edge of the image circle while the Kowa remained sharp to almost with 1/2" of the lens falloff at the edges.

Get a Computar if you can !!

2 cents.

[Lachlan 717]

The GK versus Computar conundrum...

I've got a 240mm GK that has buckets of room left on my 7x17". It's one of the "can't be removed" versions.

As for sharpness, I compared it to a Computar 240mm in Copal and it is noticeably sharper. Thus, I sold the Computar.

There is a lot written on the different versions/varying coverage issue; however, there doesn't seem to be anything definitive on how to choose/what to look for....

[Lachlan 717]

Get a Computar if you can !!

Or a 305mm G Claron. A lot easier to find, probably cheaper, and arguably as good.

[Michael Kadillak]

Two different lenses for two differing applications.

I have the 305 Computar and yes, it covers like a big dog but it can also induce a bit of field curvature on architecture on 8x20 without any hint of loss in coverage. You just learn to work with it. I have seen the 305 mm Computar used as a 12x20 Macro lens and it rocks! If you want coverage step out 2" in focal length and get a 355 G Claron. It covers it all and stepping down to f90 is possible. The 300mm Nikon is a perfect 5x7 lens and those that attempt to squeak more out of it are not adequately looking at the design and its limitations. So to dish it for something it was NOT intended to do is not really fair in the broader scheme of things. Use the correct tool for the task at hand and you will never be disappointed. The 300mm Nikon is a stellar 5x7 (or 4x5 optic) because it is sharp, contrasty, light and takes a 52mm filter. Onward!

[kleinbatavia]

Thanks for the input. If only it did what it is said to do, I would be very happy. However, testing it again and again, I find that my nikkor sw lenses render more contrast and more acute images than the 300 m. And yes, I'm aware that this is odd! I've checked the 300 for any imperfections, coating issues, spacing of the elements, etc and it is by all means near perfect. I also love my ancient (100 year+) turner reich convertible, but only on occasions on which I find the "imperfections" artistically desirable, not as a general purpose lens.


I think what you have to ask yourself is WHY you're not satisfied with the Nikkor 300 f/9.

Maybe you want more vignetting, more optical aberrations, a soft focus effect, lower contrast, swirly background blur, a more retro design aesthetic, a larger aperture, a different focal length, a different optical formula, or any of a dozen other things.

Once you answer that "why" question, you'll know what kind of lens you're after.

To me, the switch doesn't make that much sense, the Computar 305 is a good lens that should perform similarly to the Nikkor for most practical purposes except for ultra large formats where the Computar's coverage is better.

[kleinbatavia]

Buy it. Try it. Keep it or resell it.

You'll either end up having a great lens and possibly some extra $$ when you sell the Nikkor, or sell the GK for around what it cost you.

And you will have definitively answered your question!


Haha, very astute advice as always Lachlan. We would get along very well. Anyway, point taken (and lens was already bought, I get greedy when I see interesting glass...) ;)

[kleinbatavia]

Hi Steve, you might be onto something. I mainly shoot the nikon on 4x10. Call me spoiled, but my other lenses on my favourite format (5x7) are just sharp all the way out to the corners. The few that are not super sharp at least render an even level of sharpness without noticeable decline towards the corners. I'll throw a few 4x10's on the light table and have a look.


I may be able to speak to your exact question.
I have a Phillips 7x17 and own a Graphic Kowa 305mm lens (not the same coverage as a Computar) My Kowa barely covers the 7x17. I was trying to do a shot with some slight rise, about 3/8" and the Kowa did vignett a bit. I was shooting with a friend who let me borrow his Nikor 300 M lens. The Nikon threw a slightly larger image circle however the sharpness on the Nikon deteriorated going towards the edges much sooner than the Kowa 305mm. I would offer that the Nikon began to soften at about 1.25" from the edge of the image circle while the Kowa remained sharp to almost with 1/2" of the lens falloff at the edges.

Get a Computar if you can !!

2 cents.

[kleinbatavia]

Or a 305mm G Claron. A lot easier to find, probably cheaper, and arguably as good.


You know I love the g-clarons... However, they seem to have been going up in price lately. I now have a kowa in shutter (well, it is on its way here) for significantly less than i would have paid for a claron in barrel and separate shutter. Anyway, like you said, I can always resell it if not to my liking. It should be an easy sell, given how few are around. Will probably part with my apo ronar 360mm if I do like it. I agree that the claron would quite possibly be as good though. If it is anything like the shorter focal lengths I've tested anyway.

[Lachlan 717]

Looking forward to reading the results!

The 305mm G Claron is on the To Get list. Soon.

As is building a 4x10" camera!

[Drew Wiley]

Or if you're really lucky, stumble on a Fuji 300 A. Has all the advantages of the G Claron plus multicoating; and the typical selling price has one further advantage:
you won't have any money left to cause you worry about which lens to buy next!

[kleinbatavia]

Looking forward to reading the results!

The 305mm G Claron is on the To Get list. Soon.

As is building a 4x10" camera!

4x10 is an interesting format. I shoot it at times but cutting the film is a bit inconvenient... Besides that it is fairly straight forward. Landscapea on widenlenses can pose a challenge with the gaduation in the light from one side of the frame to the other...