Nikon Nikkor Apo-Nikkor F:9 - 240 mm

[GeorgesGiralt]

Hello !
I've got this lens near free. In it's wooden bow with a set of parts that puzzle me.
There is a picture of it here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:ApoNIKKOR240.jpg
As you can see there is a silver colored lever on a ring above the stops markings.
This lever opens a gate in the lens barrel and on this gate one can put something looking like filter holder (for Kodak gelatin filters I think) and/or one of what seems to be a F-stop of very small value (the hole in it is less than a millimeter diameter).
I wonder what use one can put to these contraptions ? and what effect they may have on the lens's performance ?
Also, I would be glad to get more information on Nikon process lenses if available ....
Many thanks in advance for your help !

[Merg Ross]

The lens was designed for photoengraving. It will take filters and Waterhouse stops, which would be the one with the hole. These stops were made with different shaped holes for use in making half-tones, and the filters for color separations.

The lens will work well in the field stopped down. You need not worry about stops and filters, just keep the slot closed to prevent dust entering.

I have the 450mm version of this lens; super sharp and good contrast.

[Dan Fromm]

Georges, there's a catalog here: http://savazzi.freehostia.com/photography/old_literature.htm

Merg, your 450/9 Apo Nikkor is a tessar type. Georges' 240/9 is a dialyte type. There were two series of Apo Nikkors:

f (mm) max aperture type mount weight (g)

150 f/9 tessar 53x0.75 175
180 f/9 dialyte 53x0.75 210
210 f/9 tessar 53x0.75 185
240 f/9 dialyte 53x0.75 220
300 f/9 tessar 53x0.75 240
305 f/9 dialyte 72x1 430
360 f/9 dialyte 72x1 470
420 f/9 dialyte 90x1 780
450 f/9 tessar 72x1 550
455 f/9 dialyte 90x1 810
480 f/9 dialyte 90x1 860
600 f/9 tessar 90x1 775
610 f/9 dialyte 110x1 1,450
750 f/9 tessar 110x1 2,015
760 f/11 dialyte 110x1 1,360
890 f/11 dialyte 162x1.5 3,600
900 f/9 tessar 140x1.5 3,570
1,070 f/12.5 unk unk 1,600
1,200 f/9 tessar 213x1.5 8,385
1,210 f/12.5 dialyte 162x1.5 3,800
1,780 f/14 dialyte 213x1.5 6,430
1,800 f/14 tessar 213x1.5 8,860

[Merg Ross]

Dan, thanks.

[GeorgesGiralt]

Thank you both, my lens is definitely the 4 lenses Dialyte design. I've to read the literature and make some test in front of a sheet of film in my 4x5 camera... Have to devise a rig to use the lens though...

[RandyB]

I have the 240mm f/9 Apo Nikkor, don't know which version. My sample is very/extremely sharp down to about f/16 then it starts fuzzing out the more you stop down to the point that it is useless at f/64. I still use it on occasion.