Red "D" on Nikkor-W 300mm f5.6

[Jim C.]

The answer that doesn't quite answer.



One could assume that marked lenses could have been be for repro work or they were final prototype models (?).

[tgtaylor]

The final prototype sounds plausible. Maybe they made a quick run of the final prototypes to test them out before committing to full production. I wish they would have supplied a more detailed explanation.

Thomas

[tgtaylor]

You use both tobacco and drugs?

I started smoking cigarettes when I was 11 years old by sneaking Pall Malls from my mothers purse when she wasn't looking and then switched to Marlboro's. I quit smoking when I was 15 or 16 only to return to smoking when I was in my 30's and for two or three years smoked Kools. Back then and since I was 15, a 4 mile run was the daily regimen: I would run the first two (10'24") and then jog the last two and then cough for ten minutes. I slowly came to thee conclusion that it was either quit smoking or die. I quit smoking.

Never did drugs.

Thomas

[Bob Salomon]

Here's Nikon's reply:


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Subject
Red "D" Designation on Nikkor Lens Barrell

Response (01/05/2016 10:46 AM)
Hello Mr. Taylor,

Thank you for your patience. I received a response from Japan concerning the marking on the lens. A Red "R" referred to the use of the lens for "Reproduction" or duplication. "D" was for the same purpose. It could be used for 'Duplication'. That is all the information we have to offer on that subject.

So now you know.

Thomas

It sounds like they did the same thing Rodenstock did. First there was the 75mm Apo Rodagon R and now there is the 75mm Apo Rodagon D. R stood for Repro. D stands for Duplicating. Why did they switch from R to D? They never said.

[tgtaylor]

Except that the Nikkor-W never was never intended to be a Repro or Duplicating lens...

Thomas

[filmfixing]

Except that the Nikkor-W never was never intended to be a Repro or Duplicating lens...

Thomas

Hi Thomas did you ever get to the bottom of this?

Stefano

[filmfixing]

Except that the Nikkor-W never was never intended to be a Repro or Duplicating lens...

Thomas

I just purchased q SW 90mm 4.5 with the same red D and I don't think it was ever used as a Duplicating lens.

Would love to know more about this "D" designation.

Stefano

[Vaughn]

Could the element spacing be optimized for higher magnification?

[neil poulsen]

It sounds like they did the same thing Rodenstock did. First there was the 75mm Apo Rodagon R and now there is the 75mm Apo Rodagon D. R stood for Repro. D stands for Duplicating. Why did they switch from R to D? They never said.

That's what I was wondering. (Duplication.) At one point, I had a Rodenstock lens with a "D" in parens. Can't find it now; may have sold it. But, it doesn't seem like this would apply to a 300mm lens. But maybe? Rodenstock made a 300mm (Apo-Rodagon) process lens that was optimized for 3:1 to 1:3 with a target of 1:1.

Nikon also used letters to refer to the number of elements. For example, a Nikkor-Q, Nikkor-O, Nikkor-P, and Nikkor-M. I even ran across a Nikkor-C lens, which was a mirror lens.

As for "R" to "D", weren't inter negatives referred to as "dup's"? So, D for dup?

[filmfixing]

This is the Lens, hoping I can use it for everyday photography.

Stefano