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Thread: Apo-Nikkor 180mm f9 - information?

  1. #1
    Lachlan 717
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    Apo-Nikkor 180mm f9 - information?

    I recently became the owner of a near mint Apo-Nikkor 189mm f9. Beautiful little thing.

    I'm considering mounting it in a spare Copal 3S that I have, however, before I travel down that road, I was hoping to get some information on it. Google hasn't given me much...

    Is anyone using one? What is the coverage like?

    I already have a Fujinon 180mm WS that is usable on 8x10", so hope that the Apo-Nikkor might outperform it.

    Thanks in advance.
    Lachlan.

    You miss 100% of the shots you never take. -- Wayne Gretzky

  2. #2

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    Re: Apo-Nikkor 180mm f9 - information?


  3. #3
    Lachlan 717
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    Re: Apo-Nikkor 180mm f9 - information?

    Thanks, Dan; however, as I wrote, there is very little out there on this lens.
    Lachlan.

    You miss 100% of the shots you never take. -- Wayne Gretzky

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    Re: Apo-Nikkor 180mm f9 - information?

    Dan can correct me

    In general, the APO Nikkors are small, light, have modest coverage and are quite sharp and contrasty. They have 10-bladed apertures.

    Because they are usually barrel-mounted, they are an affordable alternative if you don't need wide coverage and you have a shutter mechanism of some sort. At close distance, the APO Nikkors have increased coverage - as do all lenses at close distance.

    When I compared my 240 APO Nikkor with my 240 Fujinon A, I was unable to discern any practical difference at close and infinity distance - except for the difference in coverage and the Nikkor's rounder aperture and how it rendered blurry highlights.

    I sold my Nikkor in the end because I had the Fujinon which has greater coverage and is mounted in a shutter.

    If you need a small light shutter-mounted lens in that length, a 180 Fujinon A (also f/9) will be hard to beat, for the same reasons.

  5. #5
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    Re: Apo-Nikkor 180mm f9 - information?

    The 180 Apo-Nikkor is specified to cover 300mm at 1:1.

  6. #6
    ic-racer's Avatar
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    Re: Apo-Nikkor 180mm f9 - information?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lachlan 717 View Post
    I already have a Fujinon 180mm WS that is usable on 8x10", so hope that the Apo-Nikkor might outperform it.
    I use the Fujinon 180mm on 8x10 also. Let us know what you find.

  7. #7
    Lachlan 717
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    Re: Apo-Nikkor 180mm f9 - information?

    Quote Originally Posted by ic-racer View Post
    I use the Fujinon 180mm on 8x10 also. Let us know what you find.
    Will do.

    With these somewhat quirky lenses (and some with contentious ones), I'm tempted to mount it on the 7x17" and get a true f32 infinity result!
    Lachlan.

    You miss 100% of the shots you never take. -- Wayne Gretzky

  8. #8
    Lachlan 717
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    Re: Apo-Nikkor 180mm f9 - information?

    Quote Originally Posted by Oren Grad View Post
    The 180 Apo-Nikkor is specified to cover 300mm at 1:1.
    Thanks, Oren.

    As most of us know, with process/copy lenses, the listed IC is usually very conservative (eg. G Clarons).

    I'll bung it in the lens iris and have a look at the GG.
    Lachlan.

    You miss 100% of the shots you never take. -- Wayne Gretzky

  9. #9
    Drew Wiley
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    Re: Apo-Nikkor 180mm f9 - information?

    The shortest Apo Nikkor I own is 240mm, so can't directly comment on the 180. But if you extrapolate that to the same perspective for 8x10 film, not only will the
    360 Apo Nikkor distinctly out-perform any of my official 360 taking lenses, which include the legendary 360 Fuji A and Kern Dagor, but even the 305 Apo Nikkor does. We're speaking about resolution here, even at infinity. But I don't care much for the out-of-focus blur of Apo-Nikkors. They give that overtly clinical double
    lined bokeh effect rather than soft blending, if that is what you might have in mind sometime. I use them in the lab for enlargement and repro purposes, where
    they also excel. My regular lenses are PLENTY sharp, more portable, and have shutters already. That includes things like the 180A and 200M lenses for 4x5 use.

  10. #10

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    Re: Apo-Nikkor 180mm f9 - information?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lachlan 717 View Post
    Thanks, Oren.

    As most of us know, with process/copy lenses, the listed IC is usually very conservative (eg. G Clarons).

    I'll bung it in the lens iris and have a look at the GG.
    Lachlan, covering 300 mm @ 1:1 means covering 150 mm @ infinity. Covering >= 300 mm at infinity, as would be needed if you want to replace y'r 180 Fuji, is a considerable stretch for a 180 Apo Nikkor.

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