Just Adapted Another Interesting Old Lens...

Fenwoodian · 01-07-2020, 12:52 AM - **3 Likes**

.
I love to adapt old lenses. One that I finally got around to doing just today was the Nikkor-O 55mm f/1.2 CRT lens. A famous bokeh photographer I regard highly considers it one of his favorite two bokeh lenses of all time (the other lens is his new $8000 Nikkor Noct).

While this old CRT lens on a DSLR full frame will only focus on a subject no larger than a soda/pop can; on a mirrorless camera it will focus to infinity.

Below are my first few photos taken with it on my K-1 camera. Besides having excellent melty bokeh, it is the single sharpest lens that I have ever tested (unfortuneatly you can't tell by looking at these small jpgs)

Tomorrow I'll be taking this lens apart and working on it. I need to remove some fungus, and check out what I'm thinking might be early stage separation of a couple of cemented elements.

...

Last edited by Fenwoodian; 05-06-2020 at 10:47 PM.

**.a.t.** · 01-07-2020, 01:11 AM

Originally posted by Fenwoodian

. . .Nikkor-O 55mm f/1.2 CRT lens. . .

Looks good so far. May we see a picture of the lens, please?

Fenwoodian · 01-07-2020, 02:32 AM

Originally posted by .a.t.

Looks good so far. May we see a picture of the lens, please?

,
Here's a couple of photos of an unadapted lens...

**PJ1** · 01-07-2020, 03:19 AM

You have aroused my curiosity. I would like to see bit more info on how you adapted it.

**MossyRocks** · 01-07-2020, 07:30 AM

Nice shots.
Now I really want to play with my A 50/1.2 wide open near the minimum focal distance.

bertwert · 01-07-2020, 08:36 AM

Nice dreamy shots you're getting... good luck with the restoration

**sergysergy** · 01-07-2020, 09:01 AM

very dreamy effect. very nice!

PS - at first I thought you had adapted the nikon camera lens

Fenwoodian · 01-07-2020, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by PJ1

You have aroused my curiosity. I would like to see bit more info on how you adapted it.

.
There are litterally dozens of ways to adapt this M39 lens. Some involve the use of focusing helicoils.

I've already purchased 8 different components for adapting this lens. I've only received and tried out 4 or 5 of them. Just today I purchased an additional 4 components to add to the trials.

Each method has it's advantages and disadvantages; especially as it realates to the proximity of the rear of the lens to the mirror (on DSLRs) and the sensor (on mirrorless). Also, it depends greatly on the size of the subjects that you intend to shoot.

I have two goals:

1). To find the perfect set of adapters to use this on my Fuji X-E3 camera body for shooting portraits/people.
2). To find the perfect set of adapters to use this on my Pentax K-1 body for shooting flowers.

I expect that I'll eventually purchase a second lens so that I can have one set up permanently for each camera so I won't need to mess with continually swapping out adapters.
.

**.a.t.** · 01-07-2020, 11:22 AM

Originally posted by Fenwoodian

,
Here's a couple of photos of an unadapted lens...

Thank you.

I found more information here.

Fenwoodian · 01-07-2020, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by .a.t.

Thank you.

I found more information here.

I've previously read that article. That author misses the point entirely. The photos he posts are not good examples of what this lens can do. All of the photos he posted were of subjects at mid-distances or further. This lens only shines as a close up lens (or reversed for use as a macro lens). At greater distances, this lenses performance is poor.

**WillWeaverRVA** · 01-08-2020, 01:09 PM

That's actually a really interesting effect...

ZombieArmy · 01-08-2020, 09:39 PM

I would love to see pictures from a lens that can focus past macro distances. The bokeh is quite excellent!

Fenwoodian · 01-09-2020, 08:12 AM

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

I would love to see pictures from a lens that can focus past macro distances. The bokeh is quite excellent!

I've got an adapter coming that will allow me to use this lens on my mirrorless Fuju X-E3. I'll take some photos with that set up and post them here in a few days.

01-07-2020, 12:52 AM - 3 Likes	#1
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,874	Just Adapted Another Interesting Old Lens... . I love to adapt old lenses. One that I finally got around to doing just today was the Nikkor-O 55mm f/1.2 CRT lens. A famous bokeh photographer I regard highly considers it one of his favorite two bokeh lenses of all time (the other lens is his new $8000 Nikkor Noct). While this old CRT lens on a DSLR full frame will only focus on a subject no larger than a soda/pop can; on a mirrorless camera it will focus to infinity. Below are my first few photos taken with it on my K-1 camera. Besides having excellent melty bokeh, it is the single sharpest lens that I have ever tested (unfortuneatly you can't tell by looking at these small jpgs) Tomorrow I'll be taking this lens apart and working on it. I need to remove some fungus, and check out what I'm thinking might be early stage separation of a couple of cemented elements. ... Last edited by Fenwoodian; 05-06-2020 at 10:47 PM.

01-07-2020, 02:32 AM	#3
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,874 Original Poster	Originally posted by .a.t. Looks good so far. May we see a picture of the lens, please? , Here's a couple of photos of an unadapted lens... Last edited by Fenwoodian; 05-06-2020 at 10:47 PM.

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01-07-2020, 01:11 AM	#2
.a.t. Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: yesterday Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,261	Originally posted by Fenwoodian . . .Nikkor-O 55mm f/1.2 CRT lens. . . Looks good so far. May we see a picture of the lens, please?

01-07-2020, 03:19 AM	#4
PJ1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,484	You have aroused my curiosity. I would like to see bit more info on how you adapted it.

01-07-2020, 07:30 AM	#5
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Nice shots. Now I really want to play with my A 50/1.2 wide open near the minimum focal distance.

01-07-2020, 08:36 AM	#6
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Nice dreamy shots you're getting... good luck with the restoration

01-07-2020, 09:01 AM	#7
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,171	very dreamy effect. very nice! PS - at first I thought you had adapted the nikon camera lens

01-07-2020, 10:35 AM	#8
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,874 Original Poster	Originally posted by PJ1 You have aroused my curiosity. I would like to see bit more info on how you adapted it. . There are litterally dozens of ways to adapt this M39 lens. Some involve the use of focusing helicoils. I've already purchased 8 different components for adapting this lens. I've only received and tried out 4 or 5 of them. Just today I purchased an additional 4 components to add to the trials. Each method has it's advantages and disadvantages; especially as it realates to the proximity of the rear of the lens to the mirror (on DSLRs) and the sensor (on mirrorless). Also, it depends greatly on the size of the subjects that you intend to shoot. I have two goals: 1). To find the perfect set of adapters to use this on my Fuji X-E3 camera body for shooting portraits/people. 2). To find the perfect set of adapters to use this on my Pentax K-1 body for shooting flowers. I expect that I'll eventually purchase a second lens so that I can have one set up permanently for each camera so I won't need to mess with continually swapping out adapters. .

01-07-2020, 11:22 AM	#9
.a.t. Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: yesterday Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,261	Originally posted by Fenwoodian , Here's a couple of photos of an unadapted lens... Thank you. I found more information here.

01-07-2020, 11:42 AM	#10
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,874 Original Poster	Originally posted by .a.t. Thank you. I found more information here. I've previously read that article. That author misses the point entirely. The photos he posts are not good examples of what this lens can do. All of the photos he posted were of subjects at mid-distances or further. This lens only shines as a close up lens (or reversed for use as a macro lens). At greater distances, this lenses performance is poor.

01-08-2020, 01:09 PM	#11
WillWeaverRVA Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Richmond, VA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,071	That's actually a really interesting effect...

01-08-2020, 09:39 PM	#12
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	I would love to see pictures from a lens that can focus past macro distances. The bokeh is quite excellent!

01-09-2020, 08:12 AM	#13
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,874 Original Poster	Originally posted by ZombieArmy I would love to see pictures from a lens that can focus past macro distances. The bokeh is quite excellent! I've got an adapter coming that will allow me to use this lens on my mirrorless Fuju X-E3. I'll take some photos with that set up and post them here in a few days.