Nikkor 120mm f5.6 AM ED Macro: Optimal Range, vs. Optimal Magnification

[neil poulsen]

I've been reading about the Nikkor 120mm f5.6 MA ED Macro lens, and I know that its optimal magnification is 1:1. However, what is its optimal range.

By way of example, I have a Rodenstock 240mm Apo-Rodagon, which is actually an enhanced version of an Apo Ronar. Rodenstock literature indicates that its optimal magnification is 1:1, and that there is no detectable difference in the range 3:1 and 1:3.

I was wondering if there's a similar range specification for the Nikon lens? Searching online, I was unable to find one.

[xkaes]

I suspect it's probably in some Nikon literature somewhere, but most of the lenses I've seen that are designed for !:! are considered to be optimal in the 1:5 to 5:1 range. Either way, it's quite a wide range.

[Mark J]

These are a bit longer in optical construction than eg. a G-Claron,so I'd suggest 3:1 to 1:3 for critical use, this would be more at wider apertures, and when stopped down probably more, 1:5 to 5:1 as xkaes says.
I have the patent somewhere, if I can find it I'll see if there's anything more said. The Nikon LF brochure doesn't give a range.

[Mark Sampson]

I do recall reading that the 120AM-ED does not cover 4x5 at infinity. But the page of Nikon LF info is not all that informative.

[xkaes]

I can't speak to the 120mm coverage at infinity, but there are lots of macro/process lenses designed for large format cameras that don't cover 4x5 at infinity -- because that's not what they were designed to do -- but at their intended magnification range, they do!

[Andre Noble]

It supposedly makes an APO quality 2x enlarging lens for 4x5 negatives. I haven't tried it that way yet.

[Mark J]

Yes, these lenses ( also the Apo Macro Symmar HM and the Apo Macro Sironar ) are the same element count and very similar overall design to the rare Apo El-Nikkor lenses, albeit optimised for a lower mag.

[MAubrey]

The angle of view listed for the lens is 55°. If that's right, then its image circle coverage at infinity would be ~124.8mm

[Sal Santamaura]

It supposedly makes an APO quality 2x enlarging lens for 4x5 negatives. I haven't tried it that way yet.

I have. It doesn't. Even at a "whole plate" print size, one can see softening at the extreme corners. I've since settled on a 150mm f/8 Apo-Germinar W to enlarge 4x5 negatives.

[Mark J]

Interesting, that suggests it's inferior to the Schneider Makro-Symmar 120.