135mm El-Nikkor w/ 50mm threads...uggg (how do I mount this thing?)

[clineco]

So after some research I ended up purchasing an El-Nikkor 135mm 5.6. To my surprise, the threads are much larger than M39. From the little info I found regarding this issue, I see that the lens originally came with an adapter to fit the 39mm threads. I've been unable to locate a replacement (any ideas?), so I'm thinking about purchasing a new lens board for my Omega d5500 which currently has a 3 lens turret.

So here's my question. If I purchase this lens board:
Lens Board

Can I mount one of these on there?
Lens Plate

Or do I need to purchase one of these?
Lens Plate

Obviously I'd like to get this done as cheaply as possible, I can pick up the first 2 items for under $50. Ideally, i could just find that old Nikkor adapter ring and call it a day, but I have no idea where to pick one up.

Any ideas?

 

[paul ron]

not familiar with your enlarger but....

do you have a spare lens board you can drill out to accept the new lens?

 

[MattKing]

Here is the KHB information sheet for the D5500: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/Enlargers/D5500.htm#Mounts

Whether you use the single plate, or the three lens turret, you need the #421-933 (or older #421-133).

There are no lens boards per se for the D5500s. Just lens plates, that put the lens the necessary distance away from the lower bellows.

 

[Neal]

Dear clineco,

First, I found this on ebay. It might be a bit cheaper assuming it works for you (I am not familiar with the D5500). Save yourself a great deal of time and money by calling KHB, showing them what you have and paying them for the solution. I had to mount the same lens on a D5 and the only inexpensive way I could do it myself was to make my own mounting plate. It cost me very little but I have access to a machine shop. Even then, it took several hours to do it right. Once the lens is installed an you are printing you will forget all about the cost of the mount.

Good luck,

Neal Wydra

 

[RalphLambrecht]

So after some research I ended up purchasing an El-Nikkor 135mm 5.6. To my surprise, the threads are much larger than M39. From the little info I found regarding this issue, I see that the lens originally came with an adapter to fit the 39mm threads. I've been unable to locate a replacement (any ideas?), so I'm thinking about purchasing a new lens board for my Omega d5500 which currently has a 3 lens turret.

So here's my question. If I purchase this lens board:
Lens Board

Can I mount one of these on there?
Lens Plate

Or do I need to purchase one of these?
Lens Plate

Obviously I'd like to get this done as cheaply as possible, I can pick up the first 2 items for under $50. Ideally, i could just find that old Nikkor adapter ring and call it a day, but I have no idea where to pick one up.

Any ideas?

odd;even my 150mmf/5.6 EL Nikkor has a 39mm thread.

 

[Rick A]

Read this ebay listing, the seller has the plate you are in need of

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Omega-421-9...078621?hash=item56847ea09d:g:g44AAOSwQgpW~z-1

 

[Ian C]

Responding to Post #1:

Which version of the 135mm f/5.6 EL Nikkor do you have?

The original model has a unique thread-on mount with standard 39mm x 26 thread-per-inch Leica thread. Unfortunately it is attached to the barrel with 45mm x 0.5mm pitch threads and there is no readily-available replacement or adapter.

The original model has finger notches machined into the aperture ring and the mount is chrome finished. The lens is difficult or impossible to mount if its proprietary mount is missing. The mount also provides a safety shroud to protect the protruding glass of the rear cell. Without the mount the glass sticks out leaving it prone to damage.

The drawing of the first version 135/5.6 EL Nikkor is in the 1982 EL Nikkor brochure following the photo of the lens.

http://www.savazzi.net/download/manuals/El-Nikkor_enlarging_lenses.pdf


The newer model 135mm f/5.6A EL Nikkor has a screw-on mount with 39 mm Leica thread. When the 39 mm mount is unscrewed the 50 mm x 0.75 mm mounting threads machined onto the end of the barrel are exposed. In this way you can mount the lens via 39 mm Leica thread or 50 mm thread as you choose.

Here’s a newer EL Nikkor brochure showing a photo of the late model 135/5.6A EL Nikkor.

https://zilver0.home.xs4all.nl/55mm/manuals/El-Nikkor enlarging lenses 3.pdf

 

[clineco]

After researching the costs of either making a lens board or adding an adapter to my turret, I decided to just purchase another lens that has the adapter on it. Now at least I have 2 lenses. Thanks.

 

[ac12]

the 421-933 seems to be the correct adapter to mount your 135 on the turret.

But do you want it on the turret, or as a separate lens board?

I have a turret for my D5 (not yet set up), but came to the conclusion that I will leave the heavy 150mm lens on a separate lens board and just use the turret for lighter 50/80/105 lenses. Since I don't plan to print 4x5 as much as the smaller negatives. IOW, the turret would have the lenses for my more used 3 smaller film formats. Then again, it is not like I am in a production environment where I had to change lenses often, so I could put all my lenses on individual lens boards and not even bother with the turret. But since I have the turret, I will probably use it.

BTW, I went through this exact exercise with my El-Nikkor 150mm lens which has a 50mm mounting thread.