50mm El-Nikkor f4 N?

chip j · Oct 28, 2016

I saw it advertised in a brochure a long while back, I think. Know anything about them? Thanks

geostog · Oct 28, 2016

It is their "older" standard enlarging lens and more budget in comparison to the newer 50mm f/2.8.

I own both (the f/4 was the first one I bought) and they both perform very well. Now I like the f/2.8 more because of the extra stop (it makes a difference when focusing giving a brighter image) and the convenience of illuminated aperture scale.

Also the f/4 has 4 elements compared to the f/2.8 which has 6 elements. In general 6 elements are considered to perform better than lenses with 4 elements. But in the end it all comes to personal preference. I've heard from a lot of people that like the f/4 version better.

chip j · Oct 28, 2016

That is all true about the older metal lenses, but I'm asking about the newer "N" version.

kobaltus · Oct 28, 2016

chip j said:
I saw it advertised in a brochure a long while back, I think. Know anything about them? Thanks

Yes, I know. It is an enlarging lens.

geostog · Oct 28, 2016

Oh, I didn't know there is a newer version. I assume it has the same plastic design as the newer El Nikkors?

choiliefan · Oct 28, 2016

My 2.8 Nikkor 50mm EL lens is metal and has no lighted aperture scale. Is there a newer model of this lens I'm unaware of?
Is the OP's f4 N a newer plastic piece as well?

geostog · Oct 28, 2016

choiliefan said:
My 2.8 Nikkor 50mm EL lens is metal and has no lighted aperture scale. Is there a newer model of this lens I'm unaware of?
Is the OP's f4 N a newer plastic piece as well?

As far as I know, the is the old line:

and the newer one:

Ron789 · Oct 28, 2016

Chip... you're talking about lenses that are decades old. The El-Nikkor lenses are typically very good, but that tells you nothing about one specific sample. I have El-Nikkors 50mm F/4 that are superb and I recently tested an El-Nikkor 50mm F/2.8 that turned out quite disappointing. I notice you're asking many questions about gear, like...is this good.. what is the best?
Frankly... there is no answer to such questions; you'll need to find out yourself, testing the gear you have, deciding what you like most. Make (many) photo's, spend lots of time in the darkroom, experiment and find out what works best for you.

chip j · Oct 28, 2016

The thing is, I have many, many test prints. But I don't have a 50 4.0 N to test. Just trying to find out intelligent info. (I love MOST of my many enlarging lenses--whatever I'm using at the moment works best for me at that moment).

Soeren · Oct 29, 2016

I dont think it has a distingtive "LOOK.
Sorry cant help it

flavio81 · Nov 2, 2016

chip j said:
I saw it advertised in a brochure a long while back, I think. Know anything about them? Thanks

kobaltus said:
Yes, I know. It is an enlarging lens.

I should add that it's a 50mm lens with maximum aperture of f4.0 (numerical aperture).

Arvee · Nov 2, 2016

The 50 f/4N is optimized for 5X prints IIRC. The 50 2.8N is optimized for 8-10X prints. So, for 5X7 prints, choose the f/4. For 8X10 to 12X16 prints, choose the f/2.8. The f/4 does an outstanding job for the smaller print size. What size prints do you prefer?

chip j · Nov 2, 2016

I print 6" X 9". I made a stunning print that size on the Original Galerie (2.5 ca. 1980) w/the old metal 50mm f/4.

mshchem · Nov 2, 2016

The f4 50mm is 4 element , 2.8 6 element . I used an f4 for 20 years until I bought a 63mm . They are both excellent lenses . The old metal body version came with a 34.5mm Genuine Nikkor lens cap with chrome buttons . The neu version they didn't even give you a real lens cap . Nows the time to buy every enlarger lens you ever dreamed of stuff is going for 10 cents or less on the dollar of original price .

The only other 4 element el nikkor I know of is the 75mm.
Best Regards Mike

chip j · Nov 3, 2016

It's true that fine enlarging lenses are pretty cheap, and in good shape, too. But nothing less than $650 is going to pry my excellent Computar 55mm 1.9 out of MY hand!

50mm El-Nikkor f4 N?

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