610mm f/9 Nikkor process lens coverage?

[Discoman]

Okay, I was browsing around trying to find some details on an old lens I was given a couple of years ago. The bay of e had one that the seller claimed could cover 20x24.
The difference is my lens is marked for stops up to f/128, and the seller states that theirs would only go to f/90.
But what coverage could I reasonably expect from it?
I also have a nikkor 420mm mounted to the same board as it, with the f-stops synced together.
What kind of coverage could I get from the 420mm as well?
I was thinking of starting a camera build to use either one of these lenses, so I wanted to know what format I could cover.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Oren Grad]

Image circle of the 610/9 Apo-Nikkor is specified as 1030mm at f/16 - at 1:1 magnification, which is what it was optimized for. The 420/9 has a specified image circle of 710mm at f/16 - again, for 1:1 magnification. Image circles for infinity focus would be half that, so unless the lens gains a whole lot of additional coverage as you stop it down further, 20x24 is extremely optimistic for the 610 if you intend general purpose rather than exclusively close-up photography.

You might have a look at Dan Fromm's overview:

http://www.galerie-photo.com/apo-process-nikkors-en.html

Ken Lee, at the Large Format Photography Forum, uses Apo-Nikkors and has spoken highly of their quality for distant as well as close-up work.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Oren, I use them at distance too. They're very good lenses.

Cheers,

Dan

 

[Discoman]

Nice, thanks for the clarification.
I thought the bay of e description seemed a bit exaggerated.
Probably will look at an 11x14 with plenty of bellows for the build plan then.

 

[cyberjunkie]

Keep in mind that the Apo-Nikkors won't increase much their coverage with stopping down.
The older generation are tessars, the newer ones dialytes.
The former ones get marginally better coverage with closer diaphragms, the latter ones would increase edge quality, not coverage.
Then you have diffraction problems, if you stop down too much.
Better to stick with "sweet spot" aperture with these lenses.

Unfortunately there are very few choices for those looking for extreme coverage (if you limit your choice to affordable repro lenses of modern vintage - coated!).
I have seen a few plasmats and dagors for graphic or scientific use, made in the USA.
Then there is the Schneider C-Claron 477mm, which should have gigantic coverage, and which is the only C-Claron made with diaphragm.

have fun

CJ

Sent from my Android tablet

 

[rjmeyer314]

I have a 610mm APO Nikkor that I use on my 11x14. I don't have enough movement on my Seneca to find the limits of the lens coverage.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Unfortunately, the biggest camera I have is 8x10, and even the 360 Apo Nikkor has plenty of extra
coverage for this size film. They are incredible lenses optically, all the way from close-up to inifinity.
All mine are the later dialyte kind. I never bothered to mount my 760, because my 600 Fuji C is so
much more compact, and it is a lens known to cover 20X24 with limited movement.