Hi! Just got my Nikkor 80mm off eBay, and I seem to have come to a large issue. The lens doesn’t seem to fit in my lens board, it appears too small. I have a standard M-39 mount lens board, so I don’t know what’s going on. Is the Nikkor not M39? Did I just completely waste $50? Thanks.
I purchased an all metal version once that had what appeared to be a factory adapter ring on it that when removed would allow the lens to fit smaller lens boards. Maybe yours is missing the adapter ring?
I purchased an all metal version once that had what appeared to be a factory adapter ring on it that when removed would allow the lens to fit smaller lens boards. Maybe yours is missing the adapter ring?
Interesting.
I often look to the KHB Lens Mount Reference for the Omega D5/D6 enlargers when I have a question about thread sizes on enlarger lenses, because it lists lots of common lenses and their thread sizes. You can find it here: http://www.khbphotografix.com/omega/LensMountD5.htm
As you can see, all the El-Nikkor lenses on that list are 39mm.
If you take a metric ruler to the lens board, what size is the hole? Is the hole itself threaded?
If you take a metric ruler to the lens, what size do the threads seem to be?
And can we see images of the lens? They may still be available from the completed eBay listing - check to see if those match the actual lens.
If you can't find an adapter, just make or buy a new lens board with the right size hole. If you don't have a retaining ring, you'll need one of those too.
According to the excellent Big list of enlarging lenses there exist at least 2 versions of your 80mm: 1. with a screw thread of M32.5x0.5 and 2. with a Leica thread or just M39.
I am in Europe and have used a European company to make me some of these adapters or lensboards. I believe there's someone in the US called Customphototools . . .
Your 80mm is probably an early version of this lens and, providing it is clean, it could well be a very interesting lens. Worth the effort.
Adapters for enlarger lenses. Available for lenses with thread sizes up to 66mm x 0.75. Custom made adapters can be made.
customphototools.com
32.5mm x 0.5 enlarger lens adapter rings
Adapter rings with 32.5mm x 0.5 female thread on front to mount enlarger lenses on enlarger lensboards with M39 Leica thread.
The adapter rings are partially painted matte black on rear.
For EL-Nikkor, Componar, Componon, Rogonar, Rodagon and other lenses with 32.5mm diameter mount thread
Aluminium adapter ring 32.5mm x 0.5 (female) to M39 Leica (male)
for Durst LAPLA 39 and other enlarger lensboards with M39 Leica thread (39mm x 1/26″)
I have had both the plastic 80mm and all metal 80mm and they were both 39mmm thread. I have never ever seen a Nikon enlarger lens up to and including 105mm with anything else than 39mm. If there is a fitting thread of less than 39mm then it is either a removable adapter or someone has had the thread re-machined to a smaller thread. It has to be a 'one off'.
I have had both the plastic 80mm and all metal 80mm and they were both 39mmm thread. I have never ever seen a Nikon enlarger lens up to and including 105mm with anything else than 39mm. If there is a fitting thread of less than 39mm then it is either a removable adapter or someone has had the thread re-machined to a smaller thread. It has to be a 'one off'.
My first thought was like you say: the OP's lens must have a removable adapter. But it never hurts to check. This site is excellent: https://www.photocornucopia.com/1061.html