Fujinon 125 5.6 W or NW

Andrew O'Neill · Aug 25, 2021

I've had this lens for over twenty years and used to use it on my Linhof. Trying to work out if it's a W or NW so that I can purchase correct step up ring as I've standardised on 77mm filters. I've read that the NW lenses are labeled N which leads me to believe that it stands for New M.... I'm probably wrong. When I measure the filter thread it appears to be around 54mm. The NWs are 55, I believe. I'm thinking it must be the NW....

Dan Fromm · Aug 25, 2021

According to http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/byfl.htm, you have one of the three (!) versions of the 6/6 NW, all engraved W. Visit the site, be confused. I'm confused. Measure the filter threads carefully. The oldest NWs have 46 mm, next 55 mm and then 52 mm. All have make, model and focal length engraved on the barrel, not on the trim ring, with s/n on the rear cell's barrel.

abruzzi · Aug 25, 2021

once starting large format, I've found cheap digital calipers to be invaluable, SK Grimes has instructions on measuring:

https://skgrimes.com/services/how-to-measure-threads/

Andrew O'Neill · Aug 25, 2021

Dan Fromm said:
According to http://www.subclub.org/fujinon/byfl.htm, you have one of the three (!) versions of the 6/6 NW, all engraved W. Visit the site, be confused. I'm confused. Measure the filter threads carefully. The oldest NWs have 46 mm, next 55 mm and then 52 mm. All have make, model and focal length engraved on the barrel, not on the trim ring, with s/n on the rear cell's barrel.

It's definitely not 52. My 52-77 is too small. Must be a 55.

Andrew O'Neill · Aug 25, 2021

abruzzi said:
once starting large format, I've found cheap digital calipers to be invaluable, SK Grimes has instructions on measuring:

https://skgrimes.com/services/how-to-measure-threads/

Good idea. I'll drop by the tech ed area at my school tomorrow. Thanks!

Andrew O'Neill · Aug 26, 2021

55-77 step up ring arrived (ordered the damn thing yesterday and it's here already!) and it fits snug like OJ's glove. At least now I know it's the NW version.

reddesert · Aug 26, 2021

The key differentiator between these types of Fujinon lenses is usually taken to be "inside writing" (on the trim ring) vs "outside writing" (on the lens barrel). The outside writing versions are later, have different filter threads and designs, typically multicoating, while the inside writing are typically single coated and possibly a little wider coverage. "NW" is a convenient label for the first generations of outside-writing lenses, but they are usually labeled "Fujinon W" like yours and don't have an "NW" anywhere on them. I'm sure there are exceptions somewhere.

Andrew O'Neill · Aug 26, 2021

reddesert said:
The key differentiator between these types of Fujinon lenses is usually taken to be "inside writing" (on the trim ring) vs "outside writing" (on the lens barrel). The outside writing versions are later, have different filter threads and designs, typically multicoating, while the inside writing are typically single coated and possibly a little wider coverage. "NW" is a convenient label for the first generations of outside-writing lenses, but they are usually labeled "Fujinon W" like yours and don't have an "NW" anywhere on them. I'm sure there are exceptions somewhere.

Not sure why Fuji would not print NW on the lens if it's an NW. Would save on any confusion.

DREW WILEY · Sep 10, 2021

Fuji had several very minor tweaks on this focal length lens which can indeed be confusing from a brochure standpoint, especially since the lens labeling itself does not necessarily coincide with that. Inside versus outside of the barrel labeling has already been pointed out, and often hints at single versus multi coating. I just wanted one with a 52mm thread, so that's what I specifically bought. It is seemingly one of their more recent ones. I'm aware of four different filter thread options. The very latest version, the CMW, has a ridiculously oversized funnel front accepting 67 mm filters.

I wouldn't make too much fuss over any of these distinctions, and would be more concerned with only general condition if heavily used, including the condition of the shutter. Any of them should be excellent performers, optically.

Sal Santamaura · Sep 10, 2021

DREW WILEY said:
...The very latest version, the CMW, has a ridiculously oversized funnel front accepting 67 mm filters...

Not only isn't 67mm very large, it isn't "ridiculously oversized." It was a good decision by Fuji that accomplished two things:

Standardized filter size for all shorter focal length CM-W lenses (105mm through 250mm) without the need for step-up rings and
Eliminated the image circle restriction that smaller filters often cause on wider lenses.

I own 135mm Apo Sironar N, Apo Sironar S and CM Fujinon W lenses. If only Rodenstock had taken the same approach to filters. Then there would have been less vignetting from and front element collisions with them

DREW WILEY · Sep 10, 2021

Fuji LF lens lists are infamous for typos. But as far as my own brochures or spec sheets go, a 55 front thread would indicate the 125 NW. But on the lens rim itself, all of them prior to CMW would state "W". The modifier would be EBC to indicate multi-coating, in conjunction with outside rim labeling. In addition, a chrome ring on the shutter would indicate a slightly older Copal. Probably at the time your lens was made, the only remaining official inside-lettered W's still in production were the 300 and 360 for sake of even bigger image circles. All the multicoated ones would have been classified as NW's, even if not labeled that manner on the barrel itself. But you really want to check Kerry Thalmann's Fuji lists for more hints.

Fujinon 125 5.6 W or NW

Andrew O'Neill

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Fujinon 125 5.6 W or NW

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