Nikonos V Focusing Issues?

skylight1b · Jul 3, 2023

So I posted before about my partner picking up a Nikonos recently, but it seems there is an unusual issue with it. There is both the 28mm underwater lens and the 35mm dual use lens. We have only tried the 35mm so far as we haven't wanted to use it underwater, but the images that have come back are so out of focus that it honestly looks like a joke, just massive blurs of color. We're both very familiar with zone focusing, but I can't be 100% sure it's being used correctly because I haven't been the one testing it. Either way, I don't believe being a little off in distance would be that horrendous. Something should be in focus or at least close.

I'll try to dig up an example, but in the meantime, could the lens focus really need to be calibrated that badly? The camera and everything that came with it was in good condition so I'm really surprised. If not, what the heck is being done wrong?

blee1996 · Jul 3, 2023

Could it be that the lens was not mounted properly? The nikonos lens mount is a bit weird and does not have that affirmative click of a typical bayonet.

You can certainly fix a ground glass to the film plane with the back open, and check infinity.

skylight1b · Jul 3, 2023

Lens was mounted and remounted carefully just to make sure it was right before use. I don't think it's that. I don't have any ground glass to use but maybe it'd be worth a purchase.

ic-racer · Jul 3, 2023

The W-Nikkor 35mm f/2.5 lens should yield very sharp images (see below).

Bronson Dugnutt · Jul 3, 2023

skylight1b said:
I don't have any ground glass to use but maybe it'd be worth a purchase.

Use a piece of scotch tape. Most contributors mean well, but some are posting from the 1800s.

I've always wanted a Nikonos. Let us know how you get on.

BrianShaw · Jul 3, 2023

Bronson Dugnutt said:
Use a piece of scotch tape. Most contributors mean well, but some are posting from the 1800s.

... and others may be so young that they don't remember the more recent good-old-days. LOL

Sirius Glass · Jul 3, 2023

I used Dean's Camera Repair, 1055 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90502

+1 310 782 8619. He looked at my Nikonos II and told me the shutter had a broken part that was not available and to find a Nikonos V, no charge. I found he was quite helpful and a good source of advice as well as service.

skylight1b · Jul 3, 2023

Bronson Dugnutt said:
Use a piece of scotch tape. Most contributors mean well, but some are posting from the 1800s.

I've always wanted a Nikonos. Let us know how you get on.

Me using something sticky inside a camera is maybe not a good idea, but I'll look into the method.

skylight1b · Jul 3, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
I used Dean's Camera Repair, 1055 W Carson St, Torrance, CA 90502

+1 310 782 8619. He looked at my Nikonos II and told me the shutter had a broken part that was not available and to find a Nikonos V, no charge. I found he was quite helpful and a good source of advice as well as service.

This is great to know, thank you!

skylight1b · Jul 3, 2023

Uploading an example of one of the *best* images that came out of the last roll

Sirius Glass · Jul 3, 2023

skylight1b said:
Uploading an example of one of the *best* images that came out of the last roll View attachment 342827

The focus should be better than that. Did you set the focus to cover the depth of field range for the f/stop you choose?

skylight1b · Jul 3, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
The focus should be better than that. Did you set the focus to cover the depth of field range for the f/stop you choose?

I think so. I didn't take this one but I watched. There are two subsequently even blurrier ones of the same scene as different variations were tried that all should have covered the correct distance at the corresponding aperture.

Alan Edward Klein · Jul 3, 2023

Forget zone focusing. You're complicating things. Just set the focus point to the distance you want in focus to test it first. For the samples you're posting, it seems like they're at infinity. Once everything has been checked out, then you can use zone focusing.

skylight1b · Jul 3, 2023

Alan Edward Klein said:
Forget zone focusing. You're onplcating things. Just set the focus point to the distance you want in focus. For the samples you're posting, it seems like they're at infinity.

We have a few in which we know were set to infinity (mountains in the distance) and those are blurrier than these. I'm really starting to think something is up with the lens.

Alan Edward Klein · Jul 3, 2023

skylight1b said:
We have a few in which we know were set to infinity (mountains in the distance) and those are blurrier than these. I'm really starting to think something is up with the lens.

I agree. Doesn't sound right.

skylight1b · Jul 3, 2023

I THINK I FIGURED IT OUT!

I was looking at pictures of the same lens for sale and I realized the back looks nothing like the one I have. I think there's an extension tube stuck on it. I feel so dumb now, but I didn't even know they made them for this. Now I just have to figure out how to get it off without breaking anything.

Edited: Confirmed. Got the tube off.

Sirius Glass · Jul 3, 2023

Alan Edward Klein said:
Forget zone focusing. You're complicating things. Just set the focus point to the distance you want in focus to test it first. For the samples you're posting, it seems like they're at infinity. Once everything has been checked out, then you can use zone focusing.

skylight1b said:
We have a few in which we know were set to infinity (mountains in the distance) and those are blurrier than these. I'm really starting to think something is up with the lens.

Forget using the depth of field! One might as well save the expense of using film with that attitude!

BrianShaw · Jul 3, 2023

skylight1b said:
I THINK I FIGURED IT OUT!

I was looking at pictures of the same lens for sale and I realized the back looks nothing like the one I have. I think there's an extension tube stuck on it. I feel so dumb now, but I didn't even know they made them for this. Now I just have to figure out how to get it off without breaking anything.

Edited: Confirmed. Got the tube off.

I've never heard of an extension tube for a Nikonos lens. But I haven't heard of everything. Can you post a picture of it?

skylight1b · Jul 3, 2023

BrianShaw said:
I've never heard of an extension tube for a Nikonos lens. But I haven't heard of everything. Can you post a picture of it?

Quick cell phone pictures

BrianShaw · Jul 3, 2023

Thanks; learned something new today!

bags27 · Jul 3, 2023

Never heard of it either, but....

Nikon Nikonos Extension Tube Set 1:1,2:1

Nikonos EXT TUBE SET 1:1,2:1

www.keh.com

makes sense that they'd exist....

ph · Jul 4, 2023

I use my Nikonos for exceedingly wet situations above water: since servicing of the internal O.rings is not avaiable, water undr pressure should be avoided.

p.

Sirius Glass · Jul 4, 2023

ph said:
I use my Nikonos for exceedingly wet situations above water: since servicing of the internal O.rings is not avaiable, water undr pressure should be avoided.

p.

I bought the appropriate size rings for my Nikonos V and the appropriate grease and replace the rings myself.

Alan Edward Klein · Jul 4, 2023

Your issue reminded me that I have set of macro closeup focusing set for my Nikonos IVa. The three come with a set of three range viewfinders where you put the subjects in to line up the shot.

Nikon Nikonos Close-up macro Lens Kit for II III IV-A V - Etsy

This Camera Accessories item is sold by CameraTypeWriterShop. Ships from Buffalo, NY. Listed on Jun 4, 2023

www.etsy.com

ic-racer · Jul 4, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
I bought the appropriate size rings for my Nikonos V and the appropriate grease and replace the rings myself.

All 25? That is a big job! I pretty much left mine alone, I believe they are in good shape.

Nikonos V Focusing Issues?

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