Long Nikon Rangefinder Lenses to Bronica Adapter

Nikon's first 35mm cameras were rangefinders, introduced in 1946. The Nikon SLR did not come along until the Nikon F of 1959. The long rangefinder lenses (longer than 135) were used with the Nikon Reflex housing attached to the rangefinder body. It was a device similar to the Leica Visoflex and converted the rangefinder into a primitive SLR to use the long Nikkors: the 180/2.5, 250/4, 350/4.5, 500/5 and 1000/6.3.
ANYWAY, these long Nikkors had a comparatively short mount to allow for all the space of the Reflex Housing. Starting in 1958 Nikon produced the lenses for the Bronica, Japan's first 2 1/4 system SLR. Someone had the bright idea to make an adapter to allow the long Nikkors to be used on the early Bronicas. Son of a Gun, eh Son of Nippon Kogaku, it worked! Oddly enough, the longer than 135 Rangefinder Nikkors covered 6x6!! Of course they also had the idea of making the same lenses in original Bronica mounts! Holy Sweden, an instant pro system!

With the rare adapter pictured above, you can mount the Reflex Housing Nikkors on your Bronica. But don't rush out looking for the adapter, thinking you will get some cheap Bronica lenses. The adapter is very hard to find, and the Nikkors in Rangefinder mount are MUCH more expensive than the same in Bronica mount. oh well.
Alas, there is another catch as well. According to Bronica literature, these little beauties only work properly on the earliest Bronica's: the Z, D and S.

Revised: November 26, 2003 . Copyright ฉ 1998-2002 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.

135/4 523 Series Nikon Rangefinder Lens

almost unknown variation
Any 135/4 Nikon Rangefinder lens is very difficult to find. They were made only for the Nikon One and Nikon M, and then replaced with the much more numerous 135/3.5. The 523 serial block variation is all but unknown because it was not included in Robert Rotoloni's landmark book on Nikon Rangfinders. Above it is shown with its leather case, custom hood, and Bakelite front and back lens caps.

Apparently the last 135/4 version, the 523 series seems to have a better quality of fit and finish than the earlier 135/4 versions. It has no aperture click stops, and has "Made In Occupied Japan" on the focusing cam.

Revised: November 26, 2003 . Copyright ฉ 1998-2002 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.