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.

Nikon S3 Olympic

Nikon made a last series of S3 cameras for the 1963 Olympics, all in black. They came with a new improved version of the 50/1.4 which came to be known as the "Olympic 50/1.4". You can easily spot it because it is about 50% larger than the normal 1.4. Unfortunately over the years, the body and the Olympic lens are often separated.
The S3 was a modified SP with a simplified finder system. They are actually built on the same camera chassis. The S3 has non parallax corrected etched framelines for the 35, 50, and 105. All framelines are visible at the same time. Like the SP, the S3 could take the Nikon Motordrive. Later S3's also have titanium shutter curtains, just like the SP's. The S3 could also take the SP exposure meter and EV case. The wear of the years has shown S3 finders much more prone to flare than the SP or the earlier S2.

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.

1904 Ernemann Klapp Tropical

Tropical cameras were made for the wet muggy weather of the Tropics where conventional leather covered cameras would mildew. They are heavily prized today for their beautiful wood and workmanship.
This is 1904 Ernemann Tropical Klapp camera is 10x15 cm format. It is very ingeniously designed to collapse into a tidy traveling size. It's focal plane shutter has a marked high speed of 1/2500th -- though I doubt if it obtains it. Lens is a 165/4.5 Zeiss Tessar in helical focusing mount. Lens movement is limited to a rising front. The amazing folding leather focusing hood would make even modern cameras proud. It was made in Dresden, a major pre-war German photographic center.



The camera front in closed position. The "Ernemann" nametag and cabinet work on the top.



The shutter speed focal plane shutter assembly. Top of the camera in collapsed position. Note finder.



Camera top, viewfinder and bellows in taking position. Note bellows struts.




Lens in close focus position showing helical, in rise position. Camera back in closed position.



Ingenious leather focusing hood in partially open, and fully open position.

Revised: November 25, 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.