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Abbreviations

Model history (3)

Specification

Sources of data

• Manufacturer's technical data.
• Nikon F2 Photography Guide.
• Nikkor lenses for Nikon and Nikkormat cameras.

Manufacturer description

It is downright startling to observe the incredible 220° coverage of this lens through the Nikon or Nikkormat reflex finder system. As in the case of all Auto-Nikkors, it is meter-coupled and provides open-aperture exposure readings. It can be focused as close as 10 inches, aided by a convenient focusing lever. The built-in filter turret contains 6 filters, selected by an external dial. A tripod socket is also provided.

From the Popular Photography magazine (January 1971)

Photokina '70

A 6.3-mm Auto Nikkor Fisheye f/2.8 makes circular 220-degree pictures with retrofocus viewing, and a focusing mount that goes down to about 10 in. An impressive object, it has a diameter of 9 in., and weighs some 11.5 lb.

Typical characteristics of fisheye lenses

• Extreme angle of view (at least 180° diagonally);
• Circular types (the image circle of the lens is inscribed in the image frame) or diagonal types (cover the entire image frame);
• Usually of equidistant projection type, with the distance from the picture center to any given point always proportional to the angle from the optical axis to that point;
• Huge barrel distortion;
• Short closest focusing distance (0.20 - 0.30m with 35mm full-frame prime lenses);
• Very large depth of field, eliminating the need for autofocus or precise manual focusing;
• Due to the extreme angle of view and convex front element, front filters cannot be used;
• Often equipped with a filter turret with swivel-mounted filters;
• Often come with a small, built-in petal-shaped lens hood.

From the editor

The Fisheye-Nikkor 6mm f2.8 represents one of the most extraordinary camera lenses ever made. Its awesome front element, which has a diameter of 20cm, is just 7mm thick at its center increasing to 60mm at the edge. This gigantic lens, that dwarfs any camera, weighs 5kg, has a retro-focus design, projects an image circle that is 21.6mm in diameter, and when stopped down to f22 the depth-of-field extends from 17cm to infinity.

Notes

• This non-AI lens was designed for Nikon F, F2, Nikkormat FS, FT, FT2, FTN, EL, ELW 35mm film SLR cameras.
• Non-AI lenses cannot be used on Nikon digital SLR cameras (except for the Df) or late (AI) film SLR cameras. However, non-AI lenses can be fitted to Nikon FM, FE, EL2, F3, F4 and Nikkormat FT3 cameras which used the AI metering system but allowed the metering coupling lever to be disengaged. The F5 could have this mechanism fitted as an optional extra. Non-AI lenses can be also fitted to the Nikon F2A and F2AS cameras because the AI mechanism was fitted to the removable metering prism.

Other fisheye lenses in the Nikon F system

Lenses with similar focal length