OPinions on the Nikkor M 450/9 lens?

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I am thinking of purchasing the Nikkor 450/9 lens for 8x10 and i was wondering if anyone had any comments about this lens? I am considering this lens mainly because of its price(new) and also because of its relatively small size, but does the slow speed hinder focusing? In addition, how does this lense perform at around f/16 - f/22?

Thank you for any comments. Dave.

-- Dave Anton (daveanton@home.com), February 11, 2000

Answers

i use the 300mm f/9 M-Nikkorfor bothof my 4x5 cameras and on a 6x17 cm camera and while the image is darker than an f/5.6 lens i haven't had focusing problems. The 300mm is really terrific at f/22 down to /32.5. f/16 might be a little too wide open both in terms of resolution and shallowness of your depth of focus.

-- Ellis Vener (evphoto@insync.net), February 11, 2000.

I have a Fujinon 450C f 12.5 that I use for 8x10. It is a small lens, #1 shutter, and costs $950 new from Mid West Camera Exchange. If size is important for you, I would opt for the Fujinon over the #3 shutter Nikon. I can focus okay with the small aperture, and I use a plain ground glass.

-- William Marderness (wmarderness@hotmail.com), February 11, 2000.

I would agree with the previous respondent. Both the Fuji and the Nikon are marvelous lenses. You would not go wrong with either. I opted for the Fuji 450 12.5 because of the size. Every ounce of weight that you can do without I am all for. In addition to the Copal #1 shutter, it also takes a 52mm screw in filter, which is great to be able to go with a B+W. I have no problems with the 12.5 f stop.

-- Michael Kadillak (m.kadilak@att.net), February 11, 2000.

Dave,

I completely agree with the previous posters. I owned the Nikkor 450 and switched to the Fuji 450.

While both are excellent lenses for 8x10, the Fuji is much smaller and lighter than the Nikkor (copal 1 vs. copal 3 shutter, 52mm vs. 67mm front filter size), is equally sharp, has huge coverage for 8x10, and is about the same price.

Both lenses are bright enough to focus and compose comfortably at their maximum apertures. This is really not a problem with this focal length.

I've used both at f/22 to f/32 with success; I cannot remember when I've used it at f/16, other than when initially testing the lens.

Good luck, Sergio.

-- Sergio Ortega (s.ortega@worldnet.att.net), February 11, 2000.


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