Doesn anyone know if the optics is different than before? I have two El-Nikkors, one 50/2,8 and one 75/4, and thinking about buying the six element 80/5,6 N for higher sharpness than the 75/4. I hope I will see a difference.

-- Patric (jenspatric@mail.bip.net), April 04, 2000

Answers

I'm not sure about differences old to new, per se, but the 75 is only a four element design, so you should see a difference. I own the 80 and have been very happy with it.

-- Brian Hinther (BrianH@sd314.k12.id.us), April 06, 2000.

Looking at brochures of various vintages, I can find no evidence of changes in the optical design with the possible exception of the 150 mm lens. That lens seems to have been redone so that it would fit into the standard 39 mm Leica thread. The definite change between the former model and the N model is the aperture readout. The older models have lettering on the barrel, while the new model has a cutout in which an illuminated number appears.

The strange thing about the marketing of the El-Nikkor is that the same name, "El-Nikkor", is used for both 4 element and 6 element lenses. All are 6 element except the 50 mm f4 and the 75 mm f4. I haven't personally tested this, but the 6 element design is widely viewed as superior. Most manufacturers use a different name for different lens designs.

-- Michael Briggs (MichaelBriggs@earthlink.net), April 11, 2000.