EL Nikkor 50mm f/2.8 for macro

Jones Longshot said:

I have read that the EL Nikkor 50mm f/2.8 N is a great macro lens. I have chance to buy a non-N version, the one with the scalloped edges, for around $60 and was wondering how it compares to the N version?

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I've heard that too from many sites (here, here , etc.) potentially with the lens reversed. Most enlarger lenses are actually decent for extreme macro (greater than 1:1), and before I had "real" macro lenses I used enlarger lenses on a bellows fairly often.

However, I think real macro lenses are better in most cases at modest magnifications, and you can get lots of old f/2.8-f/4 macros for less than $60. My best (around 50mm) is probably a Minolta MC 50mm f/3.5 Macro.

Jones Longshot said:

Is this a question for the Macro forum?

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Perhaps.

ProfHankD said:

Jones Longshot said:

I have read that the EL Nikkor 50mm f/2.8 N is a great macro lens. I have chance to buy a non-N version, the one with the scalloped edges, for around $60 and was wondering how it compares to the N version?

Click to expand...

I've heard that too from many sites (here, here , etc.) potentially with the lens reversed. Most enlarger lenses are actually decent for extreme macro (greater than 1:1), and before I had "real" macro lenses I used enlarger lenses on a bellows fairly often.

However, I think real macro lenses are better in most cases at modest magnifications, and you can get lots of old f/2.8-f/4 macros for less than $60. My best (around 50mm) is probably a Minolta MC 50mm f/3.5 Macro.

ProfHankD said:

Is this a question for the Macro forum?

Click to expand...

Perhaps.

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Thanks for the reply.

I do very little macro work and when I do I use my 80mm Rodagon on a bellows. It's fine but I don't go beyond 1:1. It's usually just documenting the small treasures my wife uncovers metal detecting. Coins and buttons and things like that.

This was really more about "the lens is available now at a decent price so should I grab it?"

If the original scalloped version is only so-so in performance then I'll likely just forget about it. The links you referenced are the same places I got that info. But both are about the N variant of the lens.

Having a real macro lens would probably be nice. I'll have to keep my eyes open for a bargain.

Jones

--
https://www.joneshendershot.com
https://youtube.com/janeinspain

The old version has a different optical design and funky bokeh. I had both versions but liked the newer one more and sold the old. I never tested the macro capabilities, rather using them for bokeh.

I like the Rodagon 50mm 2.8 N even more.

Here is a good source of info, google translate may be needed.
http://www.marcocavina.com/articoli_fotografici/Nikon_EL-Nikkor_lenses/00_pag.htm

blåland said:

The old version has a different optical design and funky bokeh. I had both versions but liked the newer one more and sold the old. I never tested the macro capabilities, rather using them for bokeh.

I like the Rodagon 50mm 2.8 N even more.

Here is a good source of info, google translate may be needed.
http://www.marcocavina.com/articoli_fotografici/Nikon_EL-Nikkor_lenses/00_pag.htm

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Thank you for the information and link. Learning about the history and people behind these lenses is fascinating and I enjoy the human element. Reminds me that all these companies are made up of people.

Jones

For a macro test of an EL Nikkor:


Depending on the magnification required some hall of fame solutions:


Alternative optics for macro and close up work:


Lots of tests there. Some scanner lenses price/performance have no competition.

Met vriendelijke groet, Ernst
No photographer's gear list is complete without the printer mentioned !

I recently bought an EL-NIKKOR 50mm f/2.8 (not the 'n') and attached it to my Z8 as per reverse lens set up. Was really excited to play around and see the results.

To my disappointment all I'm getting is a big blur! Everything seems to be attached properly, lens is ok, but zero focus from ANY distance and apperture. No idea what I'm doing wrong.

So regardless of what quality this setup might bring, using my Laowa seems to be a whole lot easier even without AF.

Any suggestions?

Two_Truths said:

I recently bought an EL-NIKKOR 50mm f/2.8 (not the 'n') and attached it to my Z8 as per reverse lens set up. Was really excited to play around and see the results.

To my disappointment all I'm getting is a big blur! Everything seems to be attached properly, lens is ok, but zero focus from ANY distance and apperture. No idea what I'm doing wrong.

So regardless of what quality this setup might bring, using my Laowa seems to be a whole lot easier even without AF.

Any suggestions?

Click to expand...

Can you show us your setup? Are you using a bellows or some other extensions? Seeing your setup is probably going to be the best way to get comments and advice.

Two_Truths said:

I recently bought an EL-NIKKOR 50mm f/2.8 (not the 'n') and attached it to my Z8 as per reverse lens set up. Was really excited to play around and see the results.

To my disappointment all I'm getting is a big blur! Everything seems to be attached properly, lens is ok, but zero focus from ANY distance and apperture. No idea what I'm doing wrong.

So regardless of what quality this setup might bring, using my Laowa seems to be a whole lot easier even without AF.

Any suggestions?

Click to expand...

As suggested by Jones Longshot your best bet is to show your setup, in order to see if there's something else besides the lens which might be worth taking a look at.

Two things which come to mind though:

1.) Given that you try to use the lens in a reverse setup I'm assuming you want to use it for high-magnification macro work. To my knowledge the El-Nikkor 50 mm f/2.8 (non N) is not known as a particularly good lens for that. That being said it also shouldn't be a bad one. But keep in mind, that if you're going to compare your results from an old used enlarging lens, which is not considered the cream of the crop, with a high quality modern macro lens (which most of the Laowa offerings tend to be) will be tough for the former, unless you really have a good sample + a highly optimized setup.

2.) For assessing the quality of the lens itself, starting with a stacked setup usually isn't the best option. Just take a couple of close-up/macro samples with the lens in its original direction (if you have the means to adapt it yet) or reversed, but without the tube lens. If those results are not what you consider reasonably sharp and detailed, you likely won't get good results in a stacked setup either, where a lot of other things start to factor in.

From my (frankly quite limited) personal experience the El-Nikkor 50 mm f/2.8 (non N) should at least provide something like that close-up (wide open):






This is from a really well-worn sample, so ideally yours should be better...

But as mentioned before... your setup is what matters the most, because we don't even fully know how you focus that lens yet, unless I've missed something.

--
Experimenting manual lens enthusiast.

Jones Longshot said:

I have read that the EL Nikkor 50mm f/2.8 N is a great macro lens. I have chance to buy a non-N version, the one with the scalloped edges, for around $60 and was wondering how it compares to the N version?

Is this a question for the Macro forum?

Click to expand...

Seems a high price - shop around, if that’s the lens you want.

Doppler9000 said:

Jones Longshot said:

I have read that the EL Nikkor 50mm f/2.8 N is a great macro lens. I have chance to buy a non-N version, the one with the scalloped edges, for around $60 and was wondering how it compares to the N version?

Is this a question for the Macro forum?

Click to expand...

Seems a high price - shop around, if that’s the lens you want.

Click to expand...

I ended up buying a pristine N version that came up for $35 just because something in me wanted one. I've only used it a few times. I had imagined that getting 1:1 images would be easier with a 50mm than an 80mm. I guess it is since it doesn't require as much extension. My very infrequent macro needs make it difficult to evaluate it against other lenses. All I can say is it meets my needs when I use it.

Jones

Jones Longshot said:

Doppler9000 said:

Jones Longshot said:

I have read that the EL Nikkor 50mm f/2.8 N is a great macro lens. I have chance to buy a non-N version, the one with the scalloped edges, for around $60 and was wondering how it compares to the N version?

Is this a question for the Macro forum?

Click to expand...

Seems a high price - shop around, if that’s the lens you want.

Click to expand...

I ended up buying a pristine N version that came up for $35 just because something in me wanted one. I've only used it a few times. I had imagined that getting 1:1 images would be easier with a 50mm than an 80mm. I guess it is since it doesn't require as much extension. My very infrequent macro needs make it difficult to evaluate it against other lenses. All I can say is it meets my needs when I use it.

Jones

Click to expand...

Perfect!