Nikon Nikkor W 300mm  f5.6 [Plasmat type]

Nikon Nikkor W 300mm f5.6 shown mounted on a Sinar lens panel

Background:

Of the 300mm focal lengths, compact Tessar types are the most popular options for field photographers. 

The larger modern plasmat types e.g. Nikon Nikkor W 300mm f5.6 and the Fujinon L (or CMW)  300mm

f5.6, all share the same characteristics:  a  Copal 3 shutter and an overall dramatic increase in the size

and weight of the lens.  The plasmat optical design originated from Hugo Meyer by the designer, Paul

Rudolph in the early 20th century as a six element lens, airspaced, in two groups.  The Nikkor W series

share these properties and are not apo-chromatically corrected.   Why choose a plasmat lens then? 

Photographers who prefer plasmat designs such as the Nikkor-W 300mm f5.6 prioritise two features: the

faster available aperture, that is, f5.6 of plasmats versus the f9.0 of Tessar types, and a much greater 

image circle.   As a consequence of the plasmat design, peripheral image field definition is improved over

that of a compact Tessar type which can be seen to operate better over a smaller sweet spot area.

Features:  This modern plasmat type lens offers greater coverage up to 11x14" and therefore

                  covers whole plate format with significant movements.  It benefits from the use of a

                  modern Copal 3 shutter enabling up to 1/125th second exposures.   However it is a

                  substantially larger lens than its smaller Nikkor 300mm M f9 sibling:

Oh dear!  Not exactly a small lens.  300mm Nikkor M vs Nikkor W

An interesting modern multi-coated optic, the Nikon Nikkor 300mm W f5.6 extends well beyond the covering power

of the Nikkor 300mm M's rather tightly reported image circle of 325mm at f22 for infinity.   Early whole plate anecdotal

reports of use indicate that the Nikkor 300mm M f9.0 may not cover whole plate format at apertures wider than f22.0,

resulting in quadrant clipping of the image.   The Nikkor 300mm W f5.6 offers greater confidence in this instance.

Camera:                 Chamonix

Lens board:           Sinar

Filter thread size:  95mm front filter.  Rear filtration possible.

Groundglass:        Excellent illumination across the ground glass compared to a Tessar type.

Shutter:                  Copal 3  1/125s - 1 s + B + T

Weight:                   Heavy

Oh dear!  Not the most elegant defocusation effects either.  Ilford FP4+, Paterson FX39. 

Both Nikkor 300mm lenses are modern and contrasty offering respectable and reliable imaging without any

significant drawbacks.  In line with modern multi-coated Japanese optics, the Nikkor possesses high definition

and micro-contrast, sufficient to pick out shadow detail.  However behind this modern high definition sharp and

contrasty appearance, is a background imaging which can be seen to be rather hard, if not wire-like in the

defocusation areas, with very evident hexagonal aperture blade shaping.  Perhaps not the most aesthetically

pleasing result from an otherwise class optic?

2nd image: Nikkor W 300mm with movements applied.   Greater image circle?  Oh dear again. Ilford FP4+ and Paterson FX39

With a few movements to  control defocusation effects, the image circle of the Nikkor W 300mm is rapidly expended. 

The defocusation areas however do seem to have improved in comparison to the first image with no movements applied. 

Summary:  An interesting plasmat type lens with improved image circle offering high definition performance typical of

Japanese lenses relative to the smaller Tessar field equivalent.  Its trade offs include a rather clinical defocusation effects;

a significantly heavy weight, the need for  larger 95mm filters despite which, its image circle can hardly be considered

sufficiently expansive for architectural field perspective correction, nor sufficient to control defocusation effects. 

Photographers interested in a lightweight 300mm focal length with limited room for movements may wish to consider

the smaller Nikkor M 300mm f9.0.

Other Nikkor (and Topcor) lenses (require 259mm image circle to cover Whole Plate):

Acknowledgements: table supplied by www.komamura.co.jp

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