Nikon f-4 User Manual

Micro-Niklor
105mm

f/4

Nikon INSTRUCTION MANUAL ^l

NOMENCLATURE

Reproduction ratio scale (lens only)

Reproduction ratio scale (lens + PN ring) ^M^^M(^^te__,

Micro-Nikkor Lens

Apertu re ring

Focusing ring

Meter coupling shoe

Aperture scale index

Distance scale

Depth-of-field indicators

Distance scale index

Aperture scale

Aperture-direct-readout scale

Meter coupling ridge

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CONTENTS

Foreword 4

Mounting the lens 5

Focusing 6

Recommended focusing screens 7
Reproduction ratio 7
Focusing at predetermined ratio 8

Depth of field 9
Notes on focusing 9
Determining exposure 10

With built-in TTL metering 10

Without TTL metering 11
Close-up tables 12

Depth-of-field tables 13

Features/specifications 15

3

FOREWORD

The Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/4 is a special telephoto lens designed for
close-up photography at high reproduction ratios. It features the same
optical construction as the much-acclaimed Bellows-Nikkor 105mm
f/4,

but with a special focusing helicoid that enables operation from
infinity (°°) to a reproduction ratio of 1 : 2 (half life-size) without the
need for any adapters. The lens offers "automatic maximum aperture
indexing"
pling ridge provided. The ridge and the auto diaphragm function to-

gether to permit full aperture exposure measurement; the lens is also
fitted with a meter coupling shoe to permit the same operation with
Nikon cameras which lack the Al facility. In terms of optical perform­ance,
feature, enabling virtually distortion-free images at all reproduction
ratios.
hances performance by increasing image contrast, while reducing flare
and ghost, for outstanding color reproduction.

When the Micro-Nikkor 1 05mm is used with the special Auto Extension

Ring PN-11 or PN-1, focusing is further extended from 1 : 2 to 1 : 1 for

full life-size reproduction.

To get the best results from your Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/4, read this

instruction manual carefully. Keep the manual handy for reference
until you have thoroughly familiarized yourself with the lens and its

operation.

mistakes.

(Al) with suitably equipped cameras, via the meter

the Micro-Nikkor's excellent flatness of field is a stand-out

The application of Nikon Integrated Coating (NIC) further en-

A few minutes of preparation will help you avoid costly

cou-

MOUNTING THE LENS

Position the lens in the camera's bayonet
mount, aligning the mounting indexes on the
camera and the lens. Twist the lens counter­clockwise until it clicks into place.

To remove, depress the lens release button on

the camera and twist the lens clockwise.

Note:

When mounting the lens on a camera with a

meter coupling lever (Al type), make sure that the

camera's meter coupling lever is correctly positioned;

when mounting on a camera without this lever (non-

Al type), conventional "manual" maximum aperture

indexing is required. In both cases, refer to the

camera's instruction manual.

FOCUSING

The fully automatic diaphragm of the Micro­Nikkor enables focusing with maximum image
brightness throughout the entire focusing range

of the lens. As the image is constantly viewed
at the maximum aperture setting

(i.e.,

f/4),
the depth of field is minimized so that the
image snaps in and out of focus rapidly and
distinctly.
To focus, turn the focusing ring until the image
on the focusing screen appears sharp and crisp.
Via the special focusing helicoid, the Micro-

Nikkor operates continuously from infinity

(°°) to 0.47m (1.55 ft) for a reproduction
ratio of 1:2.
The distance scale on the focusing ring is
marked in both meters (white) and feet
low).

These figures indicate the distance from

(yel-

the subject to the camera's film plane.

Note:

The exact position of the film plane is indicat­ed on all cameras for convenience when measuring.
On Nikon F/F2 cameras, the top edge of the serial

number is the exact position of the plane. On
other Nikon and Nikkormat cameras, the plane is

indicated by the symbol (-Q-)

Recommended Focusing Screens

Nineteen different interchangeable focusing
screens are available for F and F2 Nikon
cameras to suit any type of lens or picture­taking situation. Those which are recommend­ed for use with this Micro-Nikkor 105mmf/4
lens are listed below.

c

A/I

(„,„ SS«"

©= Excellent focusing
®= Acceptable focusing

0= Acceptable focusing

• = Not usable
= With these lens-screen combinations the view-

•

F

»

l

•

•

*••

m

The image is brilliant from edge to edge, but the
center area (range-finder, microprism or cross­hair) is dim. Focus on the surrounding matte
area.

Slight vignetting (or moire phenomenon, in the
case of the microprism) affects the screen image.
The image on the
of this.

finder can be used only for focusing; exposure
measurement is not possible.

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film,

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Reproduction Ratio
The reproduction ratio is the numerical expres­sion of the relationship between the image size

(to be recorded on the film) and the actual size
of the subject. For example, if the image on
the focusing screen is one-fifth the actual size

of the subject, the reproduction ratio is said to

be 1:5, and is indicated on the reproduction

ratio scale of the Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/4 by

the number "5'!

7

FOCUSING - continued

Focusing at Predetermined Ratio
Above the distance scale on the focusing ring
are two reproduction ratio scales inscribed in
orange. The inner scale, with figures from 1:10
to 1:2, represents the reproduction ratios ob­tained when the lens is used alone. The outer
scale figures

(i.e.,

1:2 to 1:1) represent the
ratios possible when the lens and, PN-1 or
PN-11

ring,

are used together. Using either of
these scales, you can photograph at a pre­determined ratio without calculating the
distances required. To photograph at a repro­duction ratio of 1 : 5, for example, just turn
the focusing ring until the number "5" is
aligned with the distance scale index; then
aim at the subject and adjust your position
(close to, or farther away from, the subject)
until the image appears sharp and crisp on
the focusing screen.

8

Depth of Field
Depth of field refers to the zone of acceptable
focus extending in front of and behind the
plane of sharpest focus. As this zone is excep­tionally shallow at high reproduction ratios,
previewing is desirable before shooting. To
preview, press the depth-of-field button on
the camera and the lens will close to the
preselected aperture to allow you to see how
much background and foreground is in focus.

Depth of field can also be observed by reading
the color-coded indicators inscribed on the

lens barrel. The pairs of colored lines on either
side of the white distance scale index line
correspond to f/numbers of the same color on

the aperture scale. At close distances, so little

is in focus that the depth-of-field tables on

pages 13 ~ 14 are more useful.

NOTES ON FOCUSING

Camera Shake: Close-up photography poses
several problems not encountered in general
photography. One of these is sensitivity to
vibration—the magnification of the image is so
high that even slight displacement during
shooting results in a blurred image. Therefore,
the use of a tripod is recommended at all
times,

with shutter actuated via cable release.
In this respect, the convenient, 360° rotatable
tripod mounting collar on the PN ring will
prove useful.

Close Working Distances: At high reproduction

ratios encountered during close-up shooting,
depth of field decreases drastically. This
dition can be partially compensated for by
stopping down the lens. But at very close

working distances, an extremely shallow depth
of field is inevitable. Careful placement of the
camera will be necessary to ensure that the

important surfaces of the subject are in the

same zone of sharpness.

con-

9

DETERMINING EXPOSURE

Camera

Al
Al

Al

non-AI

*non-AI

non-AI

*With this combination, conventional "manual" maximum aperture
indexing is required.

Close-up attachment

PN-11
PN-1

Bellows, E2 and K rings
and close-up lenses

PN-11
PN-1

Bellows, E2 and K rings

and close-up lenses

10

Exposure measurement
Full aperture
Stop-down

Stop-down
Stop-down

Full aperture
Stop-down

With Built-in TTL Metering
The Micro-Nikkor has a fully automatic dia­phragm with settings from f/4 to f/32. The
Micro-Nikkor couples fully to the thru-the­lens meter of any F/F2 Nikon Photomic or
other Nikon/Nikkormat cameras for full aper­ture exposure measurement over the entire
range of aperture settings. Note that when

this lens is used with non-AI cameras,

con­ventional "manual" maximum aperture in­dexing is required.

When close-up attachments such as a PN ring

or bellows are used, the exposure measure-

ment method is shown in the table on the left.
When the lens is mounted in the reverse
tion,

the stop-down method should be used.

posi-

See the instruction manual supplied with your
camera or Photomic viewfinder for details.

Caution:

When the stop-down method is used at
small apertures, a finder eyecup should be attached
to the eyepiece to ensure complete exclusion of

stray light.

Without TTL Metering
At close ranges (reproduction ratios greater
than

1:10),

the amount of light reaching the
film decreases as the lens-to-film distance in­creases. When non-TTL measurement is used
for this range, the result is underexposed
photographs unless compensation has been
made for this decrease. (When the Micro­Nikkor 105mm f/4 lens is used with the Pho­tomic or Nikon/Nikkormat TTL meter it is
not necessary to make compensations, since
the meter is designed to give an accurate
reading of the amount of light reaching the
film.)

The table at right gives the exposure factors

(compensation values) with exposure increase
in f/stops for non-TTL exposure measurement

at reproduction ratios greater than 1:10.

Reproduction

ratio

I I

1/10

1/8
1/6
1/4
1/2

1/1.8
1/1.6
1/1.4
1/1.2

1/1

Exposure

factor

12

1.2

13

1.5

2.1

2.3

21

2.7

3.1

3.6

Exposure

increase

in f/stops

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.6

1.1

1.2

1.3
1-1

1.6

1.9

Insert this table into the memo holder at the back of
your camera for easy reference.

1 1

CLOSE-UP TABLES

Photographic Ranges with Other Close-up Attachments

Close-up attachment

E2 Ring

K Ring Set
PN Ring

Bellows PB-4, PB-5

Close-Up Lens No. 0

Close-Up Lens No. 1

Close-Up Lens No. 2

Repro-Copy Outfit

PF-2,

PI--.!

Close-up attachment

;H2Rin

S

K Ring Set

PN Ring

Bellows PB-4, PB-5

Close-Up Lens No. 0

Close-Up Lens No. 1

Close-Up Lens No. 2
Repro-Copy Outfit

PF-2,

PF-3

* The first values are for the K1 ring used alone and the second ones for all five

rings used together.

** The figures shown here represent the ranges obtained with the subject on the

1

2 baseplate, using the lens without any close-up attachment.

Reproduction

1/7.5-1/1.6

1/18.1-1/1.1
1/5.7-1/3.7

1/2.4-1.8

1/13.4-1/1.7

1/6.4-1/1.4

1/3.2-1/1.1

1/6-1/2

Reproduction

1/7.5-1/1.6

1/18.1-1/1.1

1/5.7-1/3.7

1/2.4-1.8

1/13.4-1/1.7

1/6.4-1/1.4

1/3.2-1/1.1
1/6-1/2

Lens in normal position

Subject field

18.0x27.0-

3.8x5.7

43.4 x

65.2-

2.5 x 3-8
I 3.7 x

20.6-

8.8 x 13.3

5.9 x 8.8-

1.4x2.0

32.3x48.4-

4.0 x 6-0

15.4x 23.1

3.4 x 5.2

7.7 x

11.6-

2.7 x 4.0

14.4x21.6-

4.8 x 7.2

Lens in normal position

Subjected

?i:s-

\iVS-1-

u:a-

UttZjs

\i\w-

s:s-

wt-

S5if-

Focused

distance

101-44.1

212-41.9

260-202

50.8-45.3

156-42.9

82.7-39.7

49.1-35.4

85.3-41.9

Focused

distance

39.8-17.4

83.3-16.5

102-79.4

20.0-17.8

61.5-16.9

32.6-15.6

19.3-14.0

33.5 16.5

Reproduction

l/3.8-1.fi

Reproduction

1/3.8-1.6

Lens in reverse position

Subject field

9.2 x

13.8-

1.5x2.2

Lens in reverse position

Subject field

3.6

• 5.1

0.58 x 0.88

Focused
distance

63.9-44.3

Focused

25.1-17.4

DEPTH-OF-FIELD TABLES

Focused

distance

0.47

0.50

0.55

0.6

0.7

0.8
1

1.2

1.5
2
3
7

.

4

0.469-0.471

0.499-0.501

0.549-0.552

0.598-0.602

0.697-0.703

0.795-0.805

0.992-1.01

1.19-1.21

1.48-1.52

1.96-2.04

2.91-3.10

6.48-7.62

82.9-°°

5

0.469-0.471

0.499-0.501

0.548-0.552

0.597-0.603

0.696-0.704

0.794-0.806

0.990-1.01

1.18-1.22

1.47-1.53

1.95-2.05

2.88-3.13

6.36-7.79

66.4-°°

8

0.468-0.472

0.498-0.502

0.547-0.553

0.596-0.604

0.694-0.707

0.791-0.810

0.984-1.02

1.17-1.23

1.46-1.54

1.92-2.09

2.82-3.21
6:03-8.36

41.6—•

Depth

of

field

11

0.468-0.472

0.497-0.503

0.546-0.554

0.595-0.606

0.691-0.709

0.787-0.813

0.978-1.02

1.17-1.24

1.44-1.56

1.89-2.12

2.76-3.30

5.73-9.02

30.3-°°

16

0.467-0.473

0.496-0.504

0.544-0.556

0.592-0.608

0.687-0.713

0.782-0.819

0.968-1.03

1.15-1.25

1.42-1.59

1.85-2.18

2.66-3.45

5.30-10.4

20.9-°°

22

0.466-0.474

0.494-0.506

0.542-0.559

0.589-0.612

0.683-0.719

0.775-0.827

0.957-1.05

1.13-1.28

1.39-1.63

1.80-2.26

2.55-3.66

4.87-12.7

15.2-°°

32

0.464-0.477

0.492-0.509

0.538-0.563

0.584-0.617

0.675-0.727

0.765-0.840

0.939-1.07

1.11-1.31

1.35-1.70

1.72-2.40

2.39-4.08

4.28-20.6

10.5-°°

(m)

Reproduction
ratio

1/1.98
1/2.35
1/2.90
1/3.43
1/4.45
1/5.45
1/7.40
1/9.33
1/12.2
1/17.0
1/26.5
1/64.7

l/oo

13

DEPTH-OF-FIELD TABLES - continued

Depth

Focused

distance

1.55

1.75

2

2.5

3

4

5

7

10

20

-

14

4

1,6-9/16,'-l'6-5/a"

^'B-•\5tf6•'-^•9••

ril-7/8,'-2'

1/16"

2-5-13/16"-2'6-I/8"

2'11 11/16"—31/4"

3'1 !-7/16"-4'l/2"

4'11-l/8"-5'7/8"

6'10-WT6"-?'1-7/»"

9'8-1/8"-l0'4"

18'8"-21'6"

272'--"

5.6

T6-l/2"-1

'6-5/8"

l'8-7/8"-l'9-l/16"

1'1l-7/8"-2'l/I6"

2'5-3/4"-2'6-3/16"

2'l1-5/8"-3'5/16"

311-1/4"-4'1l/l6"

4'i0-3/4"-5'l-1/4"

6'9-7/16"-7'2-5/8"

9'6-ll/16"-10'6"

18*3"

22'2"

1W--

s

l'6-l/2"-l'6-5/8"

l'8-7/8"~l'9-l/16"

l'il-13/16"-2'l/8"

2,5-5/8"-2'6-5/16"

2'1l-7/l6"-3'!/2"

3"10-15/16"

4*1-1/16"

4lO-1/4"-5'l-13/l6"

6'8-7/16"-7'3-7/8"

9'4-9/16"-10'9"

17'7"-23'3"

136'--

r6-l/2"-T6-11/16"

l'8-l

3/16"- 1 '9-1/8"

1'11-3/4"

2'5-9/16"-2'6-7/16"

21

l-1/4'-31l

3'10-9/16"-4'l-7/16"

4'9-l1/l6"-5'2-l/2"

6"7-3/16"-7'5-7/l

9-2"-ir0"

!6'10"-24'10"

»'4»--

of

11

-2' 3/16"

1/1 6"

6"

field

16

T6-7/16" 1 '6-11/16"

l'8-3/4"-1'9-3/16"

l'H-5/8"-

2'5/16"

2'5-5/16"-2'6-5/8"

2'10-15/16"—3T-1/16'

3,10"-4'2-3/16"

4'8-11/l6"-5'3-3/4"

6'5-l/4"-7'8-3/16"

8'10-1/16"-1!'7"

IS'8"-27'11"

68'6"--

22

!'6-3/8"-l'6-3/4"

1'8-1I/16" - 1*9-1/4"

ri1-l/2"-2'7/l6"

2'5-1/8"-2,6-7/8"

2'10-5/8" -3'1-l/2"

3-9-1/4"

4*3-1/16"

4'7-9/16"-5'5-5/16"

6'3" 7'1

1-3/4"

8*5'11/16"-12'3"

14'6"

-32'9"

50'0 '• —

32

1'6-5/l6"-l'6-I3/16"

1'8-9/16"-r9-7/16"

ril-5/I6"-2'!1/16"

2'4-3/4"-2,7-3/8"

2,l0"-3'2-1/4"

3'8-3/16"-4'4-H/l6"

4'5-13/16"-5'8-l/8"

5'11-S/8"-8'6-3/8"

711-1/4'—13

8"

12'11"

46'7"

347"—

(fii

Reproduction
ratio

1/2.01

1/2.72

1/3.53

1/5.07

1/6.57

1/9.52

1/12.4

1/18.3

1/27.0

1/56.1

1/-

FEATURES/SPECIFICATIONS

Focal length: 105mm

Maximum aperture: f/4

Lens construction: 5 elements in 3 groups

Picture angle: 23°20'
Distance scale: Graduated in meters and feet
from 0.47m (1.55 ft) to infinity (°°)

Aperture scale: f/4 ~ f/32
Diaphragm: Fully automatic

Reproduction ratios: Scales provided; 1:10
to 1 : 2 for lens only; 1 : 2 to 1 : 1 for lens plus
PN-1 orPN-11 ring
Exposure measurement: Via full-aperture

method;
Al cameras and meter coupling shoe for non­Al cameras

Lens hood: Slip-out type built into front of

lens

Tripod mounting: Via socket in tripod mount-

ing collar of PN
mit vertical and horizontal format picture­taking;
rotation;

meter coupling ridge provided for

ring;

collar rotatable to per-

click-stops provided at each 90° of

collar locking screw provided

Attachment size: 52mm (P = 0.75)
Mount: Nikon F mount
Dimensions: 74.5mm0 x 104mm long (over-

all);

96mm extention from flange
Weight: 500g
Accessories included: 52mm snap-on front

lens cap; rear lens cap LF-1

Optional accessories: 52mm screw-in filters;

flexible lens pouch No. 55; hard lens case
CL-33A, plastic lens case CP-2; flexible lens
pouch No. 56 (with PN ring attached); hard
lens case CL-35A (with PN ring attached)

15

NIPPON KOGAKU K.K

No reproduction in any form of this booklet,
in whole or in part (except for brief quotation in
critical articles or reviews), may be made without
written authorization from the publishers.

Printed in Japan (77.10.C) &-3