EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5

EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5 Features

The EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5's correction wavelength range is listed in the technical data as 350nm to 700nm, stepping into the near UV region of 350nm.

A friend of mine is a scientific photographer taking advantage of the performance of the EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5. His scientific photographs and papers have been published in academic journals.

The EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5 is extremely well suited for full size mirrorless cameras. I use it as a normal photographic lens and find it to have excellent micro-contrast characteristics.

EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5

Specifications

EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5

Focal length :  63 mm
Max. aperture :  f/3.5
Min. aperture :  f/16
Lens construction :  6 elements in 4 groups
Standard magnification :  8X
Range of magnification ratio :  2X - 20X
Picture angle :  46°
Correction wavelength range :  350 nm - 700 nm
Subject size :  32 X 45 mm (55.2 mm⌀)
Overall working distance :  637.9 mm
Vignetting :  0% at f/4
Distortion :  +0.4%
Filter size :  d=40.5 mm p=0.5 mm
Mount :  Leica L39 screw mount
Length :  43.5 mm
Diameter :  47.5 mm
Weight :  130 g
Actual weight :  123.0 g

Release date :  June 1966
Price :
  16,200 Japanese YEN (1966)
  16,200 Japanese YEN (1969)
  16,200 Japanese YEN (1971)
  16,200 Japanese YEN (December 1973)
  19,200 Japanese YEN (June 1974)
  19,200 Japanese YEN (April 1976)
  21,700 Japanese YEN (July 1976)
  21,700 Japanese YEN (1977)
  21,700 Japanese YEN (1980)

EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5 Lens Construction

Position of EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5

The EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5 lens was a professional lens for precision photo enlargement applications. Therefore, the number of production is smaller than that of the general EL Nikkor 50mm lens. As shown in the price list below, a 63mm lens is more expensive than other 50mm to 80mm lenses.

Source is from the Nikon Industrial Lenses Price List (December 21st, 1977).
The price is Japanese YEN.

EL Nikkor	Price (YEN)	Film Formats
50mm F2.8	12,700	24 x 36 mm
50mm F4	7,900	24 x 36 mm
63mm F3.5	21,700	32 x 45 mm
75mm F4	14,700	56 x 56 mm
80mm F5.6	19,400	60 x 70 mm
105mm F5.6	26,500	65 x 90 mm
135mm F5.6	37,500	90 x 120 mm (4 x 5 inch)
150mm F5.6	49,200	100 x 130 mm (4 x 5 inch)
180mm F5.6	74,600	130 x 180 mm (5 x 7 inch)
210mm F5.6	86,200	150 x 210 mm (5 x 7 inch)
240mm F5.6	111,000	180 x 240 mm (8 x 10 inch)
300mm F5.6	163,000	270 x 330 mm (10 x 12 inch)
360mm F5.6	231,000	300 x 400 mm (11 x 14 inch)

Sales Period

According to Nikon's corporate history, the EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5 lens was released in August 1966. Then when did it the sale end? I saw it listed in the Nikon price list dated February 15, 1980. According to the Nikon price list dated June 15, 1980, I saw the newly designed EL Nikkor 63mm F2.8N listed. Therefore, I estimate that the 63mm F3.5 was discontinued around middle 1980.

EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5

EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5

How to enjoy the EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5

I attached an easily available mount adapter (M42 to Nikon Z) to my Nikon Z camera. And I also attached the BORG M42 helicoid. I added an EL Nikkor EX ring to get even more infinity. In this condition, I mounted the EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5 lens. This set allows you to shoot from infinity to close-ups.

Nikon Z Shooting Set

Saturn Markt

With 40.5mm Filter and Hood

The following adapters were connected to the EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5 lens to get good infinity focus.

Very thin mount adapter (M42 to Nikon Z)
BORG M42 helicoid
Nikon EL extension ring
EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5
Nikon 40.5mm Neutral Color NC Filter
Nikon Lens Hood HN-N103

With 52mm Filter and Hood

The following adapters were connected to the EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5 lens to get very gorgeous and detailed images.

Very thin mount adapter (M42 to Nikon Z)
BORG M42 helicoid
Nikon EL extension ring
EL Nikkor 63mm F3.5
MARUMI 40.5mm to 52mm Step-up ring
Nikon 52mm Neutral Color L37c Filter
Nikon Lens Hood HS-14

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