EL Nikkor 210mm F5.6

I bought this EL Nikkor 210mm F5.6 lens over 20 years ago. One day in November 2000. I bought it in Shinjuku, Tokyo. I was happy to be able to buy a new and unused lens.

Specifications

EL Nikkor 210mm F5.6

Focal length :  210 mm
Max. aperture :  1 : 5.6
Min. aperture :  f/45
Lens construction :  6 elements in 4 groups
Standard magnification :  4X
Range of magnification ratio :  2X - 8X
Picture angle :  54°
Correction wavelength range :  380 nm - 700 nm
Vignetting :  0% at f/8
Distortion :  +0.01%
Subject size :  150x210 mm (5x7 inch)
Overall working distance :  1,312.5 mm
Filter size :  d=68 mm p=0.75 mm
Rear mount :  d=72 mm p=1.0 mm
Front mount :  d=72 mm p=1.0 mm
Lens adapter plate o.d. :  d=98 mm
Length :  77 mm
Diameter :  82 mm
Weight :  600 g
Actual weight :  586.5 g

Release date :  May 1968
Price :
  36,800 Japanese YEN (1969)
  36,800 Japanese YEN (1970)
  36,800 Japanese YEN (1971)
  36,800 Japanese YEN (April 1973)
  69,000 Japanese YEN (December 1973)
  86,200 Japanese YEN (June 1974)
  86,200 Japanese YEN (1976)
  86,200 Japanese YEN (1977)
  86,200 Japanese YEN (November 1980)
  99,200 Japanese YEN (February 1981)
  99,200 Japanese YEN (1982)
  99,200 Japanese YEN (April 1984)

EL Nikkor 210mm F5.6 Lens Construction

Position of EL Nikkor 210mm F5.6

I looked up the prices of Nikon cameras and Nikkor lenses as of December 1977. The Nikon F2 eye level body was 76,000 yen, the Ai Nikkor 16mm F3.5 was 82,000 yen, and the Ai Nikkor 300mm F4.5 was 67,000 yen. The EL Nikkor 210mm F5.6 was more expensive than the Nikon F2 eye level body.

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)

Inspection Card

A signature of T. Sagawa is written on the inspection card of this EL Nikkor 210mm F5.6 lens. A signature is also written on the inspection card of the other lenses with T. Sagawa. We called them "SAGAWA Card".

Mr. Takeshi Sagawa (1921 - 1999) is an inspector of Nippon Kogaku. He is the most famous person for Special Nikkor collector all over the world. Because you can find out the card with his signature. He was the specialist of the inspection of a special Nikkor lens specialty.

Signed by Mr. Takeshi SAGAWA

The Back Side of the Inspection Card

Sales Period

According to Nikon's corporate history, the EL Nikkor 210mm F5.6 lens was released in May 1968. Then when did it the sale end? I saw it listed in the Nikon price list dated April 1, 1984. According to the Nikon price list dated October 1, 1984, I saw the newly designed EL Nikkor 210mm F5.6A listed. Therefore, I estimate that the 210mm F5.6 was discontinued around mid-1984.

EL Nikkor 210mm F5.6

How to Use the Lens

The lens mount is a screw mount with a diameter of 72mm and P=1.0 mm. It has the same screw mount size as the Ultra Micro Nikkor 155mm F4 lens. I attached the Ultra Micro Nikkor 155mm F4 mount adapter and mounted the EL Nikkor 210mm F5.6 lens on the PB-4 bellows.

Nikon PB-4 Bellows

Nikon FTZ Mount Adapter and PB-4

EL Nikkor 210mm F5.6

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