Nikon AS-1 Martin Collection

Nikon AS-1 Martin Collection

Nikon AS-1 Objective Lenses Collection
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

Nikon AS-1 Martin Collection

I would like to introduce to you the wonderful images received from Mr. Martin Moravcik of Slovakia. Of course, the all of special lenses and items are Martin-san's great collection.

Hello Red Book Nikkor friends. My name is Martin and I come from a little country in the heart of Europe.

I have been always a big fan of Akiyama-san and admire his dedicated work on the rare and obsolete special lenses. These lenses came to my attention in early years of my career, when I wanted to capture beauty of the light in uncommon ways, since I am an artist, not only photographer. Nikon created a world of lenses that you can rediscover without any limits.

Even after 25 years of my relation to this remarkable and gorgeous optical brand I can still find unknown treasures and new optical mysteries.

Martin Moravcik

Nikon AS-1 Objective Lenses Collection

Nikon AS-1 Objective Lenses Collection
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

Welcome to a unique world of AS-1 Nikkor lenses. Special Nikkors lenses are my favorite from all Nikkors.

Inspiration for search after these uncommon lenses came to me by initial post from Mike Symons in the year 2006. For many years, these lenses seemed to be unobtainable. First lens (10x) that started this little humble collection came from a very fine Nikon Distributor in France Mr. Abdon, a nice French gentleman. It was a gift given to me through Thierry-san, who is the top Nippon Kogaku collector in France.

For some time, this lens was alone and it took few years to give the lens a proper companion. Some lenses slipped through my fingers, as it is common when the rare item shines in eyes of several hunter-collectors. Before last 2x lens, which is the most difficult to find, several other brothers of the 10x and 5x arrived to safe home. Some from Japan directly, some from overseas. Theirs technical beauty and craftsmanship were the reason for no hesitation, when obtaining another example.

Then the last 2x lens appeared in USA. This lens was only optional accessory for the AS-1 unit and therefore it is rather rare to find. The smallest and the most precious. Only 3 lenses have the original lens caps. These lenses were used by ophthalmologists, who do not really care about lens caps. Is ok, they use the lenses for their work and no lens caps usually mean that the lenses were always mounted on the AS-1 unit.

Please enjoy this unique ophthalmology lenses world.

Nikon AS-1 Objective Lenses Collection
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

Nikon AS-1 2x Objective Lens
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

Nikon AS-1 5x Objective Lens
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

Nikon AS-1 10x Objective Lens
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

Nikon AS-1 Special Finder Collection

Nikon AS-1 Special Finder Collection
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

There finders "musketeers" . Also very special and designed for ophthalmology use.

The middle one, silver finder is designed for the AS-1 unit to be used on F2 camera bodies. The black one, that is on the left side, comes from AS-2 unit and was meant for F3 camera body. The last one on the right side is from ophthalmology F2 medical camera unit that has also circular opening in metal focusing screen with center focusing marks.

All of these are designed for special needs of ophthalmologists, who need exact details when examining patient eyes and capturing these examinations on film camera for later medical records.

Nikon AS-1 Special Finder Collection
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

6x Viewfinder for Nikon F3 and for Nikon F2
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

6x Viewfinder for Nikon F3
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

Special Viewfinder for Nikon F2
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

6x Viewfinder for Nikon F2
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

6x Viewfinder for Nikon F3
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

Nikon F2 Small Finder

There is almost no information about this special finder for Nikon F2, so I would like to introduce images viewed from various angles for your reference.

Side view of Nikon F2 Small Finder
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

This view finder is from ophthalmology Nikon F2 medical camera unit that has also circular opening in metal focusing screen with center focusing marks.

View the Nikon F2 Small Finder from above
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

Bottom of Nikon F2 Small Finder
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

Circular opening
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

Circular opening in metal focusing screen
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

Centre focusing marks
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

Nikon AS-1 Power Supply Unit

Nikon AS-1 Power Supply Unit
From Nikon Brochure (c) 1979, Nippon Kogaku K.K.

Nikon AS-1 Power Supply Unit
Photo: Copyright (c) 2020, Martin Moravcik, All Rights Reserved.

Power Supply Unit Specifications

Input voltage
Power consumption
Various outputs
AC100V, 120V, 220V, 240V can be switched
Total load average power 200VA
Strobe output (within 6 seconds of recharging)
Lighting output, fixation light output, motor drive output

OUTPUT electrical cable connector

AS-1 Electronic power supply units are industrial beauties. Very heavy supply units with weight over 12 kg come from overseas. They were discovered alone, without the AS-1 unit. Hopefully one day, AS-1 unit can become a company for these Japanese ladies.

Connector type of the power unit is similar as the one used on several other industrial items as well as repeating flash unit SB-6. These units are 40 years old, but they appear in great shape, as they were made only few years ago. Smaller power flash units that were used on slit lamps have also similar design of the labelling but the connectors are a bit smaller.

Thank you for your anxiety in these fine Japanese treasures.
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu !

Martin Moravcik

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank Mr. Martin Moravcik of the Slovak Republic for taking and providing many valuable images for this article. Thank you very much.

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→ Return to Chapter 1 Nikon Ophthalmic Camera AS-1

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Chapter 1      Nikon Ophthalmic Camera AS-1
Chapter 2      Nikon Ophthalmic Camera AS-1 Lenses
Chapter 3      Nikon Ophthalmic Camera AS-1 Photos
Chapter 4      Nikon AS-1 Martin Collection

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