Here are the photos, description and story on the Nikon 25cm/F4 Nikon RF Telephoto lens in the special Photo Sonics mount. As we discussed, attached to this message are 7 photos of the special 25cm/f=1:4 Nikkor no.273055. These lenses were originally made for the Nikon Rangefinder camera to be used with the Reflex Housing and were also used on the later Nikon F using the N-F Adapter.

Evidently according to Mr. Greg Holder at Photo Sonics in California, this lens was used on their model 1B 16mm cine camera running at 1000FPS. Also according to Mr. Holder This camera/lens outfit was the high speed setup used to film the results of rocket sled tests for the USAF. I have attached the correspondence from Mr. Holder at Photo Sonics discussing this lens.

This lens was purchased at an auction where it was overlooked by many bidders. It is interesting to note that the lens has no tripod mount and no evidence of threaded holes for this mount. According to Mr. Holder the special mount was made at Photo Sonics. However I am not sure of this because the black paint on this mount matches the paint on the lens exactly. A very difficult procedure for a company outside of Nippon Kogaku to perform.

The two piece shade is made from heavy gauge alloy, painted black and is engraved simply "Nikon" on one side and "Japan" on the other. It is a tribute to the optical quality and robust construction of this Nippon Kogaku optic that the Photo Sonics firm chose this lens to be used for such exacting photographic work.

I hope other Nikon enthusiasts will enjoy seeing these photos!

After reviewing the attached pictures I believe this lens was for a 16mm format (our camera 1B, 1000FPS). This camera was and still is being used in the auto industry (car crashes, air bag deployment) or sled work. This camera can withstand 100 G's.

Photo-Sonics designed and manufactured the adapter. It also could be that a customer had certain requirements which is why that was made. Most lenses for that type of camera are fixed focus. With high G's that lens may vibrate out of focus???

Thank-you for sharing this fine piece of equipment. Hope you get lots of use out of it. Hope this will answer your questions.
Visit our web site. photosonics.com

Hi Martin,

Yes "sled work" does mean rocket sleds. And if there was a program in the 50-60"s with rocket's launching and they required photos most likely Photo-Sonics supplied the cameras. As for who headed up the program, you got me. I am old but not that old. I was in diapers in "56"

I am happy to tell you I now have the permission from Photo-Sonics company in California USA and also permission from Mr. Greg Holder to use his e-mails as you requested. Also I have attached some photo's of the Photo-Sonics 1-B High Speed cine camera which the 25cm/4 Nikkor lens used on for USAF rocket sled testing in the fifties.

So we now have all permission and clearance for this project from Greg Holder and Photo-Sonics and you can proceed with this page for your website. It was all I could obtain from Photo-Sonics. Thank you very much again for your hard work on the Red Book Nikkor site and for the honor of including my Nikon items in its pages.

Hi Martin,

No problem. Photo-Sonics grants you permission to use the e-mails and attached photo of the 1B 16mm High Speed Camera in the article by Mr. Akiyama. Please note the photo of the 1B is a newer model and is missing the film magazine.