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.

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.

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 centre 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.

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 !