Nikkor 6mm f/2.8 fisheye lens mounted on a Nikon D800 (video)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIDbw4gjunY]

Fisheye-Nikkor 6mm f/2.8s You are looking at one of the most gorgeous looking lens in 35mm SLR photography - a lens that can actually see behind itself ! Introduced in 1972, this lens was not just an upgrade from the Non-Ai Nikkor Fisheye 6mm f/5.6 lens but it was completely being redesigned optically. The major difference between the two versions is, this lens has a retrofocus design which does not required mirror lock up in the camera section to work. It enables direct reflex viewing and metering through the lens. The Ai-S version was introduced only in early 1983. Optically, both lenses remained unchanged in its optical composition other than went through a transitional changes which occurred in 1977 and Ai-S during early the '80.

The 6mm Fisheye-Nikkor lense is designed according to a equidistant projection formula such as used in the 8mm f/2.8 Fisheye-Nikkor lense, but because of it has a wider picture angle, it offers an even more dramatic impact visually. This series of lenses were originally developed for special scientific and industrial use where wider-than-180° picture coverage is required in surveillance work, photographing the interiors of pipes, boilers, conduits, cylinder bores and other constricted areas. But in applications such as advertising and commercial photography they are used extensively for dramatic effects. The 6mm f/2.8s Fisheye-Nikkor has an automatic diaphragm, permitting thru-the-lens viewing and focusing, and is able to meter-coupled for TTL exposure control with all applicable Nikon SLR camera models. Its relatively fast f/2.8 speed is a valuable aid for photography under dim lighting conditions, or where faster shutter speeds are imperative. The lens also contains 5 built-in filters as its large, front protruding lens element makes it impossible to use any lens accessores at its front section. UPDATE: Instruction Manual for Fisheye-Nikkor 6mm courtesy scanned work by CHAM <[email protected]>

Subject: Re: 6mm Fisheye Nikkor Dear Leo, I have attached the Instruction Manual for the Fisheye-Nikkor 6mm as promised. I am glad & honoured to be of some help to contribute to your superb website. If you want bigger files without the watermark please let me know so that I can email them to you. I haven't had much of a chance to play with the lens as yet as I have had few busy months from relocation back from UK to Australia. At this stage I can say it is very heavy!!! The lens mount is very similar to a standard AIS manual lens so should be able to mount to D3 etc as there is no protruded segment as in some other fisheye lenses. Cheers, Cham

Interestingly, the 6mm f2.8 Fisheye Nikkor was introduced almost at the same time with the longest reach Nikkor lense - the 2,000mm f/11 Reflex Nikkor. So the Nikkor lens family has not only the longest reach in 35mm photography but also the widest picture coverage with the two lenses. However, despite its awesome wide coverage, it is not entirely a very popular lens that you can frequently find photographers using it - nothing to do with the performance of the lens nor the narrow scope of applications it can applied on. But rather from the point of view of its practical usage Firstly, it is a damn bloody expensive optic to own and next, this lens is no way an easy lens to handle as it is very bulky and damn heavy, weighing at a massive 5.2kg which has greatly restricts its portability while requiring tedious setup to shoot pictures. Lastly, since it is not an entirely day to day usage optic lens, it is only made available through special order. This lens serves more like a status lens rather than a viable commercial application lense for photography. Whatever it is, for those who wishes to achieve certain optical objectives and if price is not an important issue, it does fulfill many objectives such as situations where you need a high performance wideangle lens with extreme wide coverage to use for low available light photography, or fulfilling scientific and researchers aspirations, this lens is indeed a dream lens for them. Anyway, just for the record, this extraordinary Fisheye-Nikkor lense remains as the widest lens available among all wideangles regardless it is fisheyes or true wideangles in 35mm photography, even up to today.

(New)Compared older versions of the Fisheye Nikkor lenses. Technical Highlights: *Amazing picture angle of 220° - 40° wider than standard fisheye lenses - produces circular image on the film. * Bright f/2.8 aperture is a valuable aid in photographing in dim light or when faster shutter speeds are imperative. *Through-the-lens viewing and metering at full aperture and meter-coupling ridge. * Close focusing down to 0.25m (0.9 ft.). * Convenient operation, thanks to a cantilevered lens stand/tripod mounting socket which supports both camera and lens. * Easy filter interchange - 5 filters (skylight, medium yellow, deep yellow, orange, and red) are built into a revolving turret inside the lens. * For scientific and industrial applications, and special effects when shooting portraits architecture and interiors, etc.

Specifications of 6mm f/2.8s Focal length/Aperture: 6mm f/2.8 Lens construction:12 elements in 9 groups Picture angle: 220° Diaphragm: Automatic Aperture scale: f/2.8-f/22 on' both standard and aperture-direct-readout scales Exposure measurement: Via full aperture method; meter coupling ridge provided for Al cameras and meter coupling shoe for non-AI cameras Distance scale: Graduated in meters and feet from 0.25m (0.9 ft.) to infinity (oo) Weight : 5,200g Dimensions: 236mm dia. x 171mm long (overall); 160mm extension from lens flange Filters: Built-in: skylight (L1BC), medium yellow (Y 48), deep yellow (Y52); orange (056), and red (R60) Front lens cap: Slip-on

Lens hood : None; Lens case :Trunk case Usable teleconverter: TC-200, TC-201Warning: Certain AE modes (Programmed AE and Shutter Priority AE) on selective Nikon SLRs will not work efficiently with older TC devices. Use an Ai-S version for better compatibility, read the respective Tele-Extender(s) sections.Note: This lens is available only by special order. Note: Production serial numbers was believed to have been started from 628801; 629001 for Ai version and Ai-S lens began from 629001. article from:http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/fisheyes/6mmf28.htm