Nikon IX-Nikkor 60-180mm f/4-5.6 (Black Version, 1996-1998)

Nikon IX-Nikkor 60-180mm f/4-5.6
(Black/Early Version, 1996-1998)

2020.02.02 - Draft

2022.07.24 - Re-written and first published

Nikon IX-Nikkor

60-180mm f/4-5.6

(Black)

Produced

1996-1998 (Black/Japan)
1998-2000 (Silver/Thailand)

Mount - Nikon F mount

Crop Factor - 1.25x

System - APS Film (Pronea 600i, Pronea S)

Minimum Focusing - 1.2 meters

Focus Throw - Almost 90 degrees

Focus Type - Varifocal

Filter Thread ⌀ - 52mm (Black), 46mm (Silver)

Lens Hood - HN-32 (Black), HB-16 (Silver)

Maximum Aperture

f/4 at 60mm (Silver = f/4.5)

f/5.6 at 180mm

f/32 is the minimum

Optical Formula - 11 elements, 8 groups (Silver = 10/7)

Lens Coating - Nikon Integrated Coating

Optical Design - Haruo Sato

Other Info:

1) The lens does not have an aperture ring.

2) Same flange distance as Nikon F mount (SLR).

3) Protruding rear element, can only be adapted to mirrorless cameras.

4) This protrusion needs to be filed in order to fit on an adapter.

Photo Album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/6haxYrxrqTTrDtPv8

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Impressions

History

APS film format came out in April 1996. It was an advancement in film which allowed for EXIF data to be stored on the film -- shooting settings, date/time, print size, #prints, comments. The second feature of APS film was the ability to choose your aspect ratio in 16:9 (APS-H, 'High Definition'), 2:3 (APS-C, 'Crop'), and 1:3 (APS-P, 'Panorama'). The third advantage of APS film was that the film was sealed inside a cartridge and could be taken out of the camera mid-roll, without the risk of light leaks.

Unfortunately, manufacturers began to abandon APS film in 2002 and Kodak stopped manufacture in 2011 because of the progress made by digital cameras. Nikon only made two APS cameras (Pronea 600i/6i, 1996; Pronea S, 1997), and a limited set of zoom lenses for the system. These cameras and lenses are rarity in the used market.

Nikon Pronea 600i/6i (1996-1998)

Nikon IX-Nikkor 60-180/4-5.6 (Black)

Nikon Pronea S (19986-2000)

Nikon IX-Nikkor 60-180/4.5-5.6 (Silver)

Versions

One of those lenses from this system was the Nikon IX-Nikkor 60-180mm. It is the only telephoto zoom lens designed for this system. I came across the silver version years ago but did not buy it because I can't use it on my Nikon D5200 at the time. Years later, I took a chance with this black version for my FUJIFILM X-T10.

The differences of those two versions:

1) Black has a max aperture of f/4 at 60mm; silver has f/4.5 at 60mm.

2) The optical formula of black has 11/8, while the silver has 10/7.

3) Black can only take screw-in hoods; silver can take in a bayonet hood.

4) Zoom ring on black is a single-whole plastic; silver has a removable rubber grip.

Adaptability

This IX-Nikkor lens uses Nikon F mount, it has the same flange distance as lenses of Nikon SLRs. It doesn't have an aperture ring, so you need an adapter that has aperture control ring on it.

The only difference with the mount on this IX-Nikkor lens is that the rear element protrudes far and close to the film/sensor. This means that you cannot adapt this lens to any film or digital SLR, and only for mirrorless cameras.

The last thing you need to know before adapting to mirrorless, is that this rear protrusion may have a wider diameter that will prevent you from mounting this lens on to the adapter. You may have to file or saw off that rear protrusion, it can be done safely and easily. This process should be a joy for those who like to DIY or have a little challenge.

The last information you should be aware of, is that IX-Nikkor lenses have a crop factor of 1.2x and can work well with crop sensor cameras. Full frame cameras need to used DX or crop mode.

Side by side of regular Nikkor lens (Nikon F mount)

and an IX-Nikkor lens with rear protrusioin

Build Quality/Handling

Both the black and silver versions are fully plastic, making them lightweight and compact; at the same time, you feel that they are very durable and built very well. The zooming and focusing are super smooth, I prefer this lens over those ugly AF-Nikkor zooms. The design of either versions of this lens is very cute and it is a small tele-zoom. The focusing ring on either version are comfortable to handle. The textured grip and short focus throw makes it easy to turn the focusing ring.

Image Quality

Right off the bat, I can easily tell you that the lens renders great image quality wide open at any focal length. By limiting the range to only 3x zoom, they are able to produce sharp images. You will also be pleased by its rendering of colors and contrast -- photos look alive without being too punchy. It also handles flares very well. This lens is as good as a modern zoom lens. I used to own an AF-Nikkor 55-200mm... I won't be able to tell the difference if you shot and compare these lenses side by side.

Conclusion

IX-Nikkor lenses are hard to come by. The optical quality is deliciously good and comparable to a modern tele-zoom. If you are willing to hunt for one of these lenses and go through the challenge of adapting it, you will not regret it.