w/Case【Top Mint】Nikon EL-NIKKOR 50mm f/2.8 Enlarging Lens from Japan #E0309

• Aperture ring clicks properly
• Aperture blades move smoothly

• No fungus
• No haze or fog
• No scratches
• No balsam separation

• Brand: Nikon
• Model: EL-NIKKOR 50mm f/2.8
• Lens Type: Enlarging Lens (Darkroom)
• Lens Mount: 39mm screw thread (standard enlarger mount)
• Compatible Equipment: Enlargers with 39mm lens boards; cameras via M39 helicoid/bellows adapters
• Recommended Negative Format: 35mm (24 × 36 mm) and smaller
• Focal Length: 50mm
• Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
• Minimum Aperture: f/16
• Lens Construction: 6 Elements in 4 Groups
• Optical Design: Double-Gauss type, optimized for flat-field close-range work
• Lens Coating: Nikon multi-layer coating
• Aperture Control: Click-stopped aperture ring
• Focus Type: None (focus by enlarger or helicoid/bellows)
• Typical Working Aperture: f/5.6 - f/8
• Common Uses: Darkroom printing, macro and close-up photography, film scanning/digitizing
• Made in: Japan
• Equivalent on APS-C (1.5x, camera use): Approx. 75mm

The Nikon EL-NIKKOR 50mm f/2.8 is a high-quality enlarging lens designed for printing 35mm negatives in the darkroom. Nikon's EL-NIKKOR series earned a strong reputation among darkroom printers for crisp, even results across the whole print, and the 50mm f/2.8 is the standard choice for full-frame 35mm negatives.

Enlarging lenses are designed to deliver a flat field, meaning sharpness is maintained from the center to the edges of a flat negative and print. The EL-NIKKOR 50mm f/2.8 uses a six-element, four-group design that gives clean detail, good contrast, and well-controlled distortion, exactly what is needed for faithful reproduction of film grain and fine detail.

The lens uses the standard 39mm screw thread found on most enlargers, so it fits easily on a lens board or adapter for a wide range of enlargers. The click-stopped aperture ring makes it simple to set and repeat exposures in dim darkroom conditions.

Beyond the darkroom, the EL-NIKKOR 50mm f/2.8 has become popular for close-up and macro photography. Because it is optimized for short working distances and flat subjects, it performs very well on bellows units or helicoid adapters, making it excellent for photographing documents, stamps, coins, and small objects.

It is also an excellent choice for digitizing film. Mounted on a bellows or adjustable helicoid in front of a mirrorless or DSLR camera, it provides sharp, even reproduction of negatives and slides, making it an affordable alternative to dedicated macro lenses for camera scanning setups.

Adapting the lens to modern mirrorless cameras is straightforward using an M39 to camera mount helicoid adapter or bellows. On cameras like Sony E, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z, Canon RF, and Micro Four Thirds, focus peaking and magnification make precise manual focusing easy.

For best results, enlarging lenses are typically used at around f/5.6 to f/8, where sharpness and evenness peak. The compact size and solid build of the EL-NIKKOR make it pleasant to work with for long printing sessions or detailed copy work.

Whether you are setting up a home darkroom, building a film-scanning rig, or exploring close-up photography on a budget, the Nikon EL-NIKKOR 50mm f/2.8 is a proven, highly regarded optic that offers excellent value and versatility.