Adam Trahan

Friday, February 6, 2026

Nikon ~ Nikkor Crinkle Finish Lenses

Probably my favorite lens type. I started out with manual focus lenses and many of my photographs here have been made using them yet the percentage of my in-focus shots are higher with AF lenses. These crinkle finish lenses are exquisite, their construction is exemplary and the optics are simply amazing. Yes, this lens type bridges the gap for me MF to AF and back again. It brings together the highest quality that Nikkor offers with their MF lens and the quality of the G or gelded series lenses in a single package. They do that. Metal construction, a beautiful hard but subtle black crinkle paint finish and the best of the Nikkor optics formula, I believe some of Nikon’s best.

Once I got my feet wet and really started investigating photography and lenses, I began to think about what I wanted to see in my pictures instead of just framing and taking them. The composition really played an important role as it does today. Manual focus prime lenses were the way that I learned about bokeh and depth of field. I shot exclusively with film and the results continued to get better and more of what I wanted to see. Film developing and subsequent digitizing became a bill that prevented me from exploring new lenses and I researched Nikon’s DSLR line up and decided on the D780, truly a lens junky’s camera.

I also researched what zoom lens I could use for travel and landed on the 28-300 G or gelded series of lenses. The aperture ring was removed to be controlled electronically. The exterior lens construction lost the metal look, no longer were the numbers milled and filled with beautiful epoxy paint. A seemingly cheap plastic housing with surface applied paint was the construction technique, a step backward but with amazing optics, speed nailing the focus every single time. Gone was the hassle of driving to the film lab and GONE was the bullshit excuse of blown hand film development and embracing the imperfection of their results on my work.

Also, the social media aspect in the comparison of MF vs. AF, prime vs. zoom, old technology vs. new. I realized that the Internet is filled with so many echo chambers in specialized forums. The participants like a lynch mob, diversity was not embraced, it is frowned upon.

So I honed my body of research down to just a couple of avenues, first being my own results and two, people, actual photographers I could ask questions of and three, famous photographers work in print.

I have so many lenses but none have everything I want.

I bought lenses with good intentions and used them all but after using them, many just sat on my shelf. I was a lens junky trying to buy my pictures. The road to no where is paved with good intentions. The prime MF 20mm was replaced by a more modern zoom. Zooms worked, opinions at Internet forums only served to confuse and waste time and effort.

Primes work better when I liked the lens. Zooms work better all the time. Digital photography improved all aspects of my intentions and my work. I am learning and I’m happy with my progress but I’m still struggling to get to the next level.

It was my pursuit of a fisheye lens that ultimately brought me to this type of lens. I like AF lenses that I can MF and with the Nikon 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye-NIKKOR AF-D, I could do that. Next, I happened on the AF Nikon 300mm f4 ED that I hand held, breathing hard after climbing and captured an amazingly mediocre shot with incredible detail. It wasn’t a bad shot but the devil was right there in the details. Nearly two miles away people appeared out of the desert when I expanded the photo. I bought the AF Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 ED two ring focus version and learned how cool this lens was and and actually used for and my 28-70 f2.8, I already had that type of lens, but it wasn’t this type of lens that was so beautiful.

The crinkle finish lenses are special in so many ways.

I like concentrating on other things than having to enter a sniper like headspace of lining up my breathing, my heartbeat and calming my shutter actuation. All good multi tasking skills for photography but usually my mind is on race. I do it but I like AF.

I love taking pictures and if the camera is going to nail the focus, I’m going to let it.

These lenses are bomber, no plastic excuses, made with quality in materials, in optics and the aesthetic, this is attractive to me.

I have an F3 and an AI-S 50mm f1.2 loaded up with E-100. Yes, I enjoy the purposeful skill in creating an image from the sum of its parts yet if I’m on the move, thinking about things and the shot presents itself and I’m not ready, my camera system is with my F6 or my D780. AF lenses are badass. AF lenses that can be MF? They will work on my F3, or an F4 or my F6. …and my lovely D780. F-mount is cool and why I choose Nikon in the first place.

Built like a tank.

That’s what I read universally about this type of lens. I associate them with the D nomenclature, but Nikon, Nikkor does not exactly follow that. The D indicates “distance” as in providing distance information for focus and flash. There are lenses built this way, in this configuration that do not contain the D. They have the metal barrel, the black crinkle paint but no D. Some have painted lens names. I like them yet I like the gold placard D lens. That’s my favorite.

Probably my favorite lens in the line up is the AF Nikon 300mm f4 ED, no D but just a killer lens. That lens works far better than my eyes do. I take distant pictures, examine the results and can see crazy detail. Like I said, people at two miles with a 300mm lens, handheld. Expand that picture below, check out the pyramid and see it for yourself.

I’m not a pro, I don’t shoot weddings and I don’t work for a media corporation. I thanked pictures for fun and in my most valuable time, my free time I research and practice with the equipment I am interested in. I know good equipment and this is a series of lenses that is the epitome of Nikon and Nikkor. Look, I don’t think I know more about this than you. But I do know these are built well and are focus driven by a motor in the camera so not all cameras are going to auto focus them. The construction of the crinkle finish lenses is beautiful and so are the pictures they produce.

List of Crinkle Finish Lenses

AF-D 18mm f/2.8
AF-D 28mm f/1.4
AF-D 85mm f/1.4
AF-D 300mm f/2.8
AF-I 300mm f/2.8D
AF-S 300mm f/2.8D MK I ONLY
AF-I 400mm f/2.8D
AF-S 400mm f/2.8D Mk I
AF-S 500mm Mk I
AF-I 600mm f/4
AF-S 600mm f/4

AF-D 200mm f/4.0 ED-IF Micro
AF-D 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6D ED Micro

The ones I own.

✔️ Nikon 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye-NIKKOR AF-D

✔️AF-S 28-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF
✔️ AF-S Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 ED
✔️AF Nikon 300mm f4 ED

Resources

Nikon Lenses with the Crackle Finish?
A Summary of Nikon Lens Versions

Nikon Lenses

MIR Nikon Auto Focus Lenses

The Ferrari of Lenses

camera | lens | film | flash

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Lavidge Building
Nikon 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye-NIKKOR AF-D

Walking Lucy
AF-S Nikkor 28-70mm f2.8 D

Tempe Butte (Petroglyphs)
AF Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 ED

The white pyramid is twenty feet tall, it is former AZ Governor Hunt’s Tomb, 1.7 mi distant.
AF Nikon 300mm f4 ED

Monday, January 26, 2026

Mamiya 645 1000s

My new to me Mamiya 645 1000s

Mamiya 645 1000s

s/n: L152175

This page, like all pages at my blog will serve as a resource for owning and operating my equipment. I’ve wanted a medium format camera my whole life. My first impressions of being a photographer was from my Grandad taking pictures with his twin lens reflex camera. I wanted to get one just like his but I also want to do this on my own and do it the way that I want to. I focused on a Mamiya 645 and further research took me to the 1000s. It had the functionality that I wanted. I have only seen one in a display case. When mine arrived from eBay having ordered it from Japan, it was a good copy however the light seals were at the end of their effective life and needed replacement.

What follows is my initial experience owning the camera.

First Impression: Different, big, awkward to hold (I only know conventional and contemporary 35mm) it’s not a Nikon, the waist level finder is huge, no light meter, the battery type is different, focus seems the same, appears that a tripod will be in my future.

I purchased my own Mamiya 645 1000s with a waist level finder and a 80mm f2.8 lens from a Japanese seller on an auction site. I ordered it on Monday morning and it was here on Wednesday afternoon, amazing. It appears to work, it’s clean and I like it so far. I read the manual, I’ll read it again. The basic functions I have in my memory. The battery is five dollars and it’s so cute! Actuating the film advance and releasing the shutter sounds like a big door slamming shut compared to my 35mm. I hope I stop comparing and get my mind into a different zone with it.

This configuration does not have a light meter. I purchased a Sekonic L-398A.

I am already thinking of places to take my first pictures. The desert, one of Arizonas ghost towns or an old building down town. The desert in black and white or some old houses in Phoenix or Mesa. Funny, my mind goes straight to videos where I’ve seen others use a similar camera on similar subjects.

This is where I will log my thoughts and interest in the Mamiya 645 1000s medium format camera. I’ve always wanted a Hasselblad however, I know now that I should start out simple and learn on something basic while I figure it out.

Researching the variety of cameras has brought me to the Mamiya 645 and particularly the 1000s as a first good choice. It is relatively inexpensive, has plenty of support, availability of accessories, a self timer in addition to having a one thousands of a second shutter speed.

…and did I mention relativity inexpensive compared to my other wants?

My first exposure to medium format was prior to the introduction of a 35mm film camera. My Grandad used a twin lens reflex camera and I remember he let me play with it as a young boy. I do not remember which model. I would have loved to know but not even an Internet forum could figure it out. And besides, I want to do this from my interests and the Mamiya 645 has mine.

Note: I printed the manual for the 1000s and L398 and took it to FedEx to be spiral bound. As much as I like the iPad, I also like paper resources.

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Prior to Use - Inspection

Upon closer inspection, the light seals are deteriorating and crumbling. The deteriorating foam will continue to get worse over time and I plan to use this camera. As the foam breaks down and the film back door is actuated along with the mirror closing, the foam sheds pieces into the interior. Those crumbs of foam get into the mechanism of the shutter and film, fouling the camera, contaminating the film.

There is minor rust on the interior metal. Fortunately our humidity is very low and the desert is dry. I doubt the rust will continue. There are filaments of fungus on the view finder. The fungus and the rusting were not disclosed in the description of the camera. I will contact the seller and let them know about the discrepancy. I’ll keep the camera and will find a clean body in the future if I end up enjoying the Mamiya M645 1000s and medium format photography. The damage is minor and should not affect the images. It appears to be working properly.

Inspecting and cleaning, replacing light seals is mandatory for good camera function and vital to the pictures I take. It’s a step I’ll do or send off to have done. In the case of the Mamiya, 645 this is a simple but tedious preventative maintenance that is a must do. I have completed the cleaning of the camera this weekend. I ordered the light seal kits and the light meter from Sekonic. I have experience replacing the light seals on Nikon EM and my FG. The experience was helpful and I am confident that I can replace them on the 1000s.

This discovery will delay using the camera. It is necessary to prevent issues arising from contaminating the interior of the camera, fouling the shutter assembly and ultimately ruining camera and my pictures. It also gives me time to familiarize myself with a stand alone light meter.

Owning and operating an old camera is a lesson in preventative maintenance, caring and a set of skills not in a telephone camera operator’s skill set. Any knowledgeable photographer knows the importance of having good intact light seals.

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To Do List

✔️ Light Seal Kit ordered

✔️ Sekonic L398 III Light Meter ordered from Sekonic

✔️ Clean and ready camera body for Light Seal replacement

4. Instal Light Seals

5. Function check

6. Source a camera bag ~ purchase

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Cleaning & Light Seal Replacement

✔️ 1. Clean exterior.

✔️ 2. Remove film door - strip foam - remove surface rust, use solvent to remove residue/adhesive.

✔️ 3. Remove foam in the film door and camera door channel - clean with solvent.

✔️ 4. Remove focus screen seat - remove mirror seal and bumper - clean with solvent.

5. Identify individual seals - coat contact surfaces with Purel - place foam - let dry.

6. Re-assemble camera.

The cleaning went relatively well. I’m glad I did it because the foam seals were actively deteriorating. The camera was vacuumed and cleaned, repeatedly until there was nothing left to clean. It is now ready for new light seals. I ordered an additional mirror bumper seal for the mirror after reading about the standard light seal installation and the findings Mamiya generated. The subsequent configuration was found to be the best. Moving forward, I’ll be more diligent and scrutinize better when buying cameras from the Japanese warehouse sellers. Their use of the word “Mint” is not accurate by any means. Now I know.

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Tech Note: Most camera body channel seals are installed starting at the hinge end, working towards the latch side until the seal is used up

You are installing an 3 piece kit for the Mamiya M645 series of film cameras.

Please note the mirror cushion is the straight seal. The other 2 seals fit on mirror frame beside the mirror. Those are foam seals and not cushions. They are applied to the mirror frame to prevent light leaks when using the waist level viewfinder. Mamiya found that when the mirror rose to the top and the shutter opened, stray light enter the mirror cage area could fog the film. That was only occasionally and really depended on how close or far away from the camera user was from the waist level finder when the image was taken. Just FYI, later model M645 cameras were updated and the foam seals on the mirror frame where removed and seals were placed at the top of what Mamiya called the “reflection absorber leatherette” on the left and right sides on the inside of the mirror housing. In the parts list the “reflection absorber leatherette” parts are SLS29161 and SLS29131. The techs at Mamiya found light leaks were more of common with the updated seals than when the foam seals were applied to the mirror frame. So any M645 camera in for service they added the seals to the mirror frame.

Please note it is easier to install the mirror cushion with the viewfinder removed. I can show you how that part is easily removed in a video, I will make available soon.

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camera | lens | film | flash