Overview
The Nikon EL-NIKKOR 80mm f/5.6 enlarging lens is a professional-grade darkroom lens engineered for precise film enlargement. For many years, El-Nikkor lenses have been the most widely used enlarging lenses available; moderately priced, multi-coated and superbly sharp, they are found in every kind of darkroom from the home user to professional labs. The 80mm focal length is optimized for medium format darkroom printing with 6×4.5, 6×6, 6×7, and 6x9cm negatives.
Key Features
- Constructed of Nikon’s own optical glass, EL-Nikkor lenses are corrected for chromatic aberration beyond the visible spectrum into near ultraviolet wavelengths — critical for accurate photographic paper exposure.
- EL-Nikkor lenses are front-threaded to accept screw-in accessories, and can be used for exceptional small-object photography when mounted on a bellows.
- El-Nikkor enlarging lenses can be used for color separation in addition to all other enlarging applications; El-Nikkor lenses are front threaded to accept screw-in accessories and can be used for macro photography when mounted on a bellows.
- f/5.6 maximum aperture provides controlled light transmission for precise exposure control during enlargement.
- Magnification range of 2-15x assumed for the 80mm lens offers flexibility for various print sizes.
Technical Specifications
- Focal Length: 80mm
- Maximum Aperture: f/5.6
- Mount Type: 39mm threaded front mount with 32.5mm rear thread
- Film Format: Designed for negatives up to 56mm x 72mm
- Magnification Range: 2-15x
- Optical Construction: Nikon multi-coated optical glass
- UV Transmission: Corrected for 350–450nm wavelengths
- Made in Japan
Typical Applications
- Medium format enlargements (6×4.5, 6×6, 6×7, 6x9cm negatives)
- Fine art darkroom printing and traditional film photography
- Color separation work in analog darkrooms
- Macro/close-up photography when mounted on a bellows (via adapter)
- Professional and amateur darkroom labs requiring multi-coated precision optics
Compatibility & Replacements
Compatible With
- Any enlarger with standard 39mm threaded lens mount (M39/L39)
- Darkroom enlarger heads accepting Nikon EL-Nikkor series lenses
- Bellows attachments for macro photography applications
- Standard screw-in lens accessories and filters
Replaces / Drop-In Replacement For
The Nikon EL-NIKKOR 80mm f/5.6 enlarging lens (various versions including model 938345 and earlier chrome-and-glass variants) is compatible with any standard M39-mount enlarger requiring an 80mm focal length. Earlier and later versions of the 80mm f/5.6 (including the N-series variant) share the same optical specifications and mount compatibility. Verify your enlarger’s mount type before ordering.
Works With
- M39 (L39) threaded lens mount enlargers
- Standard darkroom enlarger light sources (condenser or diffusion)
- Variable contrast and fiber-based photographic papers
- Nikon and third-party 39mm lens adapters and bellows
