Nikon Nikkor 180mm f/5.6 W Copal 1 Lens
The Nikon 180mm f/5.6 W is a 180mm f/5.6 lens designed for Lens Board (Technical Camera) mount cameras. Used copies start from $290 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Nikon Nikkor 180mm f/5.6 W Copal 1 Lens
Used Nikon 180mm f/5.6 W Listings on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Nikon 180mm f/5.6 W
Key Features — Nikon 180mm f/5.6 W
180mm Large Format Prime: A fixed 180mm focal length sits in the standard range for large format work, providing a balanced, natural perspective suitable for a wide variety of subjects.
Copal 1 Leaf Shutter: In-lens shutter control allows flash sync at all shutter speeds, a defining characteristic of large format photography workflows.
f/5.6 Maximum Aperture: A workable maximum aperture for composing and shooting on large format systems where stopping down for depth of field is common practice.
Manual Focus Only: Fully manual focus operation is standard for large format lenses and suits the deliberate, view-camera shooting process.
Nikon W Optical Design: The 'W' designation indicates a Wide-field optimized optical formula, designed to deliver even coverage and sharpness across a large image circle.
Large Image Circle Coverage: Engineered to cover large format film sizes, providing adequate coverage for movements such as rise, fall, and shift on a view camera.
Lens Specifications — Nikon 180mm f/5.6 W
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Landscape, Architecture, Studio, Product |
| Lens Type | Prime |
| Format | Large Format |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 180mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/5.6 |
| Camera System | Large Format |
| Lens Mount | Lens Board (Technical Camera) |
| Autofocus | No |
| Focus Type | Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
Description — Nikon 180mm f/5.6 W
The Nikon Nikkor 180mm f/5.6 W is a large format prime lens featuring a Copal 1 leaf shutter and a fixed 180mm focal length. With a maximum aperture of f/5.6, it falls within the standard focal length range for large format applications. Focus is manual only, in keeping with large format shooting practice, and image stabilization is not present.
The lens is categorized as a large format lens with the camera system listed as medium format — prospective buyers should confirm board and mount compatibility for their specific setup, as no mount data is included in the specifications. Weight and filter thread size are not listed in the available data. For photographers working within a large format manual workflow, this 180mm prime with its integrated Copal 1 shutter offers a straightforward, fixed-focal-length option in a standard perspective range.
Pros — Nikon 180mm f/5.6 W
- ✓Fixed 180mm focal length places it in the standard focal length range, offering a versatile perspective for large format work
- ✓Maximum aperture of f/5.6 is a usable working aperture for a large format prime
- ✓Copal 1 leaf shutter integration provides in-lens shutter control, a standard for large format photography
Cons — Nikon 180mm f/5.6 W
- ✗Maximum aperture of f/5.6 limits light gathering compared to faster large format options
- ✗No filter thread size is listed in the specifications, making filter compatibility uncertain without further research
- ✗Weight data is not available, which makes it harder to plan kit loads or assess balance on a camera
Videos — Nikon 180mm f/5.6 W
Nikon Nikkor W 180mm F5.6 With Copal 1 Shutter — EPOCH CAMERA
Frequently Asked Questions — Nikon 180mm f/5.6 W
What shutter does this lens use?+
The Nikon Nikkor 180mm f/5.6 W uses a Copal 1 leaf shutter. This is an in-lens shutter mechanism standard to large format lenses, offering exposure control directly at the lens rather than through a separate camera body shutter.
Does this lens support autofocus?+
No. The specifications confirm that autofocus is not supported, and the focus type is listed as manual only. This is consistent with large format lens design.
What is the maximum aperture of this lens?+
The maximum aperture is f/5.6. No minimum aperture value is listed in the specifications.
What camera system is this lens compatible with?+
The specifications list the camera system as medium format and the lens format as large format. No specific mount or lens board information is provided in the data, so buyers should verify physical compatibility with their camera system before purchasing.
Does this lens have image stabilization?+
No. Image stabilization is listed as none in the specifications.
What filter thread size does this lens accept?+
Filter thread size is not listed in the available specifications. Buyers should consult Nikon documentation or measure the front element directly to determine filter compatibility.