103 replies to this topic

[James700]

not sure this thread has been created or not, only found on the binocular forum, why not here as well

 

I'll start with a homework that I owe to Johann (starman876) who a year ago passed me a special Nikon (Nippon Kogaku) refractor that was customized for NASA likely in the 60s. Please find the earlier discussion on this thread. As soon as I received it, I sent it off to Mr. Yoshikawa for full restoration. For those unfamiliar with his work, you may find some information from his website. Mr. Yoshikawa is a legendary figure in Japan, once had his own brand of premium telescopes, then served in the unique telescope museum for a decade as the tech advisor of the restoration division before retiring. Today he continues to offer maintenance / restoration service for amateurs. 

 

This NASA Nikon 100 f/12 is made of brass, weighing around 16kg, a factor of 2.5x heavier than the commercial Nikon 100ED f/12. The objective is not using ED glass. According to Mr. Yoshikawa, while we don't know the exact glass types made by Nikon, the crown appears to be similar to BK7 or S-BSL 7, and the flint is similar to F2 or S-TIM 2. Mr. Yoshikawa told me that these kinds of glasses are more resistant to sudden temperature changes and shocks than ED glass or fluorite. This seems to be consistent with the brass construction though NASA's exact purpose for this scope remains unknown.

 

The restoration results were absolutely stunning, both inside and outside. The original black paint couldn't be completely removed, so Mr. Yoshikawa applied a golden paint closely matching the brass color. Not only does it look fantastic, but the performance is equally impressive. I had it out for one night only so far (shame), the optics didn't get broken at 500x. I plan to do a side-by-side comparison with the 100ED at another night soon... I couldn’t be happier with this scope—it’s definitely never going on my parting list! Huge thanks to Johann for entrusting me with this incredible piece of history.

 

Here are a couple of pictures to finish my homework...

 

James

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Edited by James700, 01 April 2025 - 10:16 AM.

[James700]

The original X-Y stage was replaced by an adapter with M72 thread. 

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[James700]

a few more pictures including the objective unit together with 100ED objective.

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[Shoestring Astronomy]

great setup

[James700]

one more picture before restoration.

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Edited by James700, 01 April 2025 - 09:52 AM.

[Erik Bakker]

The Nikon ED100/1200 is one of the finest 100mm visual performers ever made IMO. The complete system with equatorial mount, finder scope, eyepieces and visual accessories is a stunningly competent and integrated visual observing system. It takes a lot of extra aperture of very high quality and very stable skies to outperform it on the planets under real world conditions. The Nikon 100/1200 brass NASA version seems like another visual stunner.

 

Thanks for sharing both here!

[James700]

the complete line up of the accessories for the 100ED are truly impressive. One can find most of the "prototype" accessories on its achromat predecessor 80mm f/15 as well. Wish Nikon had continued to offer us the up-to-date creations. 

[stevenwav]

Well, this looks like the proper home for some images of my setup - while I have posted these before, they belong here. I set up my own humble telescope museum after seeing pics from that incredible space, knowing I would probably never get there -lol! I hope Mr Yoshikara would be proud...

 

 

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[Kitfox]

James, that scope is gorgeous...you have an amazing talent for finding the best Japan has ever offered and teaching the rest of us about them.  Thank you so much, my friend!  I know you have a few more Nikons to show us before Pawpaw and I show our nice, but now somewhat/partially redundant (!!!), examples!

Edited by Kitfox, 01 April 2025 - 12:53 PM.

[PawPaw]

Someone please show us an 8cm ED from 1987!  

[Kitfox]

Someone please show us an 8cm ED from 1987!  

 

Hmmm.... f/6 maybe?

 

 

 

 

I'm sure someone here has a tall and skinny 80 f/15 to go next?  And maybe a grab and go 65?

[PawPaw]

Tall and skinny can wait.......How about the mount that was intended for your rare and beautiful 8cm ED! 

 

Wait for it.  On the way.

[PawPaw]

One side of this mount is waiting for your 8cm ED. 

 

Currently being occupied by a S65 and one of the folding chairs Nikon gave away with the first 200 S65's.

 

Kind of partial to the chair.

 

 

 

 

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Edited by PawPaw, 01 April 2025 - 03:39 PM.

[Kitfox]

Now that is a system mount!

[PawPaw]

A few Nikon accessories made only for the 6.5cm series.  The box holds a 2x barlow.

 

 

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[James700]

Hmmm.... f/6 maybe?

 

I always wanted to replace my Pentax 105SDP by this Nikon 80ED as my portable imaging scope. Give me a call if that fits better your collection! 

[PawPaw]

I always wanted to replace my Pentax 105SDP by this Nikon 80ED as my portable imaging scope. Give me a call if that fits better your collection! 

Not fair!   I have the mount ready  

[James700]

Well, this looks like the proper home for some images of my setup - while I have posted these before, they belong here. I set up my own humble telescope museum after seeing pics from that incredible space, knowing I would probably never get there -lol! I hope Mr Yoshikara would be proud...

welcome home this beautiful set of Nikon 100ED! I recently added OnStep to its mount, want to use it every night either visual or imaging. 

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[James700]

One side of this mount is waiting for your 8cm ED. 

 

Currently being occupied by a S65 and one of the folding chairs Nikon gave away with the first 200 S65's.

 

Kind of partial to the chair.

no way, never had chance to get that chair! Now I can't get it out of my mind...

[James700]

Not fair!   I have the mount ready  

right, you are much closer by, I'll figure out a Plan B!

[PawPaw]

We Nikon heads must stick together.  I will wait patiently for my turn!

[James700]

Here’s the skinny 80/1200 achromat, including the result of double pass auto-collimation Ronchi test done by Mr. Yoshikawa.

 

Where are the older Nippon Kogaku 50/750 and 65/1000?

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[Kitfox]

James, I can't believe you pulled the SDP card...you know my Kryptonite!  Now, if you ever find a 150SDP, we have some talking to do!

[Kitfox]

Now, for the athletic gal beside the skinny one, the former is fine with larger oculars, but the latter prefers the jewel-like she ones originally wore.  They are the same "height", one is just a little "brighter" than the other one.

 

I apologize for the sacrilege, they ride astide mounts made in Florida, one even with German legs.  But they still shine with Japanese precision and beauty under the night sky!

 

 

Edited by Kitfox, 01 April 2025 - 07:56 PM.

[James700]

Now, for the athletic gal beside the skinny one, the former is fine with larger oculars, but the latter prefers the jewel-like she ones originally wore.  They are the same "height", one is just a little "brighter" than the other one.

 

I apologize for the sacrilege, they ride astide mounts made in Florida, one even with German legs.  But they still shine with Japanese precision and beauty under the night sky!

 

 

IMG_7274.jpg

they look like a perfect couple!