Fisheye-Nikkor 6mm f/2.8: That's not a wide angle, this is a wide angle

An extremely rare (and extreme wide) Nikon lens which is actually capable of seeing behind itself has sold for a massive £100,000 in London.

The lens, said to be world’s most extreme wide-angle lens (it has a whopping 220 degree view), had been up for sale at Grays of Westminster which specializes in Nikon gear.

The Fisheye-Nikkor 6mm f/2.8 -- which dwarfs any camera it is attached to -- was initially revealled at Photokina in 1970 and production began in March 1972 and was only made available to special order.

Founder Grays Levett said, "The background of this immense lens is that our vintage camera buyer Toni Kowal spent six months tracking it down from overseas, and we were fortunate to be able to find this example in such pristine condition.

"The lens was photographed by master photographer Tony Hurst. It is a stunning example of the optical expertise of the engineers and designers at Nikon."

Lens construction: 12 elements in 9 groups,

Picture angle: 220º ,

Diaphragm: Automatic,

Aperture scale: f/2.8-f/22 on both standard and aperture-direct-readout scales,

Weight: 5200g,

Dimensions: 236mm dia. x 171mm long (overall); 160mm extension from lens flange,

Distance scale: graduated in meters and feet from 0.25m (0.9ft) to infinity (∞),

Filters: built-in skylight (L1BC), medium yellow (Y48), deep yellow (Y52), orange (O56), and red (R60)

Front lens cap: Slip-on, delivered in a rugged metal case

Image Credit: Tony Hurst