Nikon Series E 100mm f/2.8, Ilford FP4, and lingerie

From 1979 to 1985 Nikon produced a budget line of lenses known as "Series E" which were introduced with the EM, Nikon's first truly budget SLR, the less said about which the better.  The Series E line was met with sneering contempt by Nikon enthusiasts of the period who felt that Nikon had lowered itself by wading into the kiddie pool, as it were.  Nonetheless, two of the Series E lenses managed to overcome the stigma and earn reputations for optical excellence, the 50mm pancake lens and the 100mm f/2.8.  The former is currently the subject of a silly little cult of obsessive fanatics within the Nikon collector community, but one rarely hears much about the latter.  Accordingly, for the general edification of the Nikon and classic lens collector community, I'm pleased to present the following images, all shot on Ilford FP4 at box speed and developed in Microphen 1+3 per the manufacturer's recommendations.

NSFW images from this shoot will be posted on a separate blog entry accessible to supporters contributing one token per month.  

This last image was shot on Foma Retropan 320, a rather tricky emulsion I've had mixed success with at best.  This particular shoot represents the best results I've had with the stuff, and this is the only image which is "safe for work" as the saying goes: