NIKON RANGEFINDER
LENSES
compiled from "The NIKON
Manual"
by George B. Wright, 1957
copyright Frank
Mechelhoff
NEW 24. August 2007
The lens program
for the Nikon Rangefinder camera was small when compared to Leica,
Contax or Canon, but nevertheless was of excellent optical quality - at
least on their level, some of them superior. Nippon Kogaku had a
history of photography lens making and even 35mm camera lenses starting
long before World War II, their program includes some "world firsts"
and "world fastest" lenses of certain focal lengths and - last but not
least - were known for their 100% quality control. It was been said
that not a single lens left the factory without critical examination -
different to many other manufacturers of their time... All of them
together, plus the price level lower than ZEISS, created the excellent
reputation of the NIKKOR lenses for professional use in the very
beginning of the 1950's...
WIDEANGLE Lenses
Nikkor-O 1:4 f=2.1cm
Launched first as a Rangefinder lens (1959),
later on produced as SLR
lens (Nikon F mount/ Mirror Lock-up)
Story
by Nikon about this rare lens
W-Nikkor 1:4 f=2.5cm
Story
by Nikon about this lens
W-Nikkor 1:3.5 f=2.8cm
W-Nikkor 1:3.5
f=3.5cm
W-Nikkor 1:2.5
f=3.5cm
W-Nikkor 1:1.8
f=3.5cm
The
fast wideangle lens in the world when introduced - together with the Canon RF 35/1.8
About 8000 made
Story
by Nikon about this lens
STANDARD Lenses
Nikkor-H.C. 1:2
f=5cm
Nikkor-S.C. 1:1.5 f=5cm
Based on the prewar Carl Zeiss Sonnar design, very soon replaced by the
50/1.4 (similar design-wise)
40.5mm Filter, about 1100 lenses made (Nikon RF and Leica screw mount)
Article
about this lens by Robert J. Rotoloni
picture by
Rotoloni
Nikkor-S.C. 1:1.4 f=5cm
This lens made Nikon's name as a choice for
professional photographer. Most common standard lens for Nikon S, S2,
SP and S3.
Nikkor-N 1:1.1 f=5cm
This lens was the world's fast 35mm lens when
introduced in 1956 (Link: Story by NIKON)
Che Guevara used this lens as photo reporter. The fact that it's
development (directed by Saburo Murakami) based
on a German pre-war patent of A.W.Tronnier and Schneider Kreuznach of
1930 is quite unknown among Nikonians. First version with inner
bayonet mount (~1500 made), second version with outer mount (~1800),
Leica M39 mount (~200)
TELEPHOTO
Lenses
Nikkor-P.C. 1:2 f=8.5cm
Probably the best short telephoto lens of the early 1950's, based on a
Carl Zeiss Sonnar prewar design. The later, black version is rare.
Nikkor-S.C. 1:1.5 f=8.5cm
The first Nikon lens available in black. About 2000 made. Nikon
article about this lens
Nikkor-P.C. 1:2.5 f=10.5cm
Heavyweight
lens with an excellent reputation, common, a true classic. Produced in
Nikon-F mount as well until 1971
Article
by Nikon about this lens
Nikkor-Q.C. 1:4 f=13.5cm
Nikkor-Q.C. 1:3.5
f=13.5cm
LONG
TELEPHOTO Lenses to use with the Reflex Housing
Nikkor-H.C. 1:2.5
f=18cm
Nikkor-Q.C. 1:4
f=25cm
Nikkor-T.C. 1:5
f=50cm
Nikon Prism
Reflex Housing for Long Telephoto Lenses
Lenses
for Special Use
Micro-Nikkor-P.C.
1:3.5 f=5cm
EL-Nikkor-H.C. 1:2.8
f=5cm (Enlarging Lens)
Bellows-Nikkor
f=13.5cm
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