( Although none of these lenses appear in Jason's list. 
)
@Sonnar Brian here is a comparison of serials:
35/3.5: mine 9101769, yours 910763?
50/2 Collapsible: mine 8111000, can't see yours?
135/4: mine 904284, yours 904486.
As I understand it, the serial consists of year that the lot began production (8 = 1948, 9 = 1949), then the month (10, 11, 04), then the unit number.
)@Sonnar Brian here is a comparison of serials:
35/3.5: mine 9101769, yours 910763?
50/2 Collapsible: mine 8111000, can't see yours?
135/4: mine 904284, yours 904486.
As I understand it, the serial consists of year that the lot began production (8 = 1948, 9 = 1949), then the month (10, 11, 04), then the unit number.
The later "Japan" 3.5cm/3.5 has filter threads, until the Tokyo version.
And much improved coatings!
And much improved coatings!
In the last page for "Photo Data" it is stated that the 3 Nikkor lenses that they (DDD and Bristol) found best were the 5cm F1.5, 8.5cm F2, and 13.5cm F3.5. This is on the last page of the book, 1951 and 1990 edition. I have both. I am assuming that DDD used the 13.5cm F4 until the 13.5cm F3.5 came out, continued to favor the 5cm F1.5 over the f1.4, and Bristol used the 8.5cm F2 on his Contax. "This is a Least Squares Fit" of the several articles I've read on Nikon history. The book is copyright 1951, with pictures from 1950 and 1951 in it. The 13.5cm F3.5 was introduced in 1951, DDD probably had one of the first. And stuck with the 5cm F1.5. Mine is within a few units of his. The optical formula of the 5cm F1.4 was revised shortly after the lenses were marked NKJ. My early NKJ 5cm F1.4 and 5005 5cm F1.4 have the same optical prescription. The later lenses increased the diameter of the optics and fixture size. I know this from taking them apart.
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My 5cm F2 is over 2100, but the 3.5cm F3.5 is 7xx. The 5cm F1.5 is 189.( Although none of these lenses appear in Jason's list.
@Sonnar Brian here is a comparison of serials:
35/3.5: mine 9101769, yours 910763?
50/2 Collapsible: mine 8111000, can't see yours?
135/4: mine 904284, yours 904486.
As I understand it, the serial consists of year that the lot began production (8 = 1948, 9 = 1949), then the month (10, 11, 04), then the unit number.
View attachment 4821424View attachment 4821425View attachment 4821426View attachment 4821427View attachment 4821428View attachment 4821429View attachment 4821430
This is from my 3.5cm F3.5, Leica Yellow filter - slip on. Blew me away. Much better than the later one I had. Thought to myself "if DDD has tried this one, would have bought it". I suspect that the small optics of this lens might have given more variation sample-to-sample. It is a Tessar, Leica had moved on to the 1-2-2-1 3.5cm F3.5 Summaron by this time. I've read that DDD stated the Leica 3.5cm was better than the Nikkor 3.5cm.
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
That's sweet. The old eagle eye strikes again
pyeh
Member of good standing
Thanks Brian, you make so much sense as always.
I should have said I also have a thing for Nikkor LTM lenses. They really are optically and historically special. They are about the only thing I seek out now, having cooled my ardour on everything else. I went through a DDD must-have phase too.
I have a few Nikkors now, which I should list or put up a photo of. I thought I'd do that in the rare lenses thread. Included in what I have is a 5cm f1.5 which I was very lucky to stumble on in a Tokyo photo fair in the company of Jonmanjiro who identified it for me (I was quite clueless at the time. Still am). I also have a 13.5cm f4 with a parallel mount, from Robert Rotoloni.
I should have said I also have a thing for Nikkor LTM lenses. They really are optically and historically special. They are about the only thing I seek out now, having cooled my ardour on everything else. I went through a DDD must-have phase too.
I have a few Nikkors now, which I should list or put up a photo of. I thought I'd do that in the rare lenses thread. Included in what I have is a 5cm f1.5 which I was very lucky to stumble on in a Tokyo photo fair in the company of Jonmanjiro who identified it for me (I was quite clueless at the time. Still am). I also have a 13.5cm f4 with a parallel mount, from Robert Rotoloni.
Contarama
Well-known
I have a nice set of converted K Nikkors. One of them that I have is a little different than the rest and that would be the 135/3.5.
Contarama
Well-known
Apologies for the double post but I just added a 105/4 Micro Nikkor K to my group. Along with the 135 they are the last of the sonnar formula Nikkors I think.
It is shown as a 2-1-2 ,5 element in 3 group. Same as the Bellows-Nikkor 105mm F4.
markjwyatt
Well-known
I have the Nikkor P.C 105mm f2.5 in Contax mount. A really big lens on a compact camera, and a really nice lens. I have the 50mm f1.4 (non-AI) that was mentioned, but not featured.
Brambling
Well-known
This is my love! In general, I collect a collection of the "auto" series While in stock 85/1.8, 50/1.4, 43-86/3.5... The plans are 105/2.5, 58/1.4, and widths...
Brambling
Well-known
85/1,8
Brambling
Well-known
85/1,8
Brambling
Well-known
Nikkormat FTN, Nikkor auto 50|1,4
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
Not quite as classic but I paid for a Micro-Nikkor AI 55/3.5 & PK-13 on Eprey this morning. Should have it next week sometime
AlwaysOnAuto
Well-known
My 50 1.2 sits in the cabinet, gathering dust, as I find the shallow DOF too frustrating to bother with to use it much.
My old Micro-Nikkor in LTM. Long gone.
