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Nikon (Nippon Kogaku K K) Nikkor-P.C 1:2.0 f=8.5cm (RF Nikkor 85mm f/2.0) Telephoto lens for Nikon S-Mount Rangefinder cameras - Part I - Early Models

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Introduction:- The colorful history behind the Nikkor 80mm lens group can directly associated in emergence of Japanese optical industry during the '50, so, it can be very sentimental to any Nikon fan. Along with the early series of 3.5cm/f3.5, 5cm/f2.0, 5cm/f3.5, 13.5cm/f4 which had formed the basis as Nippon Kogaku K.K. first batch of Nikkor lenses made in their own S-mount, the Nikkor-P 1:2 f=8.5cm telephoto lens was introduced as a new attempt at this focal length by the Japanese optical Company. It was known that during pre-Nikon S-series models, Nikon was more like an independent 3rd party contract manufacturers just like the way with labels such as Sigma, Tokina or Tamron today. The only thing that interests me was, Nikon has opt for Contax's 85mm Zeiss Sonnar rather than from Leica's more popular focal lengths of 73mm (Hektor f/1.9 1931~46) and 9cm Elmar f/4 (1931/51). Well, I do know Leica did offered a Summarex 8.5cm f/1.5 (1943~1960) but it didn't had a mass market appeal where the Zeiss 85/2.0 SONNAR was more successful commercially due to affordability There are basically two lens speed available in f/2.0 and f/1.5 in the Nikkor 85mm lens group with the latter that directly aiming at the Leica fast speed lens while seemingly the f/2.0 had Contax/Zeiss as target. As Nikkor-S f/1.5 versions were introduced quite late in 1953. Overall, at the 85mm focal length, Nikon was more inclined for Zeiss design/market rather than from Leitz. It was equally interesting to note that another Japanese manufacturer, Canon has also offered their 6 E/4G all chrome LSM-mount Canon SERENAR 85mm f/2.0 as early as in 1948 (MK II/1952). So, this partly has explained basis of selection for Nikon in their short telephoto focal length at 85mm -as they had competitions domestic and internationally.

FAT Elmar	9cm f4 Elmar	SEOOF 9cm/f2	SOOZI 9cm/f2	Elmarit 90/f2.8	Thambar 9cm f/2.2	Summarax 85/1.5	Zeiss 85/f2
Zeiss Opton 85/2	Zeiss Triotar 85/4	Zeiss Opton 85/4	Serenar 85/f2	Serenar 85/1.5	Canon 85f/1.8	Canon 85f/1.9	S.K. Komura 85/1.8
		Just let me show you with a rough idea how congested this short tele-focal length was during that era. Many major brand names which included 3rd labels usually offered two options (please take note the lenses highlighted below had different year of releases that may not coincide with Nikkor 85mm lenses. Some within the pages have different mount such as M42 mount lenses. The links was meant for cross references only:-
BIOTAR 75/1.5	Hektor 7.3/f1.9

Along with Nikkor-P 10.5cm 1:2.5 (1954), both Nikkor-P 8.5cm f/2.0 were the two best seller Nikkor rangefinder telephoto lens. The short Nikkor telephoto lens was among the 5 original Nikkor lenses that were introduced when Nikon decided to introduce their own series of camera with the Nikon 1 in 1948. It was during the post war Japanese occupation period and much of the Japanese optical as well as camera manufacturing ideas were still largely based on replication of idea/concept from the German who had a more matured manufacturing industry. IF you are observant, the Nikkor-P 1:2 f=8.5cm was Nikon first attempt to break out from conventional supplies of popular focal lengths such as 35mm and 50mm where Nippon Kogaku K.K. all along had gained some expertise in the design and manufacturing of these lenses.

Their early effort towards the last quarter of the '40 saw many variations which seemingly had been targeted mainly on improving the lens handling aspect which we can witness today via the used photographic equipment market. Each of these models are representing not only the progress in lens development but also had reflected the state of the industry as a whole during the period. Lastly, Nikon had added an ALTERNATE Nikkor-S.C 1:1.5 f=8.5cm which came with a very fast lens speed of f/1.5 in 1951. The 8.5/1.5 was only supplied in a typical black/chrome finishing and NONE was produced in all chrome finishes. Credit: Image copyright 2008 Jon Mitchell® from Australia. Image Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. You can access Jon's portfolio at Flickr for more creative visual. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

So, in comparison, the 8.5/2.0 can be more complicated. Technically, we can separate the flow along these changes within the 85/2 series into three main categories for the purpose of discussion i.e. Occupation (Tokyo) / Post Occupation (Tokyo) and the established Nikon rangefinder system (Black/chrome N.K. Japan) period. Please take note that Nippon Kogaku at the initial stage was still a relatively unknown player, so the basis of Company financial was still heavily basing on producing alternative optic for the German. Which means ratio for Leica and/or Contax mount versions could probably occupied a significant portion of the early produce but as it went along with gradual acceptance of Nikon by the photographic community, the ratio changed in tandem. This was the main reason why the series of the early Nikkor lenses esp. within the 35, 50, 80 and 135mm designed for Nikon rangefinder cameras can have so many variations to address in a site.

First of all, TYPICALLY - all known versions within the occupation/post occupation 85/2.0 have a basic heavy brass on chrome construction. The differences among them were basically in details in accordance to changes in the periods such as aperture lacks positive click-stops feel among the earliest versions. The LEICA SM and Contax mount models appeared during this period have respective lens characteristics of their own which based on the operating mechanism of the two German companies. The last batch of Nikon 85/2.0 was introduced after Nikon had eventually established their footing in the market was more straight forward. They can be easily recognized via the black/chrome finishing in their exterior design. Generally, all the lenses within the 85mm lens group exhibit excellent product a quality. They are quite heavy due to adoption of chrome/brass combination which helps to project a solid, rigid quality feel. Models that were appeared just before and after the Nikon S seemingly had better layout and clearly defined lens features as well as inscriptions of data. <<<--- Shown is a typical Nikon's own bayonet S-mount Nikkor-P 1:2 f=8.5cm Nippon Kogaku Tokyo telephoto lens. It has four rings (aperture, focusing, index and lens mounting rings). Unless there are versions that I am not aware of, all variations among the series have FEET series only. The minimum aperture is f/16 with DOF scales cater for f/16, f/11, f/8 f/4 and f/2. All the models typically have lens data printed with "Nippon Kogaku Tokyo S/N Nikkor-P.C 1:2 f=8.5cm". The "C" indicates all lenses within the series of 8.5cm are coated optic.

Nikon (Nippon Kogaku K.K.) Nikkor-P 1:2 f=8.5cm (RF Nikkor-P 85mm f/2.0) lens for bayonet S-mount Nikon Rangefinder cameras Year Introduced: 1948#; Discontinued: 1964/5 # Nikon indicated date in their official web site. Other sources: Nikon RF illustrated History has suggested March, 1948; but it was mentioned as April, 1949 (Nikon Hand Book).

The earliest Nikkor-P 1:2 f=8.5cm telephoto has only provided with 5 digits serial numbering control for prioduction. I guess this has partly reflected the state of confidence during those early days towards their S-Series rangefinder camera system. From the various figures compiled from various collectors on most of the other lenses, I think Nikon probably had the same thought of realising a 6-digits production figures would be unimaginable with their prevailing position in the market. It is indeed very difficult to locate such an early model but luck strikewhen I began the site construction, a seasoned Ebay Auctioneer, Kelvin LI from gokelvincameras, UK shown me a version of his collection (but Kelvin has not indicated how much does he put a price tag on this lens). As uillustrated via the pictures below, the overall workmanship during the early stage by Nikon was quite rough in details. The apertures control was not offered with click stop mechanism yet. Most of the lens inscriptions of lens data were seemingly hand engraved. The letterings are quite large in comparison to later models. An important point is, where there might be doubt if all the series of 85/2 are coated, this lens data encoded from this early Nikkor lens had already suggested it was native coated with the "C' marking printed after the lens data at the front. Other than the "C" and a tiny red dot index mark, all lencoded letterings and numerals on aperture/distance scales are printed in black.

Well, in the eyes of Nikon RF system collectors, this original rangefinder-type Nikkor-P 8.5cm 1:2 TOKYO MIOJ telephoto lens can be an ABSOLUTE classic piece ! I wpuld think it is an extremely hard to find piece of optical glass whcih has been maintained in such imaculate original condition. As shown, the S/N of the lens is encoded with a rare, short 5-digits 80130 which indicates it was among the first series produced. The original metal lens hood had an old style type face "NIKKOR" word engraved onto. Also please take note of the overall larger charactors used appearing on the lens data.

This old, antique classic collector lens also has a f/16 minimum aperture. Depth of field scales cover all f-stops EXCEPT for f/5.6 and NO click-stops mechanism. There is NO color coded index either, neiher any Infra Index was providedin this early model.

The numerals look more like being hand engraved rather than machine grilled, overall in this area it was quite rough. The " Made in Occupised Japan" (MIOJ) is printed on the other end of the all-chrome lens barrel. Credit: All images of this Ver.1 series courtesy of Mr. Kelvin Li from his popular gokelvincameras @ Ebay Store which retails for many hard-to-find Nikon, canon, Contax oldies. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

Nikon (Nippon Kogaku K.K.) Nikkor-P 1:2 f=8.5cm Tokyo MIOJ (Rear Cam) - 7-digits S/N version

This sample lens came with a S/N 9031129 - no typo mistalke here, it carries a SEVEN DIGITS serial number. The lens cap has reverted to a "NIPPON KOGAKU, TOKYO" engraving. "MIOJ" engraving has been moved to the uppper side of the cam at the rear lens mount section. The lens case also has the same logo at the top. Numeric for distance scales and f-stops still remain large. Not really sure if this was an experiemental model to find an appropriate S/N system during a specific era. IF not for the MIOJ at rear lens cam location, where the 903xxx batches still retaining the on lens barrel numbering, I would think these may be the pre-903 series model. The lens has one significant change with the solidly built, updated NIPPON KOGAKU TOKYO name engraved on top of the lens cap as standard acccessory (the rear cap has not been printed nor engraved with the cumtomary NK logo as appeared in many of the LEICA / CONTAX MIOJ Tokyo models.

The MIOJ is printed on the cam at the rear whcih may suggest this could be the 2nd series. A point of interest is the lens cap. It has new interface with Nippon Kokagu TOKYO logo printed on the metal cap. Similarly, the leather lesn case also has an embosssed logo of Nippon Kogaku TOKYO.

Assuming the mode featured above was just an co-incidental mode, the next version that followed AFTER the initial batch of the Nikkor-P 80/2 release still carried with many of the basic features found on the earliest 801xxx group. However, Nikon has used a different serial production number which began from 90xxxx where a common 6-digits S/N was used. The MIOJ was still encoded on the lens barrel shown with the number 903422 below. The journal, An Illustration of Nikon rangefindeer camera had suggested the 2nd batch of this may be less than 1,000 units. However.....

	Nikon RF 85/2 Tokyo MIOJ S/N 903422 Early, with MIOJ mark on lens barrel, use big letters engraved at front rim (like the earlier #801-series), w/ faint front coating mark. This version has indicated "C". Lastly, distance scales letetring are also in large letters.
Credit: All images courtesy of Mr. Kelvin Li from his popular gokelvincameras @ Ebay Store which retails for many hard-to-find Nikon, canon, Contax oldies. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

Nikon (Nippon Kogaku K.K.) Nikkor-P 1:2 f=8.5cm Tokyo "Made in Japan" at rear cam

Cont.... if we accept the theory that 9031xxx ~904089 was within that 2nd batch, this Nikon RF Nikkor-P 85/2 Tokyo with S/N 904035 shown below may challenge the thought. It has an unknown year of release and embodies with most of the basic lens features found withn the 2nd bactch with one difference: It has an ODD "Made in Japan" engraving instead of the usual "MIOJ" engraving and it is located at the rear lens cam, w/one 4mm separation on the edge. I am not a historian. But if we assume the Author quote is correct. The only logical explanation to this was, some national pride had Nikon experimenting how to get rid of the "Occupied" word in their line of products but not getting approval from the US military.

The odd "made in Japan" encoding at the top of the lens cam at the rear sction found in this model. Another issue is, the quality of produce on various lens features such as data and overall quality has improved from the late series of the 90xxxxx. CLICK on 3x thumbnail(s) below for enalrged view(s)

Nikon (Nippon Kogaku K.K.) Nikkor-P 1:2 f=8.5cm Tokyo MIOJ (Rear Cam) "hyphan" at end of 6-digits Serial Number Collecting oldies can be a very tedious process. Some people may feel offended with this remark because this may imply all owners of Nikon rangefinder cameras are not photographers. Well, don't be. But with today modern techno cameras offering the kind of shooting comfort as well as exposure accuracy, it may relegate the ratio in chances of using these RF gears solely for photography to less than 15%. You may ask why ? Here is another example. For some strange reasons, Nikon has added a mysterious batch of unknown quantity with an odd ":" after the 28xxxxx batch - supposedly it was verified by guru collectors as third batch of the Nikkor-P 85/2 Tokyo MIOJ series. The journal by Robert Rotoloni has suggested based on his finding that the 3rd batch carried with S/N 286500~287300 (800 units). So, this oddly spec Nikkor 85/2 was somehwere in between the series.

NOTE: This is another unknown Nikkor-P 85/2.0 Tokyo MIOJ version which carries an interesting ":" at end of serial number. "MIOJ" engraving has been moved to the uppper side of the cam at the rear lens mount. The lens case also has the same logo at the top. Numeric for distance scales and f-stops still remain large. The lens construction has greatly improved with cleaner finishing.

Case study references:-

compare	compare	compare	compare	compare	compare

NOTE:- Before we skip to other sections, I think we should also allocate some columns to address some of the alternate LEICA SM and/or Contax versions of this Nikkor-P 1:2 f=8.5cm telephoto lens. Please bear in mind, the index page page as well as the next section cover the models with "MIOJ" marked on lens barrel andor Rear lens cam only. Similarly, the spec sheet appears on the next page is also confined to this all chrome Nikkor lens model. IF yours is a newer version (With "NIPPON KOGAKU JAPAN" inscription on the lens data printed on the front rim just beneath the filter thread, you should refer to THIRD page). There may be some variants that fall neither here or there during the trasitional change from occupation period to the "new" Japan era, it will be discussed where it relates.

| NEXT | 1/5 various Leica SM and Contax-mount versions on this Nikkor-P 85/2

Part One - Early / Variations | Part Two - Early LSM/Contax models | Part Three - Chrome barrel f/f32 | Part Four Black barrel f/32 | Part Five (Nikkor-S 85mm f/1.5)

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