Original Lenses for the Nikon F

Modern Classic SLRs Series :
Nikon F - The Original Lenses (1959-1965) for the Nikon F

1959

2.1cm f/4-16 Nikkor-O

8 elements in 4 groups

92 degrees angle of view
focusses to 0.9m
52mm accessory size
Note: came with accessory viewfinder, requires mirror lock-up and lensmount tab (only on F and F2); hood is now rare and difficult to find, but modern-day HN-14 (20f/4) hood seems to fit without vignetting
Lens Hood $5.25 list (1967)
Viewfinder $26.00 list (1967)
Lens Case $5.00 list (1967)
$209.50 list including finder (1965); $199.50 list (1967)

3.5cm f/2.8-16 Nikkor-S Auto

7 elements in 5 groups

62 degrees angle of view
focusses to 0.3m
accepts hood HN-3, case CL-31, and bubble case CP-1
52mm accessory size
62.5mm diam by 57.5mm length
200g
Lens Hood $5.25 list (1967)
Lens Case $6.00 list (1967)
$169.50 list (1961); $149.50 list (1967)

5cm f/2 Nikkor-S Auto

7 elements in 6 groups

46 degrees angle of view
Note: later upgraded to a 6 element, 4 group design (reputedly much sharper after upgrade)
$89 list (1965) with body purchase o/w $91.95; $87.95 list (6E/4G) (1967)

10.5cm f/2.5-22 Nikkor-P Auto

5 elements in 3 groups

23 1/3 degrees angle of view
focusses to 1m
accepts hoods HN-8, HS-4, lens case CL-32, bubble case CP-2
52mm accessory size
66mm diam by 78mm length
435g
Note: similar in design to the 250mm f/5.6 Zeiss Sonnar; later redesigned and slightly improved in the late 1960's: later versions have stops to f/32
Lens Hood $5.25 list (1967)
Lens Case $10.50 list (1967)
$195 list (1961); $175 list (1967)

13.5cm f/3.5-32 Nikkor-Q Auto

4 elements in 3 groups

18 degrees angle of view
focusses to 1.5m
accepts hoods HN-8, HS-4, lens case CL-33, bubble case CP-2
52mm accessory size
66mm diam by 93.5mm length
460g
Lens Hood $5.25 list (1967)
Lens Case $10.50 list (1967)
$179.50 list (1961)

1960

5.8cm f/1.4-16 Nikkor-S Auto

7 elements in 6 groups

41 degrees angle of view
focusses to 0.6m
52mm accessory size
Lens Hood $5.25 list (1967)
$155 list (1960)

10.5cm f/4-22 Nikkor-T Preset

3 elements in 3 groups

23 1/3 degrees angle of view
focusses to 1.2m
34.5mm accessory size
Note: this lens is now horrifically rare and expect to pay a huge price if you really really want it (note that it does NOT have the same optics as the later 105f/4 bellows/Micro, which were 5el/3gr)
Lens Hood $4 list (1967)
Lens Case $6.50 list (1967)
$69.95 list (1960); $69.50 list (1967)

8.5~25.0cm f/4~4.5-16 Zoom-Nikkor Auto

15 elements in 8 groups

28 1/2 to 10 degrees angle of view
focusses to 4m
Series IX accessory size
Note: the first zoom from Nikon and the second zoom of any type for 35mm still cameras; later upgraded to an f/4 (constant aperture) zoom
Lens Hood $22.50 list (1967)
Lens Case $32.50 list (1967)
$595 list (1960); $515 list (f/4 zoom) (1967)

1961

5.5cm f/3.5-32 Micro-Nikkor-P Preset

5 elements in 4 groups

43 degrees angle of view
focusses to 0.07m
accepts hood HN-3?, lens case CL-33?, and bubble case CP-2?
52mm accessory size?
Note: focusses to 1:1 reproduction ratio without extension tube
$169.50 list (1961)

13.5cm f/2 Nikkor-? Auto

18 degrees angle of view

Note: rumored to be introduced
Source: Popular Photography, p. 36, June 1961

20.0cm f/4-32 Nikkor-Q Auto

4 elements in 3 groups

12 1/3 degrees angle of view
focusses to 2m
accepts built-in hood and lens case CL-35
52mm accessory size
72.5mm diam by 163mm length
630g
Lens Case $12.50 list (1967)
$199.50 list (1961); $210 list (1967)

50.0cm f/5 Reflex-Nikkor

3 elements in 2 groups

5 degrees angle of view
focusses to 15m
rear filtration (39mm screw-in)
125mm diam by 220mm length
1540g
$450 list (1961); $530 list (w/ 5 filters, leather case) (1967)

100cm f/6.3 Reflex Nikkor

3 elements in 2 groups

2 1/2 degrees angle of view
focusses to 30m
52mm turret filtration (Y44, R60, O56, L1)
300?mm diam by 475mm length
9910g
Note: Jay Maisel used this lens occasionally throughout the 70's and this lens is said to be ultra-rare; supplied with ND filter wheel to provide "aperture control"; frightfully large; rear bellows focussing; requires N-F tube
$1750 list (1965); $1750 list (w/ 4 filters and metal case) (1967)

3.5~8.5cm f/2.8 Zoom-Nikkor Auto?

62 to 28 1/2 degrees angle of view

Note: rumored to be introduced; perhaps it was based on the Voigtlander Zoomar 36-82f/2.8, which was the first zoom lens for 35mm still cameras, introduced in 1959 (article in Popular Photography, p. 30, May 1959)
$399.50 est. list (1961)
Source: Popular Photography, p. 36, June 1961

1962

8mm f/8-22 Fisheye-Nikkor

9 elements in 5 groups

180 degrees angle of view [round image]
fixed focus
built-in filtration (O56, Y48, Y52, L1A, X1, R60)
Note: Came with accessory viewfinder, requires mirror lock-up
Viewfinder $57.50 list (1967)
front VF cap $2 list (1967)
$449.50 list (1962)

43~86mm f/3.5-22 Zoom-Nikkor Auto

9 elements in 7 groups

53 to 28 1/2 degrees angle of view
focusses to 1.2m
accepts hood HN-3, lens case CL-32, and bubble case CP-2
52mm accessory size
65mm diam by 78mm length
410g
Lens Hood $5.25 list (1967)
Lens Case $10.50 list (1967)
$129.50 list (1962); $179.50 list (1967)

200~600mm f/9.5~10.5-32 Zoom-Nikkor Auto

13 elements in 7 groups

12 1/3 to 4 1/6 degrees angle of view
focusses to 4m
Series IX accessory size
80mm? diam by 482.6mm long
2041g
Note: later upgraded to a f/9.5 (constant aperture) zoom; subsequently upgraded with ED glass in the 70s
Lens Hood $22.50 list (1967)
$499.50 list (1962); $515 list (1967)

1963

55mm f/3.5-32 Micro-Nikkor-P Auto

5 elements in 4 groups

43 degrees angle of view
focusses to 0.24m
accepts hood HN-3, lens case CL-33, and bubble case CP-2
52mm accessory size
65.5mm diam by 64.5mm length
235g
Note: two versions, one with compensating diaphragm ("P") and one without (no "P" suffix)
Lens Hood $5.25 list (1967)
Case $10.50 list (1967)
$189.50 list with M-ring (1965); $179.50 list w/ M-ring (1967)

200mm f/5.6-45 Medical-Nikkor Auto

4 elements in 3 groups

12 1/3 degrees angle of view
fixed focus (3.4m at 1:15 reproduction)
accepts outfit cases US 296 (AC) and US 297 (AC with battery)
38mm accessory size
80mm diam by 176mm length
670g
Note: came with six additional diopters; reproduction ratios 1:15 to 3:1 depending on combination in use; has a built-in ringlight and four incandescent working lights; can imprint magnification ratio or numeral (1-39) in lower right corner
AC or battery pack $84.50 list (1967)
$599.50 list (1965) with AC and battery, $515 AC only

1964

50mm f/1.2 CRT-Nikkor Auto?

46 3/4 degrees angle of view

Note: optimized for reproduction ratios of 1:5.5 to 1:4

55mm f/4-32 UV-Nikkor Auto

43 degrees angle of view

5? elements in 4? groups
focusses to 0.36m
Note: had an automatically compensating diaphragm and focussed from infinity to 1:2, so it was probably based on the Micro-Nikkor-P, just as the present-day 105f/4.5 UV-Nikkor seems to be based on the 105f/4 Micro-Nikkor
Source: Popular Photography, June 1965

85mm f/1.8-22 Nikkor-H Auto

6 elements in 4 groups

28 1/2 degrees angle of view
focusses to 1m
accepts hood HN-7, lens case CL-32, bubble case CP-1
52mm accessory size
72mm diam by 70mm length
420g
Note: there may have been an early 5 element, 3 group version
Lens Hood $5.25 list (1967)
Lens Case $10.50 list (1967)
$199.50 list (1965); $189.50 list (1967)

300mm f/4.5-22 Nikkor-P Auto

5 elements in 4 groups

8 1/6 degrees angle of view
focusses to 4m
accepts built-in hood and lens case CL-20
72mm accessory size
80mm diam by 203mm length
1100g
Note: subsequently upgraded to 6e/5g, then to a 6e/5g ED version, and then to a 7e/6g IF-ED version
Lens Case $14.50 list (1967)
$279.50 list (1965); $279.50 list (1967)

CU-1 focussing unit

automatic stops from f/4.5-22

requires removeable focussing distance scale
88mm diam by 1.5mm pitch threads for lens heads
102mm diam by 313mm length
$199.50 list (1965); $199.50 list (1967)

600mm f/5.6-22 Nikkor-P Auto

5 elements in 4 groups

4 degrees angle of view
focusses to 11m
IR focus shift: 6.1mm (turn ring left by this amount)
accepts built-in hood and wooden case (US 462)
122mm accessory size
135mm diam by 516.5mm length (mounted on CU-1)
3600g (with CU-1)
Note: this lens came as a "head" that was threaded onto a focussing mount; different focal length heads were available (800, 1200, and later 400f/4.5) and two different mounts were compatible (CU-1 and later AU-1, both of which provided helicoid focussing and automatic diaphragms in the ranges appropriate for each lens); 600, 800, and 1200 heads were converted to ED versions in 1975 and were discontinued after 1978 when EDIF lenses came on the market
$650 list (1965); $650 list (1967)

800mm f/8-22/64 Nikkor-P Auto

5 elements in 5 groups

3 degrees angle of view
focusses to 19m
IR focus shift: 4.9mm (turn ring left)
accepts built-in hood and wooden case (US 463)
122mm accessory size
135mm diam by 711.5mm length (mounted on CU-1)
3500g (with CU-1)
Note: this lens has its own manual diaphragm control, f/8-64
$750 list (1965); $750 list (1967)

1200mm f/11-64 Nikkor-P Auto

5 elements in 5 groups

2 degrees angle of view
focusses to 43m
IR focus shift: 8.9mm (turn ring left)
accepts built-in hood and wooden case (US 464)
122mm accessory size
135mm diam by 922m length (mounted on CU-1)
4300g (with CU-1)
Note: this lens should be used with its own manual diaphragm (f/11-64) and the automatic diaphragm on the focussing mount should be set wide open (f/4.5)
$950 list (1965); $950 list (1967)

1965

50~300mm f/4.5-22 Zoom-Nikkor Auto

20 elements in 13 groups

46 to 8 1/6 degrees angle of view
focusses to 2.5m
accepts HN-11 hood and camera/lens case CE-2
95mm accessory size
Note: later recomputed and rereleased (and still available) as an ED lens
98mm diam by 292mm length
2300g

28mm f/3.5-16 Nikkor-H Auto

6 elements in 6 groups

74 degrees angle of view
focusses to 0.6m
accepts hood HN-2, lens case CL-31, and bubble case CP-1
52mm accessory size
62.5mm diam by 54mm length
215 g
Lens Hood $5.25 list (1967)
Lens Case $6 list (1967)
$169.50 list (1965); $159.50 list (1967)

35mm f/3.5-32 PC-Nikkor-H Preset

6 elements in 5 groups

62 degrees angle of view
focusses to 0.3m
accepts hood HN-2
52mm accessory size
Note: mechanism allowed up to 11mm shift in any one of 12 click-stopped directions, equiradial distribution (30 degrees apart)
Lens Hood $5.25 list (1967)
Case $7.50 list (1967)
$249.50 list (1965); $239.50 list (1967)

50mm f/1.4-16 Nikkor-S Auto

7 elements in 6 groups

46 degrees angle of view
focusses to 0.6m
accepts hoods HN-5, HS-1, HR-1, lens case CL-34, and bubble case CP-1
52mm accessory size
67mm diam by 56.5mm length
325g
$155 list (1965) with body purchase, o/w $156.50; $149.95 list (1967)

135mm f/2.8-22 Nikkor-Q Auto

4 elements in 4 groups

18 degrees angle of view
focusses to 1.5m
accepts built-in hood, lens case CL-33, bubble case CP-2
52mm accessory size
72.5mm diam by 104mm length
620g
$169.50 list (1965)

135mm f/4-22 Nikkor-Q Short Mount/Bellows Preset

4 elements in 3 groups

18 degrees angle of view
43mm accessory size
Note: focussed from infinity to life size (1:1) on the Bellows 2 with the BR-2 or B-F tube (later BR-2a on the Bellows 2a which are S/N >= 116700); also a now-rare and expensive lens (I've seen one on sale in the past year -- for $1400 US)
320g
$125 list (1965); $125 list (1965); BR-2 $5.50 list (1967)

180mm f/2.5-32 Nikkor-H Preset

6 elements in 4 groups

13 3/4 degrees angle of view
focusses to 2.1m
82mm accessory size (Series IX in hood)
Note: requires N->F adapter tube (BR-1?) (61.5mm diam by 62.3mm length, adds 58.5mm of extension)
1650g
Lens Hood $17.60 list (1967)
$425 list (1965); $425 list (1967); BR-1 $9.50 list (1967)

250mm f/4-32 Nikkor-Q Preset

4 elements in 3 groups

10 degrees angle of view
focusses to 3m
68mm accessory size (Series IX in hood)
1005g
Lens Hood $17.60 list (1967)
$224.50 list (1951)

350mm f/4.5-22 Nikkor-T Preset

3 elements in 3 groups

7 degrees angle of view
focusses to 3.3m
82mm accessory size (Series IX in hood)
1620g
Lens Hood $22.50 list (1967)
$398 list (1959)

500mm f/5-45 Nikkor-T Preset

3 elements in 3 groups

5 degrees angle of view
focusses to 9m
110mm accessory size
8370g
Lens Hood $31 list (1967)
$550 list (1952)

Much thanks to Ted Wengelaar for supplying a steady flow of F lens information.

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Nikon Auto Focus Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page
Nikon Manual Focus Nikkor lenses:- Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full Frame | Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm 15mm 18mm 20mm | Wideangle Lenses - 24mm 28mm 35mm | Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto Lenses - 85mm 105mm 135mm 180mm & 200mm | Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm 500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |

Special Application lenses:
Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm
Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm
Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF
Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm
Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm
Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm
Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm
Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm 35mm 50mm 100mm 135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm 75~150mm 70~210mm

MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm | 35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm | 100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm

Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E

Recommended links to understand more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

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Copyright © 1998. Michael C. Liu ®
Rearranged by: leofoo ®. Credit: Hiura Shinsaku® from Nikomat Club of Japan for feeding some useful inputs on the introductory page. The great 3D logo by Kiasu; Ted Wengelaar®, Holland for his continuous flow of input of early Nikon bodies. Stephen Gandy's Cameraquest; Marc Vorgers from Holland for his additinal images on Nikon F Apollo; Hayao Tanabe corrected my Red Dot and Early F assertions. Gray Levett, Grays of Westminster publishes an excellent monthly historical look at Nikon products, from where I learned about the high-speed F's. Made with a PowerMac, broadcast with a Redhat Linux powered server.

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