New (to me) Nikon zoom lens

[Pfreddee]

While rummaging through KEH's offerings, I came across an odd zoom lens, which I've never heard of before, not that that means anything. It's a 43-86 f/3.5 AI (52) manual focus zoom. However (comma, he said), it looks like something I would like especially since it's offered for sale at $53.00 in Ex condition.

What can any of you tell me about it?

Thanks to all who reply.

With best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[Shac]

Nikon's first zoom. The first lot were rather soft, but the last ones reportedly had improved IQ.

 

[alfredian]

Vintage Sixties glass

Vintage Sixties glass

Okay, the 43-86 was THE zoom for a college kid with a Nikon F, or more likely, a Nikkormat, back in the late Sixties-Seventies. Compact, one-touch (you zoom & focus with one ring) lens. From wide-ish normal thru short/portrait telly, you had a nice outdoorsy (f3.5, max) lens. Perfect for framing your shot without backing off the cliff & into the lion's cage.

Good quality image. Bokeh hadn't been invented, yet, but this was one of the "backpacking" lenses, especially if you could only afford one lens. Great for hiking or touristy stuff (f3.5 max again). The first Nikkormat I ever handled (dorm roomie of a friend) had the 43-86 & a 55 MicroNikkor. Wow.

This lens+Tri-X was all you needed, 1965-75. On the Nikkormat it was incredible - shutter speed, f-stop, zoom & focus all on/near the lens barrel. Right hand advanced the film & took the picture, period. Okay, press the top-deck button for depth-preview.

I have several. My favorite is the diamond-grip rubber ringed ones. You can be OIM-perfect & pick up an HN-2 hood for cheap. That or the HN-3, I forget. They made a zillion, hence the low price. Anything over $100 anymore should be near-mint. Go for it. - alfredian

 

[Nikon Bob]

You might find this http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/zoomsMF/4386mm.htm of interest. I have not had much experience with them. This site http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html#43-xx will show you that there were 4 different versions and 2 different optical layouts. My guess would be the last optical layout was the sharpest.

Bob

 

[ZeissFan]

My roommate bought one of these in 1980 when he picked up a Nikon FM. He took a lot of photos with the 43-86, and I recall them as being pretty good.

I have one now that came with a camera. It's a bit beat up, and I haven't shot with it. Although now I'm thinking that I should.

 

[Chris101]

It is my favorite, manual focus, zoom lens. I use it with my Nikon FG all the time. Here's how schweet it looks:

(It takes a nice picture too! 😉 )

 

[Warren T.]

My friends and I grew up shooting Nikon F, F2, and Nikkormats in the 1970's. I never had a 43-86mm, but my friend had an early one, and it was very soft. It was a good range, but that lens had a reputation for producing fuzzy images 🙂. Yes, I hear later ones were much improved, but we all moved on by then.

--Warren

 

[ampguy]

The early version ~500,000 or so is very reminiscent of Leica glass, contrast wise. At either of the zoom extremes, there is distortion, but I think around 55-65 it's minimal. Small and compact, great build quality.