Nikkor 50/2 Samples

[rover]

Well, the Tower Type 3 I bought is now living happily in Canada, but I am very happy to have kept its mate for many years, the Nikkor 50/2. These shots were taken with the Nikkor on the Tower and I have to say, I am very happy.

Taken at Mystic Seaport, in Mystic CT. I had a good day that day, most exposures were very good. I wasn't sure about focusing the camera with the little viewfinder, but it seems I hit it pretty well. Film is APX 400 developed in Diafine.

The Nikkor has earned a spot towards the top of my 50mm line-up.

 

[rover]

And a couple more

 

[rover]

One wide open

 

[Nikon Bob]

You really did have a good day, everything looks like it came together for you.

Bob

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Very nice Rover!

Does anybody know if this is a Tessar or Sonnar copy?

 

[rover]

Thank you Gabriel, it is a Sonnar copy.

 

[Huck Finn]

Thanks, Ralph. Great range of shots - from sky in the background to the fine detail of the rope. Nice out-of-focus background - not only wide open but a couple of shots with trees at a distance. Sammy looks like he had a great time.

 

[Poptart]

I have the old reflex version of that lens; I don't know whether it's the same design but it is considered one of the sharpest 50mm nikkors.

 

[rover]

I like the photos. Always interest me the line of Nikon lens. I dont know if I can buy one day some. I remember when I saw through the viewfinder of the S2. Was magnificent!

Beniliam, I took Brian Sweeny's advise and found a kit, Tower Camera with this lens for a very favorable price. I don't know why it was priced as it was, but I was able to resell the Tower (in very good shape) for a fair price and have the lens for less $ than it would cost had I bought it alone. Cosmetically the lens is a user, but the glass is very very good. I shot with a hood, of course, and see no problems with flare. I don't think that I shot directly into the light, though the flag is backlit.

Thanks for your comments.

 

[rover]

Maybe there is some flare in the rope shot. I am getting critical now.

 

[VinceC]

>>The original Reflex version of the 50mm F2 was a 7 element design...It was replaced fairly quickly with the Nikkor-H 50mm F2. Nikon also had a 5.8cm F1.4 around for a short time in F-mount...<<

The designs for most of the very earliest Nikkor F-mount SLR lenses were quite short-lived ... I imagine the camera side of the factory came out with the this hunky-dorey new SLR based on the SP, and the lens side of the factory took a look and said "The flange-to-film distance is WHAT??!!!??" then had to scramble to put out some less than sterling glass.

The images posted above are quite nice. I've never shot with a Nikkor f/2 in RF mount, but it has a great reputation. Brian also posted some really great images over in the Nikon forum. In the SLR world, I've used an Nikkor-H, and its arguably sharper than the 1.4 version and with noticably better bokeh. But back when I used SLRs more often, the 1.4 was always my lens of choice -- quicker to focus, incredibly sharp, and a stop faster.

 

[raid]

The posted images are very nice indeed, and this supports that the Nikkor 5cm/2 is a fine performer (so is the photographer).
I have a Nikkor 5cm/2 H-c in LTM, and I find it an excellent lens. I have ready many posting about the (more expensive) 50/1.5 Nikkor though. I recall that the 50/1.5 is a Sonnar design but I think the 50/2 is not. My copy is mintish, and I try to use it as often as possible. It is beautifully made and is relatively heavy (for its size).

 

[ray_g]

The Nikkor has earned a spot towards the top of my 50mm line-up.

That is saying a lot considering your deep bench.

Very nice photos, rover. I love my Nikkor 50/2, too.

 

[Poptart]

Yeah, I just looked at mine . . . it's a Nikkor H.

 

[Mike R]

Very nice

Very nice

Rover,

Thanks for posting these. My grandfather gave me one of these cameras that was pretty beat up. I just sent it off for new curtains and a cleaning. I always wondered what it could do. The sailing pictures remind me of some that my grandfather took with the camera during WWII while in the Naval reserves. He trained on a sailing ship to learn navigation and lived in San Diego for a few years during the war. I hope the shots I get are as good as yours.

 

[raid]

Brian: Is there any optical difference between the collapsible and rigid Nikon 5cm/2 versions?

 

[raid]

I think, I paid about $200 for the rigid Nikon 5cm/2 on ebay. Mine is mintish with clean optics.

 

[doubs43]

I just had a chance to photograph my rigid 5cm f/2 Nikkor lens. I purchased this lens in 1968 with a Tower camera. It was in a pawn shop in Topeka, KS. The camera still functions fine and in spite of cleaning marks on the front element, courtesy of the original owner, this lens takes a great picture. The filter ring had been dented and "repaired" ...... also by the previous owner. A 40.5mm filter will screw in just fine though.

Walker