Nikkor hc 50 f2 focus scale

[megido]

I have just received a HC 50 f2 #2244096 and noticed that the end stop for closest focus is quite a way (nearly 15mm) past the 2ft marking on the barrel. At the other end of the scale the end stop meets the infinity marking perfectly. Is this normal? Any insights most appreciated

 

[sevo]

Infinity is infinity - there is no meaningful focusing past that point. You can get arbitrarily close, however, and few lenses (apart from dedicated macro/micro lenses) mark their closest possible point with a extra engraving...

 

[megido]

Thank you Sevo.
I ask because my 24 2.8 NC hits the end stop at minimum focus as indicated on the barrel. If there are any 50 f2 owners who have thier lens to hand. Please advise.

 

[sevo]

I have no (non-zoom) Nikkors with as much as 15mm excess travel - but most of them twist to about 3-5mm past the closest engraved distance (while they exactly hit the infinity mark).

 

[Steve M.]

Look in the viewfinder and focus it. If it is sharp when twisted all the way to the infinity stop then it's fine. Good luck doing this w/ a rangefinder camera, but SLRs are truly "what you see is what you get".

 

[ulrich.von.lich]

The end of the scale on my copy is at 1.5 ft marking.

It's a long way coming down from 2 to 1.5 ft. Doesn't your copy have the 1.5 ft marking too?

 

[megido]

The end of the scale on my copy is at 1.5 ft marking.

It's a long way coming down from 2 to 1.5 ft. Doesn't your copy have the 1.5 ft marking too?

The markings only go to 2. It's pre ai with the scalloped focus ring.

 

[ulrich.von.lich]

Sorry I just realised it's an SLR lens you were talking about. My copy is the LTM version.

If I were you, I would just check the sharpness in the viewfinder. It's much simpler on an SLR.

 

[Spavinaw]

megido--Can't believe it's been three hours and you have no answer. Maybe everyone is at work (I'm retired). My lens is exactly like yours and the close focus stop is 13mm past the 2 foot mark on the lens barrel, just like yours. Rest easy. I think this is normal.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

My pre Ai 67524* is feet and meters is marked scale to 2m 0.6ft and focus moves past those marks to a hard stop.I think I am normal!!

The K version 1974 goes to 0.45 the 31.. to 33... series.

 

[Shac]

I just checked mine (50/2 HC) and it stops 13 mm past the 2 ft mark - I wouldn't worry as long as it focuses anywhere OK

 

[jim_jm]

My 50/2 H does the same thing. The lens probably focuses another 5cm closer than the nearest mark on the barrel of 0.6m. Many of my pre-AI and AI/AIS lenses exhibit this characteristic to some extent, but this lens does more than any other.

I checked several Pentax M42 SMC and Super-Takumars I own, and all of them are marked at the closest focusing point. I mostly shoot with the Nikon gear, and the older lenses are really well-made, but those Takumar lenses are real gems! Smoothest focus action I've ever used.

 

[megido]

Thank you everyone for your help. I was initially a little concerned because the front ring was loose and I thought it may have been put back together incorrectly after cleaning or some other type of repair. I have since tightened the grub screw and that seems to have cured the rotating front ring.

 

[jszokoli]

This lens is one of the few I've taken apart. The grub screw locks the threaded ring that holds the whole optical block in place. So while tightening the grub screw will stop the ring from rotating that ring should be tightened before the grub screw is.

Joe

 

[megido]

This lens is one of the few I've taken apart. The grub screw locks the threaded ring that holds the whole optical block in place. So while tightening the grub screw will stop the ring from rotating that ring should be tightened before the grub screw is.

Joe

I see, so how does one go about tightening the threaded ring? It didn't seem thread but just rotated roughly 10 degrees each way before I tightened up the grub screw.

 

[jszokoli]

With the grub screw loose tighten the ring as far as it will go. Then lock it in place with the little grub screw.
Joe

 

[megido]

With the grub screw loose tighten the ring as far as it will go. Then lock it in place with the little grub screw.
Joe

Got it! The ring took a little coaxing to thread back but eventually worked. Thank you Joe.