Nikkor P.C. 8.5cm f/2.0 w/ M39 VERSUS Nikon "S"-mount

[mthomas]

I have been looking for a M39-mount Nikkor 8.5cm f/2 lens that was made around the year of my birth -- 1952. But while I read there were about 8,270* lenses made in total about this time in both mounts combined, I have been finding it impossible to find an actual 8.5cm f/2 M39 lens for sale. (I don't care whether the lens is black or chrome.)

Anyone know how prevalent these lenses are in the wild?

Thanks, Marc
*-http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#RF_Tele

 

[Timmyjoe]

Hey Marc,

Don't know the actual numbers but there were far less LTM versions made of those lenses, especially after the Nikon S2 became available. I had one of each (Nikon S mount and LTM mount) and optically they were identical. I was able to acquire my LTM version by buying a Tower/Nicca camera package that came with the 8.5cm, a 5cm, and a 13.5cm lenses. Sold the camera body and kept the three Nikkor LTM lenses.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Sonnar Brian]

You want one with a SN around 290,000.
These can be found on Ebay, with sellers in the US and Japan.

Random Ebay Auction of Leica mount 8.5cm F2 made about when you were born.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185212842406

 

[Sonnar Brian]

For some reason the Website left out the fact that many of these lenses were in Contax mount as well.

Around that time- probably as many in Leica mount as S-mount. My LTM 8.5cm F2, one is MIOJ and the Second starts with 40xxxx. The Contax mount is 398xxx, and the S-Mount is 288xxx. The latter is marked Made in Japan, but goes to F16 and no click stops. Not many like it. For some off reason- SN range jumps by 100,000 around the end of the 290K mark. SO- a lens with a 390K SN was made not long after one with a 290K SN.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Just checked, not sure where you are located, but there are two US sellers with Nikkor 8.5cm LTM lenses for sale on the auction site right now:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133994990162

https://www.ebay.com/itm/144094488293

Best,
-Tim

 

[dourbalistar]

A few other links with more information. Mir.com has a five part series:
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/RF-Nikkor/RF85mm/index.htm

And Nikon's own NIKKOR - The Thousand and One Nights series has a feature:
https://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0036/index.htm

 

[mthomas]

I don't know what to say. I'd spent a *week* researching (with little result) before asking you people for help. And now I find your every response spot-on! Tremendously helpful. I thank you all.