mthomas
Member
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
Anyone know how prevalent these lenses are in the wild?
Thanks, Marc
*-http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#RF_Tele
Timmyjoe
Veteran
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
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
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
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
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.
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
Veteran
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
https://www.ebay.com/itm/133994990162
https://www.ebay.com/itm/144094488293
Best,
-Tim
dourbalistar
Buy more film
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
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
Member
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.