Nikkor P.C 85mm f/2 questions

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lattiboy

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Hello all,

I was debating where to post this, but this seems like the place (a little specific for the NEX/M43 forum). If my questions pertaining to the digital realm should be moved, I understand.


So, I just picked up this Nikkor 85mm f/2.

I had a few questions:

1) Is this particular lens considered a "good version" of the entire Nikon 85mm lenses from that period? I found a number of links, but they seem to be:
a) aimed at collectors rather than shooters
b) wildly confusing
c) encompassing the entire post-war history of Japanese optics

2) Specifically, does anybody have experience using this lens (or a similar one) on a digital mirrorless body? I'll be using it on my NEX-7, but any info on how it "translates" to digital would be nice to have

3) The closing price seems absurdly low. Was there a particular reason? I realize it is in BGN at best condition, but still. $150 shipped??

4) I got the rainbow imaging adapter. It was $23. I've seen other adapters for $200+. The difference is they can mount the "internal mount" lenses like the 50mm f/1.4 H.C. (which I also own, and have yet to use). Is that the only functional difference?

5) Now, the "P.C." business has to do with coatings AND with the fact it's a Contax mount? Are they mutually exclusive? Is non-coated more desirable? I plan to use this mostly for B&W portraiture.

6) This is the contax RF/ Nikon S mount, right? The description says "Leica", but, obviously not LTM/M39. I don't have any Nikon S lenses with proper mounts to compare. (newbie question, I know)

thanks all!
 
This is the lens that made Nikon famous. I use mine on film and love it, but have never tried it on digital.

There was no multi coating back in the early 1950s. The red "C" means single coated.

Judging from the photos, its impossible to tell whether the lens is Nikon S-mount or Contax mount. If its Contax mount, there will be a "C" engraved on the side of the barrel somewhere.

The ding in the filter thread looks pretty severe actually. That would have turned potential buyers off IMO.

This is a fantastic lens for portraits. Enjoy 🙂
 
The Contax mount 85mm f2 Nikkor has the letter "C" engraved on the lens body.

As it being a sharp lens; David Duncan Douglas thought so around 1950 for his Korean War photo work and that was the beginning of the legendary high regard of Nikkor lenses once the word got out in America.
 
Thanks for the tips folks! Incredible response time!

Good to know about the single-coating and the vintage behind the lens.

I'm quite excited. I've shot a bit with the somewhat legendary Minolta 85mm f/1.7, but with the MD adapter it is comically large on my NEX 7. I know this thing weighs a ton, but it's dimensions with adapter are about 30% shorter and a fair bit narrower.

I'm quite tired of having such a comically small camera attached to a lens just shy of a pint glass in size.

What i'm really after is a good lens for performances indoors and portraiture in a small-ish package.
 
I haven't shot it digital yet, but it's one of the reasons I plan to get a NEX. Superb lens. No changes in optical formula throughout its rangefinder production.
 
rbsinto said:
Its a nice lens, but mine is the chrome version, which I believe was made from either depleted Uranium or Chrome-plated Lead, as it weighs about 100 lbs.
Click to expand...

I am in total agreement with the above statement. The lens is very heavy. While I agree that the lens is fantastic, unfortunately its weight causes me to leave it at home most of the time. It's not a lens I would want to carry around all day.

Ellen
 
As stated above.
I have the chrome LTM version. Bigfoot doesn't object to the extra weight. My bank account didn't object either. Sure, the featherweight black alloy version would be nice. However, using the savings for film & fuel to take the heavyweight version places is better in my mind.
I'm confused. Did you buy the lens? Unless you have a Nikon and/or Contax body to use it with, the LTM version would seem easier to find and more versatile. I use my 8.5 cm Nikkor on a Canon VI-T and an M5.
My only nit to pick: The focus ring and aperture ring turning together can be a bother. Easily overcome by always using the lens wide open. It likes being wide open. I have a pair of 90mm Elmarit lenses for use stopped down.

And a little peek at what the lens does best. Up close and personal. Fujicolor NHG II 800 | f/2.0 at about 1/50 sec.

FH000024-4-4.jpg


Wayne
 
While I am not a fan of Nikon rangefinder cameras (sorry, folks) the 50mm f1.4 and 85 F2 enses in LTM mount are among my faves. They may be old, but they still give modern lenses a run for their money--and you get that "classic" look without having to resort to a lot of Photoshop trickery....
 
Great picture venchka!

I would've liked the LTM version, but even the cheapest one was almost double the price.

I ordered a Contax/Nikon S adapter for the NEX for all of $22 from rianbow imaging.

I'm excited, I should have it by Saturday. I'll post here once I get to use it a bit.
 
venchka said:
As stated above.
I have the chrome LTM version. Bigfoot doesn't object to the extra weight. My bank account didn't object either. Sure, the featherweight black alloy version would be nice. However, using the savings for film & fuel to take the heavyweight version places is better in my mind.
I'm confused. Did you buy the lens? Unless you have a Nikon and/or Contax body to use it with, the LTM version would seem easier to find and more versatile. I use my 8.5 cm Nikkor on a Canon VI-T and an M5.
My only nit to pick: The focus ring and aperture ring turning together can be a bother. Easily overcome by always using the lens wide open. It likes being wide open. I have a pair of 90mm Elmarit lenses for use stopped down.

And a little peek at what the lens does best. Up close and personal. Fujicolor NHG II 800 | f/2.0 at about 1/50 sec.

FH000024-4-4.jpg


Wayne
Click to expand...

Aside from the weight, I'm not thrilled that the aperture ring lacks detents. This coupled with the focusing and aperture rings being so close means that focusing often results in that aperture being accidently changed.
I mitigated that problem somewhat by taking a thin strip of rubber lens barrel sleeve, and gluing it to the metal focusing ring. The resulting difference in diameter and feel of the two rings now makes it less likely that I grasp the wrong one.
 
rbsinto said:
Aside from the weight, I'm not thrilled that the aperture ring lacks detents. This coupled with the focusing and aperture rings being so close means that focusing often results in that aperture being accidently changed.
Click to expand...

You must have a very early version of the lens. Aperture click stops were added fairly early on. The final version has a bigger gap between the aperture ring and focus ring. The final black version is also MUCH lighter than the early chrome version.
 
I started with an early-ish chrome version, which was much too heavy, and only had the aperture markings on one side of the barrel, so you couldn't even see the setting half the time without flipping over the camera (though it did have click stops).

I sold it, and picked up a late black version, which corrects both of the aforementioned faults. Love it!

Ari

Edit: mine is LTM, by the way.
 
jonmanjiro said:
You must have a very early version of the lens. Aperture click stops were added fairly early on. The final version has a bigger gap between the aperture ring and focus ring. The final black version is also MUCH lighter than the early chrome version.
Click to expand...


Serial number is 289093.
This is the first time I've ever paid any attention to it and I've had the lens for five or six years now.
Can I assume from this that it was the 93rd lens made in this series?
 
rbsinto said:
Serial number is 289093.
This is the first time I've ever paid any attention to it and I've had the lens for five or six years now.
Can I assume from this that it was the 93rd lens made in this series?
Click to expand...

I remember sending you some 48mm filters for your 85/2 two years ago (as per this thread). Your serial number is indeed a fairly early one, but from memory not from the first serial no. range. Nikon probably made the switch to click stops not that long after your lens.
 
jonmanjiro said:
I remember sending you some 48mm filters for your 85/2 two years ago (as per this thread). Your serial number is indeed a fairly early one, but from memory not from the first serial no. range. Nikon probably made the switch to click stops not that long after your lens.
Click to expand...

Normally I don't care about things like this, but the discussion has piqued my interest. Do you know could I get some information on the number of lenses made and the serial number blocks of the variations?
 
rbsinto said:
Normally I don't care about things like this, but the discussion has piqued my interest. Do you know could I get some information on the number of lenses made and the serial number blocks of the variations?
Click to expand...

Robert Rotoloni's latest Nikon rangefinder book has all this information. Will take a look when I get home tonight.
 
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