Nikon 85mm f2 Rangefinder lens in chrome / LTM

[peterm1]

I have just picked up a copy of the wonderful Nikon 85mm f2 rangefinder lens in LTM.

Though the LTM lens seems to be a good deal more expensive than the native Nikon mount ones this one became available locally and I decided to get it (funded by selling a couple of other lenses that I am not using enough to warrant retaining; though it was still a wrench to part with them - I get attached to lenses, you see!). I was motivated by the fact that I increasingly like working with old classic glass over modern "plastic fantastics". I was specifically motivated to spend on an LTM one despite the premium price in part because it is easier to adapt to mirrorless than native Nikon mount ones because I already have the adapter, and in part because I can also use it on my, by now venerable, Leica M8. A further reason is that the lens was one which was owned by Australian photographer Robert McFarlane - a link to some his work is given below. I have no way of knowing if any of the images shown were shot with this lens but at least it gives some idea of his work for those not familiar with it.

Robert McFarlane photographer and writer

A collection of photographic works and writings by celebrated Australian photographer Robert McFarlane

www.robertmcfarlanephotos.com

I have not yet had the chance to do much with this new - old lens due to other commitments, but what I have done allows me to be suitably impressed with this legend. In my short experience so far, my view is definitely that it lives up to its reputation and is capable of delivering the kind of imagery I adore - typical classic Sonnar rendering. The sample shot below was take yesterday and typical of me has been "fiddled with" a little in post for artistic effect but I think you can still see the Nikkor 85mm signature. I will post more here soon.

I would be interested in hearing from others with experience of this lens and seeing some images.

P.S. So far it seems to also be focusing nicely on my M8. (I always feel some trepidation about this as I have had other classic RF lenses that for whatever reason simply failed to do so. The Canon Serenar 85mm f1.9 being one such lens in the past. )

Mystery Girl by Life in Shadows, on Flickr

 

[lukx]

Congratulations, Peter, for picking up this great lens. I have it, too, and love it dearly. There's nothing like the heavy chrome feel of old. Some say its bokeh is less smooth than, say, the Zeiss Sonnar 8.5cm (or later Opton 85), but I find the rendering to be quite pleasing with its gentle sharpness and good contrast. Like all lenses from the period you have to watch out a little for flaring in backlit situations even with the correct hood on, but in practice I only ever found this to be a problem in few of my shots.

Below are two photos shot with my Leica M2, both at f2.8 I believe. You can see the sharpness and bokeh qualities (big like!), but also the tendency to produce not-so-pretty flares.

 

[dourbalistar]

Congrats on the new-old lens, @peterm1! I also have this lens, and while I don't use it as much as I should, I'm glad I found a clean copy a few years ago as prices seem to have increased dramatically. If you're curious about when your lens was produced based on its serial number, this site is a great resource:

Nikon Lens Versions and Serial Nos

Nikon also featured the lens in its The Thousand and One Nights series, with a lot of history about the len's development:

NIKKOR - The Thousand and One Nights No.36 | NIKKOR - The Thousand and One Nights | Nikon Consumer

I would be interested in hearing from others with experience of this lens and seeing some images.

There's a thread here on the forum with image samples:

Nikkor LTM - SAMPLES from 85mm f/2 Nikkor in LTM...??

Been looking at a used 90 Cron LTM or M, and have an interest in an 85mm f/2 Nikkor in LTM... Prices are similar..but the Nikkor may be smaller (by a little).. Can I see samples of the Nikkor to those that own one. F/2, f/4 mainly... I tend to use whatever I get at the top 2 f/stops, mainly...

rangefinderforum.com

And there is another thread in the Nikon RF subforum, with a mix of samples from the native S-mount version and the LTM version:

Photos taken with the Nikkor 8.5cm PC f2 lens.

This is using the S2, Portra 400 film. PresidentStreetAtKatynMemorialCircle by maryland_photos, on Flickr

rangefinderforum.com

 

[Tim Read]

Here are two images taken with the Nikkor PC 85mm f2 recently at sunrise at Bondi Beach. I have also used the lens which I recently acquired for portraits. I like the results a lot and find the more care I take the better they are - in my eyes.

 

[dave lackey]

Hmmm.., Peter, these are very beautiful images you have posted.🙂 Great work!

I am very interested in exactly what lens this is. I may be moving in that direction now!!!

Thanks for posting.🙂

 

[peterm1]

Dave, thank you. The lens is a chrome version of the Nikkor 85mm f2 (RF) dating to the first half of the 1950s. It is a Sonnar design and like Sonnar lenses of this era has (to many peoples' eyes) a wonderful way of drawing its images. Oddly there is not a huge amount of info on this lens on the internet - well, given that this lens is really one of those that made Nikon's name back in the day, not many considering! Never the less it is a superb lens which lives up to its name and reputation. Mine was in LTM mount as I indicated but if you are agnostic as to whether you buy one in LTM or in Nikon RF mount (e.g. if you are planning to adapt it for mirrorless systems) then you may want to consider getting the Nikon mount one which goes for considerably less money. It just so happened that mine was LTM (bought locally) so that is what I ended up with. But it did cost me quite a bit more than I have seen the others go for. At least I can use it on my Leica M8 and the nice thing about it, based on my few tests to date is that it is well calibrated and works perfectly. It is also of a nice size for Leica M bodies - a little rotund compared to most Leica 90mm lenses but of much the same physical length. BTW the Nikkor 85mm f2 is very similar in rendering (also being a Sonnar design) to the Nikkor 105mm f2.5 RF lenses which also are very nice indeed. I happen to have one of these two (in later black and chrome) and think it excellent. BTW another lens I intend using with this one is the Canon 135mm f3.5 rangefinder lens in LTM. Being a Sonnar too I expect it to have very similar imaging and should pair with it. They even look quite alike though the Canon is of course somewhat longer.

Here are some links.

Review: Nikon Nikkor-P 85mm 2.0 RF - phillipreeve.net

Nikon rangefinder lenses are very well made but rather rare, so does it make sense using the Nikkor-P 85mm 2.0 on Sony A7 cameras? Find out in this...

phillipreeve.net

NIKKOR - The Thousand and One Nights No.36 | NIKKOR - The Thousand and One Nights | Nikon Consumer

Vintage Fun: The Classic Nikkor 8.5cm f/2 LTM lens review | Steve Huff Hi-Fi and Photo

The Classic Nikkor 8.5cm f/2 LTM lens review click on any image in this review for a larger size image Ahhh yes. Classic solid brass and chrome lenses from the 1950's certainly have a charm about them. When you find one, hold one and use one you will indeed say to yourself "they do not

www.stevehuffphoto.com

 

[peterm1]

Thank you for this. Very nice shots. One thing I noticed about this Nikkor is that it can produce some subtle swirly bokeh which is also just evident in your first shot when enlarged. I like this (especially if it is not over done) and think it adds a pleasant "certain something" to its images when it shows up.

Congratulations, Peter, for picking up this great lens. I have it, too, and love it dearly. There's nothing like the heavy chrome feel of old. Some say its bokeh is less smooth than, say, the Zeiss Sonnar 8.5cm (or later Opton 85), but I find the rendering to be quite pleasing with its gentle sharpness and good contrast. Like all lenses from the period you have to watch out a little for flaring in backlit situations even with the correct hood on, but in practice I only ever found this to be a problem in few of my shots.

Below are two photos shot with my Leica M2, both at f2.8 I believe. You can see the sharpness and bokeh qualities (big like!), but also the tendency to produce not-so-pretty flares.

View attachment 4816130

View attachment 4816129

ery

 

[peterm1]

Congrats on the new-old lens, @peterm1! I also have this lens, and while I don't use it as much as I should, I'm glad I found a clean copy a few years ago as prices seem to have increased dramatically. If you're curious about when your lens was produced based on its serial number, this site is a great resource:

Nikon Lens Versions and Serial Nos

Nikon also featured the lens in its The Thousand and One Nights series, with a lot of history about the len's development:

NIKKOR - The Thousand and One Nights No.36 | NIKKOR - The Thousand and One Nights | Nikon Consumer

There's a thread here on the forum with image samples:

Nikkor LTM - SAMPLES from 85mm f/2 Nikkor in LTM...??

Been looking at a used 90 Cron LTM or M, and have an interest in an 85mm f/2 Nikkor in LTM... Prices are similar..but the Nikkor may be smaller (by a little).. Can I see samples of the Nikkor to those that own one. F/2, f/4 mainly... I tend to use whatever I get at the top 2 f/stops, mainly...

rangefinderforum.com

And there is another thread in the Nikon RF subforum, with a mix of samples from the native S-mount version and the LTM version:

Photos taken with the Nikkor 8.5cm PC f2 lens.

This is using the S2, Portra 400 film. PresidentStreetAtKatynMemorialCircle by maryland_photos, on Flickr

rangefinderforum.com

Thank you for these links I will review them with interest.

 

[peterm1]

A further image from the Nikkor. I like the faint touch of swirl in the bokeh. Not too over the top. Just right.

 

[oldwino]

I once had a black version of this lens, which is lighter, and fairly rare, it turns out. Lovely lens I (stupidly) sold at one point. It was very sharp and properly calibrated.
I found a silver chrome version later on...heavy, and my copy was not right. Never got a sharp shot.
Looks like you found a good one.

 

[xayraa33]

That Nikkor 85mm in LTM is a great lens, Peter and I prefer it to the heavier chrome Canon 85mm f1.9 lens .

 

[Sonnar Brian]

All I can say is:



A great lens. I have two in LTM- a very early one, that had to have the mount modified to clear the lens release of an M3, and a later Silver lens.

Also have S-mount and Contax mount.

 

[peterm1]

I once had a black version of this lens, which is lighter, and fairly rare, it turns out. Lovely lens I (stupidly) sold at one point. It was very sharp and properly calibrated.
I found a silver chrome version later on...heavy, and my copy was not right. Never got a sharp shot.
Looks like you found a good one.

I have the black and chrome version of the 105mm f2.5 which is also an excellent lens though it is of course in Nikon mount not LTM so it is a little more restricting for me. I recall it was much cheaper (when I bought it perhaps 3 years ago) than was my most recent Nikkor lens. It turns in similarly pleasant images, especially for portraits. (Both are Sonnars, designed by the same Nikon designer, Wakimoto, Zenji and accordoing to a number of sources both have near identical optical formulations, so this outcome is no surprise).
I also understand that, as you say the black and chrome 85mm f2 lens is much more rare than the chrome one which is relatively common (except in LTM mount apparently!)


Streetside Cafe Scene by Life in Shadows, on Flickr

 

[peterm1]

A casual snap taken in a courtyard setting at home shows that the lens is capable of plenty of sharpness at portrait distances. I suspect, though cannot recall that this was stopped down a little from full open for this shot. On the other hand, a lot of the shots I have taken at longer ranges (i.e. near to infinity) seem to show a fair bit of softness at middle distances and beyond, even when stopped down quite a bit.
I was not expecting this though I had read that this lens had a tendency to softness at longer ranges when shot near full open aperture. Clearly it was optimized for portraits. In particular, I was not expecting it because I was shooting on a mirrorless camera so rangefinder adjustment was not an issue. Perhaps it was my fault with these longer shots - relying on focus peaking too much, which I have found to be an issue with some lenses - particularly older ones which do not have the same degree of contrast as more modern designs. I will keep experimenting with this usage of the lens to see what transpires. In any event it does not worry me since as far as I am concerned this is a lens for shooting at portrait distances or a tad beyond.

 

[peterm1]

All I can say is:



A great lens. I have two in LTM- a very early one, that had to have the mount modified to clear the lens release of an M3, and a later Silver lens.

Also have S-mount and Contax mount.

"A great lens. I have two in LTM- a very early one, that had to have the mount modified to clear the lens release of an M3, and a later Silver lens.
Also have S-mount and Contax mount."
Sonnar Brian.....................................I can see why you have that name. :^)