W-Nikkor-C 35mm f/2.5

[Sonnar2]

To complete my small Nikon RF series I just bought a black 35/2.5. The 35/1.8 is just too expensive for me, plus I have enough fast 35mm stuff and the 35/2.5 looks cute too.
How is the reputation of it? I assume, as with most lenses of that vintage, contrast will be lower at wide apertures than with newer lenses. Can it be used for critical work at apertures of f/5.6 or f/8? How is it with backlite?

To my knowledge, it was the fastest WW lens of the world when it was new (1952)

 

[Vics]

I have one that I use on my Contax IIIa. It is razor sharp and I find it a bit too contrasty for my tastes. I don't use it much at wide apertures, so I can't comment there. I've read one review that described it as "Summicron-like." I don't like it much in sunlight, but it's very nice in overcast conditions. I hope this helps. I shoot only black & white and mostly FP4.
Vic

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I find that it's every bit as sharp as the F1.8 lens, just slower. I use mine wide-open a good bit. It is the same formula as the Summaron, and has more contrast than my F2.8 Summaron.

 

[Tom A]

I have two of them! One was given to me,due to its condition. The front element looks like it has been used as a skating rink! Nice "halo: in bright light too. The other one is a very clean, black one. I find it a very good lens - on par with my Version I/II Summicrons and with the added feature of the long Nikon focus throw.
You can safely use it for 5,6-8 range and never having to have to say that you are sorry!
They can be a bit flare sensitive, particularly without a hood. The front is quite deeply recessed, but if direct light hits it at an angle - you will see it on the negative.
Less money than the 1.8 and really no loss of quaility - if anything It is marginally sharper in the mid-range than the f1.8 (older version - the SP 2005 versions is something else though).

 

[goliathus]

Hi sonnar2, please look at below link.

I hope it helps you 🙂


http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42590&highlight=test

 

[splitimageview]

Is the LTM Nikkor 35/2.5 the same optically as the S-mount?

 

[Sonnar2]

Hi Goliathus, thanks for the link. That was a very well done test, encouraging my assuming that the 35/2.5 is a very good performer when closed down a little, but not so strong wide open.

digitalintrigue; as far as noticed in that test thread, all Nikkor 35/2.5 are optically the same, even the Nikonos lens is very similar. BTW there is an article about it at the Nikon website/ 1001 tales: http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/technology/nikkor/n08_e.htm

Thanks also Tom A., Brian and the others. I hope the backlite issues will be not as bad as with my (1951) Canon 35/2.8 in LTM, which holds me back from using it very often (otherwise it's a very good lens).

Highway61, if you had bid on that lens too, you may take comfort that there is just a back cap, no front cap included (hopefully the 50/1.4 cap will fit)

Now I've got a hard task to find a 35mm external viewfinder in black which looks good on the S2 and don't scratch my glasses. My Japanese noname (SUN?) combo finder (35/85/135) isn't that bad but the "35mm" is more a 50mm field of view... and although I've bought a SBLOO (which is an excellent finder but a bit too big for me on my S2) I wouldn't pay more for anything which says "Nikon" on it... 😉
It's the one in the picture. ...If I think again over it, it will make sense to get used to the 35mm framing with THIS finder, because the 85mm seems right to the mark, and it will be an advantage to have just ONE external viewfinder with this combo...

 

[cosmonot]

Is the LTM Nikkor 35/2.5 the same optically as the S-mount?

I'd like to know the answer to this as well...

 

[jonmanjiro]

I'd like to know the answer to this as well...

I'm pretty certain the answer is "yes".

I doubt if Nikon had the desire or resources back then to manufacture different optical formulas of a lens with the same specs.

 

[Sonnar2]

All Nikon RF lenses available in LTM based on the S-mount versions with just different mountings.
In fact even some early F-mount SLR lenses based on them (2.1cm, 10.5cm, 18cm and longer lenses)

 

[jonmanjiro]

"Replica" 35mm Mini-finder for S2

"Replica" 35mm Mini-finder for S2

Now I've got a hard task to find a 35mm external viewfinder in black which looks good on the S2 and don't scratch my glasses. combo...

How about a 35mm mini-finder? 😉

 

[Sonnar2]

You hit me.
Amazing, the pictures of it are still w/o charge. We will see that change in no time 😉
US $1,180.00
Looks nice, but 7x nicer than a SBLOO?
Not as a joke, offers like this make normal guy like me think NIKON RF people are even more crazy than LEICISTI, and made me decide to buy CANON RF gear some years ago... stil have (among 10 RF) just one Nikon RF, and will keep it there.
Let's see where the prices are in 20 years.

The Mini finder isn't good as well, I asked for a *eyeglass-friendly* finder... 😉

 

[jonmanjiro]

The Mini finder isn't good as well, I asked for a *eyeglass-friendly* finder... 😉

Ah yes, mini-finders (including fakes like this one) are indeed not very good finders for eyeglass wearers.

BTW this is not my "replica" mini-finder. I just happened to have a picture of it :angel:

 

[Sonnar2]

Com'on, the Zeisses are ugly, even more than TEWE Zoom finders. I do *love* brightline finders, else I would prefer to use either my SUN(?) or SBLOO vf...

 

[Tom A]

The replica mini-finder is even worse than the original! But it has the advantage of being cheaper. I picked one of those up in Osaka last year - mainly becuase of the look. I do have the original Bright Line Nikon finder to and it is quite good, even compared with the Leica one.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I had the black 35/2.5 for a while and used it with the Nikon S3 2000. I fitted it with a screw in 43mm Waltz lenshade (Kevin Li of Kevin Cameras usually has these in stock) . I thought it was wonderful.

 

[michaelging]

I have the Nikkor 35mm2.5 as well as Ziess 35mm Biogon. Both are great lenses and very sharp, especially at 5.6 . I too find the Nikkor to be a little contrasty in Bright sun. I try not to shoot the slower B&W films using this lens for that reason. The only thing I really dislike about the lens is the way you have to reach into the front of the lens to change the F-stop, and if you are using a filter or lens hood, you can bump the f-stop when you touch the hood or filter.

 

[cosmonot]

I fitted it with a screw in 43mm Waltz lenshade

Ok, forgive me for pushing LTM in the Nikon forum, but does anyone have a suggestion for a hood for the screw mount version? The cap says 34.5mm, which doesn't seem like a very common filter size...

 

[nightlight]

hi Cosmonot: I've got the same lens in 3.5 and yes it is indeed 34.5 mm 🙂 Very hard to find.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I'd ask Kevin Li - he might know of where to find one
http://www.kevincameras.com/