Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/11/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]joe b. wrote: > > Has anyone any experience of using this lens- its a Nippon Kogaku > Nikkor-P.C (c=coated) 8.5cm/f2 rangefinder lens in Leica thread mount. snip I am very familiar with all the Nikon lenses in Leica mount. They are: 21/4 (probably a few were made, but most lists say this lens is nonexistent) 25/4 chrome 35/3.5 chrome & black 35/2.5 chrome & black 50/1.1 50/1.4 Rigid close focus 50/2 Rigid close focus 50/2 Collapsible 50/3.5 Collapsible 85/1.5 85/2 chrome & black 105/2.5 black 135/3.5 chrome & black 135/4 chrome 180/2.5 for Viso 250/4 for Viso 350/4.5 for Viso 500/5 Viso No 1000/6.3 Viso known Without exception, all were superb lenses for their time, and for most purposes, great for today although admittedly not the equal of modern M lenses. They generally have a higher contrast and more "bite" than Leica lenses of the same years. the 1.1 was very fast and very impressive, and while not really sharp, did compare well to the other super speed lenses of its time. some of the lenses above are very rare and command very high collectible prices. The 85/2 chrome in Mint- with hood generally is worth about $250. Nice but heavy. The black lens is much lighter. As as side note, the 35/3.5, 50/1.4, 85/2, and 135/4 are historically very important lenses. These lenses in Leica mount, NOT Nikon mount, established not only Nikon's post war reputation, but the growing reputation of the entire Japanese photo industry. It was these lenses on a Life Photog's Leica body which were first recognized and praised in the New York Time's camera column (December of 1949 if my memory is correct) as BEING BETTER THAN LEICA LENSES. Stephen Gandy