Nikkor P.C 85mm f2, later model. This lens has C engraving on the barrel, indicating its rarity as a rangefinder Contax mount. The serial number is 401xxx, with : at the end of the serial.
Released in 1948, this is the later model with a black barrel. The distance scale is in feet. It features a 3-group, 5-element construction, typical of the Sonnar type, with a 10-blade circular aperture. The lens is robust and heavy.
At full aperture, the image is slightly soft, but stopping down to around f4 results in sharp, detailed images.
In 1950, Jun Miki mounted the Nikkor 85mm f2 on a Leica IIIc and took a portrait of D.D. Duncan. Duncan was highly impressed, and the lens saw extensive use during the Korean War. This led to its adoption by LIFE magazine colleagues and other photographers, marking it as a significant lens that showcased the excellence of Japanese-made optics.
There is a small mark near the red dot on the mount base, but otherwise, the lens is in excellent condition with no noticeable signs of use.
All functions are operating normally. The helicoid is slightly stiff. For those interested in servicing, we offer maintenance for an additional fee.
The glass is very clean with no cleaning marks or haze. Under strong LED light, there are minor coating imperfections, but these are unlikely to impact image quality. Overall, it is a very clean lens.
