Nikkor-S 8.5cm f1.5. Leica screw mount. A large-aperture medium telephoto lens manufactured by Nippon Kogaku, introduced in 1951. Available in black paint and chrome finish.
This particular piece bears the NIKKOR-S inscription and is a later model with a black tripod collar and coarser knurling at the base. It has a 3-group, 7-element construction and features distance markings in feet.
The filter is a 58mm screw-in type. Please note that the filter diameter and hood attachment method differ from those of the Nikon or Contax mounts.
Approximately 2,000 units were manufactured across the Nikon, Leica, and Contax mounts combined. Due to its large aperture, it is packed with a substantial amount of glass, weighing in at an actual 551g, or 584g with the hood attached. Despite this, it has a compact barrel and excellent balance, making it very user-friendly.
At maximum aperture, it produces soft and gentle images with beautiful bokeh. The resolving power is also excellent. When stopped down, it does not become too harsh.
A rare item.
There are some signs of use, such as minor paint loss and light scuff marks, but overall, the appearance is quite clean.
Fully overhauled in May 2024. The helicoid feels very smooth. The aperture clicks nicely, making it pleasant to operate. Given the lens's considerable weight, a stress-free operation is an important point.
The rangefinder coupling tends to front-focus slightly from around 10 meters to infinity, but stopping down 1-2 stops ensures the depth of field covers it well. The rangefinder coupling and focus are excellent in the close to medium range, making it perfect for portraits.
There are some light cleaning marks visible under strong LED light on the middle elements, but these should not affect actual image quality. Other than that, there is no haze, and the glass is quite clear.
This lens offers a different rendering compared to the sharp image of modern Nikon lenses. Sample images are posted in the test gallery; we hope you take a look.
The lens comes with a dedicated clip-on bayonet hood for L-mount and an original aluminum front cap.
