W-Nikkor 28mm f3.5. Manufactured by Nippon Kogaku. Designed for the Nikon S series. It is estimated that around 10,000 units were produced, including those for the Leica L mount. This particular lens is a later version, featuring a lightweight aluminum barrel with a black paint finish. It has an Orthometar-type design with 6 elements in 4groups. The distance scale is marked in feet, and it weighs just 99 grams, making it exceptionally lightweight and compact.
The recessed, funnel-shaped design of the lens allows for safe shooting without a hood. Although a dedicated circular hood was available for this lens, it is quite rare. The lens not only looks stylish on a Nikon S but also pairs well with modern digital mirrorless cameras. It's a lens that excels both in performance and appearance.
The lens has a beautiful exterior with minimal signs of use. There is a slight paint loss, but the semi-gloss black paint and the subdued shine of the chrome finish still convey a like-new feel. The lens underwent a full overhaul in 2024. The aperture and helicoid have been adjusted to provide a smooth and precise operation. The rangefinder coupling has been thoroughly tested on a Nikon S body and is in perfect working order.
Under strong LED light with a loupe, there are faint pinpoints of haze in one of the inner elements, but they are barely noticeable. Otherwise, the glass is in excellent condition, free from noticeable scratches or haze.
The lens comes with its original front and rear caps and a leather case.
