The Micro-Nikkor 50mm f3.5 in Leica screw mount was released in 1956. It features a Xenotar-type design with 4 groups and 5 elements and includes rangefinder coupling from 1 meter up to 45 cm for close-up shooting, beyond which it operates non-coupled. Known for its impressive resolution of 300 lines/mm, it still delivers remarkable sharpness that can astonish even today.
Only about 1,200 units were produced across both Nikon S-series and Leica mounts, with fewer than 300 being Leica mounts. Previous sales from our store have shown that these lenses are concentrated in a narrow serial number range. Each time we test this lens, it never fails to impress us with its performance. It’s a rare gem.
By the way, the dedicated Micro-Nikkor hood is even rarer than the lens itself.
This lens features a distance scale in feet. It shows minor wear on the chrome-plated areas from normal use but has no dents or significant scratches. It’s in a good practical condition, with just the right amount of patina for use.
It underwent a full overhaul in 2023 and operates smoothly with excellent rangefinder coupling.
The rear element has a few thin cleaning marks and minor coating wear, along with two very slight mold spots, but these do not affect image quality.
The test shots are excellent, showcasing sharp and vivid detail. This is the same lens from our previous sale; you can check the results at the test facility. Its detailed rendering and color reproduction make it a delightful lens to shoot with. Example images were taken with live view for close-ups and rangefinder for other shots.
