Late version of the W-Nikkor 25mm f4, made by Nippon Kogaku for the Nikon S-series rangefinder cameras. Introduced after the Contax Topogon 25mm f4, this ultra-wide-angle lens boasted the widest angle of view of any lens for 35mm cameras in the world when it was released in 1953.
The optical design is, of course, the Topogon type, with 4 elements in 4 groups arranged symmetrically using meniscus elements. Distortion is virtually absent, and wide open it produces a clear image with a pleasant touch of softness. Compared with the Topogon, its rendering is also remarkably sharp.
This later black-paint version has a more striking appearance and is also considerably lighter than the earlier version. The lens itself weighs only 73g on our scale, roughly half the weight of the early model.
Mounted on any Nikon S-series body, especially a black-paint body together with the finder and hood, it looks absolutely superb. It is the kind of combination you can admire simply by looking at it.
Incidentally, the Nikkor 25mm f4 is the only interchangeable lens for the Nikon S system that is focused entirely using the helicoid built into the camera body.
It is said that only around 300 Nikon S-mount Nikkor 25mm lenses were produced in total, combining both the early chrome and later black versions. A genuinely rare lens.
A true rarity.
This item was previously sold by our store and has now returned to us after seven years in the careful hands of its owner. Welcome back!
Including the accessories, it remains in the same exceptionally clean cosmetic condition as when we last sold it, with almost no signs of use. The rare original hood and front cap are also in excellent condition.
The lens has only an extremely shallow scuff on the front element, but overall, it is in remarkably fine condition for this lens.
For this resale, we carried out a full overhaul in July 2026. One of the aperture blades shows evidence of a repair, but this has absolutely no effect on practical use. All controls operate very smoothly, and focus is excellent.
Our test shots also showed beautiful image quality from wide open. In contrast to the somewhat softer rendering of the Topogon 25mm, this lens delivers impressively crisp and clear images. Sample images from our previous sale are available in our Test Shoot Gallery. We also tested a Topogon 25mm f4 under almost identical conditions for comparison.
This is a rare and complete set with a finder, hood, Leica Series 7 UVa filter, front and rear caps, and leather case, all in excellent condition.
