W-Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 in Nikon S mount, external bayonet type. Introduced in September 1956. 7 elements in 5 groups. Meter scale. 43mm filter thread.
Employing newly developed optical glass, this renowned lens earned an excellent reputation for its superb image quality. At the time of its release, it was the fastest wide-angle lens in the world. It was later followed by lenses such as the Canon 35mm f/1.5 and Summilux 35mm f/1.4, marking the move toward increasingly faster wide-angle lenses. It was designed by Hideo Azuma, who created numerous lenses for the Nikon S mount and Leica screw mount.
This is the later version, with the C after W-Nikkor omitted from the name ring. The lettering and overall design of the name ring also have a more modern appearance.
With its finely detailed rendering and gentle bokeh, this lens produces beautifully atmospheric images with a rich, refined character. A superb lens whose distinctive rendering continues to captivate many photographers.
The lens shows no signs of use and has a beautiful exterior. The black paint remains exceptionally well preserved, while the plating on the base retains a brilliant shine.
A full overhaul was completed in July 2026. Both the aperture ring and helicoid now operate with the superb feel one would expect. The helicoid on this model can often become rather loose, but this example has been adjusted to provide an exquisite degree of torque.
When viewed under a strong LED light, extremely slight coating deterioration can be seen around the periphery of an inner element, but it should have virtually no effect on actual images. The central area is perfectly clear. This is a fine example with which to enjoy the distinctive rendering of the Nikkor 35mm f1.8.
The original front cap with the triangular logo and an original L39 filter are included.
