There's something about Nikon equipment, you pick it up and you're instantly aware of the seminal images of our lifetime,captured by this wonderful, cherished equipment.  Never is this more apparent than when looking at such a unique and highly collectible piece of kit such as this.

A very rare find in such excellent condition, this is a 35mm 2.8 PC Nikkor shift lens from 1972, offered boxed and in stunning condition which defies its 43 year vintage.  This is a true collectors' piece, first released in 1962, the PC Nikkor was a true landmark, the worlds' first Perspective Control lens for SLR, designed to enable the photographer to produce images with corrected horizontals and verticals and to tempt architectural and technical photographers away from the rail cameras of old and into the newer and at the time, still fairly novel Nikon F SLRs. As well as this, a shift lens offers many artistic possibilities when paired with modern digital bodies, particularly for video.

It is an indication of how much stead that Nikon put in the F system that within just three short years of launch, they were introducing products as ground breaking as this and makes the world domination they subsequently won so well deserved.  This is a lens for very specific tasks, which the photographer has to learn to use, but the capabilities it offers are truly impressive in the right hands.  These early PCs are sought out not just for their rarity, but also as they are reputedly amongst the very sharpest lenses of their type ever offered.  A stunning thought when you bear in mind that this lens is not much bigger than a standard 35mm!

Amazingly, Nikon, being the completist's completist that they are, still have the manual for the PC online Here and gives a nice bit of history as well.  I would strongly advise you to take a look at it, as any explanation which I can offer as to operation or god forbid, how it works, will get us nowhere!

This particular example dates from 1972. It survives in exceptional near mint condition, having obviously been looked after very carefully and used very sparingly.  In use, it could almost have been made yesterday.  The glass is clear, as you can hopefully see in the pictures and the focus and aperture rings move as smoothly as you would hope, while the PC specific rotating bayonet, DOF ring and shift mechanism function perfectly.  The barrel is as clean as a whistle, while the numerals and signage are as clear as the day it left the factory.  The wide open glass is clean and bright and holding it up to the light, I cannot make out a single speck of dust.  Even the internal finish of the slider, which is highly prone to friction brassing, remains its factory deep black, indicating again that this lens has not been much used.  

Contemporary to the seminal Nikon F and F2 SLRs, this truly lovely lens is based on the Pre AI version of the F Mount, so compatible with any Nikon SLR from 1959 until about 1980 as well as the later F3/4/.5/6 and the amazing new Df.  With the correct adapter, it will even fit various modern digitals. It can be mounted on Canon EOS, film and digital), Sony NEX, Samsung NX and Micro four thirds bodies, such as the Panasonic G/GF/GX/GH Series and the amazing full fcannot be acheived any other way.

As if this were not desirable enough, this particular example retains its original serial matched box, which is in similarly excellent condition, with no sign of any sun, odour, moisture or any other kind of damage.

The lens will be supplied as pictured, boxed, with Nikon caps, ready for you to get to work immediately!

So there you have it, A unique opportunity to acquire a truly stunning example of one of the rarest of all Nikkors, and its boxed too! Of course, equipment of this vintage and condition takes us deep into the realm of the very collectible, so it may be possible to buy this lens, enjoy it, and part with it in the future for the same or more than you paid for it, making it effectively free, which must make Photography the most wallet friendly of all pursuits!

Hopefully, the description and photos will answer any questions you may have, but please feel free to drop me an email if anything needs clarifying further.

Or...

for new auctions!