Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 Non-AI Manual Focus
Standard Lens. Exc++++
This is an
immaculate example of one of Nikon's high quality Pre-AI lenses from the 1970's
and 1980's when Nikon didn't make anything except high quality pro lenses. This
one, lens number 3770364 2798002, was number 799 in a total manufacturing run
of around 206,980 units of the K Series variant (just prior to AI) of the Non-AI 50mm f1.4 lens made by Nikon
Japan between August 1974 and January 1976. In 1977, the new AI unit was
introduced. We can be pretty confident that it was made around August 1974.
Key features
See Hi-res
images taken with this lens on Dropbox:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vdmk1qfbchnwebt/AAAN4dxk9z1YrcvLKU3PDVfga?dl=0
It has
fantastic optical and mechanical performance (see the pictures attached and at
the Dropbox link further down) in a compact package, weighing 306g. This 50mm
is extremely well made, having far better optical and mechanical properties
than the more modern AF lenses Nikon makes today.
See full
review of the optically similar AI lens on Ken Rockwell's lens review page
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/50f14ai.htm
Lens
compatibility
Use on
Digital and Film Cameras
This lens
won't mount on any of the Nikon digital camera range. It works perfectly with
all Nikon film cameras made prior to 1977. It works brilliantly on Mirrorless
cameras like the Sony A7R test camera
For further
reading on the subject, please visit Ken Rockwell's most instructive website on
the subject
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm
Overall Lens
Condition: Exc++++
Mechanical: Near
Mint
The lens is
beautifully clean. The lens body is pretty much unmarked bar a couple of practically
invisible micro-abrasions. The focus ring is typical premium Nikon; buttery
smooth. There is no play at all in the action. The enamel lettering is bright
and completely intact. The aperture ring is free moving and the iris blades are
nice and snappy. The iris is in perfect condition and free of oil. The bayonet
mount is also in perfect condition.
Optical:
Exc++++
The lens is
almost dust free which is usual in a lens of this age. There are 4 tiny, tiny
specks of dirt in the lens, but you need a magnifying glass and a high
intensity LED light source to see them. The optics are in lovely condition as
can be seen by the test pictures. This lens produces punchy, colourful and
contrasty images straight out of the camera. There is no haze, fungus, mould or
balsam separation.
Image
quality
Image
quality is stunning. The Ken Rockwell review explains the characteristics of
this lens in some detail. The images attached attest to the quality he sees. I
took the images on a Sony A7R 36MP Mirrorless camera. It also works flawlessly
on my Nikkormat EL, but I wanted to show off the astounding resolution the lens
is capable of and also to show its full-frame capability. The 100% crop (when
viewed on your PC screen at about 10" across would be equivalent to a
full-size print of about 6 feet by 4 feet!
The Ebay
Upload Images
The test
images were taken on a recent trip that took in Birmingham's Victoria Square and
New Street Station. The first image is of Corporation Street looking down from
the square. It was taken at f/2.8. The second shot is a 100% crop from the
centre. It's stunningly detailed. The next shot os of the same size crop at
f/1.4. Still razor sharp but with a bit of Spherical aberration. the fourth
shot is an EDGE shot at f/16. These older lenses really are fantastic at the
edge at all apertures. The final shot is of some bollards shot at f/1.4 showing
the fantastic DOF that this lens generates.
The Dropbox
Images
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vdmk1qfbchnwebt/AAAN4dxk9z1YrcvLKU3PDVfga?dl=0
On Dropbox,
I have uploaded a series of images taken from the square from f/1.4 all the way
through to f/16. Notice that there is a bit of Chromatic aberration on the
bright colours at f/1.4. This produces images with an almost dreamlike quality
at night: just what this lens was designed for.
This is
pretty much gone by f/2. It's razor sharp all the way to f/16. That's quite
remarkable. Most Nikon lenses have a noticeable fall-off of definition from
f/11. Not this one. What's even more amazing is the 100% edge crop at f/5.6 and
f/16. This is a very good lens. I've also uploaded a folder with shots taken at
f/1.4 as well as some other general shots.
This lens also
delivers lovely 14 point Sunstars when photographing point light sources
stopped down.
What's in
the box?
Lens, front
and rear Nikon lens caps.