Nippon Kogaku Japan S-mount Nikkor-Q.C 1:3.5 f=13.5cm (Black) Telephoto lens for Nikon rangefinder cameras. Serial number 276058. Year introduced: July, 1956, discontinued: early '60

In 1956, Nikon had revised the design of the Nikkor-Q.C 1:3.5 f=13.5cm telephoto lens. Although internally, the optical glass arrangement was still retained the identical principle with all previous predecessors in the same 4 E/3G, but this was seen as a true effort by Nikon as the new appearance of the lens not only has shred off long time copycat image under the shadow of Carl Zeiss Sonnar, but it is more functional in actual usage, as well as providing a more modern feel to supplement both chrome/black-bodied Nikon as the lens mix of chrome/black on the lens is harmonic to both.

The change involved in many areas, such as replacement of main materials used for lens construction, improving lens handling via reduction in its overall weight. You can say it was a facelift model but I think the main objective was still related to lowering the product cost. The redesigned lens, only weighs 390g as compared to 495g on the chrome/brass built predecessor. The main reason that has contributed to reduction of the weigh is use of lighter Aluminum which substituted the heavier chrome/brass metal.

Except for the front ring, lens mounting ring and the lens mount which is chrome (inner ring satin-chrome), the entire lens is basically has three different metal textures with black dominating the control sections (as well as the tripod collar at the base). The lens mount is still using solid brass in order to withstand frequent lens changes by photographers. Another area that separates the lens from the previous all-black 135/3.5 is the focusing and aperture ring use a new design which said to be offering a easier and firmer grip. This was in-lined with the standardization with other Nikkor lenses such as the first Nikkor which adopted this new grip design, Nikkor-P 1:2.5 f=10.5cm (1954) as well as others such as the Nikkor-P.C 1:2 f=8.5cm second version) which also happened to be introduced at the same year in 1956. But the most significant difference relating to this change of the revised design of the Nikkor-Q.C 1:3.5 f=13.5cm is the weight factor.

Technical Specifications: -

Lens Mount: Nikon S-Mount for RF Nikon. LEICA M39 Screw Mount / Contax Bayonet mount

Focal Length: 135mm (13.5cm);

Diaphragm: Manual; Optical Construction: 4 elements 3 groups

Focusing range: 5.4ft/1.65m~OO

Picture Angle: 18° (10° x 15° )

Maximum / Minimum Aperture range: f/4 ~ f/16 for Nikkor-Q.C 1:4 f=13.5cm; f/3.5 ~ f/16 for early Nikkor-Q.C 1:3.5 f=13.5cm chrome/brass; f/3.5 ~ f/32 Nikkor-Q.C 1:4 f=13.5cm 2nd version chrome/brass and black paint versions, f/3.5 ~ f/32 for 3rd version black with new design;

Filter Attachment Size: 43mm (Series VII)

Lens Hood: standard accessory; reversibly stored; dual piece design, screw-in for earlier models; Snap-On, screw-in front cap type for last version

Optical Finder: Optional; Chrome 13.5cm external finder, BL Black available, usable with other Nikon zoom finder types (variframe/Varifocal),

Weight (lens only): approx. 495g for early models; 390g/13-3/4oz for last black version (Nikon Bayonet); Leica SM version: 16-3/4oz