Review Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm

According provided by Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm lens thank you so much Ilya Kostenko (the first official photo flea market of the city of Dnepropetrovsk).

Review Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm

Review Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm

History

The Nikon Micro-NIKKOR-P Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm lens, with serial number 663401, presented in this review, belongs to the Micro-Nikkor class 55 / 3.5 lens line. All Micro-Nikkor 55 / 3.5 lenses are built on the basis of the same optical design for 5 elements in 4 groups. The line itself has a lot of different versions and sub-versions, the main ones are:

  1. Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-NIKKOR 1: 3.5 f = 5.5cm, produced in a small batch from 1961-1963, two versions with different thread designs for the filter.
  2. Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-NIKKOR Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm, 1963-1969. Lens shown in this review. There are several modifications that differ only in different marks on the lens body.
  3. Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-NIKKOR-P Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm, 1969-1971. The prefix 'P' in the name of the lens means 'Pente' - 'Five', i.e. 5 elements in the optical scheme.
  4. Nikon Micro-NIKKOR-P Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm. Actually the same previous model, just with a different name, 1971-1973.
  5. Nikon Micro-NIKKOR-P · C Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm, 1973-1975. The prefix 'C' in the lens name means 'Coating' - 'Enlightenment' and indicates the transition of the ruler to a new, improved enlightenment.
  6. Nikon Micro-NIKKOR 55mm 1: 3.5 PK-3, 1975-1977, the so-called 'new' or 'K' model.
  7. Nikon Micro-NIKKOR 55mm 1: 3.5 PK / PK-3.13, 1977-1979, AI version. Several subversions.

In the end, the lens was never updated to AI-S modifications - in 1979 he was replaced by a very high-quality Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 (AI-S), in which, in addition to increasing the aperture ratio, there was a change and complication of the optical scheme to 6 elements in 5 groups.

Attention: Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm is Non-ai the lens and without its alteration (AI-conversion) there will be problems when trying to install on certain CZK Nikon. For this reason, I could not use the lens on my cameras. Nikon D700 и D80; You will find detailed information on this issue in the section Pre-ai. To write a review, I had to use a lens on Canon cameras with an adapter Nikon Canon.

Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm

Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm

Micro-Nikkor 55 / 3.5 does not have a large maximum aperturetypical of modern fixed lenses, but for a macro lens aperture not so important - in most photographic tasks related to macro photography, covered aperture values ​​are used.

Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm

Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm

Despite the fact that at least 45 years have passed since the release of a copy from this review, Micro-Nikkor 55 / 3.5 continues to function perfectly and delight with its picture. The lens has black and white parts of its body. Focus ring and aperture ring are black, all other parts are silver (chrome). The front lens is very deeply set in the lens barrel.

Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm

Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm

The focus ring is metal, ribbed, rotates 300 degrees, while the trunk of the lens is noticeably extended. When focusing, along with the trunk of the lens, the focus ring moves forward. There is a focus distance scale on the case, but only in feet (yes, yes, apparently the Japanese did not value the metric system at one time). There is also a scale with a magnification of increase from 1:10 to 1: 2. The minimum focusing distance is 9 1/2 inches, i.e. about 24,13 cm.

Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm with Macro N M Nikon F Japan

Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm with Macro N M Nikon F Japan

The depth of field scale is made using multi-colored stripes, each specific color has its own value aperture (DOF is indicated for F / 32 - blue, F / 16 - yellow, F / 11 - pink, F / 5.6 - green). There is also a red dot, which serves as a marker for correcting the focusing in the IR spectrum.

Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm with Macro N M Nikon F Japan

Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm with Macro N M Nikon F Japan

The lens has the ability to take macro shots with a magnification of 1: 1, for this the lens is designed to use a special Nikon M extension ring ('M' means 'Macro'). Different extension rings were produced for different lens modifications. This ring with Micro-Nikkor 55 / 3.5 retains automatic aperture control. Actually, the prefix 'Auto' in the name of the lens just speaks about the automatic aperture of the lens. The aperture device consists of only 6 blades.

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 and Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm

Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 and Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm

The lens creates a sharp image already from F / 3.5, at closed apertures the lens is very sharp, however, due to the old coating, the contrast is sometimes lame. Aberration, vignetting and distortion are extremely negligible. Overall - Micro-Nikkor 55 / 3.5 is a good lens, but the version Nikon Micro-Nikkor 55mm 1: 2.8 noticeably better.

Here link to the archive with the originals - 250 MB, 21 photos in .CR2 format (RAW) from the camera Canon EOS 5D (FF).

Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm on the ZK

Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm on ZK (aperture rheostat on my Nikon AF N8008S broken, because the lens sat on the camera as a native)

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Results

The Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm is a decent old macro lens. Does not have outstanding maximum aperture, but it can still serve faithfully, fulfilling its duty in macro photography.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Oleg

 

 

Comments: 45, on the topic: Review Nippon Kogaku Japan Micro-Nikkor Auto 1: 3.5 f = 55mm

  • Vladislav

    Interesting glass)
    I already remembered this video
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX19MI4z64k

  • Vaschia

    It's time to clean the matrix (;

    • Yarkiya

      These are pigeons in a zone of not sharpness. ;)))

    • Oleg

      Yes, in the photo with a bumblebee it can be seen

      • Arkady Shapoval

        damn kenon with his dust collector, recently cleaned, fun not cheap.

        • Lynx

          Buy already a set of mops and fluids?

          • Arkady Shapoval

            I’ve already cleaned myself, that's enough for me.

            • Jury

              What happened when cleaning?

        • Sergei

          Hello. It has long been noticed that a velvet surface collects a lot of dust, which glues the surface of the shaft (I don’t know how to correctly name the segment between the mount and the matrix). If you photograph the sky, for example, when popping a mirror from vibration, the dust directly falls on the matrix. Do not remove dust with a brush and pear. I use a strip of thin adhesive tape for paper, glued-peeled off, all the dirt on the tape, velvet pile does not catch. For 2 years, the matrix was never cleaned, although I often change lenses. If you clean it carefully, you can not even lift the mirror.

  • an

    "There is a focusing distance scale on the body, but only in feet (yes, yes, apparently the Japanese did not appreciate the metric system of measures in their time)"
    - the point is different, this lens has no room for the usual “double” meter-foot scale of distances (the macro scale interferes), therefore, for the American market, such lenses came only with a foot scale, for the European market, respectively, with a metric scale. Some other macrikas, not necessarily Nikon's ones (for example Zuiko 50/2 Auto Macro), have the same style - either feet or meters.

  • sergey

    I have 105 2.5, the distance scale in meters and feet.

  • Andrei

    As a long-term user of Micro Nikkor 55mm lenses, f / 3,5 and f / 2,8 aperture, I’ll say:
    If there was a conversation about aperture for this type of lens, it was necessary to add that the indicated aperture takes place when focusing on infinity, when approaching the MDF, it decreases, but it doesn’t matter for a macro lens and the aperture is f / 1.2 or f / 0.95 unnecessary in principle, it’s not for reporting a lens was created.
    It is not clear what the decrease in contrast is caused by, maybe if you look at the clearance, the reason will be immediately visible there? I had a cloudy lens from condensate, wiped and that's it. I also have Micro Nikkor 55 / 2,8, it is no better than the 55 / 3,5 series.
    The lens is very good, I have an older version of Nikkor PC but I am looking for this particular lens.

    • Ilya

      Andrey, If there is interest in this lens, follow the link http://vk.com/1fotobaraholka there you can talk about your question.

    • Ivan

      Brilliant macaroons agree to all 100!

  • Amatich

    Arkady! I bought puff yesterday on your review. Full fly away. Prior to that, he used Jungnui. Thanks a lot.

  • Amatich

    Puff Nikon SB 910.

  • Paul

    Arkady, in many photos (for example in this https://radojuva.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/sg/55-3-5/nippon-kogaku-japan-micro-nikkor-auto-3-5-f-55-mm-sample-5.jpg) spots are clearly visible in the upper right corner. Is it dirt on the lens, or on the camera sensor?

    • The Hedgehog

      the matrix is ​​very similar

  • Ilya

    Andrey, If you are interested in this lens - follow the link http://vk.com/1fotobaraholka there you can talk about your question.

  • anonym

    on apertures 8 and 11 it is much better than the Nikon 55mm 2.8

    • Ivan

      What's not worse is for sure. Vkusovschina)

  • Dim

    The only minus of this glass is the too small stroke of the focusing ring at large distances. While I’m using it on D40, I’ll put it on a D200 or D700 until I decided :)

    • Ivan

      So he is not needed there. On the flu in the rangefinder mode - the 8th frame rings!

  • Igor

    Good day.
    I choose between a macro lens Micro-Nikkor-PC 55mm f3,5 and MC Wave-9 50 mm f / 2.8. Camera Nikon D3200, Nikon D200. What do you advise?

    • Ivan

      And what comparisons can there be between the classic of the genre from Nikkor and stale junk?

      • Ivan

        And yet, yes, I found myself such - before that I used someone else's - licking my lips ... Excellent sharpness from the second stop across the entire area of ​​the frame on the crop. On ff at 5.6, a barely noticeable drop to the edges but also buzzing. At 8k, you can even forget about the trick to exhibit as on a rangefinder for the flu). Constructive is a thing! Happy as a turkey. The price of the issue is 40 Bachin. Super lens.

  • Nikolay Moscow

    Everything is fine, of course, but why cling to Canon ??? The riddle. Foty scary turned out. (((Also, the charm of the lens in pure colors and just hellish sharpness are not noted. Ken, by the way, notes this.
    And yet, since the lens is old, if anyone is going to buy, look at the movement of the ring - often oil flows onto the diaphragm or even outward - the movement becomes tight, plus most will be dusty, many lenses with fungus. As a rule, it does not affect the quality, but sediment ...

  • dima krutov

    But how can a movie lens be used?

    • B. R. P.

      Why not use it? Light transmits.

  • Jury

    Since the first mention of this lens dates back to 1961. Then its earlier version
    55/4 UV Auto NKJ. As far as I understand they were released about 170000 pieces. I have a question. Why there is no information about this particular kind of lens at all, just a mention.

  • Alexey

    Bought on eBay. 26 $ + the same delivery. Issue 77 to 79. In great condition. With box and instructions. Elegant and pleasant glass. Ken Rockwell has an overview. He praises him very much and for good reason. At distances from one meter, a short stroke of the focusing ring is convenient for video (to quickly get into focus), at distances close to the MDF everything is very smooth.

    • Alexey

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  • Alexey

    Example f3,5

    • Alexey

      Example f11

      • Alexey

        Congratulations on your purchase, wonderful potato. He has a scheme, I understand asymmetric, 5 lenses of 4 groups, xenotar. And adding the sixth in 55 / 2.8, we completely changed the scheme to a symmetrical anastigmat with a floating element. Yes, these are different lenses, their common focus is only focal.

        • Alexey

          I am not strong in schemes. The instructions have a diagram. And the photo is not potatoes but peanuts.

          • Alexey

            Too bad potato.

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