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Nippon Kogaku KK / Nikon Rangefinder RF-Nikkor-O f=2.1cm 1:4 (21mm f/4.0)
ultra-wideangle lens for Nikon S-Mount Rangefinder cameras


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Contarex 1 (Zeiss Ikon) with Carl Zeiss Biogon 25mm f/4.5 by Photo Arsenal Worldwide@EBAY.com
The Nikon RF Nikkor 1:4 f=2.1cm, was released rather late in May, 1959. But still, at the time of its introduction, it was one of the world's widest wideangle lens available for 35mm photography . However, the RF Nikkor extreme wideangle lens was not the first in such catagory as Contarex 21mm f/4.5 Biogon which has an almost identical designing principle (along with the Zeiss 38mm Biogon T* for the 6x 6 format fixed lens Hassleblad SWA (Supreme Wide Angle) was already being introduced earlier in 1954. So, most people prefer to term Nikon's effort as a duplication of German innovation rather than seeing it as an original effort by introducing such an extraordinary ultra-wideangle lens for the Rangefinder/Reflex Nikon. Well, regardless the background or intention, the resulting effort had enabled Nikon photographers to enjoy an outstanding ultrawideangle lens during that era.

Credit: Image courtesy of Photo_Arsenal-Worldwide® Germany. The Company also maintains an active EBAY Store, trading many used and new photo equipment of various labels. Photo Arsenal can be contacted at Photo Arsenal Boris Jamchtchik, Altenfurter Str.16a 90475 Nuernberg Germany Tel.: +49 (0) 911/ 4008081 .Image(s) copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

Link to Zeiss-Opton / Carl Zeiss Jena BIOGON 21mm f/4.5 page Link to Zeiss-Opton / Carl Zeiss Jena BIOGON 21mm f/4.5 page
Photo Above:- Probably due to rarity and highly prized by collectors, good pictures of both the RF Nikkor 2.1cm and Contax's 21mm f/4.5 Biogon were difficult to find. This picture was a Contarex 1 mounted with a Carl Zeiss 21mm f/4.5 Biogon lens (with accessory Finder mounted onto camera) was extracted from Photo Arsenal Worldwide@EBAY.com EBAY auction sale. The Zeiss version was believed to have been introduced around 1958, has an optical formula of 8 elements in 5 groups. Its closest focusing distance reaches approx. 1m (3 ft). Operation is via manual preset method. It requires Mirror Lock up on the Contarex 1 as shown and it was supplied with a mounted-on accessory finder. With later models such as Contarex Super or Super Electronic, TTL measurement may not work in such combination. For other photos of the lens: CLICK ON THESE LINKS 1: 21mm Biogon mounted on a Nikon SP; Original setup of Contax IIIa with a Carl Zeiss 21mm f/4.5 Biogon. Zeiss BIOGON 1:4.5 f=21mm (3 views by D.Stephens).

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<<--- Series of superb views on RF Zeiss-OPTON 4.5/21mm / Carl Zeiss Jena BIOGON 21mm f/4.5 (with info/picture of Finder 435/Turret 440 Universal Finder) by Leica shop for their online auctions.
     
Contaxrex Carl Zeiss Biogon 21mm f/4.5 Contax Carl Zeiss Biogon 21mm f/4.5 Leica 21mm f/4.0 Super Angulon
Credit: All images (lens hood, Optical Finder and rear/side views below) herein courtesy of Mr. Kelvin from his popular gokelvincameras@Ebay Store which retails for many hard-to-find Nikon, canon, Leica, Contax and other collectible oldies. All images Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved.
Carl Zeiss old 21mm f/4.5 Biogon ultra-wideangle lens Schneider 21mm Super Angulon f/3.4 21mm Super Angulon f/3.4 newer version
OTHER INFO:- LEITZ M-specific; Leitz/Schneider 21mm f/4.0 Super Angulon; Far left:- Carl Zeiss version of the 21mm f/4.5 BIOGON. Leitz also produced a 21mm Biogon f/4.0 (Super Angulon) (1958~1963); Center:- Leitz/Schneider 21mm f/3.4 BIOGON (Super Angulon) (1963~1980); from 1980 onwards; LEICA Elmarit-M 21mm f2.8 ASPH version replaced the standard non-Aspherical model). Far Right: Leitz/Schneider remake of a Super Angulon 21mm f/3.4 BIOGON.

Credit
:- All images of the 3 lenses courtesy of Photo_Arsenal-Worldwide® Germany

Hassleblad Supreme Wide Angle (SWA) model, 1954 Hassleblad SWC Swiss ALPHA with Zeiss 38mm f/4.5
NOTE: The successful formula of Biogon was used in many formats. The 1954's Hassleblad SWA ("Hasselblad Supreme Wide Angle (SWA) which was marketed between 1954-1958 (in between, the SW 1956 has a slightly changed lens barrel construction). The fixed BIOGON design 38mm f/4.5 lens on the 6x6 format system camera was changed as "SWC" in 1959 (1959-1979) . SWC/M was introduced between 1980-1988. The more popular model name of 903 SWC was used in 1988 (1988-2001). The current model 905 SWC was sold between 2001-2006. Other than Hassleblad, the Swiss made ALPHA also has an alternate Carl Zeiss Biogon 38mm f/4.5 T*. Ref: Hassleblad Historical @EU Site.

Nikon (Nippon Kogaku K.K.) RF Nikkor-O 1:4 f=2.1cm (21mm f/4.0) ultra-wideangle lens for Nikon Bayonet S-Mount Rangefinder cameras Introduced: May, 1959; Discontinued: June, 1960

It was believed Nikon had released the rangefinder version of their 2.1cm lens first with the bayonet S-Mount in May, 1959. Due to the late release date, NO known screw mount (SM) was available so far for this ultrawide. Basically, in preparation for their first reflex SLR camera, Nikon F which eventually was launched in the same year, some of the Nikkor lenses released during this interim period actually were being designed in both (S/F Mount) platforms. Many people think the comparing F-mount version of this 21mm ultrawide was actually being released barely a few months later in November, 1959. Although optically, both S/F mount versions were identical, but somehow the rangefinder version was slightly more compact than the reflex F-mount version. One of the significant difference between the two is, the S-mount has a 43mm filter thread while the F-mount model has a standard 52mm filter attachment size. This possibly had contributed to the difference in size/weight between the two (S-mount model weighs lighter at 127.5g (4.5oz) while the F-mount model weighs 210g (48 oz). The carefully schemed introduction of the Nikon F with the absolute convenience in direct TTL reflex viewing has a few distinctive advantage for shooting (esp. the telephoto range onwards). Besides, where it is further supplemented with a host of useful and practical system accessories (such as the Nikon lens group) which provide literally with many new possibilities such as from Fisheye-Nikkor, macro photography to super-telephotos usage etc. The reflex debut was an instant commercial success for Nikon.
 
rare, Nippon Kogaku KK (Nikon) 21mm f4 Nikkor-O ultrawideangle lens with matching 21mm finder
The late debut of the 2.1cm RF version which actually was being released during a period of change in the market place where Nikon also began to shift development effort towards the SLR framework. Come to think of it, ain't the current trend of film to digital is similar to those days ?. So, this probably may be part of the reason why many of the RF lenses were not being produced in large quantity. For an example, the RF Nikkor 2.1cm f/4.0 Ultra-wideangle was believed to have been in production for a short duration of probably less than a year (May 1959~June 1960). And from the many available sources, only a small quantity of less than 500 units* of the RF model were being produced thus far. This has made the RF Nikkor 2.1cm wideangle one of the most source-after RF Nikkor collectible optic in the market today.
* NOTE:- Japanese collectors have their own opinion that only exacting 300 units were being produced. Mr. Robert Rotoloni, author of An Illustrated History of Nikon Rangefinder Cameras had given a similar figures of Serial Number from 621000 ~ 621330 but he holds the belief that the figures may run higher than the official number.
   
Front lens element and lens data of a rare Nippon Kogaku KK (Nikon) 21mm f4 Nikkor-O ultrawideangle lens  The rear section of elongated lens tube of a Nippon Kogaku KK (Nikon) 21mm f4 Nikkor-O ultrawideangle lens
Unlike the F-mount equivalent, the rangefinder version has the rear lens tube in circular form with the edge not being shaped. See the F-mount version, it was different in this area.

Credit: Images courtesy of Mr. Peter Coeln from LEICA Shop®, Austria who also operates a popular Westlicht Auction House. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

We have discussed quite a few variations of the comparing German Zeiss and Schneider versions with a similar Biogon optical design earlier. Basically the earlier introduction was simply offered you with a glimpse of what the German was offering during those days. So, they were just used as a comparison with the Nikon's version here in this site. The adoption of the similar German Biogon design by Nikon for their first ultrawide lens in RF format which has resulted almost the same lens configuration. Physically, it shares a same elongated lens assembly where the rear section of the lens is pushed so far into the camera body that almost reaches the film plane (approx. 7mm away from the film plane). The extended rear section of the lens tube essentially making the lens only suitable for the rangefinder Nikon body. When used the F-mount counterpart onto a Nikon reflex SLR, it requires the reflex mirror to raise in order for the lens to be mounted onto the camera. Fortunately, until the first compact Ai-body Nikon FM (1977) was released, all prevailing Nikon SLR models introduced during the pre-FM period, from the single digit F camera models to the second tier Nikkormat/Nikomat were designed with a mechanical Mirror Lock-Up feature. So, other than providing absolute zero mirror bounce movement in application such as high magnification to super telephotography, mirror lock up were also one of the key function in any Nikon those days to use some of the special lenses. For an example, early Fisheye-Nikkor models such as Fisheye-Nikkor 7.5mm f/5.6(1966), Fisheye-Nikkor 8mm f/8.0 (1962), 10mm OP-Nikkor (1968) and even the amazing 6mm f/5.6 Fisheye-Nikkor (1969) would require the Mirror-Lock-Up in order to mount the lenses. It was not known whether any of the Fisheye lenses designed for the F-mount Nikon can be used directly onto the S-mount RF bodies but I do know there are accessory modified as F-S adapter for this purpose.

The 2.1cm Nikkor-O ultrawide lens basically uses a light alloy construction. Overall, the lens resembles many of the rigid and tough physical lens structure used on many of the early Nikkor F-mount lenses. The lens mounting ring and the ring at the far end was chrome. The focusing ring with distance scales engraved is made of hard plastic. But the aperture ring is located at the far end near the filter thread. As the nature of the long rear lens tube, regardless using the lens on a reflex or rangefinder Nikon, both the S or F-mount models do not have a practical focusing method. So, depth of field control via estimation of distance is the only way for focusing. However, as the immensely wide depth of field generates by its optical nature makes this problematic issue .

S-mount of the Nikkor RF 2.1cm f/4.0 (21mm f/4.0) by Nikon S-Magazine Nikon 2.1 cm f/4 F-mount lens by Rokas Photo & Video @EBAY.com
Comparing the physical appearance of the two 2.1cm f/4.0 Nikkor lens in F and S-mount.

Credit: Image of the F-mount version of the 2.1cm f/4 RF-Nikkor lens shown at the right hand side courtesy of Rokas Photo & Video @ EBAY®. Image(s) copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

Credit: Picture of the Nikkor 2.1cm f/4 at far left was scanned and retouched from Nikon RF Mazagine. Photographer: ®


The side vertical view of the elongated lens tube of the Nikkor-O Reflex F-mount 2.1cm f/4.0 (21mm f/4.0) by  Rokas Photo & Video Lens made in Japan marking at the Nikkor-O Reflex F-mount 2.1cm f/4.0 (21mm f/4.0) by  Rokas Photo & Video
Shown is the F-mount version. Illustrating the front and rear section of the metal lens tube. The aperture ring for the S-Mount version is located at the front.

Credit: Images courtesy of Rokas Photo & Video @ EBAY®. Image(s) copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

F-mount Nikkor-O 2.1cm f/4.0 mounted onto a Nikon F SLR camera by Matthew Lin
Illustration of Nikon's mirror lock up mechanism /  theory in a SLR camera with certain old Nikkor lenses

NOTE:- The illustration above with the protruding rear section of the lens probably explained why the lens requires the mirror to be raised on the reflex Nikon bodies. This leaves Nikon camera without any visual guide for picture composing and thus a secondary accessory finder is required to aid composition. The S-Mount Nikon has no reflex mirror, but due to its extensive wide picture coverage where it is impossible to include a bright-line frame inside the viewfinder for any existing Nikon RF models. Hence, the use of the accessory finder is required. In fact, this is one of the main reason why Nikon had produced a large variety of finders for the rangefinder Nikon. The finder for the 2.1cm ultra-wideangle lens is exclusively for the lens. None of the other models such as Variframe / Vafifocal or Sports Finders are usable to match the extensive picture angle.
Credit: Image courtesy of Matthew Lin®. Matthew also maintains an excellent Nikon/Nikkor personal site where you can access to some oldies. Images copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

The Optical Finder can be an integrated component with the RF Nikkor 2.1cm lens, First, it offers as a viewing/composition accessory. As mentioned earlier, none of the Nikon RF has any built-in bright-line frame for ultrawideangle. Focusing in this manner is only via distance estimation couples with depth of field usage. As extracted from the Nikkor sales-leaflet where it suggested this ".. accurate focusing will not be necessary in using the 21mm f/4.0 because of extremely deep depth of field...". Well, in relation to metering, as all early Nikon RF models prior to Nikon SP had a rotating shutter speed dial which doesn't permit the Nikon's own designed Exposure Meter to couple onto the camera body. So, most photographers uses incident light meter or the old trusty way of Sunny 16 rule which actually depends a lot on experience for such rough exposure / metering control.

The dedicated finder for Nikkor-O 21mm f/4.0 The exclusively designed accessory  finder for Nikkor-O 21mm f/4.0 - rear section view The dedicated finder for Nikkor-O 21mm f/4.0
Credit: Images courtesy of Mr. Peter Coeln from LEICA Shop®, Austria who also operates a popular Westlicht Auction House. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
<<<--- Shown is a 2.1cm companion optical finder which mainly serves as a viewing aid for the RF Nikon. It has a rather straight forward optical design of 5 elements. It has a rectangular shape at the front that cased in a chrome/metal frame (as well as the flash foot at the base). The rear section is black plastic with a tiny viewfinder eyepiece. The top portion has an embossed old Nikon KK logo as well as a number "2.1". Not sure if the eyepiece accept any correction lenses. The special finder is believed to have been exclusively delivered with the 2.1mm lens as standard accessory and it is not available via separate order.

Also Check
Zeiss Finder 430 for Zeiss Biogon f/4.5/21mm

It was known many of the accessories such as Optical Finder are sometimes numbered. However, the 2.1cm dedicated finder was believed to have been ALL numbered (serialized numbering). Most publications were suggesting known production number for this finder could be ranging from 600100 to 600402. Partly, this was one of the reason why Guru collector such as R. Rotoloni felt the actual number of this rare 2.1mm Nikkor ultra-wide may has produced higher than the recorded number of 300 units as evidenced by the higher serial number generated with the matching dedicated finder. Although the finder can be regarded as almost identical to that of the F-mount version, but I don't think they are interchangeable as both camera types used a different mounting shoe (reflex Nikon F, F2 and Nikon F3 - where the big F/Nikon F2 and even the 1980's Nikon F3) use a very different side-mounting accessory shoe design). The Nikkormat, which has a center-positioned accessory shoe, may require to attach the accessory shoe on the viewfinder window.


Opticl construction for the Optical Finder for 2.1cm f/4.0 Accessory finder for Nikon ultrawideangle lens The mounting foot of F-Miunt and S-mount 21mm f/4.0
Basically, the RF Finder has a simple flat-base mounting foot while the reflex F-mount version has a slightly different hook-type base design. I am not sure if Nikon had designed another accessory in order to enable the two interchangeable.
       
NOTE:- the reflex version finder have either a chrome or black based flash foot. Far left: A simple 5 elements optical structure for the Finder.

Front section view of the old Nikkor-O 1
It is acceptable that Nikon had (or at least trying to) "replicated" the German Biogon design in their own version of the 2.1cm Nikkor. However, one way of another, the renown Nikon optical designer Mr.WAKIMOTO, Zenji ( who also designed the famed Micro-Nikkor and ultra-Micro-Nikkor series of fine optic (the latter was used as a high precision optical lens for inspection of IC (integrated Circuit) during fabrication/production) had did his part by modified it in a new configuration slightly different. For those who may be interested in the detail, you may | CLICK HERE | for an article written by Mr. SATO, Haruo which was hosted in Nikon Japan site. One marked improvement made was the eventual slight increase of the maximum lens speed from the German version. Although both the S-Mount and F-mount reflex Nikon do not interpret the lens speed into brighter viewing through the lens as the rangefinder is not viewing TTL but still it was slightly different from the original Biogon design. It was not known if this was just to avoid infringing the German copyright or solely from an optically designing aspect to make it better as Nikon claimed the revised design has improved considerably on containing distortion. Well, it could also be just to serve marketing objective to term the Nikkor lens as "the fastest 21mm in the market..than the German offering (during that period)".

Credit: Picture of the Nikkor 2.1cm f/4 at was scanned and retouched from Nikon RF Mazagine. Photographer: ®

Despite these, the Nikkor-O 1:4 f=2.1cm ultrawideangle lens does used/shared an almost similar 8 elements in 4 group optical structure, with the 2 inner three-element groups sandwiching the iris (that makes it 8 elements in 6 groups). Mr. R. Rotoloni, author of the Illustrated history of Nikon rangefinder believes certain rare earth glass and special coating was used in this lens but only known to Nikon if this guess was correct. Although some of the enthusiasts think the S-mount version of the Nikkor 21mm f/4.0 was single layer coated but there are Nikon fans who hold a strong belief that the late F-mount models could had been treated with multi-layers lens coating. In a typical S-mount lens, the lens reflects a slightly amber tint at the exposed front/rear lens element.

The exposed lens element at the rear section of the 21mm f/4.0 Nikkor-O The exposed lens element at the rear section of the S-MOUNT VERSION 21mm f/4.0 Nikkor-O
Comparing both the rear end section of the F-mount (LEFT) and S-mount (RIGHT) 2.1cm f/4.0.
Credit: Image of the rear lens element of the elongated back portion of the F-mount version of the 2.1cm f/4 Nikkor lens shown at the left courtesy of ROKAS Photo & Video @ EBAY®. Image(s) copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. The picture of the S-mount version courtesy of Mr. Kelvin LI from his popular gokelvincameras @ Ebay Store® which retails for many hard-to-find Nikon, canon, Contax oldies. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

S-mount 21mm f/4 from NikonJP.jpg

Optical construction / diagram of the Nikkor-O 2.1cm f/4.0

Optical design used in the Nikkor-O 1:4 f=2.1cm

German Biogon 21mm f/4.5 lens

Optical struction/construction of the German Biogon 21mm f/4.5 lens

Optical design of the German BIOGON 21mm f/4.5

| LINK for series of view |

The picture angle of the Nikkor-O ultrawide generates approx. 92 degrees picture coverage. I have to admit it was a generous feat for the RF Nikon. The aperture control provides variation of aperture ranges from f/4.0, f/5.6. f/8.0, f/11 and only stopped down to a minimum aperture of f/16.


Physical contruction of the F-mount 2.1cm f/4.0

optical contruction of the F-mount 2.1cm f/4.0Comparing the above with the physical / optical measurement for the 52mm filter thread F-mount version. The 34.5mm S-mount model could be slightly smaller.

LINK to Carl Zeiss Biogon 21mm f/4.5 page to show Optical Diaphragm / Internal Construction
cross-check Carl Zeiss Biogon 21mm f/4.5 (1954)

Due to its optical nature of an ultra-wdeangle lens, the f/16 can be considered very forgiving and should be more than adequate to generate immensely extensive depth of field. Probably one of the reason the distance between each stop on the DOF scales are quite far apart so as to enable "classic" means of depth of field control to aid focusing.
Nippon Kogaku KK (Nikon) 21mm f4 Nikkor-O ultrawideangle lens  with dedicated finder 2.1cm
The closest focusing distance of the lens closes down to approx. 91cm (3 ft). It weighs approx. 127.5g (4.5oz). The filter attachment size for the S-Mount version has a smaller 43mm filter size as compare to the F-mount's 52mm. The Optical Finder was supplied along with the lens as a standard accessory. Other optional accessories include screw-in lens hood (hard to locate a picture and thus, no illustration is provided here). Further, due to the extraordinary long extension of the rear lens tube, Nikon has designed quite an innovative rear lens cap which is exclusively for the lens where it has a slot to house the finder at inverse position. Shown below is how a F-mount version of the 21mm ultrawide with the finder attached onto the bottom section of the special rear cap. * NOTE: the older series of Fisheye-Nikkor 7.5mm. 6mm f/5.6 and 8mm f/8.0 lenses also had such similar lens cap type.


Credit
: Images courtesy of Mr. Peter Coeln from LEICA Shop®, Austria who also operates a popular Westlicht Auction House. Image Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.
How the legend evolved itself after from here:- I think it is appropriate to address what has happened after this. In November, 1967 Nikon eventually introduced a F-mount reflex version with a different retrofocus design as well as slightly wider picture angle at 20mm focal length which DOES NOT REQUIRED MIRROR LOCK-UP anymore and hence permits direct TTL viewing / metering with any compatible* reflex Nikon. The "new" 20mm ultrawideangle lens came with a slightly wider aperture / picture angle of f/3.5 / 94° (2.1cm f/4.0 Nikkor-O offers 92°). The MF Non-Ai Nikkor-UD Auto 1:3.5 f=20mm (Nikkor 20mm f/3.5UD) was strangely being reverted / followed by a dimmer maximum aperture version which was has a completely revised optical design in 1974, the said MF Nikkor 20mm f/4.0 was also one of the ultra-wideangle Nikkor lens appeared during the Pre-Ai era. Then in 1979, the 20mm lens was being updated/revised again by Nikon as a Ai-version MF Nikkor 20mm f/3.5. It was interesting to note that the Ai lens has reverted back to a faster f/3.5 maximum aperture. Although it was widely accepted the first 20mm that offered a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture was the 1984's Classic (Ai's Native Nikkor 20mm f/2.8s); but there are reference such as Peter Btaczko, author of the Nikon handbook who addressed a prototype was being shown in Photokina 1976. The famed Nikkor 20mm f/2.8s was being replicated in an autofocus outfit in 1989 as an AF Nikkor 20mm f/2.8S to compliment users of the autofocus Nikon bodies. The followed-up model was the current popular AF Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D introduced in March, 1994, where it has a distance chip embedded within to enable capable AF Nikon models to take advantage of the Nikon 3D Matrix Metering for both ambient and TTL flash. Despite Nikon had announced discontinuation of many manual focus / autofocus Nikkor lenses back in 2006 (esp. with fixed focal length optic), but it is still available in many retail outlets; so, I would rather still term it remains as the current model as at 03.2008.

* It is IMPORTANT to note that any Non Ai Nikkor requires to update as Ai for metering to work effectively on an Ai Nikon SLR model. Older Nikkor lenses may present certain restriction issues in the full scale metering and/or exposure control modes capabilities with newer series of AF bodies. Certain entry level digital Nikon SLRs does not even encouraged use of old or modified Nikkor at all. I don't have any info relating to possible availability/combination of a F-S or S-F mount adapter(s). If any of you have such experience and/or information, I am more than happy to include them in this site.

The dedicated rear lens cap with slot to house the Accesssory finder for the Nikkor-O 21mm f/4.0 (2.1cm f/4).
Basic Technical Specification for Nikkor-O 1:4 f=2.1cm wideangle lens:-

Lens Mount
: Nikon S-mount for RF models
Focal Length: 21mm (2.1cm)
Picture Angle: 92
°
Maximum / Minimum Aperture: f/4.0 / f/16
Optical Construction: 8 elements in 4 groups
Minimum Focusing Distance: 0.9m (3 ft) ~ OO (marked values:
OO, 10, 5, 3,2, 1.5, 1.2 & 0.9m)
Filter Attachment Size: S-mount:- 43mm / F mount version: 52mm (P=0.75)
Dimension: approx. 55.8 mm dia. x 53.5 mm long (overall); F-mount: approx. 60mm x 56mm
Weight (body only): approx. 127.5g (4.5oz); F mount: 135g
Standard Accessories: Optical Finder (2.1cm model); Rear lens cap with finder housing slot. Front Snap-On type. Optional: Screw-in type Lens hood, optical filters etc. F-S/S-F mount adapters: no info.

Other Information
: Single Coated with manual diaphragm.Year introduced: May, 1959; Discontinued: Possibly around June, 1960. F-mount version has a larger 52mm filer size dimension and weighs heavier at 210g (4.8oz). The Accessory Finder comes with either black or chrome/metal mounting foot. Serial Numbering References:- S-Mount starts from 621000 ~ 621330. F-mount model could had been started from 220101 (S/N 225001 onwards usable on Nikkormat). Ref: Peter Braczko's Nikon Handbook.
Credit: Image of the special rear lens cap courtesy of Matthew Lin®. Matthew also maintains an excellent Nikon/Nikkor personal site where you can access to some oldies. Images copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

W-Nikkor-O 1:4 f=2.1cm | W-Nikkor.C 1:4 f=2.5cm | W-Nikkor.C 1:3.5 f= 2.8cm | W-Nikkor.C 3.5cm lens Group (3.5/2.5/1.8) | Stereo-Nikkor 1:3.5 f=3.5cm | 5cm (50mm) lens group | RF Micro-Nikkor 1:3.5 f=5cm | Nikkor-P.C 1:2 f=8.5cm lens group / Nikkor-S.C 1:1.5 f=8.5cm lens group | Nikkor-P.C 1:2.5 f=10.5cm lens group / Nikkor-T 1:4 f=10.5cm | Nikkor-Q.C 13.5cm lens group: 135/4, 135/3.5 Early / Last Version, 135/4 Bellow lens | Nikkor-H 1:2.5 f=18cm | Nikkor-Q 1:4 f=25cm | Nikkor-T 1:4.5 f=35cm | Nikkor-T.C 1:5 f=50cm | Reflex-Nikkor 100cm f/6.3

System Accessories for Nikon Rangefinder cameras
Optical Finders (4 parts):-
Fixed Focal length Finders (index page): 2.1cm, 2.5cm, 2.8cm, 3.5cm, 35cm Stereo, 5cm, 8.5cm, 10.5cm, 13.5cm | Variframe / Varifocal / Sport-frames | Nikon Reflex Housing

Nikon S36/S72/S250 Motor Drives / S36 Manual | light meters | Nikon RF Flash/Speedlights | Close-up photography / Repro Copy Outfit / Nikon Bellow Focusing Device (in progress) | Cases/Compartments | Lens & body caps, Lens Hoods/shades, Original Price Lists | packaging/boxes

Instruction Manuals

Related info:- Main index page for Leica/Leitz | Contax/Carl Zeiss | Seiki Kogaku (Canon)

Recommended External Web Resources:- A | GOOD READ | Article on the 2.1cm RF Nikkor extracted from Nikon Historical Society Journal; Discussion Forum at 1) Nikon Historical Society (NHS) Discussion Forum; 2) Rangefinderforum.com; Nikon Japan History of lenses; Nikon Society (Kenkyukai), Tokyo, Japan; extracted link RF articles by Stephen Gandy / Cameraquest; Excellent article of Nikon S3 by Mr. Bjørn Rørslett-NN/Nærfoto with a shot using the 21mm f/4.0; SP5-World, Japan - excellent source on many RF Nikon/Nikkor (Japanese/English); Another lovely site with many info on RF Nikon (in Japanese)

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Credit:- Special thanks to all the contributors of images and content which made up the basis of the site. Note:certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets, brochures, sales manuals or publications published by Nikon over the years and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible for may discrepancies arise from such dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered trade name of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Site made with an Apple G5 IMac.