Nikon F-mount

Nikon F-mount

The Nikon F of 1959 embodies the original F-mount.
Type	Bayonet
External diameter	44 mm
Tabs	3
Flange	46.5 mm

The Nikon F-mount is a type of interchangeable lens mount developed by Nikon for its 35mm format Single-lens reflex cameras. The F-mount was first introduced on the Nikon F camera in 1959, and features a three-lug bayonet mount with a 44 mm throat and a flange to focal plane distance of 46.5 mm. The company continues to use variations of the same lens mount specification for its film and digital SLR cameras.

History

The Nikon F-mount is one of only two SLR lens mounts (the other being the Pentax K-mount) which were not abandoned by their associated manufacturer upon the introduction of autofocus, but rather extended to meet new requirements related to metering, autofocus, and aperture control. The large variety of F-mount compatible lenses makes it the largest system of interchangeable flange-mount photographic lenses in history. Over 400 different Nikkor lenses are compatible with the system. The F-mount is also popular in scientific and industrial applications, most notably machine vision. The F-mount has been in production for over five decades, making it the only SLR lens mount which has been produced for over 50 years.

System of lenses

In addition to Nikon's own range of "Nikkor" lenses, brands of F-mount photographic lenses include Zeiss, Voigtländer, Schneider, Angénieux, Samyang, Sigma, Tokina, Tamron, Hartblei, Kiev-Arsenal, Lensbaby, and Vivitar. F-mount cameras include current models from Nikon, Fujifilm, Sinar, JVC, Kenko and Horseman. Numerous other manufacturers employ the F-mount in non-photographic imaging applications.

Compatibility

The F-mount has a significant degree of both backward and forward compatibility. Many current autofocus F-mount lenses can be used on the original Nikon F, and the earliest manual-focus F-mount lenses of the 1960s and early 1970s can, with some modification, still be used to their fullest on all professional-class Nikon cameras. Incompatibilities do exist, however, and adventurous F-mount users should consult product documentation in order to avoid problems. For example, many electronic camera bodies cannot meter without a CPU enabled lens, the aperture of G designated lenses cannot be controlled without an electronic camera body, and non-AI lenses (manufactured prior to 1977) can cause mechanical damage to later model bodies unless they are modified to meet the AI specification. Many manual focus lenses can be converted to allow metering with consumer Nikon bodies by adding a Dandelion chip to the lens.^[1]

Image circle

Most Nikon F-mount lenses cover the standard 36×24 mm area of 35mm format and the Nikon FX format, while DX designated lenses cover the 24×16 mm area of the Nikon DX format, and industrial F-mount lenses have varying coverage. DX lenses may produce vignetting when used on film and FX cameras. However, Nikon lenses designed for film cameras will work on Nikon digital system cameras with the limitations noted above.

Mounting and control rings

Unlike most other lens mounts, F-mount lenses lock by turning counter-clockwise (when looking at the front of lens) and unlock clockwise. Nearly all F-mount lenses have zoom and focus controls that rotate in the clockwise direction (as viewed from behind the camera) to increase focal length and focus distance respectively. This convention is also used in Pentax K-mount and Sony A-mount lenses but is opposite of the direction normally used by Canon. F-mount lenses also typically have aperture rings that turn clockwise to close.

Compatible lenses

Nikkor

Designations

Nikon has introduced many proprietary designations for F-mount Nikkor lenses, reflecting design variations and developments both in lenses and the F-mount itself. There are also "unofficial" designations used by collectors and dealers to differentiate similar lenses.

Pre-autofocus

• A — Auto Nikkor (also unofficially F, Pre-AI, Non-AI or NAI) — Designation for the first generation of F-mount lenses, introduced in 1959. These were all single-coated, and meter coupling was provided by a prong (known as the Meter Coupling Prong) fixed to the lens's aperture ring. The Photomic T through-the-lens light meter introduced in 1965 worked at full aperture, so the maximum aperture of the lens had to be communicated to the meter by mounting the lens with the aperture ring set to f/5.6, and then turning the ring to first the minimum and then the maximum apertures. (The need for this step was eliminated by the AI system below.) Early versions are marked "Nippon Kogaku Japan" and have their focal lengths stated in centimetres, but models produced after about 1965 have focal lengths stated in millimetres. The "Nippon Kogaku Japan" engraving was replaced by "Nikon" from 1971 onwards.
  Warning: Mounting a non-AI lens can damage many modern Nikon camera bodies. AI-cameras that still may use non-AI lenses includes the Nikon F2A/F2AS with Photomic A (DP-11) or AS (DP-12) finder, Nikon (Nikkormat) EL2, as well as Nikon FM and FE. In addition, the Nikon Df, a DSLR introduced in late 2013, can use non-AI lenses.^[2] The A lenses can be converted to the AI specification; see AI'd below.

• T, Q, P, H, S, O, N, UD, QD, PD — Appears immediately before or after the "Nikkor" name on F-type lenses (see above), designating the number of optical elements in the design. Short for Tres (3), Quattuor (4), Penta (5), Hex (6), Septem (7), Octo (8), Novem (9), UnDecim (11), QuattuorDecim (14) and Penta-Decem (15).^[3] The terms Unus (1) and Bini (2) were also apparently designated, but never used. Terms P=Penta, H=Hexa, and PD=Penta-Decem (Greek root) were used (instead of Quinque, Sex, and QuinDecim) to avoid ambiguity with Quattuor, Septem and QuattuorDecim. This designation scheme was dropped with the introduction of "Modern" (K-type) Nikkors in 1974.

• Auto — Designation for F-type lenses indicating an automatic diaphragm (aperture). Not to be confused with automatic exposure or auto focus, the designation fell out of use in the early 1970s and was not carried onto K-type lenses.

• C — Indicates a multicoated F-type lens. Appears with an interpunct after the number of optical elements (in the form "Nikkor-X·C"). This designation was introduced in 1971 and discontinued in 1974 with the introduction of "Modern" (K-type) Nikkors, when multicoating had become standard practice.

• K — "Modern" or "New" Nikkors introduced in 1974. While Pre-AI for compatibility purposes, K-type lenses introduced the new cosmetics that would be used from 1977 onwards for AI-type lenses (see below). The scalloped-metal focus rings were replaced with rubber grip insets, and the use of element number and coating designations was discontinued. The 'K' designation itself is believed to be derived from the Japanese "konnichi-teki", loosely translatable as "modern" or "contemporary".

• AI — Manual focus with "Automatic Maximum-Aperture Indexing," introduced in 1977. The AI standard adds a Meter Coupling Ridge to the aperture ring, which encodes the current aperture setting relative to the maximum, and a Lens Speed Indexing Post on the mounting flange, which encodes the maximum aperture itself. The Ridge and Post couple to the camera's light meter. Lenses designated AI-S, Series E, and AF all include these features of AI. Current professional Nikon camera bodies link with the Meter Coupling Ridge, but the Lens Speed Indexing Post is ignored and the maximum aperture value is set electronically by the operator instead. AI-designated lenses also improved on the original Meter Coupling Prong, adding cutaways which allow more ambient light to fall on the aperture ring, increasing visibility on cameras which optically projected the setting inside the viewfinder.

• AI'd — An unofficial designation for lenses converted partially (Meter Coupling Ridge only) or completely from non-AI to AI. This is accomplished by replacing the aperture ring and the metering prong (using a long-discontinued kit procured from Nikon) or by modifying the original part. Some independent camera repair technicians continue to offer such conversions.

• AI-S — The successor to AI, the AI-S specification added two mechanical enhancements — standardized aperture control, and the Focal Length Indexing Ridge — required for the shutter priority and other auto-aperture exposure modes of the Nikon FA, F-301/N2000, F-501/N2020, and F4 cameras. Later cameras did not require these features, and interoperate with AI and AI-S lenses identically. The term AI-S is now commonly used to refer to manual focus lenses, and Nikon continues to produce eight prime lens models in its AI-S line. All Nikon AF lenses with aperture rings (non-G) also meet the AI-S specification, except for their lack of a Meter Coupling Prong (which can be added).
  • Standardized aperture control. AI-S lens apertures move in a standardized fashion in relation to their stop-down levers. The levers of AI and pre-AI lenses were intended only to close the aperture to its manual setting. The advance of aperture control by the camera body itself, by partial actuation of the stop-down lever, meant more precision was required for consistent exposure. This feature is indicated by a Lens Type Signal notch in the lens mount. Although later Nikon cameras cannot control the apertures of AI-S lenses as the F4, they control the apertures of AF lenses using the same method of partial lever actuation and standardized response.
  • Focal Length Indexing Ridge. AI-S lenses with a focal length of 135mm or longer are indicated by a ridge on the lens mount, used by FA, F-501, and F4 to engage high-speed-biased Program Autoexposure.

Electromechanical and data communication

• AF — The original autofocus designation, indicating focus driven by a motor inside the camera body. All AF lenses have an integrated CPU (microprocessor). Used in the form "AF Nikkor", this should not confused with the original autofocus lenses for the F3AF camera, which were designated "AF-Nikkor" and are considered predecessors to AF-I lenses.

• AF-D — Designation for an AF lens (as above) with "D" functionality (see "D" below).

• AF-I — Autofocus-Internal. Driven by a /4.0) starting in 1992. Replaced with AF-S in 1996. f

• AF-S — Autofocus-Silent. Uses a "Silent Wave Motor" (SWM) (ultrasonic motor) to focus quietly and quickly. Similar to Canon's "USM" technology. Introduced in 1996.

• AF-N — Indicates the "New" version of an AF lens. The change from plastic focus rings on early AF lenses to the a new "rubber inset focus ring" (RIFR) is often indicated by the AF-N designation.

• CPU — Central Processing Unit. The lens is fitted with electrical contacts for digital communication with the camera. All AF and AI-P lenses are CPU lenses. Some non-professional Nikon cameras require CPU lenses for metered operation. This designation appears in specifications but not lens names.

• D — Distance. Indicated after the f-number in the name, and also occasionally designated AF-D. The lens electronically communicates focus distance information, which is incorporated into the camera's exposure calculations in 3D Matrix Metering mode, and also D-TTL and I-TTL flash autoexposure. All AF-I, AF-S, and G-type lenses are also D-type.

• E or PC-E — Electromagnetic diaphragm. The aperture diaphragm of an E lens is controlled digitally by the camera, and actuated electromagnetically by a system housed within the lens, rather than employing the F-mount's traditional mechanical diaphragm linkage. Currently this system appears only in certain Perspective Control lenses, designated PC-E (with designs that preclude a mechanical linkage), the AF-S 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR, the AF-S 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR, and the AF-S 16–80mm f/2.8–4E DX VR. The E feature is only supported by the Nikon D3 and newer cameras. PC-E lenses require manual diaphragm operation on other cameras. Not to be confused with Series E lenses.

• G — Designation for lenses without an aperture ring, indicated after the f-number in the name. G lenses retain the mechanical diaphragm coupling of other Nikkors, but the aperture setting can only be controlled by the camera body. Only autofocus bodies with command dials are capable of controlling G lenses. Older autofocus bodies will work with G lenses in shutter priority and program modes with full opened aperture.^[4][5] Some recent G lenses feature a weatherproofing gasket around the mounting flange. G lenses otherwise have the same characteristics as D lenses.

• P or AI-P — "AI with Program." CPU-enabled variation of AI-S. Includes only the 45/2.8P, 500/4P and 1200-1700/5.6-8P Nikkor lenses. Zeiss ZF.2 and ⅡVoigtländer SL  lenses are also AI-P designs, although they are not designated as such. Not to be confused with early lenses marked "Nikkor-P" meaning a 5-element lens (see pre-autofocus designations above).

Optical design

• Aspherical — Aspheric lens elements. Also Hybrid used: Thin molded aspheric elements coupled to a conventional glass element. This designation appears in specifications but not lens names.

• CRC — Close Range Correction. Improved performance at close focus distances. Achieved by internal focus movements that move differently relative to the movement of the other focusing elements. This designation appears in specifications but not lens names.

• DC — Defocus Control. DC lenses have a separate control ring for spherical aberration, which affects primarily the appearance of out-of-focus areas, also known as /2D. f

• ED — "Extra-low Dispersion" glass incorporated to reduce chromatic aberration. Lenses using ED elements usually carry a gold ring around the barrel to indicate the fact (although on some low-end lenses gold foil is used instead), and older lenses were also marked "NIKKOR✻ED". In addition to normal ED glass, "Super ED" glass is used in some lenses.

• FL — Fluorite. Designates a lens which includes one or more elements constructed of fluorite instead of glass. Currently includes only the AF-S 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR, available since 2013, and the AF-S 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR, available since 2014.

• GN — Guide Number. Assists in flash exposure on cameras without automatic flash metering. The flash's guide number is set on the lens, and the aperture is accordingly coupled to the lens's focus ring for correct exposure. The only GN lens, the supercompact GN Auto Nikkor (it was the second smallest Nikon F-mount lens ever made), was built during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

• HRI — High refractive index elements. Contains elements with a refractive index >2. This designation appears in specifications but not lens names.

• IF — Internal Focus. Focusing is accomplished through the movement of internal lens groups, eliminating extension and rotation of the front lens element, allowing focus to be driven quickly by a small motor. IF lenses also allow the use of a polarizing filter without the need to readjust it after focus.

• Micro — Micro-Nikkor lenses are capable of high reproduction ratios, typically 1:2 or 1:1, for macro photography. The first Micro-Nikkor lenses were created for producing microforms of Kanji text.^[6]

• N — Indicates the Nano Crystal Coat, a relatively new type of lens coating that originated in Nikon's semiconductor division. Lenses with this coating feature the logo of an "N" inside an elongated hexagon on the name plate.

• NIC — Nikon Integrated Coating, a proprietary multicoating. Appears in specifications but not lens names.

• PC — Perspective Control. Lens features shift movements (and also tilt movements on some models) to control perspective and depth-of-field. Newer PC lenses are designated PC-E (see designation E above). Not to be confused with early lenses marked "Nikkor-P·C" meaning a five-element coated lens (see pre-autofocus designations above).

• PF — Phase Fresnel. To counteract chromatic aberration. It replaces several lens elements, thus reducing the size and weight of a lens.^[7]

• Reflex — Designates a catadioptric (mirror) lens.

• RF — Rear Focusing. Quite similar to internal focusing. Focusing is accomplished through the movement of rear lens groups, eliminating extension and rotation of the front lens element, allowing focus to be driven quickly by a small motor. RF lenses also allow the use of a polarizing filter without the need to readjust it after focus.

• SIC — Super Integrated Coating, a proprietary multicoating. Appears in specifications but not lens names.

• UV — Lenses designed for imaging ultraviolet light.

• VR — Vibration Reduction. Uses a moving optical group to reduce the photographic effects of camera shake. Some VR lenses also support a panning mode, detecting horizontal movement of the lens and minimizing only vertical vibration. The second generation of VR is called VR II, which is designed to offer another 1-stop advantage over original VR, but lenses with this feature are still designated simply "VR."

Alternate product lines

• DX — Lens designed for the smaller Nikon DX format. Vignetting may occur if used on a 35mm format or Nikon FX format camera in full-frame mode, although some DX lenses cover the full 135 frame at longer focal lengths.

• IX — Lenses designed for use with the now-defunct Pronea APS SLR. These are all autofocus zoom lenses. They are not compatible with cameras outside of the Pronea system unless mirror lock-up is used^[8]

• Series E — A line of lower-cost lenses manufactured during the 1980s for Nikon's amateur SLRs. They sacrificed some construction quality and employed simpler optical designs. Early Series E lenses were built to the AI specification. Later Series E lenses were upgraded to the AI-S specification, and are identifiable by a metal ring on the barrel. None of this family of lenses were branded Nikkor, instead carrying the text "Nikon Lens Series E."

Esoteric

• Bellows — Lens designed exclusively for use on a bellows unit, primarily for macro photography. Also called short mount. Since some Nikon bellows allow for a front rise, they allow a limited variety of lenses to be used similarly to a PC lens (see Optical design above).

• Medical — Nikkor designation for a macro lens with a built-in ring light strobe system, designed for clinical and scientific applications.

• Noct — "Night." Specialty low-light lens designed for maximum sharpness at the widest aperture setting. The name has been applied only to the Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2.

• OP — Orthographic Projection. Fisheye lens that produces an image which maintains the same brightness in the image as in the object, with no falloff at the edges.^[3]

• UW — Underwater lenses. Produced for the Nikonos systems.

Manual-focus lenses

Manual-focus prime lenses

• 6 mm f/2.8 Circular Fisheye (220°)
• 6 mm f/5.6 Circular Fisheye (220°) (requires MLU)
• 7.5 mm f/5.6 Circular Fisheye (requires MLU)
• 8 mm f/2.8 Circular Fisheye
• 8 mm f/8.0 Circular Fisheye (requires MLU)
• 10 mm f/5.6 OP Circular Fisheye (requires MLU)
• /5.6f
• 15 mm f/3.5
• 15 mm f/5.6
• 16 mm f/2.8 Full Frame Fisheye (180°)
• 16 mm f/3.5 Full Frame Fisheye (170°)
• 18 mm f/4.0
• 18 mm f/3.5

• 20 mm f/2.8
• 20 mm f/3.5 UD
• 20 mm f/3.5
• 20 mm f/4.0
• 21 mm f/4.0 (requires MLU)
• 24 mm f/2.0
• 24 mm f/2.8
• 28 mm f/2.0
• 28 mm f/2.8
• 28 mm f/3.5

• 35 mm f/1.4
• 35 mm f/2.0
• 35 mm f/2.8
• 45 mm f/2.8 GN
• 45 mm f/2.8 P
• 50 mm f/1.2
• 50 mm f/1.4
• 50 mm f/1.8
• 50 mm f/2.0
• 55 mm f/1.2

• 58 mm f/1.2 Noct
• 58 mm f/1.4
• 85 mm f/1.4
• 85 mm f/1.8
• 85 mm f/2.0
• 105 mm f/1.8
• 105 mm f/2.5
• 105 mm f/4.0 (pre-set)
• 120 mm f/4.0 IF Medical

• 135 mm f/2.0
• 135 mm f/2.8
• 135 mm f/3.5

• 180 mm f/2.8 ED
• 200 mm f/2.0 ED-IF
• 200 mm f/4.0 Q
• 200 mm f/4.0

• 200 mm f/5.6 Medical
• 300 mm f/2.0 ED-IF
• 300 mm f/2.8 ED (pre-set)
• 300 mm f/2.8 ED-IF
• 300 mm f/4.5 P
• 300 mm f/4.5 H
• 300 mm f/4.5 ED
• 300 mm f/4.5 ED-IF
• 400 mm f/2.8 ED-IF
• 400 mm f/3.5 ED-IF
• 400 mm f/4.5 (lens head; requires CU-1 or AU-1 focus unit)
• 400 mm f/5.6 ED
• 400 mm f/5.6 ED-IF
• 500 mm f/4.0 P ED-IF
• 500 mm f/5.0 Reflex
• 500 mm f/8.0 Reflex
• 600 mm f/4.0 ED-IF
• 600 mm f/5.6 (lens head; requires CU-1 or AU-1 focus unit)
• 600 mm f/5.6 ED (lens head; requires CU-1 or AU-1 focus unit)
• 600 mm f/5.6 ED-IF
• 800 mm f/5.6 ED-IF
• 800 mm f/8.0 (lens head; requires CU-1 or AU-1 focus unit)
• 800 mm f/8.0 ED (lens head; requires CU-1 or AU-1 focus unit)
• 800 mm f/8.0 ED-IF
• 1000 mm f/6.3 Reflex
• 1000 mm f/11.0 Reflex
• 1200 mm f/11.0 (lens head; requires CU-1 or AU-1 focus unit)
• 1200 mm f/11.0 ED (lens head; requires CU-1 or AU-1 focus unit)
• 1200 mm f/11.0 ED-IF
• 2000 mm f/11.0 Reflex

Macro

• 45 mm f/2.8 ED PC-E Micro
• 55 mm f/2.8 Micro
• 55 mm f/3.5 Micro
• 55 mm f/4.0 UV Micro (prototype only)

• 85 mm f/2.8D PC Micro
• 85 mm f/2.8D PC-E Micro
• 105 mm f/4.5 UV Micro
• 105 mm f/4.0 (bellows lens)
• 105 mm f/4.0 Micro
• 105 mm f/2.8 Micro
• 135 mm f/4.0 (bellows lens)
• 200 mm f/4.0 IF Micro
• 200 mm f/4.0D ED-IF AF Micro

Series E lenses

• 28 mm f/2.8
• 35 mm f/2.5
• 50 mm f/1.8
• 100 mm f/2.8
• 135 mm f/2.8
• 36–72 mm f/3.5
• /4.0f
• 75–150 mm f/3.5

Perspective control (PC) lenses

Nikon PC lenses, like other perspective control lenses, offer adjustments that duplicate certain view camera movements. The 28mm and 35mm PC lenses support shifting the lens in relation to the film or sensor plane, while Nikon's 24mm, 45mm, and 85mm PC-E lenses also support tilting.

Nikon currently offers four different PC lenses for sale: the three PC-E Nikkors (2008), and the 85mm PC-Nikkor (1999). The 45 mm and 85 mm "Micro" lenses offer close focus (0.5 magnification) for

Nikon DSLR timeline (comparison)

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 Professional D1 D1X D2X D2Xs D3X D1H D2H D2Hs D3 D3S D4 D4S High-end D800 / D800E D810 / D810A Df Advanced D700 D750 D600 D610 Mid-range D100 D200 D300 D300S D70 D70s D80 D90 D7000 D7100 D7200 Upper-entry D50 D40X D60 D5000 D5100 D5200 D5300 D5500 Entry-level D40 D3000 D3100 D3200 D3300 Early models Nikon SVC (prototype; 1986) Nikon QV-1000C (1988) Nikon NASA F4 (1991) Nikon E2/E2S (1995) Nikon E2N/E2NS (1996) Nikon E3/E3S (1998) FX format (Full-frame) Without an AF motor (needs lenses with integrated motor) HD video / Video AF / Uncompressed Touchscreen (italic) See also: Nikon 1 / F-mount – Teleconverter – CX / DX format – Speedlight – Expeed

Nikon film SLR timeline
APS-format   Nikkorex with leaf shutter   Nikomat/Nikkormat  Manual Focus with electronic features (A mode) See also:

Nikon Nikkor lenses AF-S Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED Nikon AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED F series Nikon F 70-210mm lens Nikon F 70-300mm lens Nikon F 80-200mm lens Other lenses Nikon 1 Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 PD-Zoom Nikon AF DX Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G ED Nikkor 13mm f/5.6 Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70 mm f/3.3-4.5 Nikon AF Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8D PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED Lens Mounts Nikon 1-mount Nikon F-mount Related articles List of Nikon F-mount lenses with integrated autofocus motor Nikon F-mount teleconverter

• Technical information on the Nikon F-mount
• Nikkor lens acronyms explained
• Nikon Manual Focus Lens Versions
• Nikon Lens Positioning Map (Shows how Nikon positions their lenes and simulates how they work)
• Nikon Lens Database
• Nikon lens links

External links

References

• History of the single-lens reflex camera
• Full-frame digital SLR
• Nikon S-mount
• Nikon 1-mount
• List of Nikon F-mount lenses with integrated autofocus motors
• Lenses for SLR and DSLR cameras

See also

• Kiev Arsenal
  • Kiev 17
  • Kiev 19
  • Kiev 19M
  • Kiev 20
• Ricoh Singlex ^[16] (a.k.a. Sears SLII)

• Video cameras
  • JVC JY-HMQ30 (4K resolution)
  • Red One digital video camera (using Red F-mount)
  • Camera-like "adapters"
    • Redrock M2
    • Letus Extreme
    • Shoot35 SGpro
    • P+S Technik Mini35
    • Movietube

• Medium-format systems
  • Horseman DigiWide camera
  • Sinar "m" system (using 35mm Mirror Module)
• OpenReflex

• Kodak SLRs DCS series based on Nikon bodies, including:
  • Kodak DCS-100
  • Kodak DCS-200
  • Kodak NC2000 / NC2000e
  • Kodak DCS 315 / 330
  • Kodak DCS-410
  • Kodak DCS-420
  • Kodak DCS-460
  • Kodak DCS 620 / 620x
  • Kodak DCS 660 / 660M
  • Kodak DCS 720x
  • Kodak DCS 760
  • Kodak DCS Pro 14n
  • Kodak DCS Pro 14nx
  • Kodak DCS Pro SLR/n

• Canon M15P-CL Industrial Camera

• Fujifilm SLRs based on Nikon bodies, including:
  • FinePix S1 Pro
  • FinePix S2 Pro
  • FinePix S3 Pro
  • FinePix S5 Pro

• Nikon "F", "N", and "D" series SLR cameras.
• Nikkormat (Nikomat in Japan) "FT" and "EL" series SLR cameras.
• Nikon 1 series with FT1 adapter

Compatible cameras

Tokina

Tamron

Sigma

Samyang

• PC Super-Angulon 28 mm f/2.8
• PC-TS Super-Angulon 50 mm f/2.8 HM
• PC-TS Makro-Symmar 90 mm f/4.0 HM

Schneider Kreuznach

• 28–70 mm f/2.6 AF
• 35–70 mm f/2.5-3.3
• 70–210 mm f/3.5
• 180 mm f/2.3 DEM APO
• 200 mm f/2.8 DEM ED

Angénieux

Voigtländer

• MC TS Arsat 35mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift
• MC Peleng 8mm f/3.5
• MC Peleng 17mm f/2,8
• MC Arsat-H 50mm f/1,4
• MC ZOOM Arsat-M 80-200mm f/4,5
• APO Arsat-H 300mm f/2,8

Kiev-Arsenal

Kenko

Hartblei

CP.2 lenses are a series of Zeiss "CompactPrime" cinema lenses which present F-mount as one of three mounting options. The lenses cover the 36×24 mm area of the 35mm format or Nikon FX format, and lenses 28 mm and longer share a common T-stop (T/) of 2.1.

Zeiss CP.2

ZF is the original product line. ZF.2 lenses are CPU-enabled (similar to Nikon AI-P lenses) offering full metering compatibility with the full range of AF Nikon SLR cameras. ZF-I lenses add mechanical locks for focus and aperture, and additional environmental sealing, for industrial applications. ZF-IR lenses are adapted to infrared imaging, with coatings that transmit wavelengths up to 1100 nm, and focus scales marked for infrared.

Four design variations are designated ZF, ZF.2, ZF-I, and ZF-IR.

Zeiss ZF series lenses are manual-focus designs Nikon AI-S type aperture indexing. They are manufactured by Cosina to Zeiss specifications.

Zeiss ZF

• TC-1 (2.0x)
• TC-2 (2.0x)
• TC-200 (2.0x)
• TC-300 (2.0x)
• TC-201 (2.0x)
• TC-301 (2.0x)
• TC-14 (1.4x)
• TC-14A (1.4x)
• TC-14B (1.4x)
• TC-14C (1.4x) (supplied exclusively with Nikkor 300mm f/2 Ai-S IF-ED)
• TC-16 (1.6x) (F3AF only)
• TC-16A (1.6x)
• TC-20E (2.0x)
• TC-14E (1.4x)
• TC-14E II (1.4x)
• TC-14E III (1.4x)
• TC-17E II (1.7x)
• TC-20E II (2.0x)
• TC-20E III (2.0x)
• TC800-1.25E ED (1.25x) (supplied exclusively with Nikkor AF-S 800mm f/5.6 FL ED-IF VR N)

Teleconverters

Nikkor lenses designated AF-S or AF-I have integrated autofocus motors, but other manufacturers included in the list do not designate it as clearly. These lenses are needed for autofocus on certain newer low-end Nikon cameras which lack an autofocus motor. These are the Nikon D40, D40X, D60, D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500 and the Nikon 1 series with FT1 adapter.

Lenses with integrated autofocus motors

• 16–80 mm f/2.8–4E AF-S VR DX
• /3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DXf
• /3.5-5.6G AF-S VR DXf
• 18–55 mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR DX II
• /3.5-5.6G ED VRf
• 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
• /3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR DXf
• /3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR DX IIf
• 18–300 mm f/3.5-6.3G ED-IF AF-S VR DX
• /4-5.6G ED AF-S VR DXf
• 55–300 mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX

With VR

• 40 mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro

Macro

• 10–24 mm f/3.5-4.5 ED AF-S DX
• /4G ED-IF AF-S DXf
• 16–85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX
• 17–55 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX
• /3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DXf
• /3.5-5.6G ED AF-S II DXf
• /3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DXf
• 18–135 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX
• /4-5.6G ED AF-S DXf

DX format zooms

• 16–35 mm f/4G ED AF-S VR N
• 24–85 mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S VR
• 24–120 mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR
• 24–120 mm f/4G ED AF-S VR
• 28–300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR
• 70–200 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR
• 70–200 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR II
• 70–200 mm f/4G ED AF-S VR
• 70–300 mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR
• 80–400 mm f/4.5-5.6D ED AF VR
• 80–400 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR N

With VR

• 70–180 mm f/4.5-5.6 ED AF-D Micro (the only macro zoom lens for 35mm format)

Macro

• 14–24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S N
• /2.8 ED-IF AF-Sf
• /2.8G ED-IF AF-S DXf
• 18–35 mm f/3.5-4.5D ED-IF AF
• 18–35 mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S
• 20–35 mm f/2.8D IF
• 24–50 mm f/3.3-4.5 AF
• 24–50 mm f/3.3-4.5D AF
• /2.8G ED AF-S Nf
• 24–85 mm f/2.8-4D IF AF
• 24–85 mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S
• 24–120 mm f/3.5-5.6D AF
• 28–70 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S
• 28–70 mm f/3.5-4.5D AF
• 28–80 mm f/3.3-5.6G AF
• 28–85 mm f/3.5-4.5 AF
• 28–100 mm f/3.5-5.6G AF
• 28–105 mm f/3.5-4.5D AF
• 28–200 mm f/3.5-5.6D IF AF
• 28–200 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF
• 35–70 mm f/2.8 AF
• 35–70 mm f/2.8D AF
• /3.3-4.5 AFf
• 35–80 mm f/4-5.6D AF
• 35–105 mm f/3.5-4.5 AF
• 35–105 mm f/3.5-4.5D IF AF
• 35–135 mm f/3.5-4.5 AF
• 35–200 mm f/2.8D AF
• 55–200 mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED Lens
• /4 AFf
• /4-5.6 AFf
• /4-5.6D AFf
• /4-5.6D AFf
• /4-5.6D ED AFf
• /4-5.6G AFf
• 75–240 mm f/4.5-5.6D AF
• 75–300 mm f/4.5-5.6 AF
• /2.8D ED AFf
• /2.8D ED AF-Sf
• 80–200 mm f/4.5-5.6D AF

FX format zooms

Autofocus zoom lenses

• 85 mm Micro-Nikkor f/3.5 AF-S VR DX

With VR

• /2.8G ED AF DX Fisheyef
• /1.8G AF-S DXf
• 40 mm f/2.8G DX Micro-Nikkor

DX format primes

• /2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro Nf
• 200 mm f/2G ED-IF AF-S VR
• 200 mm f/2G ED-IF AF-S VR II N
• 200–400 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
• 200–400 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR II N
• 300 mm f/4E PF ED-IF AF-S VR N
• 300 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR
• 300 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR II N
• 400 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR N
• 400 mm f/2.8E FL ED-IF AF-S VR N
• 500 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR N
• 600 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR N
• 800 mm f/5.6E FL ED-IF AF-S VR N

With VR

• 55 mm f/2.8 AF Micro
• 60 mm f/2.8 AF Micro
• 60 mm f/2.8D AF Micro
• 60 mm f/2.8D AF-S G Micro N
• 105 mm f/2.8D AF Micro

Macro

• 35 mm f/1.4G AF-S N
• 35 mm f/1.8G ED AF-S
• 35 mm f/2.0 AF
• 35 mm f/2.0D AF
• 50 mm f/1.4 AF
• 50 mm f/1.4D AF
• 50 mm f/1.8 AF
• /1.8D AFf
• 50 mm f/1.4G AF-S
• 50 mm f/1.8G AF-S
• 58 mm f/1.4G AF-S N
• 80 mm f/2.8 AF (F3AF dedicated)
• 85 mm f/1.4D AF
• 85 mm f/1.4G AF-S N
• 85 mm f/1.8 AF
• 85 mm f/1.8D AF
• 85 mm f/1.8G AF-S
• 105 mm f/2.0D AF DC
• 135 mm f/2.0 AF DC
• 135 mm f/2.0D AF DC
• 180 mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF
• 180 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF
• 200 mm f/3.5 ED-IF AF (F3AF dedicated)
• 300 mm f/4 ED-IF AF
• 300 mm f/4D ED-IF AF-S
• 300 mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF
• 300 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-I
• 300 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S
• 300 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S II
• 400 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-I
• 400 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S
• 400 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S II
• 500 mm f/4D ED-IF AF-I
• 500 mm f/4D ED-IF AF-S
• 500 mm f/4D ED-IF AF-S II
• 600 mm f/4D ED-IF AF-I
• 600 mm f/4D ED-IF AF-S
• 600 mm f/4D ED-IF AF-S II

• 14 mm f/1.4D ED AF
• 14 mm f/2.8D ED AF
• 16 mm f/2.8D AF Full Frame Fisheye
• 18 mm f/2.8D AF
• 20 mm f/1.8G ED AF-S N
• 20 mm f/2.8 AF
• 20 mm f/2.8D AF
• 24 mm f/1.4G ED AF-S N
• 24 mm f/2.8 AF
• 24 mm f/2.8D AF
• 28 mm f/1.4D AF Aspherical
• 28 mm f/1.8G AF-S N
• 28 mm f/2.8 AF
• 28 mm f/2.8D AF

FX format primes

Autofocus prime lenses

Automatic focus lenses

• /2.8 EDf
• /4.0f
• /4.5f
• 85–250 mm f/4.0-4.5
• 100–300 mm f/5.6 Macro
• 180–600 mm f/8.0 ED
• 200–400 mm f/4.0 ED
• 200–600 mm f/9.5
• 360–1200 mm f/11.0 ED
• 1200–1700 mm f/5.6-8.0 P ED-IF

• 35–105 mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro
• 35–135 mm f/3.5-4.5
• 35–200 mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro
• 43–86 mm f/3.5
• 50–135 mm f/3.5 Macro
• 50–300 mm f/4.5
• 50–300 mm f/4.5 ED
• /4.5-5.6f

• 25–50 mm f/4.0
• 28–45 mm f/4.5
• 28–50 mm f/3.5 Macro
• 28–85 mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro
• 35–70 mm f/3.5
• 35–70 mm f/3.5 Macro
• 35–70 mm f/3.3-4.5
• 35–70 mm f/3.5-4.8
• 35–85 mm f/2.8-4.0 (prototype only)

Manual-focus zoom lenses

Lens	Intro	Aperture Range	Elements/ Groups	Focus	Stop-Down	Rotation / Click Stops	Max. Shift/Tilt	Shift Knob	Weight	Size (Diameter × Length)	Filter Thread	Photo
/3.5 PC-E Nikkorf[11]	2008	f/3.5–f/32	13/10	0.21m–∞	electronic	90° R/L / 30°	11.5mm/8.5°	metal	25.7 oz. (730g)	82.5mm × 108mm	77mm
28mm f/4 PC-Nikkor[12]	1975	f/4–f/22	10/8	0.3m–∞	manual	360°/30°	11mm/none	metal	14.5 oz. (410g)	78mm × 68mm	72mm
28mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor[13]	1981	f/3.5–f/22	9/8	0.3m–∞	manual	360°/30°	11mm/none	metal	13.5 oz. (382g)	78mm × 69mm	72mm
35mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor	1961	f/3.5–f/32	6/6	0.3m–∞	manual	360°/30°	11mm/none	metal	10.2 oz. (290g)	70mm × 52mm	52mm
35mm f/2.8 PC-Nikkor[14]	1968	f/2.8–f/32	8/7	0.3m–∞	manual	360°/30°	11mm/none	metal	11.6 oz. (330g)	70mm × 66.5mm	52mm
35mm f/2.8 PC-Nikkor[15]	1980	f/2.8–f/32	7/7	0.3m–∞	manual	360°/30°	11mm/none	plastic	11.3 oz. (320g)	62mm × 66.5mm	52mm
45 mm f/2.8D ED PC-E Nikkor	2008	f/2.8–f/32	9/8	0.253m–∞	Electronic	90° R/L / 30°	11.5mm/8.5° tilt	metal	740g	82mm x 112mm	77mm
85 mm f/2.8D PC* Micro-Nikkor	1999				Manual
85 mm f/2.8D PC-E Micro-Nikkor	2008				Electronic

Specifications

The 35mm PC-Nikkor did not meet the need of photographers for a wider-angle lens, so in July 1975 Nikon released the 28mm f/4 PC-Nikkor. In February 1981 Nikon released an improved version of this lens, the 28mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor, with a new optical design. This was the last of the completely manual PC-Nikkors to be offered.

^[10]/2.8 PC-Nikkor in which the shifting portion of the lens was further from the camera's body, in order to clear the new "Photomic" meters. The last optical redesign of this 35mm lens was released in 1980.f In July 1962,

History

/2.8D lens offers only preset aperture control, actuated mechanically by pressing a plunger. f