Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4 discussion and variants comparison.

[richardHaw]

That would be the C type (Nikkor-S.C), which is the first series with multicoating. As far as I know, the C and K types have the same coatings.

Before that is the Nikkor-S, with amber coloured coating on the front lens. This is typical of single-coated lenses (along with pale pink on the Nikkor-H 28/3.5 and Nikkor-Q 200/4, and light blue on the Nikkor-Q 135/3.5)

Hello, Roland.

looks like amber is pretty common for earlier Nikkors the colour is also affected by how thick the lens element is I assume due to optical illusions caused by refraction.

Check your mail (I found something funny inside the lens)

[David H. Hartman]

guessing coating information can be tough as well because some people swap the elements without even indicating it when they sell it

Is swapping elements some kind of practical joke or is it like a Chinese Air Raid Drill?

Dave Hartman

I saw a Chinese Air Raid Drill once in Glendale, CA. All the kids in the car jumped out, ran around the car and jumped back in. The Glendale P.D. swooped in with red and blue lights flashing, **Meanies. I don't recall if all or even some of the participants were Chinese. I think in California all are welcomed to practice. I went back to making a fool of myself trying to play tennis.

**Blue

[richardHaw]

Hi, David.

Some people swap elements because the original lens might have a bad coating so they salvage the parts needed to fix their own lens and then they sell the host lens without indicating that it was used for such. everybody has very different standards of morality when it comes to this, for me it is a no-no

[Erik Lund]

This would be interesting, but in order to be accurate, the serial number would have to linked to the observed sample, and the light source would have to be specified.  Also, color perception varies between people.

No need for singe serial # identification, just general notes also just a general colour appearance is fine, keep it simple, no need to take this to the extreme!

It would make it easy to spot the odd modified sample here and there also a rough guide to performance in difference aspects.

[John Geerts]

Is swapping elements some kind of practical joke or is it like a Chinese Air Raid Drill?

Happens more than you think. Especially with easy  screw off elements in  the back of the 35/2 and 50/2 for instance.  I swapped one in my 50/2 H which was beyond repair, with a clean one of the 50/2 AI (were the front element was severely damaged)   Should I ever sell the 50/2 H, it seems logical to mention the swap.

[ArendV]

I have the S version with 7 aperture blades (and without C), here is a shot @f/2


Lily of the Nile 3 by Arend, on Flickr

[Erik Lund]

I would guess that there is a higher chance in winning the lottery than picking up a lens with a donated lens element,,, 

[Steven Paulsen]

I wonder if this lens is one with double coatings?

Dave

My 50/1.4 has a rubber focus ring & serial # 2817671. My assumption that it is the version Mr. R reviewed on his previous site.
(Boy, it's a bugger to focus wide open & get it right.)

As far as installing a split prism.... The span of my most modern camera bodies are a D700 & D7100. (I'm also a big fan of the Kodak SLR/n.)

I often think of upgrading, however it's murky, at best which 24-36mp FF body to employ. Cost & reliability are a major concern. I often consider the D7100 as an over-pixeled, "turd."

[Airy]

Df is the answer, maybe.

[richardHaw]

I would guess that there is a higher chance in winning the lottery than picking up a lens with a donated lens element,,, 

i got it 2x

135mm f/3.5
5.8cm f/1.4

it must be because i usually get these from the junkyard

[richardHaw]

OK, this is an early K-type but I wasn't aware of this type until yesterday

it's basically the same as the last version of the Nikkor-S (S.C) so I am including it here.

engineering is the same you can even use the old Nikkor-S teardown that I made almost a year ago for it

https://richardhaw.com/2016/01/23/project-nikkor-s-50mm-f1-4/

I am thinking that Nikon just needs something to sell under the New-Nikkor (K) branding until a new one came along.

[richardHaw]

here it is beside the 2nd K version which is the same as the Ai version basically

[John Geerts]

Very intersting read again, Richard.

I have the 50/1.4 S auto from '67 and it won't focus at the moment, because these tiny screws broke down (to connect to the focus ring), so I need new ones.  From your text:  "Be sure that you have marked where these screws were originally because these same screws are in charge of where your infinity mark is placed."    Do you know perhaps were you can obtain these small screws. ? 

[richardHaw]

Very intersting read again, Richard.

I have the 50/1.4 S auto from '67 and it won't focus at the moment, because these tiny screws broke down (to connect to the focus ring), so I need new ones.  From your text:  "Be sure that you have marked where these screws were originally because these same screws are in charge of where your infinity mark is placed."    Do you know perhaps were you can obtain these small screws. ?

Hello, John!
Did they snap or they won't screw properly in place anymore? If the threads are bad maybe it needs to be re-tapped. If the screws are indeed bad, you just need to find a flat head M1.4 screw of the right pitch and you should be OK. I have a pack here of replacement screws but they are (+) but it should not matter anyway. You can buy a set from ebay let me check the pitch first and I shall get back to you.

[John Geerts]

They snapped Richard. I presume one of the previous owners had already a repair on it. When I opened up the front ring and unscrewed the remaining two an extra screwhole appeared next to the screw. I managed to get the screws out, the head of the screws was broken off. So all three screws are unusable. The screws are pretty small. I have no idea about the size.