Dismantling the W-Nikkor 3.5cm f/3.5!!!

[richardHaw]

http://richardhaw.com/2017/04/02/repair-w-nikkor-3-5cm-f3-5/

OK, this is the first of the many S-mount related articles to come
I do not know if anybody is interested in this but I do hope that this reach somebody in need
I hope that you find this useful, if not entertaining at least

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Tiny yet capable lens: the 3.5 cm f/3.5 W-Nikkor in a nutshell. I have it in several versions, including the late black.

It is also quite capable for UV photography if your interest show that inclination.

Thanks for the tear-down, interesting to see the inside of those old gems.

[richardHaw]

Tiny yet capable lens: the 3.5 cm f/3.5 W-Nikkor in a nutshell. I have it in several versions, including the late black.

It is also quite capable for UV photography if your interest show that inclination.

Thanks for the tear-down, interesting to see the inside of those old gems.

Thanks! I am not eyeing on a cheap 3.5/1.8 but these seem to be on the expensive side lately

[Bjørn Rørslett]

I have the f/2.5 and f/1.8 versions too .... As their maximum aperture becomes faster, the ability to shoot in UV declines. However, in terms of sharpness, the f/3.5 is better than the f/2.5, and the f/1.8 is better than both of them.

[richardHaw]

I have the f/2.5 and f/1.8 versions too .... As their maximum aperture becomes faster, the ability to shoot in UV declines. However, in terms of sharpness, the f/3.5 is better than the f/2.5, and the f/1.8 is better than both of them.

Yes, I heard that the 1.8 is a great Leica alternative 

[Roland Vink]

Your lens is early, it is marked "Nippon Kogaku Tokyo" not "Japan".

[richardHaw]

Your lens is early, it is marked "Nippon Kogaku Tokyo" not "Japan".

yes, but I was hoping for the MIOJ one 

[Roland Vink]

There are at least 123 lenses in the first series with 612xxx serial numbers.
At least 1810 in the second series with 910xxx numbers.
And at least another 1110 lenses at the start of the 42xxxx series
So overall there must be around 3000 MIOJ, maybe more, should be easy to find

[richardHaw]

There are at least 123 lenses in the first series with 612xxx serial numbers.
At least 1810 in the second series with 910xxx numbers.
And at least another 1110 lenses at the start of the 42xxxx series
So overall there must be around 3000 MIOJ, maybe more, should be easy to find

they are, but very expensive

by the way, I just got a 135 tickmark for $12 

[Roland Vink]

Good score! I have 5cm and 10.5cm tick marks, both from sellers who didn't know what they were so they were cheap, but not were that low. Both have seen plenty of use, but still in good shape and perfectly functional.

Getting back to the 3.5cm f/3.5, my figures above assume the serial numbers are continuous, when in fact there may be gaps and I guess many have been lost or destroyed over the years, so they may be rarer after all. Many were also made in M39 mount for Leica cameras so the number available for Contax or Nikon rangefinders will be even less.

[richardHaw]

you are correct! if you consider the L39 and C versions there are even less 

I have overhauled 2 early versions now and there are many internal differences, things that you will not notice unless you open the thing up

[Roland Vink]

Robert Rotoloni (who wrote the Nikon rangefinder books) notes that early rangefinder lenses are very heavy, made with a lot of brass components. Over the years the lenses became lighter as aluminium was used instead. As well as new materials, I'm sure the internal design and construction also changed.