Nikkor 5cm (50mm) f/2 Lens
The Nikon 5cm f/2 is a lens from Nikon. Used copies start from $232.56 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Nikkor 5cm (50mm) f/2 Lens
Used Nikon 5cm f/2 Listings on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Nikon 5cm f/2
Key Features — Nikon 5cm f/2
50mm f/2 Maximum Aperture: A reasonably wide opening for a 1950s-era optic, suitable for available-light shooting and modest background separation.
Nikon S Rangefinder Mount: Originally fitted with the Nikon S rangefinder mount for use on Nikon S-series cameras, not the F-mount. Requires an adapter for use on F-mount or modern bodies.
1950s Rangefinder Heritage: Originally designed for Nikon S rangefinder use, this lens represents one of Nikon's earliest 35mm optics and carries genuine collectible value.
Manual Focus Only: Fully manual focusing gives photographers direct, tactile control over the focus ring with no electronic components to fail.
35mm Film Format Coverage: Designed to cover the full 35mm frame, making it usable on both film and full-frame digital bodies with an appropriate adapter.
Compact, Lightweight Build: A small, lightweight prime that adds minimal bulk — typical of the compact rangefinder lens designs of the 1950s.
Lens Specifications — Nikon 5cm f/2
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Portrait, Street, Creative Effects |
| Lens Mount | Nikon S |
| Focus Type | Manual Focus |
Description — Nikon 5cm f/2
The Nikkor 5cm (50mm) f/2 is a vintage manual focus prime lens built for the 35mm film format and equipped with the Nikon F mount. Manufactured during the 1950–1959 decade, this lens carries the character and craftsmanship of early Nikon optical engineering, originally conceived for rangefinder camera systems. Its mechanical shutter type and fully manual operation make it a hands-on shooting experience that appeals to film photographers and vintage lens enthusiasts alike.
Weighing in at 200–250 grams, the lens is compact and practical to carry. The f/2 maximum aperture provides a solid starting point for available-light shooting on film. For collectors and photographers who appreciate the history behind their gear, the Nikkor 5cm f/2 is a genuine artifact from the foundational years of Nikon's camera system, offered here on the Nikon F mount for broad compatibility with F-mount camera bodies.
Pros — Nikon 5cm f/2
- ✓Nikon F mount provides compatibility with a wide range of Nikon F-mount camera bodies
- ✓Maximum aperture of f/2 offers a reasonably wide opening for a lens of its vintage era
- ✓Manual focus design gives the photographer direct, tactile control over focusing
Cons — Nikon 5cm f/2
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus capability for modern shooting workflows
- ✗Originally designed as a rangefinder lens, which may affect performance or fit on certain modern camera bodies
- ✗No weather sealing information available in the specifications
Videos — Nikon 5cm f/2
THE SHARPEST NIKON LENS EVER! | 50mm f/2 | Nikon Nikkor H Auto | (ca. 1965) | Vintage Lens Review — Ryan Ellis