Nikon Nikkor Non-AI 35mm f/2.8 S Auto Lens
The Nikon 35mm f/2.8 S Auto is a lens from Nikon. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Nikon Nikkor Non-AI 35mm f/2.8 S Auto Lens
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Lens Overview — Nikon 35mm f/2.8 S Auto
Key Features — Nikon 35mm f/2.8 S Auto
35mm Wide-Angle Prime: A 35mm focal length on 35mm film format delivers a natural, slightly wide perspective well-suited to street, documentary, and everyday photography.
f/2.8 Maximum Aperture: Provides solid light gathering for available-light shooting and allows for moderate background separation on a 35mm frame.
Nikon F Mount: Compatible with the long-running Nikon F-mount system, allowing physical use on a wide range of Nikon SLR bodies, both film and digital.
Non-AI Designation: Represents an early pre-AI Nikkor design from the 1960s; metering coupling is not supported on most modern bodies without adaptation or camera modification.
Manual Focus Operation: Fully manual focus ring puts precise focus control in the photographer's hands, as was standard for precision SLR work of the era.
1960s Vintage Construction: All-metal build typical of Nikon's early F-mount lenses, reflecting the robust mechanical craftsmanship of the period.
Lens Specifications — Nikon 35mm f/2.8 S Auto
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Street, Travel, Portrait |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| Focus Type | Manual Focus |
Description — Nikon 35mm f/2.8 S Auto
The Nikon Nikkor Non-AI 35mm f/2.8 S Auto is a manual focus wide-angle prime lens built on the Nikon F mount, manufactured during the 1960s. Designed for 35mm film format SLR cameras, it pairs a 35mm focal length with an f/2.8 maximum aperture, giving it solid versatility as a wide-angle option for film photographers. Operating with a mechanical shutter system and fully manual focus, this lens demands hands-on engagement from the shooter — a quality many vintage photography enthusiasts actively seek out.
Weighing between 200 and 250 grams, it is a manageable and portable lens for its era. The Non-AI designation is an important consideration for buyers: this reflects the pre-AI coupling design from Nikon's early F-mount history, and metering compatibility should be verified against the intended camera body before purchase. For collectors, film shooters, and students of photographic history, this lens represents an authentic example of 1960s Nikon optical craftsmanship.
Pros — Nikon 35mm f/2.8 S Auto
- ✓Nikon F mount provides broad physical compatibility with F-mount camera bodies
- ✓35mm focal length on 35mm film format makes it a versatile wide-angle prime
- ✓f/2.8 maximum aperture offers solid light gathering for a lens of this vintage era
Cons — Nikon 35mm f/2.8 S Auto
- ✗Non-AI designation limits full metering compatibility with many modern Nikon bodies
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus capability for faster-paced shooting situations
- ✗No weather sealing information available in specifications
Videos — Nikon 35mm f/2.8 S Auto
Nikon non-AI, AI and AIS manual focus lenses. What's the difference? — Jonathan Harris at Worldwide Camera Exchange