Nikon NIKKOR-H Auto 1:2 f=50mm Nippon Kogaku Non-Ai Lens (f/2)

Review of the Nikon NIKKOR-H Auto 1:2 f=50mm Nippon Kogaku Non-Ai Lens (f/2).

Overall Rating:

In 1964, Nikon redesigned their NIKKOR-S f=5cm 1:2 lens to have one fewer elements at six and dropping the price from $110 to $88 thereby making it more affordable to get into the Nikon F system. It was a Guassian type with six elements in four groups. The H in NIKKOR-H stands for Hex, or six.

This design endured for 15 years, ending in 1979. In total, over 1.25 million of these lenses were produced. That's a lot of lenses!

This particular lens has a scalloped, wider focus collar and a chrome nose. It is made in Japan and marked in feet and meters. It stops down to f/16 using a six-bladed diaphragm. This is a pre-Ai lens meaning it will NOT work on most modern Nikon cameras. It has depth of field and focus scales. It is single-coated and was replaced with the otherwise-identical NIKKOR-H•C version which was multicoated.

This lens is an outstanding performer and a real bargain on the used market.

The bokeh may not be fantastic, but it is not too bad.

Flaring and ghosting are well controlled.

Unlike its predecessor, this lens draws a clean infrared image even at f/16.

By f/8, diffraction has begun.

Using Teleconverters

The teleconverters used with this lens are all Ai/Ai-S teleconverters because, though this lens was originally Pre-Ai, the one being reviewed as been Ai-converted using a Nikon Ai-kit.

The 1.4× teleconverters are a joy to use as the results are acceptable and, at f/2.8, their is still enough light to easily focus using liveview.

Focal length: 50mm
Maximum aperture: f/2
Minimum aperture: f/16
ø52mm filter ring
Lens construction: 6 lens elements in 4 groups
Picture angle: 46°
Distance scale: 0.6m/2ft. to infinity with infrared focus index
1:9.7 (0.1×) reproduction ratio
Price: $88 (USD) (1965)

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