Nikon 25/4 Nikkor 

 The 25/4 Nikkor was introduced in 1953 when super wides were far and few between.  To this day, it remains the only 25 Nikkor.  While it is not a great  performer by today's standards, it still produces good images. The most amazing thing is how small the 25/4 is. It protrudes only about 3/8 of an inch from the camera.   The knurled tab sets the  f/stops.    Unlike most Nikon Rangefinder lenses, the 25/4 can be focused ONLY using the focusing wheel.   The helical rotates inside lens barrel,  while the outer barrel remains fixed.   The very small size and light weight make it a joy to shoot.

The 25/4 Nikkor came complete in its own special case with:

• The lens itself
• A deep rear cap designed just for this lens
• A bayonet front cap, again designed just for this lens
• A 25mm Viewfinder
• A bayonet lens hood taking Series VII filters
• A red velvet lined cradle for the finder to sit on inside the lens case
• A small leather insert that holds the lens shade
• Unfortunately Nikkor 25's are often found with its elegant lens kit missing or incomplete.   When something is missing, the collector's value is substantially reduced.

The 25/4 Nikkor is amazingly small, protruding out only about 3/8" from the body.  The lens shade is elegantly designed with a bayonet mount which attaches to the two bayonet lugs on the lens barrel.  Woe to you if you lose the special bayonet shade, bayonet lens cap, or for that matter any part of the 25/4  lens kit -- parts are very difficult to replace.   The shade unscrewed to take a Series VII filter.  The lens has F/stops down to f/22 and a close focus distance of 3.5 feet.   It is a simple four element symmetrical optical design, which appears to be a copy of the East German Zeiss 25/4 Topogon for Contax rangefinders, introduced in 1950.  Like most Nikon rangefinder lenses, turn the lens and the body helical to infinity before mounting or dismounting lenses.

Three versions:

• Chrome Nikon RF mount - approximately 1000 
• Black  Nikon RF mount - approximately 1500  
• Chrome Leica Screw mount - unknown production, but probably only a few hundred, if that

Although the chrome Nikon mount is rarer, the black version commands  higher prices due to collector preference.    The Leica Screw mount 25/4 was made only in chrome, with a screw in shade instead of the bayonet.    I once bought one with a Leica bayonet adapter, for $20 out of a dealer's junk box. Bargains await the sharp eyed.   

   

The 25 Nikkor finder is not a brightline, and has a rather small field of view.  25 finders for the Leica screw mount version had a "L" engraved on the bottom of the shoe.  For shooting, a modern brightline like the 25 Voigtlander is a far better choice.

Due to the extreme rarity and high prices of the Nikkor 21/4, the 25 is likely to be the widest Nikkor most of us will ever own for our Black SP with Motordrive.

Revised: November 25, 2003 .  Copyright © 1998-2002  Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved.    This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind.  Information in this document is subject to change without notice.  Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.