Nikon 85/2 Nikkor Black

While the Nikkor 85/2 chrome is relatively common, the same lens in black is very hard to find. The earlier chrome 85/2 was a sales leader until the 105/2.5 was introduced and sent 85/2 sales into a tail spin. Towards the end of rangefinder production, the heavier chrome lens was replaced by the much lighter black 85/2.  This later lens is a real pleasure to shoot.  It's a favorite of mine.

The 85/2 was one of the five original Nikon lenses, starting in 1948 with the Nikon One.  For years, until the introduction of the 105/2.5 in late 1953, it was the ONLY Nikon portrait lens.   The 85/2   was made in three mounts: Nikon, the very similar but different Contax mount, and Leica screw mount. The Contax mount lenses  look just like the Nikon mount,  but have a large engraved "C" on the lens barrel. The chrome version is very well made, but very heavy.    The earliest lenses are "MIOJ" or Made in Occupied Japan.  They are so marked on the side of the lens barrel, or on the rear of the focusing cam.   These markings, along with the earlier "Nippon Kogaku Tokyo" was later replaced with "Nippon Kogaku Japan" on the lens filter ring.   The large majority of 85/2 rangefinder Nikkors were  made in a heavy, well finished chrome mount. 

Two different black 85/2's were produced towards the end of Nikon Rangefinder production.     I've encountered only about one black lens out of 25 to 30 chrome ones.   Of the black lenses,  about 95% of them seem to be the later version.  The first black version is VERY rare in any mount.    Remember you can use even the earliest 1948 Leica mount 85/2 lens on your new M6 just by adding a standard Leitz screw to bayonet adapter.

The optical formula of the 85/2 apparently remained the same throughout its life, a modified 85/2 Zeiss Sonnar design.  However, the later lenses do have a different and presumably improved coating.    The 85/2  enjoyed an excellent  reputation as an outstanding lens.   For years until the introduction of the 105/2.5, it was THE portrait lens of the Nikon system.    All 85/2's rangefinder Nikkors have the same 48mm  filter size and close focus distance,  3.5 feet.  Like most Nikon rangefinder lenses, turn the lens and the body helical to infinity before mounting or dismounting lenses.

2nd Version 85/2 with the wider barrel knurling 

About the time the SP was introduced in 1957,   the  85/2 was changed  to a more "modern" black and chrome finish.  There are  two versions of the black  85/2 Nikkor.    They can be recognized by different barrel knurling designs.  The  first version is harder to find than the second.    Shown above is the first version 85/2 black on the left, the 2nd version on the right.   The first version has noticeably finer barrel knurling.

There are three basic 85/2 shades in a number of  variations.  Shown are the chrome/black shade, split in two for filter placement, and the late snap on shade.  Not shown is the all chrome shade for the earlier chrome 85/2's.  All 85/2 shades, whether early or late, fit all 85/2 RF Nikkors, regardless of version or mount.

• An all chrome screw in two piece shade.   These earlier shades  come apart to take Series VII filters.  When stored in reversed position on the lens,  48 mm female screw in cap was used.  The earlier ones are chrome, the later ones were black proclaiming "Nippon Kogaku Tokyo."  The interesting thing is that since this was a female threaded cap, like the female threaded lens, the cap could only be used with the shade in reversed position.  Since it doesn't fit the lens directly, many have been separated over the years from the lenses and occupy mystery positions in the proverbial camera store micl box. 
• A chrome and black push on shade which unscrews to take Series VII filters. Push on cap which will not fit directly on the lens. 

• The last and best snap on black shade,   made especially for the black 85/2.   Since the snap on hood is rare, I suggest using the push on version or another manufacturer's shade rather than to risk losing it.   This hood   used the snap on 48 m lens cap when stored on the lens in reversed position,  the same cap as  the 35/1.8.   Unfortunately, original  caps are hard to find and easy to lose.   I  shoot with  generic front caps for my Nikon Rangefinder outfit, to avoid the loss of hard to find original caps.

 35/1.8, 50/1.4, 85/2, 105/2.5

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.