Nikon F-mount

Nikon F-mount

The Nikon F of 1959 embodies the original F-mount.
Type	Bayonet
External diameter	44 mm
Tabs	3
Flange	46.5 mm

The Nikon F-mount is a type of interchangeable lens mount developed by Nikon for its 35mm format Single-lens reflex cameras. The F-mount was first introduced on the Nikon F camera in 1959, and features a three-lug bayonet mount with a 44 mm throat and a flange to focal plane distance of 46.5 mm. The company continues to use variations of the same lens mount specification for its film and digital SLR cameras.

History

The Nikon F-mount is one of only two SLR lens mounts (the other being the Pentax K-mount) which were not abandoned by their associated manufacturer upon the introduction of autofocus, but rather extended to meet new requirements related to metering, autofocus, and aperture control. The large variety of F-mount compatible lenses makes it the largest system of interchangeable flange-mount photographic lenses in history. Over 400 different Nikkor lenses are compatible with the system. The F-mount is also popular in scientific and industrial applications, most notably machine vision. The F-mount has been in production for over five decades, making it the only SLR lens mount which has been produced for over 50 years.

System of lenses

In addition to Nikon's own range of "Nikkor" lenses, brands of F-mount photographic lenses include Zeiss, Voigtländer, Schneider, Angénieux, Samyang, Sigma, Tokina, Tamron, Hartblei, Kiev-Arsenal, Lensbaby, and Vivitar. F-mount cameras include current models from Nikon, Fujifilm, Sinar, JVC, Kenko and Horseman. Numerous other manufacturers employ the F-mount in non-photographic imaging applications.

Compatibility

The F-mount has a significant degree of both backward and forward compatibility. Many current autofocus F-mount lenses can be used on the original Nikon F, and the earliest manual-focus F-mount lenses of the 1960s and early 1970s can, with some modification, still be used to their fullest on all professional-class Nikon cameras. Incompatibilities do exist, however, and adventurous F-mount users should consult product documentation in order to avoid problems. For example, many electronic camera bodies cannot meter without a CPU enabled lens, the aperture of G designated lenses cannot be controlled without an electronic camera body, and non-AI lenses (manufactured prior to 1977) can cause mechanical damage to later model bodies unless they are modified to meet the AI specification. Many manual focus lenses can be converted to allow metering with consumer Nikon bodies by adding a Dandelion chip to the lens.^[1]

The Nikon D7000 reveals a modern F-mount design, including aperture lever (left), CPU contacts (top), and mechanical AF linkage (lower left).

The flange of a current F-mount lens, including aperture lever (upper left) and CPU contacts (bottom).

Nikon F-mount dimensions

Image circle

Most Nikon F-mount lenses cover the standard 36×24 mm area of 35mm format and the Nikon FX format, while DX designated lenses cover the 24×16 mm area of the Nikon DX format, and industrial F-mount lenses have varying coverage. DX lenses may produce vignetting when used on film and FX cameras. However, Nikon lenses designed for film cameras will work on Nikon digital system cameras with the limitations noted above.

Mounting and control rings

Unlike most other lens mounts, F-mount lenses lock by turning counter-clockwise (when looking at the front of lens) and unlock clockwise. Nearly all F-mount lenses have zoom and focus controls that rotate in the clockwise direction (as viewed from behind the camera) to increase focal length and focus distance respectively. This convention is also used in Pentax K-mount and Sony A-mount lenses but is opposite of the direction normally used by Canon. F-mount lenses also typically have aperture rings that turn clockwise to close.

Compatible lenses

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Nikkor

Designations

Nikon has introduced many proprietary designations for F-mount Nikkor lenses, reflecting design variations and developments both in lenses and the F-mount itself. There are also "unofficial" designations used by collectors and dealers to differentiate similar lenses.

Pre-autofocus

Nikon F professional SLR camera with eyelevel prism and early NIKKOR-S Auto 1,4 f=5,8cm lens (1959)

A typical F-type ("Pre-AI") lens, the Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4 showing "Nippon Kogaku Japan" engravings, scalloped-metal focus ring, and old-style Meter Coupling Prong (clearly visible to the top right of photo).

Nikon F2SB professional SLR camera with GN Auto Nikkor 1:2,8 f=45mm AI lens

A typical AI lens: A Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4 showing "Nikon" engravings, rubber focus ring, and new-style Meter Coupling Prong distinguished by its cutaway sections. The lens is mounted on a Nikon FE2 camera.

A — Auto Nikkor (also unofficially F, Pre-AI, Non-AI or NAI) — Designation for the first generation of F-mount lenses, introduced in 1959. These were all single-coated, and meter coupling was provided by a prong (known as the Meter Coupling Prong) fixed to the lens's aperture ring. The Photomic T through-the-lens light meter introduced in 1965 worked at full aperture, so the maximum aperture of the lens had to be communicated to the meter by mounting the lens with the aperture ring set to f/5.6, and then turning the ring to first the minimum and then the maximum apertures. (The need for this step was eliminated by the AI system below.) Early versions are marked "Nippon Kogaku Japan" and have their focal lengths stated in centimetres, but models produced after about 1965 have focal lengths stated in millimetres. The "Nippon Kogaku Japan" engraving was replaced by "Nikon" from 1971 onwards.
Warning: Mounting a non-AI lens can damage many modern Nikon camera bodies. AI-cameras that still may use non-AI lenses includes the Nikon F2A/F2AS with Photomic A (DP-11) or AS (DP-12) finder, Nikon (Nikkormat) EL2, as well as Nikon FM and FE. In addition, the Nikon Df, a DSLR introduced in late 2013, can use non-AI lenses.^[2] The A lenses can be converted to the AI specification; see AI'd below.

T, Q, P, H, S, O, N, UD, QD, PD — Appears immediately before or after the "Nikkor" name on F-type lenses (see above), designating the number of optical elements in the design. Short for Tres (3), Quattuor (4), Penta (5), Hex (6), Septem (7), Octo (8), Novem (9), UnDecim (11), QuattuorDecim (14) and Penta-Decem (15).^[3] The terms Unus (1) and Bini (2) were also apparently designated, but never used. Terms P=Penta, H=Hexa, and PD=Penta-Decem (Greek root) were used (instead of Quinque, Sex, and QuinDecim) to avoid ambiguity with Quattuor, Septem and QuattuorDecim. This designation scheme was dropped with the introduction of "Modern" (K-type) Nikkors in 1974.

Auto — Designation for F-type lenses indicating an automatic diaphragm (aperture). Not to be confused with automatic exposure or auto focus, the designation fell out of use in the early 1970s and was not carried onto K-type lenses.

C — Indicates a multicoated F-type lens. Appears with an interpunct after the number of optical elements (in the form "Nikkor-X·C"). This designation was introduced in 1971 and discontinued in 1974 with the introduction of "Modern" (K-type) Nikkors, when multicoating had become standard practice.

K — "Modern" or "New" Nikkors introduced in 1974. While Pre-AI for compatibility purposes, K-type lenses introduced the new cosmetics that would be used from 1977 onwards for AI-type lenses (see below). The scalloped-metal focus rings were replaced with rubber grip insets, and the use of element number and coating designations was discontinued. The 'K' designation itself is believed to be derived from the Japanese "konnichi-teki", loosely translatable as "modern" or "contemporary".

AI — Manual focus with "Automatic Maximum-Aperture Indexing," introduced in 1977. The AI standard adds a Meter Coupling Ridge to the aperture ring, which encodes the current aperture setting relative to the maximum, and a Lens Speed Indexing Post on the mounting flange, which encodes the maximum aperture itself. The Ridge and Post couple to the camera's light meter. Lenses designated AI-S, Series E, and AF all include these features of AI. Current professional Nikon camera bodies link with the Meter Coupling Ridge, but the Lens Speed Indexing Post is ignored and the maximum aperture value is set electronically by the operator instead. AI-designated lenses also improved on the original Meter Coupling Prong, adding cutaways which allow more ambient light to fall on the aperture ring, increasing visibility on cameras which optically projected the setting inside the viewfinder.

AI'd — An unofficial designation for lenses converted partially (Meter Coupling Ridge only) or completely from non-AI to AI. This is accomplished by replacing the aperture ring and the metering prong (using a long-discontinued kit procured from Nikon) or by modifying the original part. Some independent camera repair technicians continue to offer such conversions.

AI-S — The successor to AI, the AI-S specification added two mechanical enhancements — standardized aperture control, and the Focal Length Indexing Ridge — required for the shutter priority and other auto-aperture exposure modes of the Nikon FA, F-301/N2000, F-501/N2020, and F4 cameras. Later cameras did not require these features, and interoperate with AI and AI-S lenses identically. The term AI-S is now commonly used to refer to manual focus lenses, and Nikon continues to produce eight prime lens models in its AI-S line. All Nikon AF lenses with aperture rings (non-G) also meet the AI-S specification, except for their lack of a Meter Coupling Prong (which can be added).
- Standardized aperture control. AI-S lens apertures move in a standardized fashion in relation to their stop-down levers. The levers of AI and pre-AI lenses were intended only to close the aperture to its manual setting. The advance of aperture control by the camera body itself, by partial actuation of the stop-down lever, meant more precision was required for consistent exposure. This feature is indicated by a Lens Type Signal notch in the lens mount. Although later Nikon cameras cannot control the apertures of AI-S lenses as the F4, they control the apertures of AF lenses using the same method of partial lever actuation and standardized response.
- Focal Length Indexing Ridge. AI-S lenses with a focal length of 135mm or longer are indicated by a ridge on the lens mount, used by FA, F-501, and F4 to engage high-speed-biased Program Autoexposure.

Electromechanical and data communication

AF — The original autofocus designation, indicating focus driven by a motor inside the camera body. All AF lenses have an integrated CPU (microprocessor). Used in the form "AF Nikkor", this should not confused with the original autofocus lenses for the F3AF camera, which were designated "AF-Nikkor" and are considered predecessors to AF-I lenses.

AF-D — Designation for an AF lens (as above) with "D" functionality (see "D" below).

AF-I — Autofocus-Internal. Driven by a coreless DC motor. Used only in long telephoto lenses (300 mm f/2.8 through 600 mm f/4.0) starting in 1992. Replaced with AF-S in 1996.

AF-S — Autofocus-Silent. Uses a "Silent Wave Motor" (SWM) (ultrasonic motor) to focus quietly and quickly. Similar to Canon's "USM" technology. Introduced in 1996.

AF-N — Indicates the "New" version of an AF lens. The change from plastic focus rings on early AF lenses to the a new "rubber inset focus ring" (RIFR) is often indicated by the AF-N designation.

CPU — Central Processing Unit. The lens is fitted with electrical contacts for digital communication with the camera. All AF and AI-P lenses are CPU lenses. Some non-professional Nikon cameras require CPU lenses for metered operation. This designation appears in specifications but not lens names.

D — Distance. Indicated after the f-number in the name, and also occasionally designated AF-D. The lens electronically communicates focus distance information, which is incorporated into the camera's exposure calculations in 3D Matrix Metering mode, and also D-TTL and I-TTL flash autoexposure. All AF-I, AF-S, and G-type lenses are also D-type.

E or PC-E — Electromagnetic diaphragm. The aperture diaphragm of an E lens is controlled digitally by the camera, and actuated electromagnetically by a system housed within the lens, rather than employing the F-mount's traditional mechanical diaphragm linkage. Currently this system appears only in certain Perspective Control lenses, designated PC-E (with designs that preclude a mechanical linkage), the AF-S 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR, and the AF-S 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR. The E feature is only supported by the Nikon D3 and newer cameras. PC-E lenses require manual diaphragm operation on other cameras. Not to be confused with Series E lenses.

G — Designation for lenses without an aperture ring, indicated after the f-number in the name. G lenses retain the mechanical diaphragm coupling of other Nikkors, but the aperture setting can only be controlled by the camera body. Only autofocus bodies with command dials are capable of controlling G lenses. Older autofocus bodies will work with G lenses in shutter priority and program modes with full opened aperture.^[4]^[5] Some recent G lenses feature a weatherproofing gasket around the mounting flange. G lenses otherwise have the same characteristics as D lenses.

P or AI-P — "AI with Program." CPU-enabled variation of AI-S. Includes only the 45/2.8P, 500/4P and 1200-1700/5.6-8P Nikkor lenses. Zeiss ZF.2 and Voigtländer SL Ⅱ lenses are also AI-P designs, although they are not designated as such. Not to be confused with early lenses marked "Nikkor-P" meaning a 5-element lens (see pre-autofocus designations above).

Optical design

Aspherical — Aspheric lens elements. Also Hybrid used: Thin molded aspheric elements coupled to a conventional glass element. This designation appears in specifications but not lens names.

CRC — Close Range Correction. Improved performance at close focus distances. Achieved by internal focus movements that move differently relative to the movement of the other focusing elements. This designation appears in specifications but not lens names.

DC — Defocus Control. DC lenses have a separate control ring for spherical aberration, which affects primarily the appearance of out-of-focus areas, also known as bokeh. At extreme settings, DC lenses can generate an overall soft-focus effect. Includes only the AF DC-Nikkor 105mm f/2D and AF DC-Nikkor 135mm f/2D.

ED — "Extra-low Dispersion" glass incorporated to reduce chromatic aberration. Lenses using ED elements usually carry a gold ring around the barrel to indicate the fact (although on some low-end lenses gold foil is used instead), and older lenses were also marked "NIKKOR✻ED". In addition to normal ED glass, "Super ED" glass is used in some lenses.

FL — Fluorite. Designates a lens which includes one or more elements constructed of fluorite instead of glass. Currently includes only the AF-S 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR, available since 2013, and the AF-S 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR, available since 2014.

GN — Guide Number. Assists in flash exposure on cameras without automatic flash metering. The flash's guide number is set on the lens, and the aperture is accordingly coupled to the lens's focus ring for correct exposure. The only GN lens, the supercompact GN Auto Nikkor (it was the second smallest Nikon F-mount lens ever made), was built during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

HRI — High refractive index elements. Contains elements with a refractive index >2. This designation appears in specifications but not lens names.

IF — Internal Focus. Focusing is accomplished through the movement of internal lens groups, eliminating extension and rotation of the front lens element, allowing focus to be driven quickly by a small motor. IF lenses also allow the use of a polarizing filter without the need to readjust it after focus.

Micro — Micro-Nikkor lenses are capable of high reproduction ratios, typically 1:2 or 1:1, for macro photography. The first Micro-Nikkor lenses were created for producing microforms of Kanji text.^[6]

N — Indicates the Nano Crystal Coat, a relatively new type of lens coating that originated in Nikon's semiconductor division. Lenses with this coating feature the logo of an "N" inside an elongated hexagon on the name plate.

NIC — Nikon Integrated Coating, a proprietary multicoating. Appears in specifications but not lens names.

PC — Perspective Control. Lens features shift movements (and also tilt movements on some models) to control perspective and depth-of-field. Newer PC lenses are designated PC-E (see designation E above). Not to be confused with early lenses marked "Nikkor-P·C" meaning a five-element coated lens (see pre-autofocus designations above).

PF — Phase Fresnel. To counteract chromatic aberration. It replaces several lens elements, thus reducing the size and weight of a lens.^[7]

Reflex — Designates a catadioptric (mirror) lens.

RF — Rear Focusing. Quite similar to internal focusing. Focusing is accomplished through the movement of rear lens groups, eliminating extension and rotation of the front lens element, allowing focus to be driven quickly by a small motor. RF lenses also allow the use of a polarizing filter without the need to readjust it after focus.

SIC — Super Integrated Coating, a proprietary multicoating. Appears in specifications but not lens names.

UV — Lenses designed for imaging ultraviolet light.

VR — Vibration Reduction. Uses a moving optical group to reduce the photographic effects of camera shake. Some VR lenses also support a panning mode, detecting horizontal movement of the lens and minimizing only vertical vibration. The second generation of VR is called VR II, which is designed to offer another 1-stop advantage over original VR, but lenses with this feature are still designated simply "VR."

Alternate product lines

DX — Lens designed for the smaller Nikon DX format. Vignetting may occur if used on a 35mm format or Nikon FX format camera in full-frame mode, although some DX lenses cover the full 135 frame at longer focal lengths.

IX — Lenses designed for use with the now-defunct Pronea APS SLR. These are all autofocus zoom lenses. They are not compatible with cameras outside of the Pronea system unless mirror lock-up is used^[8]

Series E — A line of lower-cost lenses manufactured during the 1980s for Nikon's amateur SLRs. They sacrificed some construction quality and employed simpler optical designs. Early Series E lenses were built to the AI specification. Later Series E lenses were upgraded to the AI-S specification, and are identifiable by a metal ring on the barrel. None of this family of lenses were branded Nikkor, instead carrying the text "Nikon Lens Series E."

Esoteric

Bellows — Lens designed exclusively for use on a bellows unit, primarily for macro photography. Also called short mount. Since some Nikon bellows allow for a front rise, they allow a limited variety of lenses to be used similarly to a PC lens (see Optical design above).

Medical — Nikkor designation for a macro lens with a built-in ring light strobe system, designed for clinical and scientific applications.

Noct — "Night." Specialty low-light lens designed for maximum sharpness at the widest aperture setting. The name has been applied only to the Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2.

OP — Orthographic Projection. Fisheye lens that produces an image which maintains the same brightness in the image as in the object, with no falloff at the edges.^[3]

UW — Underwater lenses. Produced for the Nikonos systems.

Manual-focus lenses

Manual-focus prime lenses

13mm f/5.6 AI-S

6 mm f/2.8 Circular Fisheye (220°)
6 mm f/5.6 Circular Fisheye (220°) (requires MLU)
7.5 mm f/5.6 Circular Fisheye (requires MLU)
8 mm f/2.8 Circular Fisheye
8 mm f/8.0 Circular Fisheye (requires MLU)
10 mm f/5.6 OP Circular Fisheye (requires MLU)
13 mm f/5.6
15 mm f/3.5
15 mm f/5.6
16 mm f/2.8 Full Frame Fisheye (180°)
16 mm f/3.5 Full Frame Fisheye (170°)
18 mm f/4.0
18 mm f/3.5

Nikon 28mm f/2.8 manual-focus lens

20 mm f/2.8
20 mm f/3.5 UD
20 mm f/3.5
20 mm f/4.0
21 mm f/4.0 (requires MLU)
24 mm f/2.0
24 mm f/2.8
28 mm f/2.0
28 mm f/2.8
28 mm f/3.5

Nikon 50mm f/1.4 manual-focus lens

35 mm f/1.4
35 mm f/2.0
35 mm f/2.8
45 mm f/2.8 GN
45 mm f/2.8 P
50 mm f/1.2
50 mm f/1.4
50 mm f/1.8
50 mm f/2.0
55 mm f/1.2

Nikon 85mm f/2 manual-focus lens

58 mm f/1.2 Noct
58 mm f/1.4
85 mm f/1.4
85 mm f/1.8
85 mm f/2.0
105 mm f/1.8
105 mm f/2.5
105 mm f/4.0 (pre-set)
120 mm f/4.0 IF Medical

Nikon 135mm f/2.8 manual-focus lens

135 mm f/2.0
135 mm f/2.8
135 mm f/3.5

Nikon 200mm f/4 manual-focus lens

180 mm f/2.8 ED
200 mm f/2.0 ED-IF
200 mm f/4.0 Q
200 mm f/4.0

200 mm f/5.6 Medical Nikkor, mounted on a Nikon F with high-speed motor drive.

200 mm f/5.6 Medical
300 mm f/2.0 ED-IF
300 mm f/2.8 ED (pre-set)
300 mm f/2.8 ED-IF
300 mm f/4.5 P
300 mm f/4.5 H
300 mm f/4.5 ED
300 mm f/4.5 ED-IF
400 mm f/2.8 ED-IF
400 mm f/3.5 ED-IF
400 mm f/4.5 (lens head; requires CU-1 or AU-1 focus unit)
400 mm f/5.6 ED
400 mm f/5.6 ED-IF
500 mm f/4.0 P ED-IF
500 mm f/5.0 Reflex
500 mm f/8.0 Reflex
600 mm f/4.0 ED-IF
600 mm f/5.6 (lens head; requires CU-1 or AU-1 focus unit)
600 mm f/5.6 ED (lens head; requires CU-1 or AU-1 focus unit)
600 mm f/5.6 ED-IF
800 mm f/5.6 ED-IF
800 mm f/8.0 (lens head; requires CU-1 or AU-1 focus unit)
800 mm f/8.0 ED (lens head; requires CU-1 or AU-1 focus unit)
800 mm f/8.0 ED-IF
1000 mm f/6.3 Reflex
1000 mm f/11.0 Reflex
1200 mm f/11.0 (lens head; requires CU-1 or AU-1 focus unit)
1200 mm f/11.0 ED (lens head; requires CU-1 or AU-1 focus unit)
1200 mm f/11.0 ED-IF
2000 mm f/11.0 Reflex

Macro

45 mm f/2.8 ED PC-E Micro
55 mm f/2.8 Micro
55 mm f/3.5 Micro
55 mm f/4.0 UV Micro (prototype only)

Nikon F with 105 mm f/4 Micro Nikkor.

85 mm f/2.8D PC Micro
85 mm f/2.8D PC-E Micro
105 mm f/4.5 UV Micro
105 mm f/4.0 (bellows lens)
105 mm f/4.0 Micro
105 mm f/2.8 Micro
135 mm f/4.0 (bellows lens)
200 mm f/4.0 IF Micro
200 mm f/4.0D ED-IF AF Micro

Series E lenses

Nikon Series E 50mm f/1.8 lens

28 mm f/2.8
35 mm f/2.5
50 mm f/1.8
100 mm f/2.8
135 mm f/2.8
36–72 mm f/3.5
70–210 mm f/4.0
75–150 mm f/3.5

Perspective control (PC) lenses

The PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED Lens of 2008 adds the tilt function to Nikkor's traditional shift function

The 35mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor, introduced in 1961. Note the small clearance between the shifting section of the lens and the camera body. The lens cannot be mounted on later camera bodies with protruding prisms.

Nikon PC lenses, like other perspective control lenses, offer adjustments that duplicate certain view camera movements. The 28mm and 35mm PC lenses support shifting the lens in relation to the film or sensor plane, while Nikon's 24mm, 45mm, and 85mm PC-E lenses also support tilting.

Nikon currently offers four different PC lenses for sale: the three PC-E Nikkors (2008), and the 85mm PC-Nikkor (1999). The 45 mm and 85 mm "Micro" lenses offer close focus (0.5 magnification) for macrophotography. The PC-E lenses (the "E" designates an electromagnetic diaphragm) offer automatic aperture control with the D3, D3S, D3X, D700, D300, D300S, D600, D800, D4, D7000, D7100, D610, D4S, D810, and D750 cameras. With earlier camera models, a PC-E lens operates like a PC lens. The PC Micro-Nikkor 85 mm f/2.8D lens offers only preset aperture control, actuated mechanically by pressing a plunger.

History

In July 1962, Nikon released the first interchangeable perspective-control lens available for a single-lens reflex camera camera, the 35mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor.^[9] This was followed in 1968 by a redesigned 35mm f/2.8 PC-Nikkor in which the shifting portion of the lens was further from the camera's body, in order to clear the new "Photomic" meters. The last optical redesign of this 35mm lens was released in 1980.^[10]

The 35mm PC-Nikkor did not meet the need of photographers for a wider-angle lens, so in July 1975 Nikon released the 28mm f/4 PC-Nikkor. In February 1981 Nikon released an improved version of this lens, the 28mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor, with a new optical design. This was the last of the completely manual PC-Nikkors to be offered.

Specifications

Lens	Intro	Aperture Range	Elements/ Groups	Focus	Stop-Down	Rotation / Click Stops	Max. Shift/Tilt	Shift Knob	Weight	Size (Diameter × Length)	Filter Thread
24mm f/3.5 PC-E Nikkor^[11]	2008	f/3.5–f/32	13/10	0.21m–∞	electronic	90° R/L / 30°	11.5mm/8.5°	metal	25.7 oz. (730g)	82.5mm × 108mm	77mm
28mm f/4 PC-Nikkor^[12]	1975	f/4–f/22	10/8	0.3m–∞	manual	360°/30°	11mm/none	metal	14.5 oz. (410g)	78mm × 68mm	72mm
28mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor^[13]	1981	f/3.5–f/22	9/8	0.3m–∞	manual	360°/30°	11mm/none	metal	13.5 oz. (382g)	78mm × 69mm	72mm
35mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor	1961	f/3.5–f/32	6/6	0.3m–∞	manual	360°/30°	11mm/none	metal	10.2 oz. (290g)	70mm × 52mm	52mm
35mm f/2.8 PC-Nikkor^[14]	1968	f/2.8–f/32	8/7	0.3m–∞	manual	360°/30°	11mm/none	metal	11.6 oz. (330g)	70mm × 66.5mm	52mm
35mm f/2.8 PC-Nikkor^[15]	1980	f/2.8–f/32	7/7	0.3m–∞	manual	360°/30°	11mm/none	plastic	11.3 oz. (320g)	62mm × 66.5mm	52mm
45 mm f/2.8D ED PC-E Nikkor	2008	f/2.8–f/32	9/8	0.253m–∞	Electronic	90° R/L / 30°	11.5mm/8.5° tilt	metal	740g	82mm x 112mm	77mm
*85 mm f/2.8D PC Micro-Nikkor**	1999				Manual
85 mm f/2.8D PC-E Micro-Nikkor	2008				Electronic

Manual-focus zoom lenses

25–50 mm f/4.0
28–45 mm f/4.5
28–50 mm f/3.5 Macro
28–85 mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro
35–70 mm f/3.5
35–70 mm f/3.5 Macro
35–70 mm f/3.3-4.5
35–70 mm f/3.5-4.8
35–85 mm f/2.8-4.0 (prototype only)

Nikon 35-105mm micro push-pull zoom lens, manual-focus

35–105 mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro
35–135 mm f/3.5-4.5
35–200 mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro
43–86 mm f/3.5
50–135 mm f/3.5 Macro
50–300 mm f/4.5
50–300 mm f/4.5 ED
70–210 mm f/4.5-5.6

Nikon 80-200mm f/4 push-pull zoom lens

80–200 mm f/2.8 ED
80–200 mm f/4.0
80–200 mm f/4.5
85–250 mm f/4.0-4.5
100–300 mm f/5.6 Macro
180–600 mm f/8.0 ED
200–400 mm f/4.0 ED
200–600 mm f/9.5
360–1200 mm f/11.0 ED
1200–1700 mm f/5.6-8.0 P ED-IF

Automatic focus lenses

Autofocus prime lenses

FX format primes

14 mm f/1.4D ED AF
14 mm f/2.8D ED AF
16 mm f/2.8D AF Full Frame Fisheye
18 mm f/2.8D AF
20 mm f/1.8G ED AF-S N
20 mm f/2.8 AF
20 mm f/2.8D AF
24 mm f/1.4G ED AF-S N
24 mm f/2.8 AF
24 mm f/2.8D AF
28 mm f/1.4D AF Aspherical
28 mm f/1.8G AF-S N
28 mm f/2.8 AF
28 mm f/2.8D AF

Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4G AF-S lens

Nikon Nikkor 85 mm f/1.8G AF-S lens

35 mm f/1.4G AF-S N
35 mm f/1.8G ED AF-S
35 mm f/2.0 AF
35 mm f/2.0D AF
50 mm f/1.4 AF
50 mm f/1.4D AF
50 mm f/1.8 AF
50 mm f/1.8D AF
50 mm f/1.4G AF-S
50 mm f/1.8G AF-S
58 mm f/1.4G AF-S N
80 mm f/2.8 AF (F3AF dedicated)
85 mm f/1.4D AF
85 mm f/1.4G AF-S N
85 mm f/1.8 AF
85 mm f/1.8D AF
85 mm f/1.8G AF-S
105 mm f/2.0D AF DC
135 mm f/2.0 AF DC
135 mm f/2.0D AF DC
180 mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF
180 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF
200 mm f/3.5 ED-IF AF (F3AF dedicated)
300 mm f/4 ED-IF AF
300 mm f/4D ED-IF AF-S
300 mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF
300 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-I
300 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S
300 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S II
400 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-I
400 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S
400 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S II
500 mm f/4D ED-IF AF-I
500 mm f/4D ED-IF AF-S
500 mm f/4D ED-IF AF-S II
600 mm f/4D ED-IF AF-I
600 mm f/4D ED-IF AF-S
600 mm f/4D ED-IF AF-S II

Macro

55 mm f/2.8 AF Micro
60 mm f/2.8 AF Micro
60 mm f/2.8D AF Micro
60 mm f/2.8D AF-S G Micro N
105 mm f/2.8D AF Micro

With VR

105 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro N
200 mm f/2G ED-IF AF-S VR
200 mm f/2G ED-IF AF-S VR II N
200–400 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
200–400 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR II N
300 mm f/4E PF ED-IF AF-S VR N
300 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR
300 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR II N
400 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR N
400 mm f/2.8E FL ED-IF AF-S VR N
500 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR N
600 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR N
800 mm f/5.6E FL ED-IF AF-S VR N

DX format primes

35 mm f/1.8G DX

10.5 mm f/2.8G ED AF DX Fisheye
35 mm f/1.8G AF-S DX
40 mm f/2.8G DX Micro-Nikkor

With VR

85 mm Micro-Nikkor f/3.5 AF-S VR DX

Autofocus zoom lenses

FX format zooms

Nikon A F-S 17-55mm f2.8G IF-ED DX

Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f-2.8G ED

35-70mm f/3.3-4.5

Nikkor AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

80-200mm f/2.8 ED AF Zoom-Nikkor

14–24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S N
17–35 mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF-S
17–55 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX
18–35 mm f/3.5-4.5D ED-IF AF
18–35 mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S
20–35 mm f/2.8D IF
24–50 mm f/3.3-4.5 AF
24–50 mm f/3.3-4.5D AF
24–70 mm f/2.8G ED AF-S N
24–85 mm f/2.8-4D IF AF
24–85 mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S
24–120 mm f/3.5-5.6D AF
28–70 mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S
28–70 mm f/3.5-4.5D AF
28–80 mm f/3.3-5.6G AF
28–85 mm f/3.5-4.5 AF
28–100 mm f/3.5-5.6G AF
28–105 mm f/3.5-4.5D AF
28–200 mm f/3.5-5.6D IF AF
28–200 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF
35–70 mm f/2.8 AF
35–70 mm f/2.8D AF
35–70 mm f/3.3-4.5 AF
35–80 mm f/4-5.6D AF
35–105 mm f/3.5-4.5 AF
35–105 mm f/3.5-4.5D IF AF
35–135 mm f/3.5-4.5 AF
35–200 mm f/2.8D AF
55–200 mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED Lens
70–210 mm f/4 AF
70–210 mm f/4-5.6 AF
70–210 mm f/4-5.6D AF
70–300 mm f/4-5.6D AF
70–300 mm f/4-5.6D ED AF
70–300 mm f/4-5.6G AF
75–240 mm f/4.5-5.6D AF
75–300 mm f/4.5-5.6 AF
80–200 mm f/2.8D ED AF
80–200 mm f/2.8D ED AF-S
80–200 mm f/4.5-5.6D AF

Macro

70–180 mm f/4.5-5.6 ED AF-D Micro (the only macro zoom lens for 35mm format)

With VR

Nikkor 24-120 mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR FX lens: note red "VR" designation

Nikkor 70-200 mm f/2.8G AF-S VR II FX lens

16–35 mm f/4G ED AF-S VR N
24–85 mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S VR
24–120 mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR
24–120 mm f/4G ED AF-S VR
28–300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR
70–200 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR
70–200 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR II
70–200 mm f/4G ED AF-S VR
70–300 mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR
80–400 mm f/4.5-5.6D ED AF VR
80–400 mm f/4.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR N

DX format zooms

18-70 mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom

10–24 mm f/3.5-4.5 ED AF-S DX
12–24 mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S DX
16–85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX
17–55 mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX
18–55 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX
18–55 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S II DX
18–70 mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX
18–135 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX
55–200 mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX

Macro

40 mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro.

40 mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro

With VR

18-105mm f/f3.5-5.6G ED VR

18-200 f/3.5-5,6 VR

16–85 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX
18–55 mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR DX
18–55 mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR DX II
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
18–200 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR DX
18–200 mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR DX II
18–300 mm f/3.5-6.3G ED-IF AF-S VR DX
18–300 mm f/3.5-6.3G ED-IF AF-S VR DX II
18–400 mm f/3.5-6.3G ED-IF AF-S VR DX
55–200 mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX
55–300 mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX

Lenses with integrated autofocus motors

Nikkor lenses designated AF-S or AF-I have integrated autofocus motors, but other manufacturers included in the list do not designate it as clearly. These lenses are needed for autofocus on certain newer low-end Nikon cameras which lack an autofocus motor. These are the Nikon D40, D40X, D60, D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300 and the Nikon 1 series with FT1 adapter.

Teleconverters

Main article: Nikon F-mount teleconverter

TC-1 (2.0x)
TC-2 (2.0x)
TC-200 (2.0x)
TC-300 (2.0x)
TC-201 (2.0x)
TC-301 (2.0x)
TC-14 (1.4x)
TC-14A (1.4x)
TC-14B (1.4x)
TC-14C (1.4x) (supplied exclusively with Nikkor 300mm f/2 Ai-S IF-ED)
TC-16 (1.6x) (F3AF only)
TC-16A (1.6x)
TC-20E (2.0x)
TC-14E (1.4x)
TC-14E II (1.4x)
TC-14E III (1.4x)
TC-17E II (1.7x)
TC-20E II (2.0x)
TC-20E III (2.0x)
TC800-1.25E ED (1.25x) (supplied exclusively with Nikkor AF-S 800mm f/5.6 FL ED-IF VR N)

Zeiss ZF

Main article: Carl Zeiss Z-series manual-focus SLR lenses

Zeiss ZF series lenses are manual-focus designs Nikon AI-S type aperture indexing. They are manufactured by Cosina to Zeiss specifications.

Four design variations are designated ZF, ZF.2, ZF-I, and ZF-IR.

ZF is the original product line. ZF.2 lenses are CPU-enabled (similar to Nikon AI-P lenses) offering full metering compatibility with the full range of AF Nikon SLR cameras. ZF-I lenses add mechanical locks for focus and aperture, and additional environmental sealing, for industrial applications. ZF-IR lenses are adapted to infrared imaging, with coatings that transmit wavelengths up to 1100 nm, and focus scales marked for infrared.

Zeiss CP.2

Main article: Carl Zeiss Cinema lenses

CP.2 lenses are a series of Zeiss "CompactPrime" cinema lenses which present F-mount as one of three mounting options. The lenses cover the 36×24 mm area of the 35mm format or Nikon FX format, and lenses 28 mm and longer share a common T-stop (T/) of 2.1.

Hartblei

Main article: Hartblei

Kenko

Main article: Kenko

Kiev-Arsenal

MC TS Arsat 35mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift
MC Peleng 8mm f/3.5
MC Peleng 17mm f/2,8
MC Arsat-H 50mm f/1,4
MC ZOOM Arsat-M 80-200mm f/4,5
APO Arsat-H 300mm f/2,8

Voigtländer

Main article: Cosina Voigtländer

Angénieux

28–70 mm f/2.6 AF
35–70 mm f/2.5-3.3
70–210 mm f/3.5
180 mm f/2.3 DEM APO
200 mm f/2.8 DEM ED

Schneider Kreuznach

PC Super-Angulon 28 mm f/2.8
PC-TS Super-Angulon 50 mm f/2.8 HM
PC-TS Makro-Symmar 90 mm f/4.0 HM

Compatible cameras

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Nikon "F", "N", and "D" series SLR cameras.
Nikkormat (Nikomat in Japan) "FT" and "EL" series SLR cameras.
Nikon 1 series with FT1 adapter

Fujifilm SLRs based on Nikon bodies, including:

Canon M15P-CL Industrial Camera

Kodak SLRs DCS series based on Nikon bodies, including:
- Kodak DCS-100
- Kodak DCS-200
- Kodak NC2000 / NC2000e
- Kodak DCS 315 / 330
- Kodak DCS-410
- Kodak DCS-420
- Kodak DCS-460
- Kodak DCS 620 / 620x
- Kodak DCS 660 / 660M
- Kodak DCS 720x
- Kodak DCS 760
- Kodak DCS Pro 14n
- Kodak DCS Pro 14nx
- Kodak DCS Pro SLR/n

Medium-format systems
- Horseman DigiWide camera
- Sinar "m" system (using 35mm Mirror Module)
OpenReflex

Video cameras
- JVC JY-HMQ30 (4K resolution)
- Red One digital video camera (using Red F-mount)
- Camera-like "adapters"
  - Redrock M2
  - Letus Extreme
  - Shoot35 SGpro
  - P+S Technik Mini35
  - Movietube

Kiev Arsenal
- Kiev 17
- Kiev 19
- Kiev 19M
- Kiev 20
Ricoh Singlex ^[16] (a.k.a. Sears SLII)

References

↑ "List of 'Dandelion' metering chipped Nikkors". photo.net.
↑ Rockwell, Ken (December 2013). "Nikon Df: Lens Compatibility". KenRockwell.com. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
↑ 3.0 3.1 Joseph D. Cooper and Joseph C. Abbot. Nikon F Nikkormat Handbook of Photography (2nd, including four updates ed.). New York: Amphoto. pp. 5.1–5.85.
↑ Nikon Lens Technology Ken Rockwell
↑ Nikon Lens Compatibility Ken Rockwell
↑ Ultra Micro Nikkor Grand History
↑ Phase Fresnel
↑ Nikon IX (APS) Lenses
↑ "Tale Seventeen : PC-Nikkor 28 mm f/4". Nikon Corporation.
↑ "Nikon 35mm f/2.8 PC Nikkor". photography_review.com.
↑ PC-E Nikkor 24mm F/3.5 Nikon User's Manual, 2008
↑ PC-Nikkor 28mm F/4 Nikon Instruction Manual, Nikon Kogaku, K.K., 1978
↑ PC-Nikkor 28mm F/3.5 Nikon Instruction Manual, Nikon Kogaku, K.K., 1981
↑ PC-Nikkor 35mm F/2.8 Nikon Instruction Manual, Nikon Kogaku, K.K., 1977
↑ PC-Nikkor 35mm F/2.8 Nikon Instruction Manual, Nikon Kogaku, K.K., 1981
↑ Ricoh Singlex

External links

Technical information on the Nikon F-mount
Nikkor lens acronyms explained
Nikon Manual Focus Lens Versions
Nikon Lens Positioning Map (Shows how Nikon positions their lenes and simulates how they work)
Nikon Lens Database
Nikon lens links

Nikon Nikkor lenses

AF-S	Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6G Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED Nikon AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED

F series	Nikon F 70-210mm lens Nikon F 70-300mm lens Nikon F 80-200mm lens

Other lenses	Nikon 1 Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 PD-Zoom Nikon AF DX Fisheye-Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G ED Nikkor 13mm f/5.6 Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70 mm f/3.3-4.5 Nikon AF Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8D PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED Lens

Mounts	Nikon 1-mount Nikon F-mount

Related articles	List of Nikon F-mount lenses with integrated autofocus motor Nikon F-mount teleconverter

Nikon film SLR timeline

	end of 1950s		1960s						1970s								1980s									1990s								2000s					2010s

Professional																			F3AF					F4							F5							F6
		F								F2							F3
High-end																								F-801 (N8008)			F-801S (N8008S)							F80 (N80)
																						F-501 (N2020)				F90 (N90)		F90X (N90s)					F100
Mid-range							FT	FTn				FT2		FT3												F-601 (N6006)			F70 (N70)								F75 (N75)
							FS						ELW		FE				FE2
				Nikkorex F / Nikkor J							EL			EL2					FA							F-601M (N6000)					FE10
																																Pronea S
					Zoom 35									FM				FM2													Pronea 600i/6i				FM3A
			35	35 II		(Nikon) Auto 35																								FM10
Entry-level																EM		FG			F-301 (N2000)				F-401S (N4004S)				F50 (N50)					F65 (N65)
																				FG-20			F-401 (N4004)				F-401X (N5005)						F60 (N60)			F55 (N55)

Autofocus | APS-format | Nikkorex with leaf shutter | Nikomat/Nikkormat | Manual Focus with electronic features (A mode)

See also: Nikon DSLR cameras

Nikon DSLR timeline (comparison)

	1999			2000				2001				2002				2003				2004				2005				2006				2007				2008				2009				2010				2011				2012				2013				2014				2015
	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4
Professional	D1							D1X														D2X							D2Xs										D3X
								D1H										D2H						D2Hs										D3									D3S									D4								D4S
High-end																																																				D800 / D800E									D810 / D810A
																																																											Df
Advanced																																						D700																								D750
																																																						D600					D610
Mid-range												D100															D200							D300								D300S
																				D70					D70s					D80								D90								D7000											D7100							D7200
Upper-entry																									D50								D40X			D60					D5000								D5100						D5200				D5300					D5500
Entry-level																															D40											D3000				D3100							D3200							D3300
Early models	Nikon SVC (prototype; 1986) Nikon QV-1000C (1988) Nikon NASA F4 (1991) Nikon E2/E2S (1995) Nikon E2N/E2NS (1996) Nikon E3/E3S (1998)

FX format (Full-frame)
Without an AF motor (needs lenses with integrated motor)
HD video
/ Video AF / Uncompressed
Touchscreen (italic)

See also: Nikon 1 / F-mount – Teleconverter – CX / DX format – Speedlight – Expeed