Nikon 85mm f1.8 Nikkor K Pre-AI - Lens

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Model Details

Manual focus short telephoto lens made for F mount SLR cameras by Nikon starting in 1975. This K model is a transitional one, featuring the optics of the older Nikkor-HC Pre-AI lens in the lens barrel of the later AI models. It has the bunny ear metering prongs but no AI ridge or AI-S indent, so it will only meter properly on F, F2, or Nikkormat cameras and won't work with the advanced program modes of later models. Metal and plastic body available in black.

  • Nikon 85mm f1.8 Nikkor (6 elements, 4 groups)
  • Minimum focus distance: 0.85m
  • Aperture blades: 6
  • Size: 70 x 63mm
  • Weight: 431g
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Nikon F

Nikon introduced their first SLR, the Nikon F, in 1959. Alongside it they unveiled a series of lenses and a new lens mount that would carry them to professional success for the next decades. To this day, all Nikon DSLRs use the Nikon F mount.

In the beginning, Nikon lenses communicated aperture information to the body using a metal coupling fork, affectionately known as "bunny ears". Soon after, Nikon began using a similar system that automatically told the camera the maximum aperture of the lens. This Automatic Indexing (AI) system stuck around for decades in lenses and is still found on Nikon's high-end professional DSLRs even though new lenses communicate this information electronically.

With only minor compatibility issues (don't use a pre-AI lens on AI bodies or modern digital cameras), Nikon F lenses and bodies are pretty much interchangeable.

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Nikon 85mm f1.8 Nikkor K Pre-AI - Lens Availability & Price History
Date Sold SKU Quality Control Price Image
Available T120765 $262.00 Nikon 85mm f1.8 Nikkor K Pre-AI
20 Aug 2024 T43081 € 189.00 Nikon 85mm f1.8 Nikkor K Pre-AI - Lens Image