What is a Nikon "K" lens?
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The K series were Nikon manual lenses with a few economy construction measures. Whether those economies make any optical or operational difference is debateable. Not to be confused with Pentax K or Nikon E lenses.
"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". Wikipedia.
"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". Wikipedia.
I'll add that you can see progression of lenses on this site:
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html
A lot of early AI lenses are optically identical to their K type predecessors, the only difference being the change in the aperture ring.
I'm not doubting the literal translation to contemporary. But their is no doubt to me that going from a milled scalloped ring and bright chromed barrel the K also stood for Kost Kutting.
Just like the lenses made to day with no aperture ring and electronic do dad diaphragm, camera bodies that can only use cheap AF-S lenses.
Nikon pretty much peaked in terms of a work of Art in the mid 70's. Their first auto focus lenses were so ugly they had to spiff them up a bit to sell.
Even with a piece of rubber on them the K and the Ai lenses are beautiful to behold.
Best Mike
Just like the lenses made to day with no aperture ring and electronic do dad diaphragm, camera bodies that can only use cheap AF-S lenses.
Nikon pretty much peaked in terms of a work of Art in the mid 70's. Their first auto focus lenses were so ugly they had to spiff them up a bit to sell.
Even with a piece of rubber on them the K and the Ai lenses are beautiful to behold.
Best Mike
I have a beautiful multi-coated 105mm 2.5 that I thought the world of, and a bunch of AI & AIs, but now I have to think less of them. Ken Rockwell had his brains up his dufus when he said that AI & AIs were the best lenses ever made by anyone (incl. Leica).
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The time during which the 'K' Nikkors were made was one of transition. The AI system was undoubtedly already on the drawing boards. The 'K' lenses and the AI lenses are cosmetically similar so some 'K' lenses which were upgraded to AI with new factory aperture rings are mistaken for original AI lenses. The 35/2.8 'K' Nikkor is a big improvement over the previous Nikkor S. The six element design of the 'K' was carried over to the first AI version. The second 35/2.8 AI has five elements and does not appear to me to be as good. There were two 'K' versions of the 50/1.4 Nikkor. The first version is similar in design to the earlier 50/1.4 Nikkor SC but had different looking coating. The second version looks like the first AI and uses a slightly changed optical design. The first version is thought to be somewhat sharper at f/8 - f/11 while the second version is considered sharper at or near wide open. I like the look of the first version myself. The 50/2 'K' Nikkor uses the same optical formula as the earlier 50/2 HC but seems to have better lubrication. Most of the HC models I have seen have dried up lubrication in the focusing helicoid. The 200/4 'K' Nikkor uses the changed formula and compact size of the later AI model. I actually prefer the earlier 200/4 QC but if I want to carry something smaller I will use the 'K' or the AI. Did the rubber covering on the focusing rings of the 'K' lenses cost less than the earlier metal material? Perhaps it did but it's the glass that makes the image, not the focusing ring cover. There were some lenses which already had the rubber covered focusing ring (sometimes called RIFR or Rubber Inset Focusing Ring) even before the 'K' models. I have a 180/2.8 Nikkor P and a number of 55/3.5 Nikkor P and C lenses with rubber covered focusing rings. They all work well.
Don't think less of that nice 105. The point I was trying to make is that the Nikon F and F2 era was the pinnacle of the beautiful Nikon. Nikon has struggled in the recent times as the technology is moving so fast. You have to keep in mind that the Nikon F was priced similar to what a D5 is today. This stuff was the pinnacle of camera technology. Go out and drop 6 grand for a Nikkor 200mm f2.0 AF-S I don't think you will be disappointed by modern Glass.
Best Regards, Mike
Compare the $200 kit zoom for a Nikon d****** SLR with the classic Nikkors of 40 years ago and you might be surprised at the good performance as well as the low price.
No argument , aspherical plastic lenses , super computers designed etc. Miracle stuff, beyond my wildest dreams back in 1975 .
However the point I haven't seem to be able to get across is for sheer elegant design and fine mechanical engineering a plain prism F with a 50 1.4 is pretty darn cool . My Casio keeps better time than a Rolex , but I sure would like a Rolex
Best Regards Mike
Hi ! I'm trying to understand my 105mm 2.5 lens. I use it with a Nikkormat FT2. I thought that it was a non AI lens but it seems not, the serial number refers to a K series (according photosynthesis board).
Can I use it as manual lens on a D*** camera ?? I'm not familiar yet with all the Nikon vocabulary (E, K, AI,AI-S.... blablabla)
PS : I'm not used to post on forums, forgive me if I break any rules
Can I use it as manual lens on a D*** camera ?? I'm not familiar yet with all the Nikon vocabulary (E, K, AI,AI-S.... blablabla)
PS : I'm not used to post on forums, forgive me if I break any rules
Hi ! I'm trying to understand my 105mm 2.5 lens. I use it with a Nikkormat FT2. I thought that it was a non AI lens but it seems not, the serial number refers to a K series (according photosynthesis board).
Can I use it as manual lens on a D*** camera ?? I'm not familiar yet with all the Nikon vocabulary (E, K, AI,AI-S.... blablabla)
PS : I'm not used to post on forums, forgive me if I break any rules
Generally, if it is an AI lens (or converted to AI), it can be used on the DSLR's, and AI or not, it can be used with the adapter on the mirrorless digi's
Welcome to Apug !
Well I may be even more ignorant on those Nikon designation than you. I am a Canon guy so to say.
Basically there were 2 major changes at SLR lenses before autofocus came:
1.) the introduction of the automatic diaphragm
Thus enabling to compose and focus at full aperture and the aperture only closing at the moment of release.
There were various suyten, euther onky closing but but not opening the diaphragm, or having to cock in advance the diaphragm, All enu´ding at lnses where th diaphragm closes at relaesing to the preset vaue and automatically fully opening again thereafter.
2.) the introduction of open-aperture through-the-lens metering.
The latter was not new, but one always had to stop down the lens for metering. Then lenses got the feature to tell the camera what their largest opening is (lens speed) and what aperture one has preset, or is just testing for metering. All with full aperture.
Whereas other manufacturers did this change in one step. Nikon did it in at least 2 steps. The first being the use of these prongs.
EDIT: My last comment is seemingly wrong and those prongs were already used much earlier for meter-coupling in times of non-TTL metering
Well I may be even more ignorant on those Nikon designation than you. I am a Canon guy so to say.
Basically there were 2 major changes at SLR lenses before autofocus came:
1.) the introduction of the automatic diaphragm
Thus enabling to compose and focus at full aperture and the aperture only closing at the moment of release.
There were various suyten, euther onky closing but but not opening the diaphragm, or having to cock in advance the diaphragm, All enu´ding at lnses where th diaphragm closes at relaesing to the preset vaue and automatically fully opening again thereafter.
2.) the introduction of open-aperture through-the-lens metering.
The latter was not new, but one always had to stop down the lens for metering. Then lenses got the feature to tell the camera what their largest opening is (lens speed) and what aperture one has preset, or is just testing for metering. All with full aperture.
Whereas other manufacturers did this change in one step. Nikon did it in at least 2 steps. The first being the use of these prongs.
EDIT: My last comment is seemingly wrong and those prongs were already used much earlier for meter-coupling in times of non-TTL metering
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Also, the 50/2 K has a minimum focusing distance of 0.45m, as opposed to 0.6m on the 50/2 HC. I have a 50/2 K (AI converted) and it's great. The HC does look a lot nicer though.
Thank you bdial ! I didn't know that the mirrorless adapter can be used... I have so many thing to learn ! Do you have any recommendation for me to choose the adapter ?
Can I use it as manual lens on a D*** camera ?? I'm not familiar yet with all the Nikon vocabulary (E, K, AI,AI-S.... blablabla)
PS : I'm not used to post on forums, forgive me if I break any rules
This is a pure analogue forum and not the place to discuss how to use digital cameras, as you seemingly want to go into detail on this.
MattKing
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MattKing
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Welcome to Photrio.Ok
Thank you
A question about use of particular lenses on digital cameras is worth its own thread. Feel free to start your own in this part of Photrio: https://www.photrio.com/forum/forums/misc-hybrid-discussions.394/
Do you know a similar site specialized in Pentax lenses?
Hi ! I'm trying to understand my 105mm 2.5 lens. I use it with a Nikkormat FT2. I thought that it was a non AI lens but it seems not, the serial number refers to a K series (according photosynthesis board).
Can I use it as manual lens on a D*** camera ?? I'm not familiar yet with all the Nikon vocabulary (E, K, AI,AI-S.... blablabla)
PS : I'm not used to post on forums, forgive me if I break any rules
Many Nikon lenses began life as "non-AI" lenses and were upgraded to "AI-converted" lenses by exchanging the aperture ring. So one cannot tell what the lens fits just by looking at the serial number. You have to look at the aperture ring and whether it has little projections / tabs on the rear or not. Because there are so many generations of lenses and cameras (both film and digital), partial and full compatibility is pretty complicated. The best table for looking up this info is Ken Rockwell's at https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm There are examples on that page of what the aperture rings look like.
But this Rockwell table I find confusing at first sight. I mean, he calls a sample "Non-AI", but it got already those prongs.
Or had the lenses for the very first Nikon F already prongs to couple with that stick-on meter?
I ask as nobody corrected what I wrote above.
(Yes, I got an illustrated Nikon camera history, but deep under tons of other photo books...)
Or had the lenses for the very first Nikon F already prongs to couple with that stick-on meter?
I ask as nobody corrected what I wrote above.
(Yes, I got an illustrated Nikon camera history, but deep under tons of other photo books...)
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You're a little confused (understandably so) about the multiple Nikon lens variations. The biggest concern: later film cameras like the FM2 or AF Nikons and most (ahem) DSLR bodies require the lens to have "AI" couplings. While there are exceptions, generally speaking you can easily identify an AI equipped lens by the fact it has two aperture number scales on the aperture ring instead of the usual one, and holes in the little metal fork that couples to older cameras like your Nikkormat FT2.
The so called "K" lenses are actually a sub-genre of pre-AI lens: they look very much like later AI and AIS lenses, but were mfd prior to the introduction of AI cameras. Most K lenses were updated to AI in the 70s-80s by Nikon with retrofitted AI aperture rings. But there are still quite a few unmodified original K lenses in use: these can be identified by their having only one aperture number scale and a solid round metal tab on the aperture ring. These cannot be used on later Nikon AI-only film bodies or DSLRs, but will work OK on mirrorless digital bodies with typical adapters (as noted above, look for discussions of that topic in the digital forums, this forum is for film cameras).
I disagree with the notion that K lenses were solely conceived primarily as a cost cutting project by Nikon. While cost cutting was certainly a major priority at all Japanese camera mfrs during the hyper-inflationary early 1970s, in this instance cost savings with the K lenses was a byproduct of Nikon urgently needing to modernize the look of its lenses. While the all-metal, chrome/black duotone, scalloped focus ring pre-AI lenses are a thing of vintage beauty to us today, in 1974 they were beginning to look horribly dated marketing-wise vs the contemporary appearance of updated optics from competitors like Minolta, Pentax, Canon, Olympus and Fuji (who had already moved to mostly black lens barrels with inset rubber focus rings vs solid metal rings).
The K lenses were somewhat simplified mechanically from earlier versions, which shaved costs, but nowhere near the cost savings achieved when Canon and Nikon moved to consumer-grade plastic barrel lenses in the late 1970s. While a few of the K lenses seem to have a "cheaper" feel to a certain degree, it is important to recognize there was good reasoning behind it: many of the K lenses were smaller, lighter and easier to service than their complicated, fussy predecessors. Other than the rubber inset focus ring, the K, AI, and most AIS lenses were still entirely made of metal. It was just thinner here and there, and fewer niceties like multiple ball bearings were used.
I do agree Nikon might have done a better job overall on the K lenses: I think they rushed a little to migrate their entire huge collection of some 50 lenses into K barrels all at the same time. They visually clash badly with the Nikon F, F2 and Nikkormat bodies current when they were introduced (they look much more coherent on FM/FE and F3). There are some glaring instances where Pentax particularly (but also Minolta and Canon) offerings in the same focal lengths feel much more solid in the hand. And of course Nikon really REALLY should have upgraded from their highly volatile, magically disappearing hellicoid grease when engineering the new K barrels: unfortunately most are plagued with the same dry undamped focus feel of the earlier scalloped metal Nikkors. Very disappointing today compared to the still-damped, smooth focus feel of competitor lenses from the same period. Since Nikon was priced highest, there was no excuse for their shoddy grease.
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Here are a few:
http://www.aohc.it/index.php
http://whitemetal.com/pentax/
http://kmp.pentaxians.eu/
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/
https://takumarguide.weebly.com/takumarology.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/ is a great source of information on all things Pentax.
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