Nikon Nikon 35mm f2.8 Heritage

Overview

The Nikon Nikkor 35mm f/2.8 is a compact wide-angle legacy lens whose lineage traces back to 1959. According to phillipreeve.net there are four optically distinct versions. The first, the Nikkor-S 3.5cm f/2.8 Auto, was produced from 1959 to 1962 with a 7-element/5-group design; Richard Haw refers to this original as the 'Tick-Mark' version. As Richard Haw explains, this original was 'made in a rush so that the Nikon F would have a wide-angle lens in its kit,' but the design was difficult to manufacture and had major flaws. The second version, the Nikkor-S 35mm f/2.8 (produced 1962-1974), introduced a refined 7-element/6-group optical formula that, in Richard Haw's words, 'enhanced its performance greatly' and 'corrected the older design's major flaws' while being simpler to manufacture. This second version is the NON-AI lens covered here — distinguishable from the first by its 'made in Japan' engraving on the hill-valley type focus ring, and its focal length marked in mm rather than cm. It bought Nikon time until the even better New-Nikkor 35mm f/2.8 arrived. Phillip Reeve calls the later variant 'currently one of my favorite lenses' despite some weaknesses. The lens has a modest but loyal following among adapters-to-mirrorless for its small size, all-metal build, and classic Nikkor rendering. No established nickname exists for this specific NON-AI version beyond the collector's 'Tick-Mark' term applied to the earlier 3.5cm original.

Verdict: The NON-AI Nikkor-S 35mm f/2.8 (1962-1974) is a compact, superbly built all-metal classic wide-angle for enthusiasts who appreciate vintage Nikkor engineering and want a small, durable adapted 35mm. Its refined 7/6 optical formula is a genuine improvement over the original Tick-Mark version, and it is well-liked despite modest quirks. Detailed rendering character for this exact version is not well documented in the available sources, so buyers seeking specific bokeh or color signatures should temper expectations, but those wanting a tough, pocketable legacy 35mm will find it rewarding.

Optical Character

Sharpness wide open

Second-version optical formula is described as 'much better in every way' than the original 7/5 design, but frame-by-frame sharpness detail is not provided.

Community Insights

What people love

Excellent all-metal, glass-and-metal build quality; Phillip Reeve notes a ~40-year-old sample almost completely free of scratches with a seemingly scratch-resistant black finish
Compact, dense feel; Richard Haw calls it a 'tiny lens' that 'feels dense when held due to its all-metal construction' and could 'withstand a lot of abuse'
Refined optical formula over the original — Richard Haw confirms it is 'much better in every way' than the 7/5 Tick-Mark version
Engraved, paint-filled markings and a pleasant, precise focus action (noted on the later version by Phillip Reeve)

What people dislike

Focusing near infinity can be a bit tricky (Phillip Reeve, on the later version)
Focus ring turns the opposite way from modern Zeiss Loxia/Voigtländer E-mount lenses, requiring adjustment (Phillip Reeve)
As a NON-AI lens, aperture must be set manually with no electronic contacts or EXIF when adapted
General acknowledgment that it 'has some weaknesses' (Phillip Reeve)

Pro Tips

When adapting to Sony E-mount, use a Nikon F to Sony E adapter (Phillip Reeve uses a K&F); set aperture manually and expect no EXIF
Enter the 35mm focal length manually to enable 3-axis in-body stabilization on second/third-gen E-mount bodies
Take extra care focusing near infinity, as it can be tricky
Remember the focus ring turns opposite to modern native lenses — allow time to adapt

Sources (1)

Web-grounded synthesissecondary

The Nikon Nikkor 35mm f/2.8 is a compact wide-angle legacy lens whose lineage traces back to 1959. According to phillipreeve.net there are four optically distinct versions. The first, the Nikkor-S 3.5cm f/2.8 Auto, was produced from 1959 to 1962 with a 7-element/5-group design; Richard Haw refers to this original as the 'Tick-Mark' version. As Richard Haw explains, this original was 'made in a rush so that the Nikon F would have a wide-angle lens in its kit,' but the design was difficult to manufacture and had major flaws. The second version, the Nikkor-S 35mm f/2.8 (produced 1962-1974), introduced a refined 7-element/6-group optical formula that, in Richard Haw's words, 'enhanced its performance greatly' and 'corrected the older design's major flaws' while being simpler to manufacture. This second version is the NON-AI lens covered here — distinguishable from the first by its 'made in Japan' engraving on the hill-valley type focus ring, and its focal length marked in mm rather than cm. It bought Nikon time until the even better New-Nikkor 35mm f/2.8 arrived. Phillip Reeve calls the later variant 'currently one of my favorite lenses' despite some weaknesses. The lens has a modest but loyal following among adapters-to-mirrorless for its small size, all-metal build, and classic Nikkor rendering. No established nickname exists for this specific NON-AI version beyond the collector's 'Tick-Mark' term applied to the earlier 3.5cm original.

https://phillipreeve.net/blog/nikon-nikkor-35mm-f-2-8/https://richardhaw.com/2020/12/06/repair-nikkor-s-35mm-f-2-8-auto-late-version/