Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5

Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 | S/N: 508374

Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 Standard Zoom Lens - Good Condition | Historical Vintage F-Mount Manual Zoom Lens with Constant f/3.5 Aperture and Classic Mechanical Build

Introductory Paragraph The Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 holds a prominent position in photographic history as one of the world's very first commercially successful standard zoom lenses. Engineered by Nippon Kogaku in Japan, it features a constant f/3.5 maximum aperture throughout its entire focal range, ensuring consistent light capture from a wide-normal 43mm down to a portrait-length 86mm. Encased in a highly robust, precision-machined all-metal barrel, this highly scannable Nikon zoom offers vintage film purists and adapted digital mirrorless videographers a distinct, warm vintage character, organic flare rendering, and an incredibly unique push-pull mechanical handling experience.

Key Features

• Constant f/3.5 maximum aperture geometry, preserving exposure settings across the entire zoom range without losing light at the telephoto end.

• Practical 43-86mm focal range mapping, supplying a highly versatile everyday composition toolkit from standard environmental views to portrait compression.

• Signature single-ring push-pull zoom and focus design layout, allowing simultaneous control over focal length and focus mapping with one hand movement.

• Classic integrated metallic meter coupling prong (rabbit ears), providing native exposure linkages for classic vintage Nikon SLR camera bodies.

• Fully mechanical manual iris ring architecture, stopping down smoothly from f/3.5 to f/22 with clear, tactile half-stop detents.

• Traditional Nippon Kogaku single-layer optical coating architecture, yielding an expressive vintage color contrast and organic lens flare profiles.

• Robust hardened steel and brass structural barrel build, reflecting old-school manufacturing standards built to outlast generations of plastic gear.

Condition Report Good condition. Body: Shows standard light signs of past creative handling, including typical minor cosmetic scuffs on the black anodized metal surfaces and faint wear along the knurled metal push-pull barrel ridges. The rear metal F-mount plate is clean and mounts securely. Sensor/Optics: The internal glass elements are bright and clear. The optics are free from internal fungus, heavy haze, optical separation, or deep glass scratches; normal minimal micro-dust is visible under tight inspection lighting but does not alter performance or image contrast. Mechanics: Fully operational. The push-pull zoom mechanics glide smoothly without loose play, the manual focus tracking feels evenly dampened across the distance scale, and the mechanical aperture blades are clean, free of oil, and snap open and shut instantly.

Specialist Note "The 43-86mm f/3.5 is widely celebrated as a historic milestone for Nikon. While early generations faced scrutiny, later serial numbers like this one benefited from vastly improved optical coatings and refined quality control. Photographers and indie filmmakers love this lens on modern mirrorless cameras because it doesn't look like modern, sterile digital glass. It renders images with a gorgeous, nostalgic micro-contrast, smooth pastel skin tones, and a beautiful swirl to the background bokeh that gives your art an unmistakably authentic retro identity. It is an exceptionally satisfying, completely transparent tool."

What's Included

• Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 Standard Zoom Lens (S/N: 508374)

• Front Protective Clip-On Lens Cap

• Rear Nikon F-Mount Protective Cap
  

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Nikon (Nippon Kogaku)

• Model: Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5

• Lens Type: Standard Zoom Lens

• Lens Mount: Nikon F Mount (Non-AI / Pre-AI)

• Focal Length: 43-86mm

• Maximum Aperture: f/3.5 (Constant)

• Minimum Aperture: f/22

• Focus Type: Manual Focus (Push-Pull Zoom)

• Category: 2. Lenses ▸ Standard Zoom Lens

• Battery Type: None Required (Fully Mechanical)