These samples circa '62 and '72.
Filter size: 52mm
Close focus: 2 feet/0.6 meters (later K version 1 foot/0.3 meters)
Aperture range: f/3.5 - f/16
Aperture blades: 5 (later K version has 7)
Depth of field scale for f/3.5, f/8 - f/16, IR index (later K version stops down to f/22)
Design: 6 elements in 6 groups
More information:
Nikon Thousand and One Nights
Richard de Stoutz
MIR
Brochure
Another brochure
Comments: It is a lens of superlatives: tied for the biggest front element of any 52mm filter-sized Nikkor, the smallest rear element, the only Nikkor with a 5-bladed aperture (which I hate, but on a slow 28mm you aren't going to see the shape of the aperture much at all), about the worst close focus (1:18 maximum magnification), probably the fewest available f/stops (5). It is a little hard to focus since it is wide and slow. It is nice and compact - just about the same size as the 50mm f/2. All told, I really like this lens, but I find the close focus annoying.
The earliest version is marked 2.8 cm, and has a silver front ring and (usually) a ribbed aperture ring.
The next version is marked in mm but still has a silver front ring, but a scalloped aperture ring. It is relatively rare, with around 10,000 made.
The versions with the black front marked Nippon Kogaku and Nikon and the C version are fairly common.
The latest K version of this lens fixes both of my complaints: it has a 7-bladed aperture and focuses down to 1 foot. I'd highly recommend it!
Here are some comparisons of the earlier versions:
Example photos:
More photos from this lens
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