Nikon Micro-NIKKOR 55mm f/2.8 Lens

I was looking around on EBay the other day and came upon this at auction, The high bid was around $25 so I thought I would put a $100 max on it, not that I needed it but if it went for that I would be pleased, I won it for $30! I think I will play the Lotto this weekend :-).

 

 

 

Super deal on an excellent standard Macro.

This is one of a series of really fine "micro" lenses that Nikon made starting in the pre-AI and early AI periods. I personally like the 105mm f/2.5 a lot. Prices are real bargains if you're willing to manually focus.

I was lucky enough to acquire a couple of this Ai-S lens many years ago with the well known stiff focus issue in great bargains then fixed by DIY and works like new, really enjoyed it as a walk around lens as well ...

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yeah this one is a Tad bit stiff but not bad at all and the lens looks as if it just came out of the box

I was lucky enough to acquire a couple of this Ai-S lens many years ago with the well known stiff focus issue in great bargains then fixed by DIY and works like new, really enjoyed it as a walk around lens as well ...

Actually, some folks have had good results against conditions described, just by working with the lens for a while on a hot / sunny day. The old lenses, with reasonable care were very tough.

A relatively inexpensive CLA will correct or forestall a sticky diaphragm due to oil migration, and smooth out the stiff focusing. Mine has been like new for 15 years now.

I love my copy, though it's been superseded by the 15mm/2.8 AF-S for general macro use. I still use the 55mm/2.8 for copying slides, and it is outstanding in that application.

One of my favorite lenses.

15mm/2.8 AF-S

Eh?

Eh?

the Nikon 15mm F/2.8 AF-S is a dream of a lens... ;):rolleyes:

105mm f/2.8 AF-S maybe?

 

;)

I love mine, nice portrait lens.

I love my copy of this lens too! And I got it on ebay for under $100 about 10 years ago. By "stiff" I am assuming you mean the focus ring. My focus ring is stiff too which I prefer and love as it helps me believe that the focus will be retained once achieved.

 

It is a flat field lens as I recall. I use it mostly for landscapes and not for marco work. I do not think I have used it with my D850, but I have used it with my D810 and D800E.

Correction: "I love my copy, though it's been superseded by the 105mm/2.8 AF-S for general macro use. I still use the 55mm/2.8 for copying slides, and it is outstanding in that application."

Eh?

Oops! Meant 105mm/2.8 AF-S. (Never could type worth a damn...)

When you focus the 55mm Micro, you're turning two focusing helicals. When the grease gets stiff it puts a lot of strain on the parts. When rebuilding it's important to choose a suitable grease, very light, or the thing will still be stiff as heck. A grease suitable for most other lenses will be way too thick for the Micro.

My AiS is stiff too. Despite of this, it`s still my short macro workhorse. Bought new decades ago.

As Conrad says, grease must be the right one, not too thick nor too thin, also to keep the barrel in place after focusing.

Not the same with longer Micro Nikkors... In the real life I use mostly the 105 AFS for almost everything instead of the manual focus 105s. I really like the 105/4AiS, but the versatility of the AFS is unbeatable to my taste.

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When you focus the 55mm Micro, you're turning two focusing helicals. When the grease gets stiff it puts a lot of strain on the parts. When rebuilding it's important to choose a suitable grease, very light, or the thing will still be stiff as heck. A grease suitable for most other lenses will be way too thick for the Micro.

 

Yes. A lot of surface area on all those helicals. A very light grease and very little of it is required for smooth focusing. In my limited experience, it's the rear CRC group helicals (lower left) that are responsible for the very stiff focus (and sticky oily aperture blades) in a 55/2.8 lens that requires service. Bought one years ago for next to nothing that was literally locked up tight, but focused beautifully after a cleaning and relube.

 

Don't scare people like that! It's only a giant complicated mess if you take it apart. :D

Servicing the 55 mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor Lens

What a useful article, Conrad! Thanks a lot! :) Edited July 28, 2021 by jose_angel

A good buy.

I bought my f/3.5 version several years ago. Apparently it was NOS and the focus ring had stiffened up almost solid in storage.

 

I just warmed it up in my hands and worked the stiff focussing until it freed up. No dismantling or re-greasing required, and it's worked perfectly ever since.

Nikon: 55mm (5.5cm) f2.8 Micro-Nikkor (AIS) Lens Price Guide: estimate your lens value

 

says about $110 in average condition. You can add yours to the list.