Nikon NIKKOR-S Auto 50mm f/1.4 Pre-AI Lens *USED*

Quick Overview

• Classic 50mm "normal" focal length.
• Fast f/1.4 maximum aperture for speed.
• Features iconic seven-element "S" design.
• Pre-AI aperture coupling prong included.
• Legendary, smooth bokeh and background blur.
• Robust, heavy-duty all-metal lens barrel.
• Standard Nikon F-mount bayonet connection.
• Outstanding resolution when stopped down.
• Rich, vintage-style color and contrast.
• Precise, long-throw manual focus ring.

Product Description

The Nikon NIKKOR-S Auto 50mm f/1.4 is a high-speed prime lens featuring an optical construction designated by the "S" for Septem, indicating a seven-element design. This fast maximum aperture of f/1.4 offers exceptional light-gathering performance, making it highly effective for challenging low-light conditions and providing significant control over depth of field for portraiture and selective focus. The lens is equipped with an automatic diaphragm mechanism, which maintains a fully open aperture for bright, easy composition and focusing, automatically stopping down to the user-selected f-stop precisely at the moment of exposure.

As a Pre-AI (Pre-Aperture Indexing) optic, this lens features the iconic mechanical meter coupling prong, often called "rabbit ears," which enables direct integration with the exposure metering systems of classic Nikon F-series and Nikkormat film bodies. The aperture is adjusted via a dedicated, tactile ring at the rear of the lens, which offers crisp click-stops ranging from f/1.4 down to f/16. Built with a robust, all-metal barrel, the lens is designed for high durability and mechanical reliability, reflecting the heavy-duty construction standards of Nikon’s classic manual-focus era.

The focus ring is wide, deeply knurled, and well-damped, providing a long rotation throw that facilitates precise manual focusing. The front element utilizes a standard 52mm filter thread, ensuring compatibility with a vast range of readily available vintage and modern photographic filters. With its compact form factor and balanced weight, the lens sits comfortably on the camera body, offering an ergonomic shooting experience that allows photographers to intuitively manage focus and aperture settings without removing their eye from the viewfinder.