Introduction
In the world of photography, certain lenses achieve legendary status not just for their technical specifications, but for the unique character they bring to images. The Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 is one such lens. Introduced in the 1970s, this lens was a marvel of its time, offering photographers a versatile zoom range in a compact and well-built package.
Despite being decades old, the Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 continues to attract attention from both film enthusiasts and digital shooters looking for vintage aesthetic in their work. In this comprehensive review, we'll explore the history, design, performance, and real-world usage of this classic Nikon lens.
Historical Background
The Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 was first introduced in 1977 as part of Nikon's F-mount lens lineup. At the time, zoom lenses were becoming increasingly popular, but they often suffered from poor image quality compared to prime lenses. Nikon aimed to change that with the Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5, which offered a relatively fast maximum aperture of f/3.5 throughout its zoom range and innovative optical design.
The Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 mounted on a classic Nikon FM2 camera. (Image: Vintage Camera Collection)
This lens was designed for Nikon's manual focus cameras, such as the Nikon F2 and F3, but it can also be used on modern DSLRs and mirrorless cameras with adapters. Its compact size and relatively lightweight construction made it a popular choice for photographers who needed a versatile lens for everyday shooting.
Over the years, the Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 has become a sought-after lens in the vintage photography community. Its unique optical characteristics, including smooth bokeh and distinctive color rendering, have made it a favorite for creative photographers looking to add a touch of nostalgia to their work.
Design and Build Quality
The Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 features a robust metal construction that reflects Nikon's reputation for durability. The lens barrel is made of high-quality aluminum alloy, with a black chrome finish that not only looks stylish but also resists wear and tear. The focusing and zoom rings are wide and well-textured, providing a smooth and precise feel when adjusting.
Close-up of the lens barrel, showing the smooth focusing and zoom rings.
The lens mount and rear element of the Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5.
Weighing in at approximately 450 grams, the lens is relatively lightweight considering its focal range and aperture. This makes it comfortable to carry around for extended periods, whether you're shooting street photography, landscapes, or portraits.
The lens uses a 52mm filter thread, which is a common size among Nikon lenses of that era. This makes it easy to find compatible filters, such as UV filters, polarizers, and neutral density filters. The front element does not rotate during focusing, which is convenient when using polarizing filters.
Optical Performance
The Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 features a 7-element design in 6 groups, which was state-of-the-art for its time. This optical configuration was designed to minimize aberrations and deliver sharp images across the frame.
Sharpness
At f/3.5, the lens is moderately sharp in the center of the frame, with slight softness towards the edges. Stopping down to f/5.6 significantly improves sharpness across the frame, making it ideal for landscape and architectural photography where maximum detail is desired. At the telephoto end, the lens maintains good sharpness when stopped down to f/8.
Chromatic Aberrations
Like many lenses of its era, the Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 exhibits some chromatic aberrations, particularly at the edges of the frame and when shooting at wide apertures. These can manifest as purple or green fringing around high-contrast edges. However, these aberrations are relatively minor and can be easily corrected in post-processing.
Bokeh
One of the most appealing aspects of this lens is its bokeh, or the quality of out-of-focus areas. The 7-blade diaphragm creates smooth, circular bokeh that is particularly pleasing when shooting portraits or close-up subjects. The bokeh is creamy and natural, adding a pleasing aesthetic to images.
Vignetting
At the wide-angle end and wide apertures, the lens exhibits noticeable vignetting, which can be either a creative asset or a drawback depending on your shooting style. Stopping down to f/5.6 or using the lens at longer focal lengths reduces vignetting significantly.
Real-World Performance
In real-world use, the Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 shines as a versatile all-around lens. Its 2x zoom range covers a useful focal length spectrum, from slightly wide-angle (43mm) to short telephoto (86mm), making it suitable for a variety of photography genres.
Example image taken with the Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5, showcasing its smooth bokeh and vibrant color rendering. (Photo: Test shot on film)
Street Photography
The wide-angle end of the lens (43mm) is well-suited for street photography, allowing you to capture environmental portraits and candid scenes with a natural perspective. The fast aperture of f/3.5 also helps in low-light situations and allows for shallow depth of field to separate your subject from the background.
Portraits
At the telephoto end (86mm), the lens becomes a capable portrait lens. The focal length provides a flattering perspective for portraits, and the smooth bokeh helps create a professional-looking result. While the maximum aperture of f/3.5 is not as fast as some dedicated portrait lenses, it still allows for sufficient background separation in most situations.
Landscapes
Stopped down to f/8 or f/11, the lens delivers excellent sharpness across the frame, making it suitable for landscape photography. The wide-angle end allows you to capture sweeping landscapes, while the telephoto end can be used for isolating details and composing more intimate scenes.
Compatibility with Modern Cameras
One of the great advantages of the Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 is its compatibility with modern Nikon DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. Since it uses the Nikon F-mount, it can be mounted directly on most Nikon DSLRs without an adapter.
Important Note for Digital Cameras
When using this lens on digital cameras with APS-C sensors, the effective focal length is multiplied by 1.5x. This means the 43-86mm focal range becomes approximately 65-129mm, which is more telephoto than on a full-frame camera.
For Nikon mirrorless cameras, such as the Z-series, an adapter (such as the FTZ) is required. The adapter allows the lens to be used with full functionality, including autofocus (although autofocus will not work as this is a manual focus lens).
When using the lens on digital cameras, it's important to note that the lens does not have electronic contacts, so features like automatic aperture control and EXIF data recording will not work. However, most modern cameras allow manual lens settings to be entered manually, which can help with metering and exposure calculations.
User Experiences and Community Feedback
The Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 has a dedicated following among vintage lens enthusiasts, and user feedback is generally positive. Many users praise the lens for its build quality, versatility, and the unique character it brings to images.
"This lens is a hidden gem. The colors it produces are simply beautiful, and the bokeh at 86mm is surprisingly smooth. It's become my go-to lens for street photography on my Nikon Z6."
"I picked up a used Zoom-Nikkor 43-86mm for a song, and I'm really impressed with its performance. The focusing is smooth, and it handles flare surprisingly well considering its age."
"As a film shooter, I love the way this lens renders skin tones and textures. It's not the sharpest lens out there, but that's part of its charm. It gives my photos a nostalgic feel that digital lenses just can't replicate."
Some users note that the lens can be a bit soft at wide apertures, especially towards the edges of the frame. However, this is often considered part of the lens's character and can be desirable for certain types of photography.
Conclusion
The Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 is a lens that bridges the gap between vintage charm and modern functionality. While it may not offer the same level of optical performance as modern zoom lenses, it brings a unique character and aesthetic to images that is highly sought after by many photographers.
Pros
- Excellent build quality and durability
- Versatile 2x zoom range
- Smooth bokeh and unique color rendering
- Compatible with modern Nikon cameras
- Relatively affordable in the used market
Cons
- Manual focus only
- Some chromatic aberrations at wide apertures
- Vignetting at wide angles and wide apertures
- Not as sharp as modern lenses when wide open
- No electronic contacts for automatic functions
If you're a film photographer looking for a versatile lens with character, or a digital shooter interested in experimenting with vintage glass, the Nikon Zoom-Nikkor Auto 43-86mm f/3.5 is definitely worth considering. It's a lens that rewards patience and creativity, and it can add a unique dimension to your photography that is hard to achieve with modern optics.
Whether you're shooting street photography, portraits, landscapes, or just everyday moments, this lens has the potential to become a beloved part of your camera kit. Its combination of historical significance, solid construction, and distinctive image quality make it a true classic in the world of photography.
More Related Content
Top 5 Vintage Nikon Lenses Every Photographer Should Try
Discover the best vintage Nikon lenses that still hold their own against modern optics.
The Art of Shooting with Manual Focus Lenses in the Digital Age
Learn how to embrace manual focus lenses and unlock creative possibilities in your photography.