CX-Nikkor lenses

(for Nikon 1-series cameras)

Nikon Corporation introduced in September 2011 - simultaneously with the introduction of the Nikon 1-series digital rangefinder cameras - four new lenses*, reviewed below. Later more were added.

Be aware of the fact that not all lenses were available in all colours worldwide. Some colours were only available when bought in a kit with one of the Nikon 1-series cameras! The smaller zoom-lenses have an extra button on the side of their body, with which you can retract the entire lens to fit in a smaller bag! The camera will automatically turn on when extending the lens manually while pressing the zoom ring button. All lenses below do not have an indication on the lens body of aperture or distance in use. These data can only be found on the rear screen of the camera or in the exif-files of Nikon imaging software.

Unfortunately some lenses had some 'teething troubles', that is why Nikon issued some firmware late November 2011. Please visit the site of your national Nikon representative and/or distributor or ask your dealer for details. In July 2018 Nikon announced to stop the production of all Nikon 1-Series cameras and lenses!! For collectors these cameras and lenses have become an interesting target.

Nikon Corporation introduced a special adapter - Nikon FT-1 - enabling you to mount various AF-Nikkors on the Nikon 1-Series digital cameras. Not all Nikkors are compatible, however. To find out which lens may fit see this list. Mind you that the crop factor is 2.7, so a lens with a focal length of 50 mm. will become a 135mm.- lens! See at the bottom of this page an example of a nice AF-I-Nikkor mounted on a 1-Series camera.

1-Nikkor VR 3.5-5.6/6.7-13 mm.

Announced at the end of October 2012 this lens came available in January 2013. It features an optical system of 11 elements (of which 3 are aspherical and 3 are made of ED-glass) in 7 groups. The VR makes it possible to shoot in dim light down to 25 cm. The lens weighs in at 125 gram, uses 52 mm. filters and the best hood is the HB-N105.

1-Nikkor 2.8/10 mm.

*This pan-cake lens, available in 4 colours (black, white, red and silver), has an optical formula of 6 elements (of which two are aspherical) in 5 groups with 7 rounded diaphragm blades. The lens has no Vibration Reduction but autofocus via rear focus = very fast! The filter thread of 40,5 mm. may be welcomed by Nikon rangefinder collectors, as the Nikon RF lenses in the 1950-1960's had that filter thread. This beautiful lens weighs in at just 77 gram. Hood = HN-N101.

Late September 2013 an interesting version was introduced: a similar lens with identical technical specifications but with various seals so it can be used underwater on the Nikon 1AW1 camera body. To avoid fogging a Nikon AW 40.5 filter can be mounted.

1-Nikkor 1.8/18.5 mm.

Mid September 2012 Nikon introduced this relatively fast prime lens, available in three colours (white, black and silver) and equaling the viewing angle of a 50mm. standard lens for 35mm-film photography. The optical formula of this lens consists of 8 elements in 6 groups, where the second element seen from the back has an aspherical shape. The diaphragm has 7 blades, making a nice bokeh possible. The lens weighs in at a little over 70 gram, can take 40.5 mm. filters and the HB-N104 hood.

1-Nikkor 3.5-5.6/10-30 mm. / PD-Zoom

*Above the red version of this small zoom-lens; others available colours are white, black, silver and pink! The optical formula of this lens consists of 12 elements in 9 groups and has a diaphragm of 7 blades. A silent stepping AF-motor (STM) and Vibration Reduction II will enable the photographer to shoot sharp images down to a minimum distance of just 2 cm.! The lens has internal focusing (IF) while the body size doubles during zooming. The filter thread is 40.5 mm. and the lens weighs in at 115 gr. Hood = HB-N101. November 2011 Nikon issued firmware update 1.02.

An interesting variation of this lens was introduced mid-March 2014, featuring power-drive zoom to utilize an electrically controlled lens cover, which eliminates the need to attach and remove a lens cap; and a retractable lens mechanism that retracts the lens when not in use. The lens has 9 elements (of which 4 are aspherical, 1 made of ED-glass and 1 of HRI-glass) in 7 groups and weighs in at just 85 gram.

1-Nikkor 4.5-5.6/10-100 mm PD-Zoom

*This is the first Nikkor zoom-lens with a Power Drive (PD) in 3 different zoom speeds. The 'fat' lens has an optical formula of 21 elements (of which two are aspherical) in 14 groups, has 7 diaphragm blades and features the improved VR II system. Via internal focusing it is possible to come as close as 30 cm. to the object. Filter thread is 72 mm, the best hood is the HB-N102 and the lens weighs in at 515 gr. The PD-Zoom is available in black only! November 2011 Nikon issued firmware update 1.01.

1-Nikkor VR 4-5.6/10 - 100 mm.

A much smaller - and slightly faster - version of the above mentioned lens was introduced in January 2013. The newly designed optical formula consist of 19 elements (of which 3 are aspherical, 2 are made of ED-glass and 1 is a HRI element) in 12 groups. The VR lens will focus down to 35 cm. and uses 55mm filters. It is considerably lighter with its 298 gram. The best hood is HB-N106.

1-Nikkor 3.5-5.6/11-27.5 mm.

Early August 2012 Nikon extended the range of Series-1 lenses by this zoom-Nikkor with retractable lens mechanism. It has an optical design of 8 elements in 6 groups; one element is made of ED-glass, one element has an aspherical surface and the front lens is a protective glass. The zoom range is equivalent to 30-74 mm. in 35mm. photography. The lens is available in 6 different colours, weighs in at 83 gram, focuses down to 30 cm, takes 40.5 mm. filters and the best hood is the HN-N102.

1-Nikkor 3.8-5.6/30-110 mm

*This zoom-lens has an optical construction of 18 elements (of which 2 are made of ED-glass) in 12 groups and has 7 rounded diaphragm blades. Internal Focusing makes focusing possible and easy via a silent stepping motor, assisted by VR-II, down to 1 meter. The lens has a filter thread of 40.5 mm. and weighs in at 175 gram. Hood = HB-N103. November 2011 Nikon issued firmware update 1.02.

1-Nikkor 1.2/32 mm.

Announced at the end of October 2012 this extremely fast prime lens was introduced mid May 2013. This special lens with a focal length of 32 mm., equaling 86 mm in 35 mm. photography, has an optical formula of 9 elements in 7 groups; some elements have - as the first CX-Nikkor - the famous Nano Crystal Coating. It also features - as the first CX-Nikkor - a fast Silent Wave Motor, enabling auto focus - with manual override - down to 45 cm. 7 diaphragm blades will give a nice bokeh at full opening. The lens takes 52 mm. filters and weighs in at 235 gram. The best hood is the HB-N107. The lens is available in black and chrome finish.

1-Nikkor VR Zoom 4,5-5.6/70-300 mm.

Mid-March 2014 Nikon presented this super-telephoto zoom lens covering the 70-300mm range equaling in 35mm-photography 189-810 mm.!! It also has a retractable barrel mechanism, Vibration Reduction and autofocus with manual override. It is the first 1-Nikkor lens equipped with a focus limiter and the first 1-Nikkor lens with Super ED glass and Nano Crystal Coating. The optical formula consists of 16 elements in 10 groups. The lens can be focused down to 1 meter (at 70 mm.) and to 1.6 meter (at 300 mm.). Filter thread is 62 mm. and its weight is 550 gram.