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Nikon Type C 55mm f/3.5 Micro-PC Auto, on a Nikon FE. Lens is pre-AI and therefore metering is stopped down only. The FE is one of the few Nikon models which will accept these old lenses safely, although it is necessary to flip a tab on the lens throat out of the way before mounting the lens. A matching M2 extension ring cost me almost as much as the lens, but now I can do 1:1. Wow!
Photographed with a Nikon D90 and 55-200 f/4-5.6 VR zoom at 200mm (is there some other setting?). Every time I use that lens I am impressed by its quality. Aperture priority mode, f5.6. ISO 500, shutter 1/30th.


A few notes about this highly rated macro lens might be of general interest. Made between 1973 - 75, it was the final successor to the second type of 55mm Micro-Nikkor and boasted multicoating (hence the "C" designation).

Nikon gave it a better image rendition for shooting distant objects, making it a great general purpose lens as well as being equipped for close-up work. From wide open to f/11 the sharpness is excellent.

Many Nikon users claim that this lens is better than the later 55mm f2.8 version.

At its launch, Nikon’s publicity claimed

“Auto Micro Nikkor is probably the sharpest lens available for 35mm photography. But, even more outstanding is its ability to maintain the same, high standard image resolution for both general and close-up work - at all camera-to-subject distances from infinity to 1:1, and even closer.

“Not less remarkable than the Auto Micro Nikkor optics is its mechanical design. It provides unique, practical facilities which make it easy to utilize the optical qualities of the lens in every area of application.”

The Nikon FE is one of the few Nikon SLR cameras which can mount almost any Nikkor, including pre-Ai, although the modern 'G' lenses are no use because they lack an aperture ring.
The lens pictured on this FE is the Nikkor Type C 55mm f/3.5 Micro-PC Auto, manufactured between 1973 and 1975. As it is a pre-Ai lens, the little flap on the lens throat of the FE has to be lifted prior to fitting the lens.