Lens mount
Nikon F mount
Nikon F is the 1959 bayonet with a 46.5mm register that Nikon kept through the pre-AI, AI (1977), AI-S (1981), and autofocus eras.
- Type
- bayonet
- Flange distance
- 46.5 mm
- Introduced
- 1959, Nikon F
- Status
- Still in use on Nikon DSLRs. The manual-focus AI-S line was made into the 2020s.
About the Nikon F mount
The Nikon F mount is a three-lug bayonet with a 44mm throat and a 46.5mm flange distance, introduced with the Nikon F in 1959 and still fitted to Nikon DSLRs. Its longevity comes with generations that matter to buyers. Pre-AI lenses (1959 to 1977) carry the meter-coupling prong, the rabbit ears, and index the meter with the so-called Nikon twist on early bodies. AI (Automatic Indexing, 1977) added a ridge on the aperture ring so bodies read the aperture directly. AI-S (1981) standardised the aperture-lever travel so program and shutter-priority bodies could set the aperture, identified by a small scoop in the mount flange and an orange minimum-aperture number.
For adapting, the 46.5mm register is the deepest of the classic 35mm SLR mounts, so Nikon F lenses reach infinity on every mirrorless system and on most other DSLR mounts as well. Pre-AI lenses work perfectly on adapters, but their unmodified aperture ring can damage the AI follower tab on later Nikon film bodies and DSLRs, which is why many were factory or third-party AI converted. Nikkor lenses with an aperture ring (everything through AF-D) work on plain adapters; G-type autofocus lenses without a ring need an adapter with its own aperture control.
Aperture control
Automatic diaphragm. Off the body the lens sits at the set aperture, so the aperture ring works directly on an adapter.
Adapting it
Plain adapter ring for every manual-aperture Nikkor. Pre-AI lenses mount freely on adapters; their only compatibility problem is with later Nikon bodies whose meter-coupling tab they can bend.
Catalog variants of this mount: Nikon F (AI-S), Nikon F (pre-AI).
Nikon F lenses in the catalog
| Lens | Focal length | Aperture | Years | Used value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 AI-S | 105mm | f/2.5 | 1981-2005 | $150 to $450 |
| Nikon Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 AI-S | 35mm | f/1.4 | 1976-2020s | $350 to $900 |
| Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S | 50mm | f/1.2 | 1981-2020s | $400 to $950 |
| Nikon Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f/1.4 (pre-AI) | 50mm | f/1.4 | 1962-1974 | $60 to $220 |
Adapting Nikon F to a modern body
Frequently asked
Can Nikon F lenses be adapted to mirrorless cameras?
Yes. Nikon F has a 46.5mm register, longer than any mirrorless mount, so a plain mechanical adapter reaches infinity on Sony E, Fuji X, MFT, Canon RF, Nikon Z, and L-mount. Plain adapter ring for every manual-aperture Nikkor. Pre-AI lenses mount freely on adapters; their only compatibility problem is with later Nikon bodies whose meter-coupling tab they can bend.
What is the flange distance of the Nikon F mount?
The Nikon F flange distance is 46.5mm. It is a bayonet introduced in 1959 on the Nikon F. Still in use on Nikon DSLRs. The manual-focus AI-S line was made into the 2020s.
How much do Nikon F lenses cost used?
The 4 Nikon F lenses in the LensVault catalog range from $60 to $950 used. The least expensive is the Nikon Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f/1.4 (pre-AI) at a typical $110. Values are estimates from recent sold listings and dealer pricing, not appraisals.
What is the difference between Nikon F (AI-S) and Nikon F (pre-AI)?
Nikon F (AI-S) and Nikon F (pre-AI) are generations of the same Nikon F bayonet and mount identically on adapters. Automatic diaphragm. Off the body the lens sits at the set aperture, so the aperture ring works directly on an adapter.