Nikon's rangefinder macro standard — the close-focusing Micro-Nikkor 5cm f/3.5 in Leica screw mount.
The Micro-Nikkor 5cm f/3.5 is a close-focusing standard lens from Nippon Kogaku (Nikon) in the Leica screw mount, introduced in the mid-1950s. Nikon engraved focal lengths in centimetres, so 5cm equals 50mm. As one of Nikon's earliest macro-capable optics, it holds a special place in the rangefinder line and is among the more sought-after 5cm Nikkors for collectors.
This is a manual-focus, rangefinder-coupled Leica Thread Mount lens with a 50mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/3.5. The Micro prefix marks it as Nikon's designation for a close-focusing, high-resolution lens optimised for flat-field reproduction rather than a standard portrait or street optic. Beyond the focal length, aperture and mount, further optical detail should be verified per version.
The Micro-Nikkor was built for detail and reproduction work, holding sharpness across a flat field better than a general standard. On a rangefinder its close-focus advantage is limited by the finder, so it was often used at moderate distances or on a reflex housing. At normal distances it still serves as a competent 50mm for documentary and general photography.
The early Micro-Nikkor is a collector favourite and appears far less often than the ordinary 5cm standards, so condition matters to value. Check the elements for haze, fungus, separation and cleaning marks, and inspect the coatings for scratches. Confirm the aperture blades are oil-free and the focus is smooth. With an LTM-to-Leica-M ring, plus a further adapter, it can be used on Leica M and mirrorless bodies, where close focus is easier to exploit.