Nikon's fast rangefinder telephoto — the five-element Nikkor-P 10.5cm f/2.5 in Leica screw mount.
The Nikkor-P 10.5cm f/2.5 is a fast medium-telephoto rangefinder lens from Nippon Kogaku (Nikon) in the Leica screw mount, introduced in the early 1950s. Nikon engraved focal lengths in centimetres, so 10.5cm equals 105mm. This optical formula went on to a long life in Nikon's later SLR lenses, and the rangefinder version is where that respected 105mm design began.
This is a manual-focus, rangefinder-coupled Leica Thread Mount lens with a 105mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.5. The -P suffix stands for Penta, from the Greek for five, meaning a five-element design. That five-element construction is the product distinction the letter records. Any further detail should be confirmed against the specific version for accuracy.
At 105mm and f/2.5 the lens is a strong portrait and reportage tool, with a longer reach than an 85mm for tighter framing and greater subject separation. The five-element design is known for good sharpness with a pleasant rendering of the background. It suits portraits, candid documentary work and any situation where a moderate telephoto reach helps.
The rangefinder 10.5cm f/2.5 is collected both for its optics and as the origin of a long-lived Nikon design, so demand is steady. Check the elements for haze, fungus, separation and cleaning marks, and inspect coatings for scratches. Confirm the aperture blades are oil-free and the focus is smooth over its longer travel. With an LTM-to-Leica-M ring, plus a further adapter, it can be used on Leica M and mirrorless cameras.