Nikon's budget standard zoom — the manual-focus Series E 36-72mm f/3.5, compact and constant-aperture.
The Nikon Series E 36-72mm f/3.5 is a compact standard zoom from Nikon's budget Series E line, introduced in the early 1980s. Priced below the Nikkor zooms but sharing the F mount and Ai coupling, it covered a mild wide to short telephoto range at a constant f/3.5 aperture as an affordable everyday zoom.
This is a manual-focus Nikon F lens with a constant maximum aperture of f/3.5 across a 36-72mm zoom range, built with Ai-compatible aperture coupling for full-aperture metering. It operates with normal reflex viewing. Only the verified focal range, aperture and mount are stated; construction details are omitted rather than guessed.
Despite the budget positioning, the Series E 36-72mm has a fair reputation for sharpness stopped down, covering the everyday wide-to-short-tele framing in a light, compact body. It suits travel, general shooting and street where a small, affordable zoom is wanted. The constant f/3.5 aperture keeps exposure consistent across the range.
On the used market this Series E zoom is common and inexpensive, a low-cost manual standard zoom. Inspect the elements for haze and fungus, check coatings, confirm the aperture blades are dry, and test the zoom and focus damping since Series E barrels can loosen with age. It adapts to mirrorless as a compact, budget manual zoom.