Nikkor serial number lookup for manual-focus lenses

Analog Lounge · Serial numbers

Use the model variant and serial number to place a manual-focus Nikkor lens within a recorded number range. The lookup shows the source’s production-period estimates where available.

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Identify a manual-focus Nikkor lens

Match the focal length, maximum aperture and version. AI, AI-S, Series E and different 50 mm versions are separate options.

Enter the six- or seven-digit number on the lens and select its exact model variant.

JavaScript is required for the automatic lookup. The underlying data are also available in the tables below.

This selection contains 149 serial blocks for 85 model variants: selected AI and AI-S lenses from 20 to 300 mm, Micro-Nikkors, classic zooms, Series E and the 45 mm AI-P. The menu shows the variants actually covered. Pre-AI, AF and Z lenses are not included.

What the serial number can tell you

A match places the number within the selected model variant. The source distinguishes reported start and end numbers from the lowest and highest numbers on observed specimens. Where a fixed boundary is missing, the recorded range stops at an observed number. This does not establish that every number in between was assigned or individually observed.

A period is an estimate for the corresponding serial block, not the manufacturing date of your individual lens. Open boundaries and uncertainties remain visible. All matches are shown when subvariant ranges overlap. A later AI conversion does not turn an older pre-AI lens into a version originally manufactured as AI.

View the reference data
Serial ranges and periods come from a limited selection of normalized facts from Roland Vink’s independent research, “Nikon Lens Versions and Serial Nos”. Dates are estimates, not an official Nikon factory register. Nikon’s “The Thousand and One Nights” adds model history but does not verify the serial boundaries.
Lens model and variantRecorded number rangeApproximate period according to the sourceStart number reported by source / End number reported by sourceLowest observed number / Highest observed number
Nikkor 20 mm f/2.8 · AI-S200,001–266,369October 1984 – 2005200,001 – Not specified200,004 – 266,369
Nikkor 20 mm f/2.8 · AI-S300,001–306,1032006 – 2020300,001 – Not specified300,009 – 306,103
Nikkor 20 mm f/3.5 · AI176,121–182,176December 1977 – Not specified176,121 – Not specified176,218 – 182,176
Nikkor 20 mm f/3.5 · AI178,171–204,518Not specified – December 1981Not specified – Not specified178,171 – 204,518
Nikkor 20 mm f/3.5 · AI-S210,001–238,647October 1981 – September 1984210,001 – 238,647210,081 – 238,623
Nikkor 20 mm f/4 · AI130,001–140,7631977 – January 1978130,001 – Not specified130,087 – 140,763
Nikkor 24 mm f/2 · AI176,021–180,202August 1977 – Not specified176,021 – Not specified176,050 – 180,202
Nikkor 24 mm f/2 · AI179,750–193,501Not specified – November 1981Not specified – Not specified179,750 – 193,501
Nikkor 24 mm f/2 · AI-S200,001–247,547October 1981 – 2005200,001 – Not specified200,002 – 247,547
Nikkor 24 mm f/2.8 · AI525,001–542,282January 1977 – Not specified525,001 – Not specified525,127 – 542,282
Nikkor 24 mm f/2.8 · AI541,733–557,144No date availableNot specified – Not specified541,733 – 557,144
Nikkor 24 mm f/2.8 · AI557,034–684,524Not specified – September 1981Not specified – Not specified557,034 – 684,524
Nikkor 24 mm f/2.8 · AI-S700,001–857,211August 1981 – 2005700,001 – Not specified700,067 – 857,211
Nikkor 24 mm f/2.8 · AI-S900,001–908,0142006 – 2020900,001 – Not specified900,005 – 908,014
Nikkor 28 mm f/2 · AI450,001–454,2221977 – Not specified450,001 – Not specified450,011 – 454,222
Nikkor 28 mm f/2 · AI453,953–454,838No date availableNot specified – Not specified453,953 – 454,838
Nikkor 28 mm f/2 · AI540,021–545,371No date available540,021 – Not specified540,039 – 545,371
Nikkor 28 mm f/2 · AI545,585–565,149Not specified – November 1981Not specified – Not specified545,585 – 565,149
Nikkor 28 mm f/2 · AI-S575,001–619,716September 1981 – 2005575,001 – Not specified575,040 – 619,716
Nikkor 28 mm f/2.8 · AI430,001–449,8191977 – Not specified430,001 – Not specified430,035 – 449,819
Nikkor 28 mm f/2.8 · AI450,145–459,316No date availableNot specified – Not specified450,145 – 459,316
Nikkor 28 mm f/2.8 · AI458,211–468,289No date availableNot specified – Not specified458,211 – 468,289
Nikkor 28 mm f/2.8 · AI466,581–498,419No date availableNot specified – Not specified466,581 – 498,419
Nikkor 28 mm f/2.8 · AI510,101–625,883Not specified – September 1981510,001 (?) – Not specified510,101 – 625,883
Nikkor 28 mm f/2.8 · AI-S635,001–837,751August 1981 – 2005635,001 – Not specified635,073 – 837,751
Nikkor 28 mm f/2.8 · AI-S900,001–907,1272006 – 2020900,001 – Not specified900,031 – 907,127
Nikkor 28 mm f/3.5 · AI1,760,201–1,776,955January 1977 – Not specified1,760,201 – Not specified1,760,325 – 1,776,955
Nikkor 28 mm f/3.5 · AI1,776,176–1,786,148No date availableNot specified – Not specified1,776,176 – 1,786,148
Nikkor 28 mm f/3.5 · AI1,785,006–1,799,756No date availableNot specified – Not specified1,785,006 – 1,799,756
Nikkor 28 mm f/3.5 · AI1,798,827–1,955,004Not specified – September 1981Not specified – Not specified1,798,827 – 1,955,004
Nikkor 28 mm f/3.5 · AI-S2,100,001–2,139,599July 1981 – March 19832,100,001 – 2,139,5992,100,036 – 2,139,271
Nikon Series E 28 mm f/2.81,790,601–1,851,892November 1979 – March 19811,790,601 – Not specified1,790,713 – 1,851,892
Nikon Series E 28 mm f/2.8 New1,940,001–2,131,239May 1981 – 19851,940,001 – Not specified1,940,121 – 2,131,239
Nikkor 35 mm f/1.4 · AI400,001–402,3461977 – Not specified400,001 – Not specified400,006 – 402,346
Nikkor 35 mm f/1.4 · AI401,751–403,498No date availableNot specified – Not specified401,751 – 403,498
Nikkor 35 mm f/1.4 · AI403,229–416,628Not specified – November 1981Not specified – Not specified403,229 – 416,628
Nikkor 35 mm f/1.4 · AI-S430,001–507,435December 1981 – 2005430,001 – Not specified430,002 – 507,435
Nikkor 35 mm f/1.4 · AI-S600,001–617,0152006 – 2020600,001 – Not specified600,003 – 617,015
Nikkor 35 mm f/2 · AI110,055–193,574Not specified – August 1981110,001 (?) – 193,574110,055 – 193,558
Nikkor 35 mm f/2 · AI920,001–930,9661977 – Not specified920,001 – Not specified920,025 – 930,966
Nikkor 35 mm f/2 · AI931,001–941,637No date available931,001 – Not specified931,318 – 941,637
Nikkor 35 mm f/2 · AI939,039–959,840No date availableNot specified – Not specified939,039 – 959,840
Nikkor 35 mm f/2 · AI-S210,001–333,418June 1981 – 2005210,001 – Not specified210,004 – 333,418
Nikkor 35 mm f/2.8 · AI-S521,001–593,678August 1981 – 1989521,001 – Not specified521,047 – 593,678
Nikkor 35 mm f/2.8 New · AI350,001–356,9201979 – Not specified350,001 – Not specified350,278 – 356,920
Nikkor 35 mm f/2.8 New · AI358,328–459,942Not specified – September 1981Not specified – Not specified358,328 – 459,942
Nikon Series E 35 mm f/2.51,780,801–1,877,908March 1979 – March 19811,780,801 – Not specified1,780,975 – 1,877,908
Nikon Series E 35 mm f/2.5 New1,920,001–2,019,096May 1981 – 19851,920,001 – Not specified1,920,235 – 2,019,096
Nikkor 45 mm f/2.8 · AI-P200,001–214,904February 2001 – Not specified200,001 – Not specified200,042 – 214,904
Nikkor 45 mm f/2.8 · AI-P300,001–308,652September 2001 – 2005300,001 – Not specified300,014 – 308,652 (?)
Nikkor 45 mm f/2.8 · AI-P308,435–318,974September 2001 – 2005Not specified – Not specified308,435 – 318,974
Nikkor 45 mm f/2.8 · AI-P400,001–400,930March 2006400,001 – Not specified400,012 – 400,930
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.2 · AI177,051–250,513March 1978 – June 1981177,051 – Not specified177,256 – 250,513
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.2 · AI-S250,001–391,172June 1981 – 2005250,001 – Not specified250,004 – 391,172
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.2 · AI-S400,001–427,0172006 – 2020400,001 – Not specified400,035 – 427,017
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4 · AI3,940,001–3,979,922March 1977 – Not specified3,940,001 – Not specified3,940,095 – 3,979,922
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4 · AI3,980,001–4,052,236No date available3,980,001 – Not specified3,985,132 – 4,052,236
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4 · AI4,046,838–4,095,579No date availableNot specified – Not specified4,046,838 – 4,095,579
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4 · AI4,072,940–4,127,031No date availableNot specified – Not specified4,072,940 – 4,127,031
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4 · AI4,125,527–4,267,711No date availableNot specified – Not specified4,125,527 – 4,267,711
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4 · AI4,269,873–4,853,151Not specified – June 1981Not specified – Not specified4,269,873 – 4,853,151
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4 · AI-S5,100,001–5,858,750July 1981 – 20055,100,001 – Not specified5,100,016 – 5,858,750
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4 · AI-S6,000,001–6,024,9802006 – 20206,000,001 – Not specified6,000,626 – 6,024,980
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8 · AI1,760,801–2,165,418January 1978 – October 19821,760,801 – Not specified1,760,831 – 2,165,418
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8 export · AI-S3,135,001–3,304,551July 1981 – September 19853,135,001 – Not specified3,135,197 – 3,304,551
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8 Japan · 0.45 m · AI-S2,050,001–2,259,4721980 – Not specified2,050,001 – Not specified2,050,043 – 2,259,472
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8 Japan · 0.45 m · AI-S2,255,877–2,268,017Not specified – October 1982Not specified – 2,268,0172,255,877 – 2,266,119
Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8 New · 0.6 m · AI-S4,000,001–4,459,567August 1985 – 20054,000,001 – Not specified4,000,010 – 4,459,567
Nikkor 50 mm f/2 · AI3,500,001–3,610,389March 1977 – Not specified3,500,001 – Not specified3,500,010 – 3,610,389
Nikkor 50 mm f/2 · AI3,605,363–3,700,001No date availableNot specified – Not specified3,605,363 – 3,700,001
Nikkor 50 mm f/2 · AI3,696,588–3,813,206Not specified – January 1979Not specified – Not specified3,696,588 – 3,813,206
Nikon Series E 50 mm f/1.81,055,001–1,871,115March 1979 – March 19811,055,001 – Not specified1,055,140 – 1,871,115
Nikon Series E 50 mm f/1.8 New1,900,001–3,330,226May 1981 – 19851,900,001 – Not specified1,900,025 – 3,330,226
Micro-Nikkor 55 mm f/2.8 · AI-S179,041–601,232December 1979 – Not specified179,041 – Not specified179,141 – 601,232
Micro-Nikkor 55 mm f/2.8 · AI-S700,001–752,406Not specified – 2005700,001 – Not specified700,378 – 752,406
Micro-Nikkor 55 mm f/2.8 · AI-S800,001–814,6032006 – 2020800,001 – Not specified800,250 – 814,603
Micro-Nikkor 55 mm f/3.5 · AI940,001–948,6811977 – Not specified940,001 – Not specified940,001 – 948,681
Micro-Nikkor 55 mm f/3.5 · AI949,786–980,534No date availableNot specified – Not specified949,786 – 980,534
Micro-Nikkor 55 mm f/3.5 · AI975,449–992,480No date availableNot specified – Not specified975,449 – 992,480
Micro-Nikkor 55 mm f/3.5 · AI991,581–1,106,077Not specified – October 1979Not specified – Not specified991,581 – 1,106,077
Nikkor 55 mm f/1.2 · AI400,001–414,899April 1977 – Not specified400,001 – Not specified400,015 – 414,899
Nikkor 55 mm f/1.2 · AI414,238–425,518Not specified – April 1978Not specified – Not specified414,238 – 425,518
Nikkor 58 mm f/1.2 Noct · AI172,011–172,556February 1977 – Not specified172,011 – Not specified172,017 – 172,556
Nikkor 58 mm f/1.2 Noct · AI172,559–174,472Not specified – November 1981Not specified – Not specified172,559 – 174,472
Nikkor 58 mm f/1.2 Noct · AI-S185,001–193,951November 1981 – 1998185,001 – Not specified185,002 – 193,951
Nikkor 85 mm f/1.4 · AI-S179,091–245,723March 1981 – 2005179,091 – Not specified179,101 – 245,723
Nikkor 85 mm f/2 · AI175,111–178,510April 1977 – Not specified175,111 – Not specified175,139 – 178,510
Nikkor 85 mm f/2 · AI178,010–193,769No date availableNot specified – Not specified178,010 – 193,769
Nikkor 85 mm f/2 · AI192,159–265,143Not specified – September 1981Not specified – Not specified192,159 – 265,143
Nikkor 85 mm f/2 · AI-S270,001–358,019August 1981 – March 1995270,001 – Not specified270,045 – 358,019
Nikon Series E 100 mm f/2.81,780,701–1,890,124March 1979 – March 19811,780,701 – Not specified1,780,727 – 1,890,124
Nikon Series E 100 mm f/2.8 New1,930,001–2,011,608May 1981 – 19851,930,001 – Not specified1,930,004 – 2,011,608
Micro-Nikkor 105 mm f/2.8 · AI-S182,061–269,070March 1983 – 2005182,061 – Not specified182,165 – 269,070
Micro-Nikkor 105 mm f/2.8 · AI-S300,001–307,7122006 – 2020300,001 – Not specified300,024 – 307,712
Micro-Nikkor 105 mm f/4 · AI186,956–193,7821977 – Not specified186,956 – Not specified186,984 – 193,782
Micro-Nikkor 105 mm f/4 · AI193,312–230,509Not specified – 1981Not specified – Not specified193,312 – 230,509
Micro-Nikkor 105 mm f/4 · AI-S232,001–256,840September 1981 – March 1983232,001 – Not specified232,054 – 256,840
Nikkor 105 mm f/1.8 · AI-S179,091–223,497March 1981 – 2005179,091 – Not specified179,092 – 223,497
Nikkor 105 mm f/2.5 · AI740,001–764,4521977 – Not specified740,001 – Not specified740,009 – 764,452
Nikkor 105 mm f/2.5 · AI764,011–897,333Not specified – September 1981Not specified – Not specified764,011 – 897,333
Nikkor 105 mm f/2.5 · AI-S890,001–1,053,938August 1981 – 2005890,001 – Not specified890,015 – 1,053,938
Nikkor 135 mm f/2 · AI190,001–191,5421977 – Not specified190,001 – Not specified190,010 – 191,542
Nikkor 135 mm f/2 · AI191,237–197,527Not specified – December 1981Not specified – Not specified191,237 – 197,527
Nikkor 135 mm f/2 · AI-S201,001–233,286December 1981 – 2005201,001 – Not specified201,046 – 233,286
Nikkor 135 mm f/2.8 · AI770,001–788,033March 1977 – Not specified770,001 – Not specified770,014 – 788,033
Nikkor 135 mm f/2.8 · AI789,164–916,935Not specified – September 1981Not specified – Not specified789,164 – 916,935
Nikkor 135 mm f/2.8 · AI-S900,001–976,038September 1981 – 2005900,001 – Not specified900,010 – 976,038
Nikkor 135 mm f/3.5 · AI193,501–202,984March 1977 – Not specified193,501 – Not specified193,628 – 202,984
Nikkor 135 mm f/3.5 · AI202,131–260,855No date availableNot specified – Not specified202,131 – 260,855
Nikkor 135 mm f/3.5 · AI261,165–297,657Not specified – September 1981Not specified – Not specified261,165 – 297,657
Nikkor 135 mm f/3.5 · AI-S290,001–309,973September 1981 – March 1983290,001 – 309,973290,001 – 308,191
Nikon Series E 135 mm f/2.8180,031–257,045March 1981 – 1985180,031 – Not specified180,431 – 257,045
Nikkor 180 mm f/2.8 · AI360,001–362,1601977 – Not specified360,001 – Not specified360,002 – 362,160
Nikkor 180 mm f/2.8 · AI361,748–378,551Not specified – October 1981Not specified – Not specified361,748 – 378,551
Nikkor 180 mm f/2.8 ED · AI-S380,001–454,048March 1981 – 2005380,001 – Not specified380,004 – 454,048
Micro-Nikkor 200 mm f/4 IF · AI178,021–198,158August 1978 – March 1982178,021 – Not specified178,036 – 198,158
Micro-Nikkor 200 mm f/4 IF · AI-S200,001–220,005February 1982 – 2005200,001 – Not specified200,024 – 220,005
Nikkor 200 mm f/4 · AI710,001–739,1741977 – Not specified710,001 – Not specified710,155 – 739,174
Nikkor 200 mm f/4 · AI738,930–858,563Not specified – October 1981Not specified – Not specified738,930 – 858,563
Nikkor 200 mm f/4 · AI-S900,001–980,974November 1981 – January 1996900,001 – Not specified900,004 – 980,974
Nikkor 300 mm f/4.5 · AI510,001–515,4531977 – Not specified510,001 – Not specified510,025 – 515,453
Nikkor 300 mm f/4.5 · AI515,930–543,930Not specified – December 1981Not specified – Not specified515,930 – 543,930
Nikkor 300 mm f/4.5 · AI-S550,001–584,206November 1981 – 1994 (Questioned in the source)550,001 – Not specified550,083 – 584,206
Nikkor 300 mm f/4.5 ED · AI190,001–190,448Not specified – January 1979190,001 – Not specified190,006 – 190,448
Nikkor 300 mm f/4.5 ED IF · AI200,001–208,080August 1978 – December 1981200,001 – Not specified200,008 – 208,080
Nikkor 300 mm f/4.5 ED IF · AI-S210,001–238,835December 1981 – 1999210,001 – Not specified210,058 – 238,835
Zoom-Nikkor 25-50 mm f/4 · AI-S201,001–217,906November 1981 – March 1985201,001 – 217,906201,009 – 217,658
Zoom-Nikkor 35-105 mm f/3.5-4.5 · AI-S1,820,701–2,192,260January 1983 – 20051,820,701 – Not specified1,821,251 – 2,192,260
Zoom-Nikkor 35-135 mm f/3.5-4.5 · AI-S200,001–292,434October 1984 – 1998200,001 – Not specified200,407 – 292,434
Zoom-Nikkor 35-200 mm f/3.5-4.5 · AI-S200,001–242,918December 1985 – 2005200,001 – Not specified200,051 – 242,918
Zoom-Nikkor 35-70 mm f/3.3-4.5 · AI-S2,000,001–2,285,409October 1984 – Not specified2,000,001 – Not specified2,000,546 – 2,285,409
Zoom-Nikkor 35-70 mm f/3.3-4.5 · AI-S3,000,001–3,020,184Not specified – 20053,000,001 – Not specified3,002,838 – 3,020,184
Zoom-Nikkor 35-70 mm f/3.5 · AI-S821,001–831,264September 1981 – Not specified821,001 – Not specified821,064 – 831,264
Zoom-Nikkor 35-70 mm f/3.5 · AI-S930,799–979,539Not specified – May 1986930,001 (?) – 979,539930,799 – 979,534
Nikon Series E 36-72 mm f/3.51,800,701–2,020,101October 1981 – 19851,800,701 – Not specified1,801,051 – 2,020,101
Zoom-Nikkor 43-86 mm f/3.5 · AI810,001–838,1921977 – Not specified810,001 – Not specified810,177 – 838,192
Zoom-Nikkor 43-86 mm f/3.5 · AI840,283–933,021No date availableNot specified – Not specified840,283 – 933,021
Zoom-Nikkor 43-86 mm f/3.5 · AI940,262–1,048,614Not specified – March 1982Not specified – Not specified940,262 – 1,048,614
Zoom-Nikkor 50-135 mm f/3.5 · AI-S811,001–842,525April 1982 – October 1984811,001 – 842,525811,114 – 840,842
Nikon Series E 70-210 mm f/41,810,801–1,903,997December 1981 – Not specified1,810,801 – Not specified1,810,815 – 1,903,997
Nikon Series E 70-210 mm f/42,000,001–2,091,819Not specified – 19852,000,001 – Not specified2,000,458 – 2,091,819
Nikon Series E 75-150 mm f/3.51,790,801–1,846,100May 1980 – Not specified1,790,801 – Not specified1,791,079 – 1,846,100
Nikon Series E 75-150 mm f/3.51,840,405–1,860,019No date availableNot specified – Not specified1,840,405 – 1,860,019
Nikon Series E 75-150 mm f/3.51,890,001–2,023,732May 1981 – Not specified1,890,001 – Not specified1,890,575 – 2,023,732
Nikon Series E 75-150 mm f/3.53,000,001–3,062,010Not specified – 19853,000,001 – Not specified3,000,447 – 3,062,010
Zoom-Nikkor 80-200 mm f/4 · AI-S180,081–330,114August 1981 – 1998180,081 – Not specified180,360 – 330,114
Zoom-Nikkor 80-200 mm f/4.5 · AI270,001–284,8381977 – August 1977270,001 – Not specified270,075 – 284,838
Zoom-Nikkor 80-200 mm f/4.5 New · AI760,801–913,524July 1977 – December 1981760,801 – Not specified760,985 – 913,524
Zoom-Nikkor 100-300 mm f/5.6 · AI-S183,051–241,250January 1984 – 1998183,051 – Not specified183,492 – 241,250

Frequently asked questions

Can I find the exact year my Nikkor was made?

Usually the lookup can show only the source’s production period for the matching serial block. It does not interpolate an individual year from the number’s position in that period. Many subranges have one or both date boundaries missing.

Why must I select the model and variant?

Different Nikkors use overlapping serial ranges. Even AI and AI-S versions with the same focal length and maximum aperture can overlap. Check the lens version: the serial number alone does not uniquely identify the model.

What does no match mean?

This selection has no matching number range for the chosen variant. Check the model designation, version and serial number. The collection is incomplete; a missing match is not evidence of a counterfeit or a fault.

Sources and accuracy

Serial ranges and periods come from a limited selection of normalized facts from Roland Vink’s independent research, “Nikon Lens Versions and Serial Nos”. Dates are estimates, not an official Nikon factory register. Nikon’s “The Thousand and One Nights” adds model history but does not verify the serial boundaries.

Sources reviewed: 21.10.2026

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