Old Nikon lenses

Raymond Lin

Raymond Lin

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I am on the verge of getting a Nikon FM2 as a replacement for my Olympus OM2. I will need a lens. However, even though they are all technically F mount, I think, and correct me if i am wrong, they are not the same and not compatible with each other? So i can't just buy a Nikon f mount 50/1.4 from any era and expect it to work?

Of course I don't expect an Auto focus lens to have AF on a manual body, but i do like metering to work, that's it.

I am only looking at 50mm at the moment, so which 50mm lenses work and what to look for? since I don't think the lenses says Ai or Ai-s on them, but actually need to be able to see the mount?

Differences Between AI and AI-S Lenses

www.nikonimgsupport.com www.nikonimgsupport.com
 
As far as I’m aware the only lenses which won’t work on film bodies are the G aka gelded modern lenses due to their lack of an aperture ring (it’s electronic).

The AI lenses should meter just fine, same with the newer AF-I and AF-D. Just avoid AF-S as most are G type
 
AFAIK you should be ok with both AI ana AI-S lenses for metering etc.

IIRC Ken Rockwell has useful information on his site about compatibility.
 
AI, AIS, and AF-D lenses will give you full functionality.

Avoid Pre-AI lenses unless they've been converted to AI. You run the risk of snapping off the aperture indexing tab on the body if you mount an unconverted Pre-AI lens to the FM2.

G lenses can be mounted, but you can only use them at minimum aperture.

E lenses can be mounted, but you can only use them wide open.
 
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Got a pretty mint copy of 50/1.4 AIS from Japan on the way, also a metal hood as well.

Together probably £100 more than what the Olympus cost but I prefer the way the FM2 operates with the lock for the shutter. That’s so smart.
 
I am thinking getting a 35mm Nikkor lens....what's the best one for Ai or Ais?
 
Raymond Lin said:
I am thinking getting a 35mm Nikkor lens....what's the best one for Ai or Ais?
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You can't go wrong with the standard f/2. There is a 1.4 but it has a very classic, glowy look wide open.

Personally I use a 28mm f/2.8 AIS and a Voigtlander 40mm f/2 for my film Nikons, very modern rendering for both.
 
So I got a proper Nikon Lens hood for the 50mm - HS-9. Interesting design.

1- The squeeze grip to attach
2 - It is reversible
3 - The lens cap can be used with the lens hood on, but it doesn't clip onto the lens, but an extension of the lens hood.
4 - All metal apart from the button on the grip for the squeeze, makes a satisfying ping if hit it with a finger

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I just went for the 35mm f2.8 AIS. I also have the 28mm f2.8 AIS which IMO is outstanding for a film era lens.
 
I would probably go for the F/2.0. The 1.4 is too expensive for the occasional, probably once-a-year use.
 
I assume you've checked some reviews. The 35mm f2 isn't without issues, ghosting and vignetting being some that reviewers mention.
 
woof woof said:
I just went for the 35mm f2.8 AIS. I also have the 28mm f2.8 AIS which IMO is outstanding for a film era lens.
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Can suggest the 50 f/1.8 e - series in both all black and silver ring version , never seen major differences between them concerning the final result . A minor detail , the aperture ring is extremely close to the body , making the handling difficult at some point .
 
Han. Ph said:
Can suggest the 50 f/1.8 e - series in both all black and silver ring version , never seen major differences between them concerning the final result . A minor detail , the aperture ring is extremely close to the body , making the handling difficult at some point .
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I have E series 28mm f2.8 MK2 and 35mm f2.5 MK1 and they seem perfectly fine and I have no problem with the handling. I also have three Nippon Kogaku lenses including 50mm f2 and f1.4. All of my other Nikon lenses are AIS. I've also had the very small and compact 50mm f1.8 (not the e one) which I sold (I had no problem with the handling) and the 50mm f1.4 AIS which I still have.

I think quite a few people will want to go for the widest aperture lenses but for anyone who's willing to look at f1.8's I do think that the E series and that more expensive non e pancake f1.8 are worth looking at indeed I did read somewhere that that 50mm f1.8 pancake was Nikons sharpest 50mm.
 
woof woof said:
I have E series 28mm f2.8 MK2 and 35mm f2.5 MK1 and they seem perfectly fine and I have no problem with the handling. I also have three Nippon Kogaku lenses including 50mm f2 and f1.4. All of my other Nikon lenses are AIS. I've also had the very small and compact 50mm f1.8 (not the e one) which I sold (I had no problem with the handling) and the 50mm f1.4 AIS which I still have.

I think quite a few people will want to go for the widest aperture lenses but for anyone who's willing to look at f1.8's I do think that the E series and that more expensive non e pancake f1.8 are worth looking at indeed I did read somewhere that that 50mm f1.8 pancake was Nikons sharpest 50mm.
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Will upload some photos in the near future from the combo Nikon D610 and 50 f/1.8 e - series . An underrated lens but this is merely a personal opinion .
 
Han. Ph said:
Will upload some photos in the near future from the combo Nikon D610 and 50 f/1.8 e - series . An underrated lens but this is merely a personal opinion .
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I read one famous reviewers review of the 28mm f2.8 e series and he said it was the worst lens (or maybe the worst prime) Nikon has ever made. So I bought one :D and I think it's a perfectly acceptable 28mm. Cheap and compact and light too. Ditto the 35mm f2.5 I have.
 
woof woof said:
I read one famous reviewers review of the 28mm f2.8 e series and he said it was the worst lens (or maybe the worst prime) Nikon has ever made. So I bought one :D and I think it's a perfectly acceptable 28mm. Cheap and compact and light too. Ditto the 35mm f2.5 I have.
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I do not trust reviews ....... in a manner of speaking . What I've learned comes from the trial and error procedure . If ever to buy a Nikon again , the 50 f/1.8 e - series would be my first choice no matter the body type , crop or otherwise .
 
Han. Ph said:
I do not trust reviews ....... in a manner of speaking . What I've learned comes from the trial and error procedure . If ever to buy a Nikon again , the 50 f/1.8 e - series would be my first choice no matter the body type , crop or otherwise .
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I do sort of regret selling the 50mm pancake I had but I tend to be a buyer rather than a seller and tend to regret selling anything.
 
No regrets ........ we all are amateurs in search for the right combo / combos .
 
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