D200 + Nikon AI Lenses = Post Images Here

[RayPA]

Seems a growing number of us are using the Nikon D200 and twisting on manual focus AI lenses. It's a great feeling to shoot with a state-of-the-art DSLR, using manual focus lenses (and shooting in manual exposure mode, too). Post some of your images here.

 

[RayPA]

Here are a couple (girll) from a 50/1.2 test "roll" and one (boy) using a 85/2 (ignore exif, it's the f2). I find the 50/1.2 to have nice soft OOFA and a natural almost film-like look. Both 50/1.2 shots have no PS USM applied (although a bit of in-camera sharpening). The 85/2 shot has little USM applied.

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[peterc]

I'm using my AI-converted, AI and AI-S Nikkors on a pair of old D1 bodies. The 50/1.2, 85/2, Nikkor-O 35/2, and Nikkor-P 105/2.5 are some of my favourites.

Peter

 

[JayC]

I am actuaaly trying to sell my 55 f2.8 micro, and 20 f2.8. The 20mm is so hard to see if focus is on. I feel that if I am investing in an electonic camera, I should make it earn it's keep by focusing the lens for me😛

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Here's one with my old 50mm f1.4 (non AI)-from the sixties! not a D200, but a
Fuji S3 pro. 🙁

 

[JOE1951]

Really glad to see this thread.

I've been considering a D200, or now a D300 for my first serious digital camera, just so I can maintain my investment in my AI-S lens kit.

I've read other forums that the older nikkors don't perform as well. Glad to see thread that proves this wrong!!

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I love mine, the 50/1.2 is awesome and produces some very film-like images to my eye. At closer inspection there seems to be a double image bokeh thingy happening a bit though.

 

[GeneW]

I bought a D200 mainly because of my AIS lenses and I love using them. Mostly older lenses that I've picked up second-hand, but one new one in the mix: the CV 40mm f/2 Ultron SL in AIS mount. It's become my fave lens when I go out with a single lens attached. Here's the lens and some of the shots I've taken with it:

CV 40/2 Ultron

Newspaper boxes (bokeh test)

Busker

Artist's Brush

Gene

 

[AusDLK]

Me loves my Fuji S5 Pro.

But I gave up on manual focus lenses since the focus screen really is no help.

And I don't have the courage to self-install one of those Katz-Eye screens.

 

[jl-lb.ms]

Hi - this was one of the main attractors for me with the D200, to be able to shoot with classic AI lenses.

This one was made with a 50/1.2 non-AI that had been converted to AI:

Here's one with a 55 macro:

With a Sigma 400 manual focus telephoto

John

 

[Todd.Hanz]

hey Gene,
that 40mm is a sweet looking little lens, nice work!

John,
your converted 50/1.2 seems to have a little smoother bokeh than mine, I need to drag out mine and shoot more.

Todd

 

[GeneW]

Todd, John, nice work. I love the 50/1.2 look and am keeping my eye out for one -- but they usually go pretty high. I got a nice 50/1.4 though that looks pretty good wide open.

Gene

 

[zgeeRF]

Using the old AI lenses was my reason for the D200 as well. Here is an example with my 24 f/2.8 shown in the second picture..

George

 

[RayPA]

I'm using my AI-converted, AI and AI-S Nikkors on a pair of old D1 bodies. The 50/1.2, 85/2, Nikkor-O 35/2, and Nikkor-P 105/2.5 are some of my favourites.

Peter

Peter, post your D1 shots!

...but one new one in the mix: the CV 40mm f/2 Ultron SL in AIS mount. It's become my fave lens when I go out with a single lens attached. Here's the lens and some of the shots I've taken with it:

Gene, I just bought this lens with the same hood. I'm gonna shoot with it today.

...
Here's one with a 55 macro:

John, I love the 55 macro. It's one of my favs. I shoot a lot of orchids with it.


🙂

 

[RayPA]

I...At closer inspection there seems to be a double image bokeh thingy happening a bit though.

I've noticed this with mine too.


.

 

[edlake]

Skylon tower in Niagara Falls, Ontario

Skylon tower in Niagara Falls, Ontario

Here's a shot of the Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. According to the website, it's 520 feet tall. The photo was taken with a AI'd 180 2.8 on a D200 two weeks ago. On the raw file you can "almost" see people's faces! Taken hand held.

Cheers

 

[Warren T.]

Ray,

I've been using a variety of ai lenses on my D100 ever since I bought it over four years ago 🙂.

I use the D100's in-focus indicator as a focusing aid. As you know, the D100 does not meter with non-cpu lenses, so I deternine exposure the old fashioned way with the help of the D100's histogram and blinking highlights displays.

Here's one example. It's a shot of a historic Formula 1 racer exiting the paddock area, taken with my Nikkor 35mm f2.0 ai lens.

--Warren

 

[peterc]

Heron an minnow. Nikon D1 with AI-Nikkor 300/4.5

Grooming wasp. Nikon D1 with Nikkor-P 55/3.5

 

[Frankie]

I have many manual AIs lenses for use on my "ancient" F2. I have always hoped that Nikon will make a full-frame D...and now they do in the new D3. Reading between the lines in the recent dpreview.com news release, the D3 will accept "non-CPU AIs lenses" and allow some metering, A and M mode operations and manual focuing of course. That is all I want. Imagine focusing the lens, AE and bracketing at will...up to 9 fps...all supported by dual big memory cards...old fashioned news photog style.

Your pictures confirmed my fantasy is not fantasy at all...thanks.

 

[willie_901]

What's wrong with you guys?!?

Don't you know that using a lens that's not designed specifically for digital sensors produces poor images because of reflections from the lens elements that hit the sensor ?

At least that's what some dogmatic people on the Nikonian Forum insist on. In my experience this is rubbish.

My AI/AIS glass produces high quality images with the D200. When I'm not shooting commercially (which demands a super-wide zoom), I usually have an AI/AIS on my D200. My best is the 105/2.5 AI. The 24/2.8 AIS and 28/2.8 AIS do well too. Even my ancient AI'd Nippon 50/1.4 performs like a champ. I recently sold a 28-85/3.5-4.5 AIS zoom. That lens produced incredible results on the D200.

I will post some of my examples this soon even though they will pale in comparison to the beautiful photos posted abpve.

willie