kshapero
South Florida Man
No an AIS lens can work on quite nicely on any Film Nikon.
kshapero
South Florida Man
100% agree. Pete Smith OBM tested the Voigt 40/2 and said it was the sharpest lens he had ever seen.
FrankS
Registered User
Agreed. That's not what I said.
Here is cameraquest's info page on Nikon lenses: http://www.cameraquest.com/aidaiais.htm
ray*j*gun
Veteran
Would love to pick up one of these for my FM3a.....sharp and tiny!
valdas
Veteran
Plus shipping, VAT, duties...
Photon42
burn the box
Yes. But it is new and Nikon USA gives you 5 years warranty worldwide AFAIK on lenses.
CK Dexter Haven
Well-known
Another vote for the Series E. Even if you decide to get something else, get this ALSO. Not just for the size/profile. It just renders so beautifully. This is the only lens where i've wanted multiple copies....
menos
Veteran
I have a 50 f1.8 Nikkor for my FM3a and it's an amazing lens - a much, much better fit for the tiny FM3a than the faster lenses.
I would not pair a 50 1.2 with this small body - handling really suffers.
I don't know, which version of the lens I have, but it's built is exceptional and manual focus feel is right up there with the most expensive Leica-M lenses, I use.
I picked mine up for a bargain at way under 100 EUR a few years ago.
If you are in for a second lens, have a look, if you can find a Nikkor 28 f2.8 with 0.2m close focussing - these two lenses are a fantastic pairing with the small FM3a (while the 28mm is an exceptional lens in all accounts!
I would not pair a 50 1.2 with this small body - handling really suffers.
I don't know, which version of the lens I have, but it's built is exceptional and manual focus feel is right up there with the most expensive Leica-M lenses, I use.
I picked mine up for a bargain at way under 100 EUR a few years ago.
If you are in for a second lens, have a look, if you can find a Nikkor 28 f2.8 with 0.2m close focussing - these two lenses are a fantastic pairing with the small FM3a (while the 28mm is an exceptional lens in all accounts!
jpa66
Jan as in "Jan and Dean"
OK, I'm returning to this thread to report that I've just (finally) run a roll of film through the camera. All I can say is that this is without a doubt the greatest slr I've ever used! I cannot praise it highly enough. It's extremely intuitive and easy to use, and I love the display in the viewfinder more than any camera I've ever used. The camera actually has a display for the f-stop! The meter read-out is fantastic!
I actually shot a roll and then switched to my Bessa R4 and I greatly preferred the FM3a ( yes - it may be heresy ). It may just be the "shock" of the new, but this is one incredible camera. I simply love it!
I actually shot a roll and then switched to my Bessa R4 and I greatly preferred the FM3a ( yes - it may be heresy ). It may just be the "shock" of the new, but this is one incredible camera. I simply love it!
dave lackey
Veteran
Great, pictures would be terrific!:angel:
kxl
Social Documentary
With my FM3A, I primarily use a 55mm/2.8 AIS -- probably one of the sharpest Nikon AIS lenses ever made. However, there are times when I'd like something shorter so I may pick up an Ultron 40/2. pancake.
mbdiesel
Established
The sharpest nikkor I have is the 55 2.8 af macro lens. It's performance is excellent as a macro lens and a normal lens. A bit bulky but a great lens nonetheless. If you ever decide to get a longer lens for portraits, it has to be 105 2.5 ais (with built in hood).
I have 50 1.8 and 1.8D af versions. They are both great and not that expensive. Good luck.
I have 50 1.8 and 1.8D af versions. They are both great and not that expensive. Good luck.
jpa66
Jan as in "Jan and Dean"
dave lackey
Veteran
Can't wait to see them. You inspired me to pick up the FE2 and run a roll through it myself. So, while I am working on that, I decided to make it my one camera one lens rig for the week.
Not only that, but I started looking over mir.com to familiarize myself with the similarities and differences between the FE2 and the FM3A. Great reading IMO.
Have to agree with the suggestions for an Ai-S 105mm f/2.5. Fantastic lens! Here's a recent shot taken with my copy on my FM3A.
Lunch time by jonmanjiro, on Flickr
Lunch time by jonmanjiro, on Flickr
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I found my FM3A to be a little disappointing viewfinder wise ... though I agree they handle beautifully!
ps ... that's a lovely photo Jon.
Steve M.
Veteran
I have a Nikkormat FT2, and the Nikon 50 2.0 non-ai lens that came on it is as sharp as a pin. Actually, all of the Nikon 50 lenses are very good. But I think the Leica R lenses are better, so I'm scheming to afford a 50 R Summicron w/ an adapter for the FT2. It's just something I do w/ every Nikon camera that comes my way....sooner or later they all end up w/ a Leica lens on them. My "new" Chinon CE-4 would like one too (in K mount), so I'd better order 2 adapters so I can shoot that Summi on both systems.
dave lackey
Veteran
The Cron R 50 is superb. Just packing mine up to send to Sherry for a little TLC...never thought about an adaptor for the FE2 Where do you get your adaptors.
Timmyjoe
Veteran
Couldn't agree more. Whenever I use my Nikon AF 1.4 on my FM2n, it just feels like garbage. Hate the plasticy, sloppy feel of the focus, and my AF 1.4 is one of the early ones made in Japan (my sources say they are made in China now). So I would definitely look for one of the AIS manual focus lenses for your new FM3a. Congratulations on the new camera.
Best,
-Tim
ps ... that's a lovely photo Jon.
Thanks Keith
Thanks Steve! That's high praise indeed
The film is Neopan 400. I cheated on the developing and got my local Yodobashi Camera to do it. I think their lab uses Super Prodol for Fujifilm B&W films. I used my Coolscan 5000 to scan using basic USM settings of 20, 10, 3 but that's it - ICE etc. is turned off. In PP, I adjusted the curves slightly and cropped slightly. That's it!