Best Nikkor Pre-Ai/Ai "Normal" lens?

Nikkormat FTn, Nikkor-H-Auto 50mm f/2 single coated, 400-2TMY.

Erik.

30579834084_11859a061a_c.jpg
 
Sharpest?
55 micro nikkor
40mm f/2 Voigtlander

The voigtlander is a fantastic combination of focal length, optical quality, size and ergonomics overall.
 
At the moment I have-
pre ai f2 (two of)
pre ai f1.4
E series f1.8
Ai f1.2
ai f2 (two of)
and afd f1.4 and 1.8

But my favourite is my ai 55mm f3.5 fantastic lens super sharp works great on film and digital and only cost £15.
 
As has been suggested, the 50mm Nikkor "S" F1.4 pre AI is an excellent lens I would think you would be happy with. I still have one I bought new in 1969 and I bought a second one of the same age that had an AI kit installed. I use this second lens on my D700. This particular lens excels on film and on digital.
 
Best for what?

My favourites are:

58/1.4 ("look")

55/3.5 or better still /2.8 Micro Nikkor (sharpness)

50/2 (price)

50/1,2 (speed + sharpness + look).

Cheers,

R.
 
Just curious, why no AIS lenses?

Just curious, why no AIS lenses?

Dear Board,

Except for the 5.8 cm f1.4 Nikkor S lens I inherited from my Grandfather all of my manual focus Nikkor 50mm lenses are AIS versions.

I can recognize the point of using appropriate period pieces together but I scored a 50mm f1.8 and 50mm f1.4 AIS with purchased cameras.

I'm curious, does that this somehow lessen their value?

Regards,

Tim Murphy
Harrisburg, PA 17112
 
I don't think the OP was saying NO AIs lenses. I also doubt he would be offended if anyone offered up an opinion or two about those vs. Pre-AI or AI.

AFs might be a horse of another colour.

What are your thoughts about the crop of AIs "Normal" glass?

B2 (;->
 
They work as expected for me across the Nikon line

They work as expected for me across the Nikon line

Dear Bill,

All I can say is that my Nikkor AIS lenses work with the full expected compatibility on my Nikon F4S, Nikon 8008S, and D300. I only bought the F4S because it is the camera equivalent of a type AB blood recipient.

Every older Nikon lens, and even the 3rd party older type F, AI, and AIS lenses work on it and allow at least some degree of semi-automatic camera function via the light meter.

An added plus to the Nikkor branded AIS lenses is that they have the aperture coupling tab so they work on my inherited Nikon FTN.

Regards,

Tim Murphy
Harrisburg, PA :)
 
dreilly said:
I have heard that the AI-S 50/1.2 is actually the sharpest of all the Nikon 50s, stopped down a bit. Do you have any sense of that?
Click to expand...

In comparing the Nikon Ai-S 50 1.2 with the Voigtlander 58 1.4 wide open, I concluded that the 58 might have a slight advantage with OOF rendering (depending on subject) but that the aforementioned Nikon 50 had (IMHO) better definition (which, in my understanding, is not the same as sharpness).

My take on terminology: Acutance is how we talk about the transition at an edge (e.g. between black and white) and resolution is about being able to distinguish small details. It might be possible to adjust for poor acutance using the sharpening tool... resolution is fixed by the system (camera, lens, sensor/media...).

Base on the version of lenses in hand...
 
I'm happy with the Nikkor S 50 f1.4, it's great for shooting portraits and urban environments. If I'm out in the country and/or weight is going to be an issue, the Nikkor-H(C) 50 f2 is my go to lens. I love them both, and yes, you are going to be buying more than one...
 
Thanks to everyone for their input! I appreciate it :)

I've been looking around for a good copy of the 50mm 1.4 but the only thing that I've found so far is one in pretty good condition, aside from a good load of dust internally. After the seller provided me with a number of photos that he said were taken with the lens, it doesn't seem to be affecting the image, but I'm not sure I want to take a chance. It is only $55 which seems to be a fantastic price.

Question: How easy is the 1.4 disassembled and cleaned? Should I just go for it at that price and not worry about the dust?
 
You can get so many good 50mm Nikkors for under $100, I'd be far more selective. Many more fish in the sea.

Also, as I mentioned earlier, I really don't like Nikon's 50mm f/1.4 lenses at all.
 
Robert Lai said:
You can get so many good 50mm Nikkors for under $100, I'd be far more selective. Many more fish in the sea.

Also, as I mentioned earlier, I really don't like Nikon's 50mm f/1.4 lenses at all.
Click to expand...
Yeah I've decided against that particular 50. Based on a number of videos and articles that i've read, I think i'm going to go for the 50mm f/2.0 Nikkor-H.C. I've been offered one for $50 but i'm not sure what the condition is like, just waiting on the seller to send pictures.

If that one is in less than favourable shape, Keh has a 50 f/2 Nikkor-H in EX condition for $70.
 
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