RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
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
Ignore It (It'll go away)
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
Heretic
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
JayC
5 kids,3 dogs,only 1 wife
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
Veteran
JOE1951
Established
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!!
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!!
T
Todd.Hanz
Guest
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.



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GeneW
Veteran
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
CV 40/2 Ultron

Newspaper boxes (bokeh test)

Busker

Artist's Brush

Gene
AusDLK
Famous Photographer
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.
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
John A. Lever
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
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
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T
Todd.Hanz
Guest
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
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
Veteran
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
Gene
zgeeRF
Established
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
peterc said: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!
GeneW said:...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.
John, I love the 55 macro. It's one of my favs. I shoot a lot of orchids with it.l-lb.ms said:...
Here's one with a 55 macro:
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
Todd.Hanz said: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
The "Glory" Days
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
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
Attachments
Warren T.
Well-known
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
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
Attachments
peterc
Heretic
Heron an minnow. Nikon D1 with AI-Nikkor 300/4.5
Grooming wasp. Nikon D1 with Nikkor-P 55/3.5

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

Frankie
Speaking Frankly
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.
Your pictures confirmed my fantasy is not fantasy at all...thanks.
willie_901
Veteran
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
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
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