FM3a Users

[jpa66]

I just got an FM3a, which should be arriving in a day or two. I've wanted one for awhile, and now that I've got one, I need a bit of assistance about what 50mm lens to get. I'd like a low light 50, but I think that the 1.2 is out of my price range ( the FM3a was actually out of my price range, but I decided to get it anyway ), and I'm thinking of getting the 1.4. Which one do you Nikon users recommend? As a Canon user who always wanted to be a Nikon user, I'm not really familiar with Nikon lenses ( I don't even know what the difference between an Ai and an Ai-s lens is ), so I need some helpful advice. If anybody has any. please chime in.

Thanks,
Jan

 

[nlubis]

Jan,

My experience have been any version of the 50mm 1.4 is great lens. AI/AIS, AFD and the new G lens are great.
If you ever think of needing AF, the AFD version would work for you too.
Congrats on the FM3A, great camera, foolishly sold mine.

 

[dave lackey]

I just got an FM3a, which should be arriving in a day or two. I've wanted one for awhile, and now that I've got one, I need a bit of assistance about what 50mm lens to get. I'd like a low light 50, but I think that the 1.2 is out of my price range ( the FM3a was actually out of my price range, but I decided to get it anyway ), and I'm thinking of getting the 1.4. Which one do you Nikon users recommend? As a Canon user who always wanted to be a Nikon user, I'm not really familiar with Nikon lenses ( I don't even know what the difference between an Ai and an Ai-s lens is ), so I need some helpful advice. If anybody has any. please chime in.

Thanks,
Jan

Hi, Jan...send me a PM and I can helpl with some of that.🙂

 

[Photon42]

If your wallet needs to recover, get yourself and your new Nikon a 1.8/50 Series E. It is small, cheap, light and performs well. You will need AI/AIs lenses for your camera (the difference is irrelevant for the FM3a). AF lenses work as well, if they have an aperture ring. I'm a big fan of the FM/FE type cameras, and the FM3A is particularly nice.

P.S.
Check this site.

 

[FrankS]

I believe that the AIS version is needed by Nikon cameras offering a P program exposure mode.

 

[Frontman]

The 50/1.2 AIS is supposedly the sharpest of the 50mm Nikkor lenses. It is my favorite, but is a little big on my FM3A. The Series E 50/1.8 is a great lens, and is compact, but there are a couple other versions of the 1.8 which are similar in size. I use only two lenses with my Nikon cameras; the previously mentioned 50/1.2, and the 20/2.8 AIS. You will love the camera, it would be hard to find anything else as good.

 

[rover]

I never liked any 50mm Nikkor so I got the CV 58/1.4 Nokton. For me it was the best choice, and it is an excellent lens.

 

[yossarian123]

If your wallet needs to recover, get yourself and your new Nikon a 1.8/50 Series E. It is small, cheap, light and performs well. You will need AI/AIs lenses for your camera (the difference is irrelevant for the FM3a). AF lenses work as well, if they have an aperture ring. I'm a big fan of the FM/FE type cameras, and the FM3A is particularly nice.

P.S.
Check this site.

Agreed here. If you want great IQ for next to nothing, then a 50/1.8E really can't be beat. Be sure to get the later version (with the chrome ring, instead of black) - it has a significantly better build quality than the earlier versions. If the E-series lenses seem too cheap for you, then just get the 50/1.8 AIS pancake - it's actually the exact same lens as the E, with the addition of the ear lugs.

One of my all time personal favorites was taken with a Nikon FM & 50/1.8E:


late summer bliss by SL_Photos, on Flickr

 

[jpa66]

Never really knew too much about the E series lenses, but I know that the idea of one of those pancake lenses is very intriguing. Although I'd really like a 1.4. I've used my dad's Nikon AF 1.4 ( on an Fe I think ) in the past, and liked it, with the exception of the manual focusing ( it seems too loose ). So, NO AF stuff - strictly manual focus.

 

[fbf]

I like the nikkor 50/1.8 AIS pancake (not E). Small and very sharp, also cheap.

 

[Photon42]

Agreed here. If you want great IQ for next to nothing, then a 50/1.8E really can't be beat. Be sure to get the later version (with the chrome ring, instead of black) - it has a significantly better build quality than the earlier versions. If the E-series lenses seem too cheap for you, then just get the 50/1.8 AIS pancake - it's actually the exact same lens as the E, with the addition of the ear lugs.

One of my all time personal favorites was taken with a Nikon FM & 50/1.8E:
[...]

Nice picture - and I like your avatar's name 😀 Can you help with with the 1.8/50 AIS pancake? I just know the 2.8/45, and the 2/40 from Voigtlander, which was in my inbox Tuesday, has about the same size as the 1.8/50E and looks pretty nice.

Edit: Oops - just saw the pancake on the site I've provided the link :angel:

Ivo

 

[jmilkins]

I have the 50mm E series, 55mm / 3.5AI micro-nikkor and 50mm/1.4 Ais Nikkor and the Voigtlander SL 40mm /2 ultron with the closeup filter. They are all good on my FM3a. Overall, I really like the 40mm. Ideal focal length, lovely size, build quality and image and the close up filter is a bonus.

this site http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html is one that I respect for the Nikkors...
have fun

 

[italy74]

Hm
my experience has been different than Frontman's.
Actually I have only two shots (on film) wide open, one of the 50 F/1.2 (whose only credit is being unbelievably bright in your viewfinder) and another from the humble 50 F/1.8 "stepped nose" for the same subject. The 50 F/1.8 was sharper and definitely more contrasty wide open - and it was NOT the only case I noticed it - while the F/1.2 had a "smoother" rendition of the same subject as you would expect from such a lens.
By the way here a 50 F/1.2 is sold for about 550-650€ depending on its condition. Exceptionally, once I found one below 500€ (the one I tried) but at that time I couldn't afford it.

 

[Photon42]

[...]
By the way here a 50 F/1.2 is sold for about 550-650€ depending on its condition. Exceptionally, once I found one below 500€ (the one I tried) but at that time I couldn't afford it.

You can buy one new at B&H for a little less than USD 700, which is about €530.

 

[Riverman]

If a Voigt SLII 40mm f2 is in your price range, give it serious consideration. I find that it pairs perfectly with the FM3a. A superb lens and I really like the focal length.

 

[FrankS]

The older nikkor ai 50f2's are high value lenses.

 

[River Dog]

One of my all time personal favorites was taken with a Nikon FM & 50/1.8E

Ha, I bought that very combo from eBay just this minute and then came over here. Like the OP, I will be new to Nikon film and lenses. Fancy the F2 Photomic as well.

 

[jpa66]

Just got the camera today. She's a beaut! Now I just need to get a lens ( or two... ).

 

[Snacks]

The 50mm 1.4 AIS is a lovely little lens. I picked one up for $150, but I've seen them go for around $120.

 

[kshapero]

If your wallet needs to recover, get yourself and your new Nikon a 1.8/50 Series E. It is small, cheap, light and performs well. You will need AI/AIs lenses for your camera (the difference is irrelevant for the FM3a). AF lenses work as well, if they have an aperture ring. I'm a big fan of the FM/FE type cameras, and the FM3A is particularly nice.

P.S.
Check this site.

Even the AIS version is cheap but better built. Both are small and outstanding lenses.