I finally bought a Nikon F. Now tell me about lenses...

Mos6502 said:
Not sure what you mean here. Packed all my film in and out of Japan last time I visited without a hint of a problem.
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I was going by information about the new scanners being more powerful than the previous models. Folks have been reporting fogging. https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=New...ng+film&ia=web I myself wouldn't bother to pack film just because it's one less thing to have to get hassled for.

My F and lenses

Four Lenses and an F by P F McFarland, on Flickr

PF
 
For the 55mm Micro-Nikkor, I can attest that having the PK-13 extension tube really transforms this lens. It’s a great lens just by itself, but the PK-13 will give you nice macro shots. However, 55mm (with PK-13) does have inherent limitations for macro work because you’ll have to get so close to your subject. 105mm is better.
 
Erik van Straten said:
The predecessor of the Nikkor H Auto 50mm f2 is the Nikkor S Auto 50mm f2. This lens has seven elements. I'm still looking for one of those; maybe that makes me want to work with the Nikon F again. I've heard it has lower contrast but a better general correction and a less biting sharpness.

Erik.
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I think you would like the Nikkor-S 5cm f/2, Erik. It does have a nice look to it which changed after the popular Nikkor-H version was released. The early lenses have nine aperture blades.

the Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 is a must have for any F user in my opinion. One of my favorite lenses ever and it’s quite cheap.
 
[What are my options for a 50mm for the Nikon F? Just swap in another 1.4/50? Go for the 2/50? (seems a lot more compact, which is good). And what are my options for a 35mm lens

Thanks![/QUOTE]

Might I suggest the Micro-NIKKOR 55mm F2,8 Ai or F3,5 Ai or non Ai lens. The Micro lenses are superb an focus to 9 inches or less.
 
I have the early 9-blade 5cm Nikkor f/2 to match my 1959 Nikon F. It's a lovely lens.

glass of water, Nikon F Nikkor-S 5cm F2 (early 9-blade aperture version) closest focus and wide open @f/2, Ilford FP4+ film in D76 1+1

23098801449_9dd1aec1de_o.jpg

Nikkor-S 5cm f2 (early 9-blade aperture version) #964 by lynnb's snaps, on Flickr
 
My $0.02 is that the 50mm f1.4 is mandatory. It was the quintessential Nikkor-S Auto lens for the Nikon F. In addition to looking classic on the camera as a fashion statement, it renders images with that classic softness when opened up. I love it. Shot on Nikon F with Nikkor-S Auto 50mm f1.4. Fujifilm Superia 400.

PICT1347-1.JPG
 
When I bought my first Nikon F around 1972 or so, the first thing I wanted to do was get a bunch of lenses. And I did. But it's taken me 50 years to learn I really can do everything important I wanna do with just a 35mm, 50mm and maybe a 105mm. I suggest the 50/1.4 Nikkor-S, the 35/2 Nikkor-O and the 105/2.5 Nikkor any vintage. I also like the 24/2.8 Nikkor but we're getting ahead of ourselves.;)
 
Apart (by repute- never used one- the 43-86mm zoom) you really can't go wrong. There are very good reasons why the Nikon F stuffed the German camera industry in he sixties, and one of those reasons was the quality of the lenses. The subject of the photo below hated the result. Even wide open it showed all her wrinkles.

Jackie (2).jpg

50mm f1.4 Nikkor, at f1.4.
 
I personally like a collection of primes. My first three Nikon f-mount lenses were the 28/2.8, the 50/1.4, and the classic 105/2.5 and for what I do, which is pictures of people, that was really all I needed for a good long while. A 35/2, now really the staple of how I "see" didn't come until years later. As the world made the transition to digital and autofocus, many of the lenses I had desired in my youth came up for sale on the used market at really reasonable prices. During that time I added a 105/2, a 50/1.2, and a 85/1.4. -- these were specialty speed lenses that were always out of my reach financially, even on the used market, in the 1980's and 90's. But they all produce. Some folks say that the 50/1.4 has "nissen bokeh" -- none of mine do when wide open.

The Nikon F was such a work-horse. I bought a used one too in the early 2000's. The thing was really a working pro's camera. It is a machine that is designed to be repaired too, so you can keep using it as long as there are competent repair people around. My F prism has a non-working meter, which is probably true for many of them out there today. Still, it is perfectly capable of working without it.
 
Depends on where you're going in Japan, but I'd take:

*Nikkor 20mm f/4 pre-ai to give room to crowded, bustling cities.

*Voigtlander 40mm f/2 (the most recent version) for most general scenarios (it also looks the part on a vintage F). Great size, useful focal length, sharp enough, beautiful tones, nice out-of-focus rendering.

*Nikkor 55mm f/3.5 (the early version with silver rim looks especially good). No distortion, very high resolution and micro-contrast, focuses very close
 
Thank you for all the suggestions. I am specifically looking for classic pre-ai lenses to use. And have some ideas now.
However, today I was picking up some film from the local shop and I noticed that they had a Nikor 2.8/45 lens in their used section. Anybody have any experience with this lens? It is the old metal version, not the new one that came out in 2001 (although maybe they are optically the same? I have no idea).
 
Mos6502 said:
Thank you for all the suggestions. I am specifically looking for classic pre-ai lenses to use. And have some ideas now.
However, today I was picking up some film from the local shop and I noticed that they had a Nikor 2.8/45 lens in their used section. Anybody have any experience with this lens? It is the old metal version, not the new one that came out in 2001 (although maybe they are optically the same? I have no idea).
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They aren't exactly the same, optically speaking (but close-ish). The Nikkor Thousand and One Nights has creation stories for both lenses:

https://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0081/index.htm

https://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0078/index.htm

I don't have the GN lens, but the more modern one. Mine is uncomfortable to use (too small, and the focus is quite stiff), but the images it makes are very pleasing - sharp enough, low distortion, nice focal length and the images have a striking tonality.
 
Just sold the last of my Nikon gear after using something Nikon since 1988. For quality the new Voigtlanders will probably be the best all around and not in need of service or be worn out. For older metal ring pre-AI lenses the best option in my opinion is KEH.com because they have easy returns and accurate grading. You pay a bit more but there are no hassles returning a disappointing or overpriced lens, you can even shoot some careful photos to test it. B&H and others also have good used departments. It's usually worth it since there is a warranty as well (check first, read fine print).

Personally I'd get an excellent condition Nikon 105/2.5P; a later 55/3.5 AI or 55/2.8 AIS (check for oil on blades, these lenses are heavily lubricated and it runs off the body of the lens internally when warm), and a 28/2.8 AI to explore what you like. If you're really into you can go up to a F2AS and have a great meter with a solid F2 feel.
 
the_jim said:
They aren't exactly the same, optically speaking (but close-ish). The Nikkor Thousand and One Nights has creation stories for both lenses:

https://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0081/index.htm

https://imaging.nikon.com/history/story/0078/index.htm

I don't have the GN lens, but the more modern one. Mine is uncomfortable to use (too small, and the focus is quite stiff), but the images it makes are very pleasing - sharp enough, low distortion, nice focal length and the images have a striking tonality.
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Unlike most the Nikkor lenses, the 2.8 45 mm GN uses a cam to focus. The focus throw is in the opposite direction of all other Nikkor lenses and is designed to stop down the aperture blades as you focus. The lens was introduced by Nikon ease the problems of over and under exposure when using flashbulbs. Several month after it's debut, Metz began selling the first of the thyristor flashes which could automaticly compensate for distance making the 45 GN a less than septacular seller. It's a good general purpose lens but most copies haven't been serviced so there is a gap in the focus throw until the cam engages. I had one that had the nothing was happening oh there it is focus. After it was serviced the cam engaged right away leaving little slack. A Nikkormat with a 45 GN would be a fine combination.
 
In At Work, Annie Leibowitz praised the 35mm ƒ/2 Nikkor (I'm not familiar with Nikon lenses so I have no idea if it was the O, AI, non-AI or whatever) for its gentle rendering. She settled on 35mm as her home focal length after starting out doing photojournalism with a 55mm Minolta, then covering The Rolling Stones on tour with a 24mm.
 
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