Inexpensive lenses for a Nikon F2?

[TennesseJones]

Virtually all the pictures I've ever taken were with 50mm 1.8 which I got for free and 105mm 2.5 which had been dropped and scuffed so was got for almost free. They're both great I think, particularly the 105. I used an f2 with that and it feels a good size together.
Am thinking about selling the 20mm 3.5 I have though and which came with my camera, as I can't find a way of using it, although it's a good lens. Too wide.

 

[venchka]

Wayne,

Check out my signature. 24-58-105 all of Nikon's fastest glass, all with MD-4's, all mounted on three F3's.
The only time I change lenses is to use my 35/2.0 Nikkor-O or the 55/2.8 Macro.

The 105/1.8 AIS is a big lens, but it has more aperture blades than the 105/2.5 for a softer/smoother creamy bokeh, especially wide open.

Cal

Cal,

You're killing me. 😱 😀 😉

 

[david.elliott]

105/2.5 is a must have!

 

[Calzone]

Cal,

You're killing me. 😱 😀 😉

Part of my physical training. It is not uncommon for me to carry two F3 rigs, one worn on the hip with a BlackRapid strap, and another with the Nikon handstrap.

On a good day I can do a hundred sloppy-sloppy pushups, but I have to do them as fast as I can.

The third MD-4 I bought at B&H for $17.00. I mounted the new motordrive on the F3 with the 24/2.0 AIS and DA-2 Sports Finder. This camera is known as my "Street Machine" and is a remarkably fast shooter using zone focusing.

All these rigs have this evil look that is kinda aggressive. I'm surprised that the NYC Police allow me on the subway. LOL.

Cal

 

[venchka]

Now that's street shooting. In the good way.
The problem with trying to do street shooting in Houston is that all the streets are Freeways and the subjects are travelling 75+ mph while in a state of constant lane chagning and texting. I'll stick to the woods. And old churches.

 

[Calzone]

Wayne,

Check out the Santacon 2010 thread. John posted a picture of me from the last NYC Meet-Up that features the original "Texas Leica" and my Plaubel 69W. In that shot I look extra skinny and rather small because of the size of the cameras.

Good for a smile and a laugh. Recently shot the Greenwitch Village Halloween parade with two F3's, but earlier in the year shot the Coney Island Mermaid Parade with a Rolleiflex 3.5F and a Tele Rolleiflex. At the Mermaid Parade I was a bit of a tourist attraction because of the vintage film cameras. I quipt several times, "They don't make old Germain film cameras like they use to."

My apologies for hyjacking the thread to the OP.

Cal

 

[Ronald M]

I have a bunch of Nikkor 50`s. They are all ok.

50 2.0 H or HC should be cheap. Ai and AiS have meter coupling prongs. There are no real dogs in the line.

The issue is if you move to a F3 or Pro Digi SLR, you can not mount non Ai without damaging the cameras. So purchase one that has been Ai converted with the factory kits which are pretty much all gone now. You can mount non Ai lenses on cheaper DSLR bodies, but they will not meter. Diaphragms will operate.

105 are great lenses. 35 2.0 is also good

 

[wlewisiii]

Well, after a bit of trading and a moment or three at KEH, I've got a 50/1.4 multicoated, a 28/3.5 and a 80-200/4.5 (all non-ai) coming for the F2. I plan to save the pennies and eventually add a 105/2.5, 50/2 & 45/2.8 GN to the mix.

Thanks for your thoughts all, I found it very helpful.

William

 

[former member]

The 80~200/4.5 Zoom-Nikkor was probably the first Nikon zoom to gain acceptance as being as good as a fixed-focal length lens. It is sharper than the Nikkor-Q 200/4. Takes 52mm filters. These lenses were expensive- ran $800 or so when new. Now- well worth having in a Nikon line-up.

The 45/2.8 GN-Nikkor tends to cost too much for what it is these days. More of a novelty as a pancake Tessar formula lens. At $10, "A Steal". At $150 and up- I would get a 28/2 or 85/2 instead.

 

[wlewisiii]

The 80~200/4.5 Zoom-Nikkor was probably the first Nikon zoom to gain acceptance as being as good as a fixed-focal length lens. It is sharper than the Nikkor-Q 200/4. Takes 52mm filters. These lenses were expensive- ran $800 or so when new. Now- well worth having in a Nikon line-up.

The 45/2.8 GN-Nikkor tends to cost too much for what it is these days. More of a novelty as a pancake Tessar formula lens. At $10, "A Steal". At $150 and up- I would get a 28/2 or 85/2 instead.

The more I learn about that zoom, the more I look forward to using it. That's saying something for me, I don't care for zooms much.

As for the 45, it is too expensive at what KEH wants. But you know me and Tessar designs 😉 if I can find one reasonably priced for my bottom feeding tastes, I'll snag it and run.

 

[stupid leica]

the 50/2 H-C is multicoated and really shines. That lens is excellent.

As for prisms, the DE1 is a dream to shoot with, but they can be very expensive. Cheap ones usually have desilvering of the prism, or delaminated eyepieces. Watch out for that.

If you're somewhat handy though, you can "repair" either of those ailments like i have.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

I was lucky to pick up an F2, black paint for £50. Body only, that meant no prism 🙄

Sover Wong to the rescue, gave him a ring and picked up a DE-1 Black paint, foam replaced but a few spots of de silvering just the job.

Highly recommended :http://www.soverf2repair.webs.com/

Also second the 35mm, my fav. length, f2 "O" lovely results and a build quality few aspire to today.

 

[pvdhaar]

But it has no lens. I'd need, at minimum, a 50 & eventually a wide & long to complement them. The kicker is that my budget is what it always is - non-existent 🙄

What are decent inexpensive lenses that will work with a F2?

I see a listing at KEH for "50 F2 H NON AI (52) 35MM SLR MANUAL FOCUS STANDARD ANGLE LENS" BGN $29. IIUC, non-ai is what I want (with the bonus that they tend to be cheaper). How does this compare to the faster 50's?

I'm also looking at the 28/3.5 as a wide and, eventually, a 105/2.5 for a longer lens. Any other suggestions?

Thanks!

William

When it comes to cheap Nikon tele options, you might consider the 100/2.8 E. Originally they don't come with rabbit ears, so you'll be metering stop down, but there are marks on the barrel if you want tot do the rabbit ears mod yourself. The optics on the 100/2.8 are remarkably good for the price..