lens recommendations for an FE-2?

[morgan]

I think I'm going to pick up an FE-2, mostly just to beat around and I'd like a film-based slr. I know very little on the Nikon side of things, can anyone recommend a good, relatively fast 50? How's that 50/1.2?

 

[Ray Nalley]

You can't go wrong with a 50 1.4. Easy choice.

 

[colyn]

The f/1.2 flares bad. Get the f/1.4 instead..

An AI/AIS lens will also work fine on the D200 DSLR..

 

[mnmleung]

I think I'm going to pick up an FE-2, mostly just to beat around and I'd like a film-based slr. I know very little on the Nikon side of things, can anyone recommend a good, relatively fast 50? How's that 50/1.2?

Hi Morgan, I use an F2A and an FM / FM2n. I find the 50/1.2 too expensive. I like both the 50mm f/1.4 AIS and the 50mm f/1.8 E

I don't think you can use non-AI lenses with the FE-2. You probably have been to this site before, but just in case ...
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonfeseries/fe2/index.htm

Most of the shots in this set http://www.flickr.com/photos/mnmleung/tags/f2photomic/ were taken with 50mm f/1.4 ; I doubt my scans are much good though.

Ming

 

[kalokeri]

I second the recommandation of the AiS 1,4/50mm. It´s a very good performer.

If you like something wide, take a look at the AiS 2,8/28. It´s very good and has an outstanding close focus distance.

Thomas

 

[jonmanjiro]

The f/1.2 flares bad. Get the f/1.4 instead..

No problem with flaring on my sample of the 50mm f1.2. Though I got mine new a few years ago, so it has the latest multi-coating.

I've owned the AIS 50/1.2 (still own one), the AIS 50/1.4, and the Zeiss ZF 50/1.4. The best lens for me was the AIS 50/1.2 so I sold the other two. They're all fine performers though.

 

[Avotius]

a third for the AIS 50 1.4, though if it was me I would get the carl zeiss 50 1.4 but thats because I have zeiss fever and prefer the way it renders colors. Also the Zeiss 85 1.4 if you can aford it is a stunning lens, but I would not choose to have a 50-85 kit, more of a 25-50 or something like that. The Fe2 is a great camera, my friend has one and I have taken it out on many an occasion.

 

[pvdhaar]

I think I'm going to pick up an FE-2, mostly just to beat around and I'd like a film-based slr. I know very little on the Nikon side of things, can anyone recommend a good, relatively fast 50? How's that 50/1.2?

If you've not done so already, check the FE/FE2 out thoroughly. These have a habit of hanging up on the mirror when not on their manual speed (M 1/125 for the FE resp. M 1/250 for the FE2). Unfortunately this isn't just a case of replacing the batteries, as many FE/FE2 have leakage current problems (draining batteries in ca. 2 weeks time even if not used).

 

[ruby.monkey]

If funds allow, why not chase down an FM3A instead? You'll have full manual operation when you want it, and auto-exposure when you don't, all packaged up in one of the best SLRs Nikon ever made.

As for the 50/1.2, mine has performed beautifully, with no flare at all; but I bought it new about two years ago - the older ones may be different.

 

[morgan]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll eventually try to do a 28/50/85 lens set for it. But I shoot 50's a lot on my RF so I figure I'll start there. If I do the 1.2 I'll look for one with the multicoating, but in general those lenses aren't cheap, but probably worth it?

I'll definitely check out the FM3A as well. Is there a huge difference in build quality between the FE2 AND FM3A?

 

[ChrisPlatt]

The 50/2 and 50/1.8 AI Nikkors are excellent and quite reasonable.

The original FE can use AI and non-AI lenses.
You can get a beautiful FE for under $100 now...

Chris

 

[dedmonds]

It may not be as fast as you have in mind, but I'm a big fan of the 50/2!

 

[KoNickon]

No need for the 50/1.4 -- I think the 50/1.8 is the best of all the Nikkor 50s. Definitely the 28/2.8 AIS (an improved design from the AI), and then I'd recommend the 100/2.8 Series E. It's excellent and light in weight and inexpensive -- a good match for the FE2.

I've owned several FE2s and have never had the mirror hangup problem mentioned above. Nikon electronics are quite reliable, I find.

 

[ferider]

Got a 50/1.2 as a gift. It's got the prettiest bokeh of all my lenses. Amazing.

Roland.

 

[Beemermark]

i have both the 50 F1.4 and F2. Any of them are great and it just depends on how much you want to spend. The 1.2 is way over priced IMHO. I wanted to play with the 1.2 DOF so I bought a Canon FD late model, like new in the box, 50 F1.2 lens for $100. Great lens.

 

[Pablito]

I have a 20 year old pre-AI f1.2 and no problems w/ flare but always use with hood. I only use this for low light shooting wide open or close to wide open

 

[wray]

I'll second the 28mm ais (do not go near the 28mm afd, though!).

 

[morgan]

Thanks again. I'm moderately confused as to what lenses will mount. I gather AI and AIS will mount and function, are there others? What won't mount? Sorry to be an idiot, I'm still getting caught up on the nikon side. I've spent most of my time with canon and our beloved rangefinders.

 

[MaxElmar]

28/2 and 105/2.5 of any vinatge are wonderful and cheap. The older versions (pre-ai) will need a $30 conversion to be used on your FE2 The 35/1.4 is wonderful and kinda' expensive - by old SLR lens standards. The 50/2 is small, has amazing IQ and is almost free. The 55/3.5 micro-nikkor is even better and almost free.

I love my 50/1.4, but if I don't need the speed, the 50/2 or 55/3.5 get the job.

There's a Mr. Stephen Gandy - I think he's well-known around these parts - has a great website with a great write up on this topic.

http://www.cameraquest.com/aidaiais.htm


Have fun.

Chris L.

 

[morgan]

Thanks for the Gandy link. I didn't even think of looking at his site for nikon slr stuff.