Micro Nikkor 55mm f/3.5

Yes, that's the pre-AI version. And the M2 ring is the correct extension ring for 1:1. This is an excellent lens -- it might be better in optical performance than the later 55/2.8.
 
"it might be better in optical performance than the later 55/2.8."

I'd agree. I bought a brand-new pre-AI 55 Micro back in the mid 70s (and still have it). It's one of the best lenses I've ever used, good enough that a friend used to borrow it to do copy work, instead of using his own 55/2.8 Micro-Nikkor.
 
Not sure abotu that, I could not perceive significant differences and kept the AI-S only.
The 3.5 AI was a great all purpose lens, and the AIS added 1 stop aperture and -S features. And still the AI-S si great all-purpose

JRG said:
"it might be better in optical performance than the later 55/2.8."

I'd agree. I bought a brand-new pre-AI 55 Micro back in the mid 70s (and still have it). It's one of the best lenses I've ever used, good enough that a friend used to borrow it to do copy work, instead of using his own 55/2.8 Micro-Nikkor.
Click to expand...
 
Thank you, Nick.

Is it correct that I could use this non-AI lens with the F3, provided I lock the meter coupling lever of the camera in the up position? I currently don't have access to the F3 instruction manual, but I think it takes both non-Ai and Ai lenses. All my other lenses are AI and I use them on both the F3 and FM3A.

Also, is this lens a good performer in reversed position or on a bellows?

Regards

Jan
 
"Not sure abotu that, I could not perceive significant differences and kept the AI-S only."

I can only vouch for my f/3.5 vs. my friend's f/2.8, both mounted in an absolutely rigid copy setup. There was absolutely no doubt that my f/3.5 had a flatter field of focus and, even allowing for that, was sharper at the extreme edges. So, he used my lens instead of his for several copy jobs.

May not be true of all exemplars, of course. But I've heard other folks state a similar conclusion (to mine) about the f/3.5 and f/2.8 versions.
 
Hi Bob,

Great link you gave me. I have the original F3 instruction manual at home, but it's been several years since I've read it and I can't recall that particular possibility. But I think this was one of the strong points of the F3, total compatibility with non-AI and AI lenses.

This website gives so much useful information, I'll definitely read through it when I have the time.

Regards

Jan
 
The F3 hasn't the aperture pin of the older models including the F2, and Nikkormat EL (which is the only NIKON SLR who can use Non-AI lenses with automatic exposure).
For full use of NonAI lenses you need a camera which has this coupling pin for the aperture prong on the lens, and can calibrate the lens-meter-connection like it was done with older cameras with the famous procedure, common with every NikonF/F2 user: Mount the lens at f/5.6 - twist the aperture ring to both extreme f/-stop positions
With the F3 it was only possible to use NonAI-lenses with working aperture metering. Better than with NO metering at all, like with the later models (FE-2, FM-2 and others) which even misses the small coupling pin. But I wouldn't call it "full compatibility", because the last NIKON camera full compatibel with AI and NonAI lenses were the Nikkormat EL.

regards, Frank
 
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