Nikkor 50 F2 pre AI

[DNG]

Hi,
How do you use it on the FM2? I understand we are talking of the pre-AI version and that the FM2 cannot take non-AI lenses 😕

Ciao, Marco

If, the FM2 has a moveable Meter Pin, you can use it. but in stop down metering mode... IE: Push in the DOF Lever, and meter, let go, focus wide open, take the photo, the camera will close it down during exposure.

I believe the EL/EL2/FM/FE are the only Non-Interchangeability finder body's that can mount a NAI.
Of the post Nikkormat F/FT/FTn bodies

 

[KoNickon]

Correct, the FM2 didn't have the meter pin that could be flipped out of the way to permit mounting the pre-AI lenses. The Nikkormat FT3 had it too -- all the first generation AI bodies did. A nice feature, which makes these bodies well worth seeking out.

 

[Stuart John]

The FM2 does not have a moveable pin like the FM. My 50mm Nikkor H was converted to Ai so it works normally on an FM2.

 

[lxmike]

Well its my birthday this comming friday, any spare cash from that will go towards a 50mm F2 H Nikkor

 

[johannielscom]

These lenses work in manual mode (only rf dot for focusing works) on a D3100, D5100 and also D3200. Those camera's expect all automation in the lens and as a result the lens mount is totally flat, nothing protrudes. Pewrfect for mounting pre-AI lenses that can be picked up for a song. I simply use the handheld lightmeter and shoot like it's 1980😀

On my D3100 I use:

• 1.4/58mm Nikkor-S,
• 2.5/105mm Nikkor-P,
• Tamron Adaptall 2.8~3.5/35-80mm zoom lens

All with beautiful tones and low contrast, which complements the modern 14MP sensor real nice.

 

[sparrow6224]

Johan beat me to it: you can use the NAI lenses on the Nikon DSLRs that don't have the AF motors. So that includes the D40x I used to have; and the D5100 I hope to have soon. The 50/2 -- Mine is a straight up Ai version -- renders beautifully on the DSLRs. As well as on film.

Here are some recent shots with it: I was testing my black plain-prism F2 for possible sale ( I haven't sold it yet, if anyone's interested PM me) and had the 50mm F/2 mounted. I hope they appear here....

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EZkANv3HX80/UGLDRT6l31I/AAAAAAAAA_s/L4A1nNi7nJc/s700/scan1548.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_-disS6b9jA/UGLDSOtUtOI/AAAAAAAAA_0/i_LHPtKmpb0/s700/scan1535.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-We6xHRpASNo/UGLDSwHM2_I/AAAAAAAAA_8/4pugftnURY0/s700/scan1532.jpg

 

[sparrow6224]

That's funny -- if you post the image url from Flickr the image shows up. Picasa, no.

 

[jschrader]

Hi,
How do you use it on the FM2? I understand we are talking of the pre-AI version and that the FM2 cannot take non-AI lenses 😕

Ciao, Marco

You can do this by yourself. remove the five screws from the bajonet ring and carefully lift the f-stop ring from the lens. Then you take a file and work out what You need to take out of the ring. It is correct when, after putting the lens into the camera, the new (lens-sided) edge touches the (camera-sided) finger protruding from the ring in the moment the lens locks in, with open aperture.

I didn't do it myself but had exactly this done recently by a local service. Next time I would do it myself, I guess.

 

[sevo]

Johan beat me to it: you can use the NAI lenses on the Nikon DSLRs that don't have the AF motors.

Often they'll also fit AF motor cameras - but some lenses will fit neither.

Before you first use a pre-AI lens on a DSLR, check whether the mount of the lens has any edges or holes in the range travelled by the electrical contacts or motor coupler while mounting. Nikon designed the AF mount so that it is backwards compatible with AI, but they did not pay any attention to pre-AI incompatibilities, and the AF couplers/contacts may become stuck on screw holes or other machining details of the lens side bayonet of some old lenses.

 

[lxmike]

Well today i spotted a Nikkor 50mm f2 H C in a local camera shop and my wife wants to buy it for me for my birthdaym so I cannot wait for fridaym anyway chaps thanks for all the replies and support chaps

 

[lxmike]

So apart from the Nikkor 50 f2 H, what other pre ai Nikkors stand out, or importantly which ones do not

 

[johannielscom]

So apart from the Nikkor 50 f2 H, what other pre ai Nikkors stand out, or importantly which ones do not

The ones I own and shoot I bought due to enthusiastic comments here:

• 1.4/58mm Nikkor-S
• 2.5/105mm Nikkor-P (first version, Sonnar design)

The 58mm was made for only a few years and is one of the few lenses (apparently) that render Noctilux-like. I've never noticed since I shoot it on an APS-C camera, on which it is a perfect 1.4/85mm lens!

The 105mm is a great lens too, real nice sharpness!

 

[sevo]

The 105mm is a great lens too, real nice sharpness!

That said, the 105/2.5 famous as one of the best (and sharpest) 35mm lenses ever is the later Double Gauss (IIRC) design - the Sonnar type is very nice in a typical Sonnar kind of way, but it is not really singular among Sonnar types.

 

[lxmike]

many thanks chaps, what pre ai wides have a good reputation, I'm on a very limited budget

 

[Dirk]

Pre-AI wides that have a good rep are: Nikkor-O 35mm f/2; Nikkor-UD 20mm 3.5; Nikkor-N 24mm 2.8; Nikkor-N 28mm f/2 and the 35mm 1.4. Please remember all of these (with the possible exception of the 28/2) are more flare-prone than the later versions.

 

[lxmike]

Pre-AI wides that have a good rep are: Nikkor-O 35mm f/2; Nikkor-UD 20mm 3.5; Nikkor-N 24mm 2.8; Nikkor-N 28mm f/2 and the 35mm 1.4. Please remember all of these (with the possible exception of the 28/2) are more flare-prone than the later versions.

thankyou dirk that is very interesting and helpfull

 

[agoglanian]

I just started getting into the Nikon F world about 6 months ago with an F3 and the 50 f/2 H. Not knowing a whole lot about Nikon prior to this I wasn't that excited to get the 50, I figured I'd use it until I could afford the f/1.4 or f/1.2 and then try to unload it. Well, after my first roll 6 months ago, it was very clear this was a special lens!

I did a little research and found quite a few devoted fans of this lens and I'm so glad I didn't do anything stupid like try and sell it 😉. Mine's pretty old and a little bit wobbly, with a little scratch on front element but gosh darnit this thing is sharp! It just renders so beautifully on Tri-X. Mine also happened to be converted to AI as well before I got it. (It's the old scalloped ring version)

Anyways, I'm sure you're going to be extremely happy with yours.

Also, I don't have any non-AI wides but I did recently get an AI 24mm f/2.8 for not too much money and it is quite the performer as well. May want to keep your eyes out for one of those.

 

[lxmike]

I just started getting into the Nikon F world about 6 months ago with an F3 and the 50 f/2 H. Not knowing a whole lot about Nikon prior to this I wasn't that excited to get the 50, I figured I'd use it until I could afford the f/1.4 or f/1.2 and then try to unload it. Well, after my first roll 6 months ago, it was very clear this was a special lens!

I did a little research and found quite a few devoted fans of this lens and I'm so glad I didn't do anything stupid like try and sell it 😉. Mine's pretty old and a little bit wobbly, with a little scratch on front element but gosh darnit this thing is sharp! It just renders so beautifully on Tri-X. Mine also happened to be converted to AI as well before I got it. (It's the old scalloped ring version)

Anyways, I'm sure you're going to be extremely happy with yours.

Also, I don't have any non-AI wides but I did recently get an AI 24mm f/2.8 for not too much money and it is quite the performer as well. May want to keep your eyes out for one of those.

many thanks for the reply, i'll let you know how I get on with the 50 f2 H

 

[Harry Lime]

I've used a Nikkor-H.C 2/50 on my F bodies, as my main 'daylight' 50 for the past 5 years and really like it. It is sharp across the aperture range with good contrast. It has very nice optical signature with good tonality and smooth bokeh, which is kind of odd, since the aperture opening is a hexagon. Pared with some Tri-X the lens is a winning classic combination.

I have two of these lenses. One was pre-AI, but I upgraded it with a ring.

I also shoot them on my D600 and it goes a long way in removing the 'digital curse' from the files.

Highly recommended. A very underrated lens.

 

[Timestep]

A classic indeed.
Far better than oner might expect.
Mine, from 1972 is still in use.