Nikkor lens recomendations

ABG,

What I did was carry an SLR for above 50 and use my RF for 50 and below.

My journey was a bit different as I went from Leica RFs to Nikon (couldn't afford the Leica SLR glass of the size/speed I used) and was very happy.

You might think about a Leicaflex (of your choice, so many good ones to choose from) with a 90 or a 180. While the 180/2.8 is many folks bread and butter, I'd go with the 1/2 stop slower 180/3.4. It intrigues me more (not to mention is smaller). Perhaps a 4s and the 180.

Keep the 50 on the M3, they were made for each other.

Just a thought, horse of a different colour and all.......

B2 (;->
 
Sonnar Brian said:
Nikon MF lenses - good choices not expensive.

.......
Nikkor 105/2.5, Small rear element= Sonnar, large = Planar.
Nikkor 135/3.5 Ai/Ais
.........
Click to expand...

So, I'm looking for a smaller-ish manual lens for my XE-1. I've got an 85/1.8, but small and the 1.8 are rarely used in the same sentence. I've been thinking about the Sonnar 105 and wondering that or the 135/3.5 Ai, which would you pick.

How does the S mount 135 stack up optically to the F 3.5?

Sorry to Hyjack the thread OP, but it's only slightly, yeah that's the ticket.....

B2
 
AlexBG said:
I have a Nikkor-N 28mm F2, a Nikkor OC 35mm F2 and a 50mm 1.4, planning on keeping just the 28mm or 35mm and then adding either the Nikkor H 85mm F1.8 or the Nikkor P 105mm F2.5.

I am not a fan of lenses with a FOV over 50mm so wanting to try snd get better with a different focal length. I know both lenses are well liked, especially the 105, just wondering which one people would suggest.
Click to expand...

Thousands of journalists have used the 35/85 Nikkor combo. It's supremely versatile.

I've shot three of the four manual focus Nikkor 85s. (No experience with the 85/1.4.) All three are swell.

That said, the 1.8 is bigger and heavier. And the newer of the two 2.0 models focuses faster (with fewer degrees of rotation) than its predecessor. It's my favorite of the three.

All three use 52mm filters, very common on Nikon lenses.
 
BillBingham2 said:
How does the S mount 135 stack up optically to the F 3.5?
Click to expand...

Legend has it, the 10.5cm f/2.5 P (Sonnar) is optically the same, except the rear element was slightly modified to clear the SLR mirror. The 10.5cm f/4 is the same in both mounts, but this lens is much more valuable as a collectible than a shooter. And the 13.5cm f/3.5 is at least similar, if not the same between S and early F mount models. I believe both lenses are tessars, 4 elements in 3 groups. The S mount lenses and tick-mark F-mount lenses have more aperture blades, producing nicer bokeh stopped down. Better choice for mirrorless but also more expensive. Not sure about close focusing on the F mount models...
 
The 85/2.0 Nikkor can be a bargain, possibly due to sometimes less than stellar reviews.
The 105/2.5 Nikkor can be found at reasonable prices too as so many were produced.

I bought the 85mm when the 105mm proved too long to keep up with my active child.
Both lenses are terrific but I prefer the 85mm, perhaps because I've grown used to it.

Chris
 
keytarjunkie said:
Legend has it, the 10.5cm f/2.5 P (Sonnar) is optically the same, except the rear element was slightly modified to clear the SLR mirror. The 10.5cm f/4 is the same in both mounts, but this lens is much more valuable as a collectible than a shooter. And the 13.5cm f/3.5 is at least similar, if not the same between S and early F mount models. I believe both lenses are tessars, 4 elements in 3 groups. The S mount lenses and tick-mark F-mount lenses have more aperture blades, producing nicer bokeh stopped down. Better choice for mirrorless but also more expensive. Not sure about close focusing on the F mount models...
Click to expand...

The 135/3.5 S mount is also a Sonnar.
 
Again, the Voigtländer 90 is just a better lens all around, albeit slower. Colors are richer and cleaner. The 105 can be too tight a FOV. The Nikkor 85/2 was not one of their best, in contrast to the 105/2.5

90 is really a great FL and the CV as an APO is just superior by every criteria except speed.
 
retinax said:
I've had an AI'd 85 1.8 and found the built quality lacking. Aluminium helicals, at a time when other manufacturers used brass. My Pentax and older Minolta lenses feel much nicer. Are the 105s any different?
Click to expand...
This is the single biggest drawback to the vintage manual focus Nikon SLR lenses.
Most, if not all, of F/K/Ai/Ais era Nikon lenses use Al/Al helicoids, which, if used much after the original grease has evaporated, will destroy themselves. The focus action then becomes rough and stiff...very unpleasant!
Most 85/1.8 H, H.C, AI lenses I've ever seen over the last 40 years have damaged helicoids. This model seems to be particularly prone to being damaged by neglect of helicoid lubrication.
I got an 85/1.8 K/Ai that is only slightly damaged, which makes the focusing slightly stiff once re-lubricated, an effect which I happen to like.
Interestingly, certain Nikon primes, such as my 180/2.8 ED AiS, never seem to develop the rough helicoid disease, and the focusing action remains smooth---without shop service---for decades.
 
I really like the 85mm focal length, as it provides a lovely perspective. It is, in fact, my "normal" lens.

My next most used lens is a 28mm, satisfying very neatly my needs in a wide angle.

I probably take 90% of my photos with these two focal lengths, the ideal team for me.

If you are pushing somewhat reluctantly beyond 50mm, I think an 85mm lens would be less of a stretch and a better all-around tool. In my opinion, 105mm is just enough longer to make it a more specialized lens, with less universal application.

- Murray
 
splitimageview said:
The 135/3.5 S mount is also a Sonnar.
Click to expand...


Ah yeah, I did some more research and think you may be right. It is extremely simple - four elements in three groups. 13.5cm f/3.5 S-mount Via MIR:

RF135f352nd-optic.gif



The 13.5cm f/3.5 Auto (F-mount) lens supposedly keeps this Sonnar design from 1959 to 1969, and then the optical design was modified from 1969 to 1977 but I'm not sure how. After 1977 the 135mm f/3.5 AI was a new compact design unrelated to the earlier lenses.
 
Got 135 f/3.5 AI-S and 105 f/2.5 AI-S - love'em both.
Always a pleasure to use them.
105 works great contre-jour.
135 is cheaper but also produces beautiful images.
Both have nifty integrated telescoping hoods.
 
BillBingham2 said:
So, I'm looking for a smaller-ish manual lens for my XE-1. I've got an 85/1.8, but small and the 1.8 are rarely used in the same sentence. I've been thinking about the Sonnar 105 and wondering that or the 135/3.5 Ai, which would you pick.

How does the S mount 135 stack up optically to the F 3.5?

Sorry to Hyjack the thread OP, but it's only slightly, yeah that's the ticket.....

B2
Click to expand...

The 135/3.5 later versions, built in lens hood, are 4 element in 3 group Sonnars, just like the original S-Mount lenses of 1950. They are multi-coated, lighter, use 52mm filters, usually less cost. I have an early MIOJ 13.5cm F3.5 in Leica mount and the last-batch AIs mount. Go for the later version.

The Nikkor 85/2 is much smaller than the 85/1.8. The latter- about the size of the 55/1.2. The 85/2- closer to a 50/1.4.
 
ChrisPlatt said:
The 85/2.0 Nikkor can be a bargain, possibly due to sometimes less than stellar reviews.
The 105/2.5 Nikkor can be found at reasonable prices too as so many were produced.

I bought the 85mm when the 105mm proved too long to keep up with my active child.
Both lenses are terrific but I prefer the 85mm, perhaps because I've grown used to it.

Chris
Click to expand...

My children are very active, even my XT3 couldn't keep up with them. Also probably why I never really go for longer lenses, even looking at my lightroom catalogue and seeing what focal length I use with the 16-55, it's very rare to go above 40.
 
BillBingham2 said:
Hey Brian,

Not sure the attached info is right. Is the newer 135/3.5 (AI-s) a sonar design? I’m feeling more than my usual stupid today.

Thanks.

B2 (;-?
Click to expand...

The Nikkor 135/3.5, produced up through 1983- is a Sonnar formula lens, 4 elements in 3 groups- same as the 13.5cm F3.5 of 1950. I think it is the last Sonnar formula lens made in F-Mount.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Did Nikon really blow Leitz and Zeiss out of the water in 1950? Not quite, but....
Replies
9
Views
1K
aoresteen
aoresteen
Roastchestnuts
lens decisions?
2
Replies
39
Views
3K
Roastchestnuts
Roastchestnuts
J
  • Article Article
Nikkor Fest: 10 Classic Nikon Lenses with “Retro Rendition.”
2
Replies
37
Views
15K
splitimageview
splitimageview
J
  • Article Article
Did Nikon really blow Leitz and Zeiss out of the water in 1950? Not quite, but....
2 3
Replies
40
Views
9K
Tincup
T
UV76
Wrayflex
Replies
4
Views
2K
UV76
UV76
Back
Top Bottom