Nikon FM + 45mm f2.8 vs other

[msbarnes]

How is the performance of this 45mm pancake lens? I believe that there are two versions? Are they comparable in performance?

How does the size/performance of this setup compare with other compact SLR settups? Such as the OM-1n + 40mm/50mm., Contax Aria + 45mm, and Pentax MX + 40mm?

I'm looking for a compact SLR camera/lens combination and the Nikon FM + 45mm f2.8 appeals to me the most because it is Nikon (which is "better" system, overall) and because I prefer 45mm over 40mm. I don't need a fast lens, or a show stopper.

 

[Rob-F]

It's basically a Tessar formula, with all the benefits and limitations thereof. Very sharp in the center, not quite so sharp at the edges, but cleaning up as you stop down a couple or three stops. The small size does make for a compact camera; but the lens is so small it can be too fiddly if you have large fingers.

The 50mm f/1.8 is still very compact, is faster and well corrected, and much cheaper.

 

[mfogiel]

I believe there was a 45/2.8 GN and then the 45P, which has a chip for communicating with later Nikon models, and is apparently better corrected. I have the 45P, and have shot it mainly when I still had a digital camera. The optimal sharpness is at f 5.6-8.0. On wider apertures, you get less sharpness, but a very pleasing bokeh. this lens reminds me a bit my favourite 50/2.8 Elmar v2. Here you have a review:
http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/215-nikkor-ai-p-45mm-f28-review--lab-test-report
For me, the strong points are: compact, great bokeh and 3d, as good as anything else at f5.6, medium contrast. BTW, in my opinion, this lens has better micro contrast than a normal Nikon lens. In fact, there are some urban legends, that it has been made by Cosina.


RIFLESSIONE SULL'ARTE by mfogiel, on Flickr

 

[leicapixie]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141049

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141049

I have the original 45mm GN.
It is a pancake lens but it is not that flatter than the 50mm f1.8.
It is the only lens in Nikon, that I know, focuses in a different direction.
Focuses like Canon-Leica.
Before everybody went pixel mad, seeing faults, no one in film had ever,
or worked around or with, it's a great lens.
Mine works great with a manual flash..
Great for Macro. Has very small f-stops.
Seeing the prices and availability of the 50mm f1.8, get that.

 

[jonmanjiro]

In fact, there are some urban legends, that it has been made by Cosina.

"fact" and "urban legends" mentioned in the same sentence... I am impressed 🙂

I remember reading similar urban legends about the Nikon FM3A supposedly being made by Cosina. But I can assure you that the urban legends are just that, urban legends. The Nikon FM3A was made by Mito Nikon and the Nikkor Ai-P 45mm F2.8 was made by Tochigi Nikon, the same two companies that made the reissue Nikon rangefinders and lenses.

 

[daveleo]

I have the silver 45P/2.8 that "came with" my FM3A. Very nice lens for traveling around. I never did any close examinations or comparisons with other Nikkors, so you will have to rely on others for that.
I will say, the focusing ring is too small for me. I never grab the thing correctly because of that. If you can be careful, this would not be your problem.

As others said above, Nikon made many versions of the 50/1.8, all are pretty good, some are the best IQ/$ deals to be found on the used market. I had one that was perfectly small and handle-able and was maybe $75. *Much* less-pricey than any 45P you will find.

 

[Photon42]

[...]

I'm looking for a compact SLR camera/lens combination and the Nikon FM + 45mm f2.8 appeals to me the most because it is Nikon (which is "better" system, overall) and because I prefer 45mm over 40mm. I don't need a fast lens, or a show stopper.

I'm using a Voigtländer 2/40, which is very compact and a quality build. It has a CPU (may not matter for you) and features a close range loupe which can be screwed into the sun shade. Photozone.de had it tested.

 

[sparrow6224]

There are two Nikon pancake style 50mm f/1.8 models. The first, originally sold in Japan only, has serial numbers in the 2 millions. It focuses to .45m and is considerably superior optically to the later American-issue pancake, in the 4 million series and which focuses to .6m. Look for the former. You can get it for about $100. Many sellers don't know the difference. The Japanese issue is supposedly just as good as the full size "long nose" 50mm f/1.8 which is considered one of the great 50mm lenses. The 45mm isn't comparable.

 

[Vics]

Here's a review...
http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_norm.html

 

[KoNickon]

I have the GN but it's a non-AI lens -- I don't think it was made in AI. So it's not going to meter with the FM, except in stop-down mode.

Someone mentioned the Voigtlander 40/2 -- not made anymore, but get one if you can find one (not too flat, though).

 

[Dirk]

I used to have the 45GN, but didn't like it. The MFD wasn't great, and I never took to it's ergonomics. For some reason, the 45mm FOV doesn't appeal to me, even though I love 50 and 40. Go figure. My favorite Nikkor in that range is the 50mm F/2. It has something special.

 

[Oren Grad]

Someone mentioned the Voigtlander 40/2 -- not made anymore...

Our Head Bartender might beg to differ:

http://www.cameraquest.com/Voigt_SL2.htm

http://www.cosina.co.jp/seihin/voigt/v-lens/sl2/40sl2/index.html

 

[jamais]

...Contax Aria + 45mm...

I found the Zeiss Tessar 2.8/45 too thin. I much prefer the Yashica ML 2/50 which is also quite light and compact in size. I would assume the same for the Nikon equivalent (2.8/45 vs. 1.8/50). The Nikkor 1.8/50 is a great performer. If you prefer 40 over 50mm then you should consider the Voigtländer 2/40 SL (II) which is better built than the Tessar, not as thin as the Tessar but still more compact than a real 50.

 

[sevo]

I positively had a AI GN - but that might have been a factory conversion (I bought it used). But I never understood the hype - it is ok'ish in a very retro Exakta kind of way (for which I bought it), but unless your only preoccupation is photographing out-of-focus areas it won't hold a candle to the similarly small, faster, sharper pancake f/1.8 (whether E series or Nikkor).

There is a picture of a AI GN some way down on http://www.nicovandijk.net/standard.htm

 

[skírnir]

I use both the Nikkor 45P and the Carl Zeiss Tessar 2,8/45. My Nikkor sample has very stiff focusing (I don't know if that's normal), and although I love the FM3a, I most often end up using a Contax 139Q + Tessar 45. Both camera and lens is incredibly light and makes a more compact combo than any Nikon + 45P. I find it very easy to distinguish the focusing ring from the aperture ring on the Tessar. Thumbs up for a Contax/Tessar combination!