Nikon FM2 needs a forever lens

[viggi]

Hey, my FM2 is sitting unused and it's a shame. This camera is in near mint condition and I like using it. But I was using it with AF 50mm 1.4. I don't like that lens. When I did I side-by-side comparison with Konica AR lens, I much preferred the rendering of the latter. More contrast.

I want to get a good 35mm or 50mm manual lens and leave it on the Nikon. 28mm is not a focal length I enjoy. If you had to pick one good lens, which one would it be? This would be for walking about, street photography etc.

Thanks - really need your help in focusing my selection.

 

[ferider]

Pictures say more than 1000 words 🙂

 

[seany65]

Maybe the 50mm f1.4 ais?

 

[Ken Ford]

Maybe the 50mm f1.4 ais?

That, or the 35/2 AiS.

 

[sebastel]

or the 105mm f/2.5
sounds strange, but that is my recommendation for a one camera one lens one year project.

 

[phrons]

I have the 50 1.4 S factory AI'd

The e- series 1.8

The 50 f2

The 50 f2 is the best lens.

The lens I used the most is the e-series 50 1.8 because it's so much smaller and almost as good as performance with the f2.

The 1.4s only get pulled out when the 1.4 is needed and possibly for portraits.

Sadly the 1.4 SLR lenses are very poor compared to the real legend that is the 5cm 1.4 rangefinder glass.

 

[adamr1699]

or the 105mm f/2.5
sounds strange, but that is my recommendation for a one camera one lens one year project.

I second the 105 f/2.5
Seems long for an everyday lens but its an awesome performer.

Also the 35 f/2.5 E series is amazing as well, if you can find one.

 

[hellomikmik]

Zeiss

Zeiss

Carl Zeiss Distagon 35/2 ZF or Planar 50/1,4 ZF.

 

[taemo]

my forever lens on the FM2 was supposed to be the Voigtlander 28mm as it was really small.
another compact lens would be the Voigtlander 40mm f/2, good compromise between 35 and 50.

 

[narsuitus]

If you had to pick one good lens, which one would it be?

I would pick a Zeiss 35mm lens.

 

[Huss]

Voigtlander CV 40mm f2

 

[JoeLopez]

my forever lens on the FM2 was supposed to be the Voigtlander 28mm as it was really small.
another compact lens would be the Voigtlander 40mm f/2, good compromise between 35 and 50.

I have the 50mm f1.8 and recently picked up a Voigtlander 40mm f2 for my F3. I was surprised to see the glass was the same size. I expected the 40mm to be more of a pancake than the 50. Good glass 🙂

 

[Spider67]

Voigtländer 58mm f 1.4

 

[madNbad]

55 Micro-Nikkor, 2.8 or 3.5.

 

[viggi]

Wow - now I need 3 or 4 one lens(es) 🙂

I did not know about the 50mm 1.8s. That looks really good. Thanks.
I remember now, I almost picked up a 105 from ffordes in Scotland. I regret that I didn't.

I truly had forgotten all about the voigtlander for Nikon.

 

[lawrence]

That, or the 35/2 AiS.

Agreed, the 35/2 is an excellent all-rounder although not particularly compact. I prefer it to the 35/1.4 as that's even bigger and with too much distortion.

 

[karlin]

Another vote for the 40 ultron.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

The Voigtlander 40mm is a superb lens.

 

[Contarama]

That, or the 35/2 AiS.

Yes! +3 I recently purchased a 35/2 K from the Leica Shop. Currently my favorite lens and I have some cool ones.

 

[taemo]

I have the 50mm f1.8 and recently picked up a Voigtlander 40mm f2 for my F3. I was surprised to see the glass was the same size. I expected the 40mm to be more of a pancake than the 50. Good glass 🙂

that is good to hear, have a 50mm 1.8 ai-s and was lusting for the CV 40mm.

had the CV 28mm 2.8 and was smaller than the 28mm 2.8 AI-S but funny thing is that the Pentax MX + 28mm 2.8 M was the same size as FM2 + CV 28mm 2.8, so I sold it and have a 24mm 2.8 AI-S as wide angle for Nikon.

I also sold the 105mm 2.8 AI-S and grabbed a 100mm 2.8 E instead as it was alot smaller.