OT: Lens for FM3a

M

modsoul

Guest
Hi Fellas,

I just got a present from a friend. It was a Nikon FM3a body. But I don't have any Nikon Lens. I've borrowed his AF Nikkor 50mm F.1.4.

I am thinking to buy a manual focus Nikkor 50mm lens and have read reviews about both F.1.4 and 1.8. I heard that the 1.8 50mm is a really sharp lens but the 1.4 can get closer to the object. I wonder if you guys/gals had any experiences with both lens and would like to give some some advice.

Thanks!

Cheers,
Max:)
 
The original 50mm F1.8 AI lens was very well made and very sharp. If you can find a 50mm F2 AI lens, they are also very sharp. The 50mm F1.4 AI lens and late AIS lenses are fast, and sharp. Avoid early AIS lenses; Nikon used a horrible lubricant that will mess up the aperture blades and is almost impossible to get out. My favorite F1.4 is the all-metal "SC" lens converted to AI. Nice, well made, great look.
 
Max, I'd go with any Nikkor 50/1.8. It will be much cheaper than 1.4 version, and those are arguably better/sharper than 1.4 versions, too.
Haven't had personal experience to make the comparison, but I have two 50/1.8 versions (one 50/1.8 AIS version, and the latest 50/1.8 AF-D). Both are excellent, and I prefer the AIS than the latest (plasticky) AF-D model - due to better construction and (manual) handling. The AF-D version looks plasticky, and has a very thin (and flimsy) focusing ring...
If you don't really need that extra half stop, why pay the (high) premium for 1.4?
About close focus, I'm not sure... But, really, how close do you want to get? Get yourself an 50/1.8, and if you want macro, get some cheap macro tubes (macro extension rings)... Those will get you REALLY close :)

Denis
 
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I agree with Denis. I have the 50mm 1.4 AIS, and its not as sharp as the 1.8 is wide open. Rarely do I shoot it at 1.4 because of this. So basically I've got a 1.4 lens that I only use as low as f2, and paid a premium for that inconvenience :(
 
Thanks guys.
Both lens are really cheap here in Hong Kong. For 1.4 AIS. It's cheaper than USD130. 1.8AI is even cheaper. I think I'll get the 1.8 version and add a longer focal length. Which one of the 105mm is better? Any suggestion?

Cheers,
Max
 
Max, I don't know if it's better, but the 105 Micro is certainlythe most versatile - does double duty as a long lens & as a macro. I've gotten stunning photos in macro mode. The extra length is especially useful i macro if you are photographing anything that is alive.
 
Completely concur with the f1.8 recommendations above. A brilliant lens. Don't have the 105 but I have the 85mm/f2 AIS which is also outstanding. A really great portrait lens.
 
Go for the 50mm/1.8 it’s a great lens. I currently have the slim AIS version and had the larger AI version for a couple of years (till it was stolen :(), both are very good optically. I often use the slim 50/1.8 on my FM3a, the whole thing is actually compact enough to get into a large coat pocket. If your thinking of a 105mm get one of the f2.5 manual lenses, they are all very good. The later AIS version has a built in sliding hood.
 
I've got the 105 2.5 macro AF, and its a sharp lens, and has excellent macro capabilities. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

I also have the 85mm 1.8 AF, and is slightly soft at 1.8, but anything above its very very sharp. Its starting to become a favorite night street shooting lens when I take the digital SLR and want some reach and speed. It becomes a 128mm f1.8 lens!! Have to love digital when you want speed and reach, that 1.5x really works in your favor.

I took the following one night with the 85mm 1.8 AF at f1.8, 1/90th, ISO 1600, hand held.
 
Isn't there some sort of Tessar that was released at the same time as that camera? a 45mm f/2.8, or something to that effect? I recall it made the camera look sharp, had some wonderful reviews, and is a bit wider than the 50's mentioned (but obviously doesn't, at 45mm, meet your "50" desire)
 
jdos2 said:
Isn't there some sort of Tessar that was released at the same time as that camera? a 45mm f/2.8, or something to that effect? I recall it made the camera look sharp, had some wonderful reviews, and is a bit wider than the 50's mentioned (but obviously doesn't, at 45mm, meet your "50" desire)
Click to expand...

Yes, JD, the 45/2.8 is a superb lens both optically & in build quality. It makes the FM3A as compact as a rangefinder.
 
I've thought about buying one... But no, I'd rather spend my photographic $'s on rangefinders...


Hmmm. Some going for "new" on the Bay for $500, that's not bad for what will probably be the last manual shutter'd camera around.
 
I'm not a Nikon user myself, but a friend of my uses an EM with a lowly E-series 50/1.8 (I think...), and the results look quite good. Almost all the pics on his webpage www.r-owl.com were taken with this lens!

Roman
 
Here's my two cents. My favorite lens on the F3 is the 55/2.8 micro-Nikkor. You give up low light performance with the f 2.8 but get macro focusing in return. But most importantly it balances the camera so well that it seems to really belong there. I sold my 1.4 with another body some years ago. I somehow could not get used to solid feel of the camera in my right hand, while trying to focus with finger tips and pinkie stuck out, like an aristocrat sipping tea, on the 1.4. If you wear large size gloves, recommend you try to borrow or somehow test the 55 just to see how it feels. The very natural balance and almost intuitve focusing smoothness will get you a lot of great shots.
 
I am a Nikon user so here is my 2 cents worth. In a 50mm for bang for buck it is 50mm F1.8 ais or 50mm F2 ai. If you need speed the 50mm F1.4 is not too shabby either and if you don,t care about speed the 55mm F2.8 ais micro is noted for it's sharpness. Unless there is something really wrong with the lens any of the above lenses should work well depending on your needs. Have fun deciding.
 
Thx guys for all your suggestion.

My friend is gonna sell me his 28mm 2.0 at a really low price. So now I don't have to worry about the wider and standard lens.
The 85mm looks really sharp. My friend also suggested me the 105mm 1.8. Maybe I'll go for a cheaper one.
Anyway, thanks for all your helps.

Cheers,

Max
 
The 28mm F2 is a great lens; one of the first with "close-range-corrction". The 85 is sharp. The 105mm F2.5 is a must-have, and go fairly cheap, probably 1/3 of the F1.8 version. The 85 is close enough in magnification and gives you the extra speed (F1.8 or F2.)

The 55mm F2.8 is sharp, and also has "Close-Range-Correction", a floating element for close focus. It is a light lens and will not weigh down the light FM3a.

I used a 55mm F2.8 on my FE for some baby pictures a while ago, shot with flash. My Mom's response at looking at the (very sharp) pictures was "Why do you use any other camera?" Every time that I got a good existing light shot with the S3 and 5cm F1.4 I would say "This is why!"
 
Thanks Brian,

Now I have a clear picture of what I'll get. Anyway, I'll tell you guys what I've got later and share some pictures here. Thank you!

Cheers,
Max
 
50 1.8 AI or 2.0 AI are both very sharp. I compared a Canon 85 1.8 EOS lens with my 105 2.5 AI on a portrait shoot. The 105 won hands down. It may be THE sharpest Nikkor.
 
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