OT: The OTHER Dark Side ...

[peterc]

I'll expand past my 24-50-105 plan.

I set my limit at $100CDN each for Nikkor primes and have managed to collect a fair arsenal ... many of them for about $50. If you don't mind a bit of ugly, there are some great lenses out there really cheap.

Peter

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I have been tempted by the power of the Dark Side too; an F2M with motor drive, for about $300, in very good condition. I don't know if I should ask to have them hold it for me or not.

A Canon & Leica user with a Nikon SLR ... that would be the Revenge of the Siths...

 

[ray_g]

I'll second the 35/2 Nikkor-O. Inexpensive to boot.

I like the 24(2.8), 50(2), 105(2.8) combo too, Gene. But sometimes, the 35/105 is a nice light (well, not with the MD-4) kit.

And don't forget the 180/2.8 ED AIS.

And the 20/4.
Or the 28/2.8 AIS, 45/2.8.

And the Nikon - EOS adapter 🙂

 

[Frank Granovski]

I'll expand past my 24-50-105 plan.

Why not go with the super-sharp 28mm F2 instead, along with the 50mm F1.8 and the 105mm F2.5 or 1.8? That would be a better plan, yes?

 

[GeneW]

Why not go with the super-sharp 28mm F2 instead, along with the 50mm F1.8 and the 105mm F2.5 or 1.8? That would be a better plan, yes?

I could see the 28 as my 4th lens, but overall I'd get more use from the 24.

Gene

 

[GeneW]

I'll second the 35/2 Nikkor-O. Inexpensive to boot.

I like the 24(2.8), 50(2), 105(2.8) combo too, Gene. But sometimes, the 35/105 is a nice light (well, not with the MD-4) kit.

And don't forget the 180/2.8 ED AIS.

And the 20/4.
Or the 28/2.8 AIS, 45/2.8.

And the Nikon - EOS adapter 🙂

Okay, I'll buy 'em all! 😀

Over the course of time ...

Thanks for reminding me about the Nikon-EOS adapter. I forgot I could adapt these for use on my current Digital Rebel.

Gene

 

[Frank Granovski]

Oh, you meant the 50/F2. That's a nice lens. A buddy of mine swears by it, along with the 105/F2.5. He's been using these for well over 30 years.

 

[doubs43]

OK fellows, I'll fess up! A couple of weeks ago I sepnt a week in Northern VA where my wife and I visited our son and family. Brian Sweeney said there was a Penn Camera store in the area and I did my best to ignore it....... unsuccessfully. It was only about 1/2 of a mile away so naturally I had a look with no intentions of buying.

OH BOY!! A case filled with Nikkor lenses and the used body case had two Nikkormat bodies; a chrome late model FTn and a black model FTn. Temptation, get thee behind me!

I walked away with my Common Sense Angel saying "Good for you" and my Gotta Have It Devil smacking me beside the head with a 2x4 saying "Buy it, ya big sap!" My biggest argument against the purchase was not buying yet another mount system that would require additional lenses.

Long story short: The Devil won! The next day I went back and negotiated the chrome body, an excellent 105mm f/2.5 AI lens (perfect optics) and a still-in-the-box mint 135mm f/3.5 non-AI lens for $225. Maybe more than I could have gotten them for on ebay but it was worth it being able to see and touch them before buying.

From ebay I've gotten a VG+ used 28mm f/3.5 non-AI lens with perfect optics. I now have 4 shots remaining on my first roll of film....... Agfa APX-400 B&W sold as Arista 400-Pro. It's been raining here all day so I haven't been able to get out and shoot the final 4 frames.

So welcome to the club, Gene. My Nikkormat isn't in the same class with your F3 but it's solid and well-built. It's also smooth and I know I'll be pleased with it.

Joe, considering the number of M-42, OM & Nikon owners here who also have rangefinders, have you considered an SLR section for our more demented members? 😉

Walker

 

[back alley]

i wouldn't dare!!

in all truth/fairness - - i have been thinking about an old canon f1 or an om1 lately.
it is non sense to buy them (again) as i have no need for long lenses and never got into macro...so why would i need an slr???

it's all craziness...

joe

 

[lynn]

Okay, I'll buy 'em all! 😀

Gene

I was lucky: when I purchased my Nikon FE and my Nikkormat EL from a good-friend-going-digital, included were a 50/f1.4, a 50/f2, a 135/f3.5, a 28/f3.5, a 80-200/f4.5, and a 300/f4.5. I added an 85/f1.4 and a 105/f2.5 when opportunities arose, and I want nothing more.
(To be honest, though: that gorgeous 50/f1.4 is totally overworked. I use it almost exclusively as far as the Nikon goes.)
Enjoy, Gene.
I do mine.

 

[peterc]

Okay, I'll buy 'em all!

If you can find one at a good price get the 50/1.2 AIs. I managed to score one for $90CDN.

Peter

 

[Sonnar Brian]

> Okay, I'll buy 'em all!

Been there, done that.

I have the 28F2. It never received the reputation of the 24F2.8 or 35F1.4. It is a fine lens, but the 24F2.8 is a must. The newer version has a very short-throw focus, the old one is about like the all-metal 50mm F1.4. An AI converted 24F2.8 is well worth consideration.

$90CDN for a 50F1.2 is a steal. There are bargains out there. I picked up some non-AI lenses for dirt-cheap, like an 80~200F4.5 for $30 and 55F3.5 Micro-Nikkor for $25. These can be used stopped-down with an F3. pacificrim camera has factory AI conversion parts for many of the old lenses.

 

[peter_n]

Gene,

I've window shopped for Nikon gear at Richard Tillis's www.woodmerecamera.com. He has very good prices and is very responsive to e-mail inquiries.

I can recommend Richard. I bought a Nikon FM for him for one of my kids a few years ago and she still loves the camera. 🙂 I bumped into him at a camera show in the Boston area a couple of weeks ago. He's a really nice guy.

 

[Little Prince]

No recent Nikon buys here, but reading this stuff is tempting me. Until now (for at least 6 months) I've had no Nikkor desires. That just proves it is RFF's doing!

I'm using a 35/105/180 combo. Very rarely ever use the 180. When I do, I can't hold it steady enough (without pod). The 35/1.4 is my most used lens. It is certainly an excellent lens and if I had to pick one for going around, I'd pick it.

 

[taffer]

My current kit is built around two F2 bodies (a black one w/DP-1, chrome with DP-11) and three non-AI lenses, 35/2 - 24/2.8 and 105/2.5.

I got the last two together from the same ebay seller, both lenses and shipment for roughly $100.

The F2 handles a lot better with one of those Photoequip NF grips.

 

[GeneW]

Gene,

I've window shopped for Nikon gear at Richard Tillis's www.woodmerecamera.com. He has very good prices and is very responsive to e-mail inquiries.

jja, Peter, thanks for recommending Richard. After my deal on a 50/2 fell through (it turned out to be a pre-AI lens), I found a nice 50/1.8 AI on Richard's site and have purchased it.

Gene

 

[peter_n]

Great lens! The FM with that 50mm is in Dublin at the moment and she has given it a lot of wear. I don't know about the new Nikon stuff but the older cams and lenses could take a heck of a beating. I'm sure your lens from Richard will be in great condition, as I recall the FM was in its box and just about perfect. What a great camera that is! I think I actually prefer it to the F3...

 

[GeneW]

Woohoo! The F3HP with MD4 I won on eBay arrived today and it's in very good condition. Thanks to trades and some cash I have some Nikkors on their way to join it -- I traded locally for one so I at least had a lens to look through. This is gonna be fun!!

I'm not abandoning my RF's ... but I'll be doing some supplemental shooting with SLR!

Thanks for your help, everyone!

Gene

 

[taffer]

It's curious, once you're inside, it no longer looks that dark 😀

Welcome Gene !!!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

And remember, with an N->F adapter you can use RF lenses on that F3...

That is compatibility.