Thoughts on pre AI Nikkors ( 35mm )

[Dave Wilkinson]

My OP refered to the 35mm Nikkors, but as an aside - I would urge anyone that has not experienced the 105mm f2-5 (early Sonnar type ) to seek one out immediately!. I have used mine for forty years, and never fail to be in awe of it's rendition - hard to explain...but magic! 🙂
Dave.

 

[shadowfox]

"Hardly..."????

What's wrong with the Q verison? I think your photo looks good and my understanding is that the lens is generally well regarded by those who have catuially used it - although not so well regarded as the later AI/AIS versions.

I have one stripped down and am presently in the process of Ai converting it - in between shifting house etc. When it is done I look forward to using it on my D200 and am interested in comparing it to the later lens.

😀

Peter, that's actually is my point. Maybe I use the wrong word.

Love the Nikkor-Q 135/2.8. Just love it.

 

[shadowfox]

HEY! I'm tough on Nikon. I'm not just a cheerleader for "everything Nikon"! Tough and unbiased.

Hasn't anyone noticed my daughter is named NIKKI!

Brian, I was just jesting with you. 🙂

If I were to follow your example, I should have named my daughter Oly.

 

[former member]

I'm probably going to go ahead and convert my 135 F2.8 Nikkor-Q to AI, I have the factory part. It is MUCH bigger than the 105/2.5 and 135/3.5. It's not much smaller than the 180/2.8 Nikkor-P. I used to have the 135/2. THAT was big.

Now- for 135's, look for a Vivitar 135/2.3 Series 1. I have not used the Nikkor F-Mount 135's since buying one. The Vivitar lens gets to 3ft and has a floating element for close-range correction.

 

[nikku]

+1 for the Nikkor-O 35/2. Mine is home AI'd, I bought it from the estate of a Vietnam photog who apparently loved it so much that he converted it for use on his later bodies. Got it for less than $50 on ebay.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pooroldpunch/sets/72157622262472325/

 

[nikku]

+1 for the Nikkor-O 35/2. Mine is home AI'd, I bought it from the estate of a Vietnam photog who apparently loved it so much that he converted it for use on his later bodies. Got it for less than $50 on ebay.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pooroldpunch/sets/72157622262472325/

Oh, and don't mind the vignetting on most of those pictures, that was my fault--I was using a generic hood with a thick filter that caused the dark corners.

 

[ampguy]

for those looking for a good F 28

for those looking for a good F 28

check them all out, but I think the best is the far focusing (.3m) 28/2.8.

Here is 28/f3.5 open

 

[MXP]

When I was looking for a 200-ish lens, I really wanted the 180 2.8 ED, but couldn't BEGIN to afford it, so I started looking at the 200/4 line. I read in the Nikon Compendium (I no longer have the book) that there was only one acceptable lens in the group, defined by serial numbers. I bought one, #845xxx, and I've only taken a very few pictures with it, but it is just great! It's all black (all the others I've seen were mostly chrome) and a bit smaller than the others. Great lens.
Vic

There are two versions of the 200/4. The old 4 lens and the newer 5 lens which is all black and a bit smaller than the 4 lens. I think the one you have is the newer 5 lens design which is by most considered as a very good lens.

 

[TVphotog]

Nothing beats my Nippon Kogaku 5.8cm f/1.4 Nikkor-S. My Nikkor-N 28mm f/2.0 isn't bad either. I'd be happy to get a Nikkor-N 35mm f/1.4 as well.

Good lord, I thought I was the only one. I had a 58 1.4 and loved it so much it wore plum out. Had I known then, how irreplaceable they were, I would have not used it that much. Mine eventually developed mold problems and had to be retired. I have since searched and search for a reasonably priced one, but no luck. I do still have the F that the lens was attached to. To answer the original poster's question. I have two of the Nikkor 35 2.8s, both are not very good compared to some of my other non-AI lenses. I usually reach for my trusty 24mm or 50mm chrome barrel if I am shooting SLR.

 

[MXP]

I have a Nikkor-H 50/2, and it is superb. I need to buy a beat-up one to take apart someday. According to a repair manual, the optics module pops out in a single piece. Might be possible to convert into an RF lens.

It is a very easy lens to work with and disassemble. There is a little set screw in the ring with the name on (not on the K and AI versions).

I read some place that the design is a kind of a "Planar".

 

[nikon_sam]

Now- for 135's, look for a Vivitar 135/2.3 Series 1. I have not used the Nikkor F-Mount 135's since buying one. The Vivitar lens gets to 3ft and has a floating element for close-range correction.

I also have the Vivitar Series 1 135mm 2.3 and it has replaced my Nikon 135mm...that's a big lens...
The Nikkor-O 35mm 2.0 is a beautiful lens...Mine has been factory Ai'd (Serial #741XXX) It gets used mostly on my F5...right now it's on a F2...
I got mine off ebay for $72 and it came mounted on a Nikon FE...The guy was trying to sell the FE and decided to throw in a lens...😀