Nikon Manual Focus Glass - Part III

Jti001 · May 20, 2018

Bart said:
Beautiful and peaceful images, Jti!
Great selective focussing.

Just a remark for you and Stephen: there is a specific thread for non-nikon manual focus lenses: Non-Nikon manual focus lenses - Part II
I never saw the need for splitting these but the original poster did.

Thx i Will post my Zeiss pictures in part ii.

Bart · Sep 23, 2018

Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 Ai-S on FM3a with Fujichrome Provia100F

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Bart · Sep 23, 2018

Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 Ai on FM3a with Fujichrome Provia100F

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Moony16 · Sep 26, 2018

Bart said:
Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 Ai-S on FM3a with Fujichrome Provia100F

View attachment 1622540

View attachment 1622541

View attachment 1622542

Hey, welcome back to the thread Bart. It's always good to see stuff with your 35 1.4, but these film pics are a serious treat. I recently bought another (sold my last one 2 or more years back) Ai 35mm f/2--got a great deal. I'm looking forward to shooting with it on my foliage hikes which start next week. However, after all the images I've seen with the 35mm 1.4 Ai-s I'm still thinking about getting one--the prices are so steep though. But 35mm has so much utility that it's somewhat understandable. The Samyang 35mm 1.4 is also excellent, which always made me think it might role back the prices on the Nikkor. The Nikkor must be awfully good--care to comment? jt

Bart · Sep 29, 2018

Moony16 said:
Hey, welcome back to the thread Bart. It's always good to see stuff with your 35 1.4, but these film pics are a serious treat. I recently bought another (sold my last one 2 or more years back) Ai 35mm f/2--got a great deal. I'm looking forward to shooting with it on my foliage hikes which start next week. However, after all the images I've seen with the 35mm 1.4 Ai-s I'm still thinking about getting one--the prices are so steep though. But 35mm has so much utility that it's somewhat understandable. The Samyang 35mm 1.4 is also excellent, which always made me think it might role back the prices on the Nikkor. The Nikkor must be awfully good--care to comment? jt

Hi, JT.

In fact the 35 Ai-s 1.4 is the only 35mm I have in f-mount.
So, I can't really compare.
I always enjoy using it and I'm pleased with the results I get.
There can show up some barrel distortion but it never has bothered me.
Not even when I take architectural shots.
This gallery of Bruges for instance, was taken exclusively with this lens.

Looking forward for the results from your foliage hikes!

Moony16 · Oct 9, 2018

Hey Bart--there's no doubt the 35mm 1.4 is an excellent lens, with great utility. I'm just a little surprised by the prices the lens gets these days, particularly when one considers the Samyang 35mm 1.4. The pictures in your Bruges gallery are excellent--it looks like they were all shot on the same overcast day, which provides even lighting as you know.
Here are a few from some recent hiking up in New Hampshire--foliage better than usual this year IMO.
The Nikkor AI 35mm f/2

First shot @ f/2

Second shot @ f/2.8

Third shot @ f/5.6

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Bart · Oct 10, 2018

These are wonderful, JT!
Each in their own right.
This f/2.0 seems to perform admirably.

Moony16 · Oct 15, 2018

Bart said:
These are wonderful, JT!
Each in their own right.
This f/2.0 seems to perform admirably.

Thanks Bart--this copy, unlike my last one, is sharp, wide open, to the edges. I can landscape w it @ infinity wide open. Pretty unexpected, but wonderfully welcome find. Love the little lens. jt

Bart · Nov 1, 2018

Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S 50 f/1.4 on Sony A7ii.
I guess I could use this on the Df as well but it looks easier on the mirrorless where the adapter makes no difference between non-Ai and Ai lenses.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Added one closed down

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Moony16 · Nov 1, 2018

Bart said:
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S 50 f/1.4 on Sony A7ii.
I guess I could use this on the Df as well but it looks easier on the mirrorless where the adapter makes no difference between non-Ai and Ai lenses.

View attachment 1625357

View attachment 1625358

View attachment 1625359

Added one closed down

View attachment 1625369

These are all excellent Bart & the older 50mm lacks nothing wide open--sweet work with the compositions too. I bet you can get the Nippon Kogaku for a very nice price too. jt

Bart · Nov 2, 2018

Moony16 said:
These are all excellent Bart & the older 50mm lacks nothing wide open--sweet work with the compositions too. I bet you can get the Nippon Kogaku for a very nice price too. jt

Thanks, JT! Appreciated!
There are a number of flaws with the lens but that's the charm of it

I definitely like the results so far.
Prices are all over the place on ebay, I've seen from well under 100 to well over 300 EUR

For us, it pays to buy in the EU, avoiding import taxes and VAT.
Since I lack the knowledge and skill, the tools and the time to work on lenses myself, I need to go for good lenses. At least optical and with good mechanics.
I paid a little over 100 EUR for this one. It's not rare so some patience is in order.

Moony16 · Dec 5, 2018

Bart said:
Hi, JT.

In fact the 35 Ai-s 1.4 is the only 35mm I have in f-mount.
So, I can't really compare.
I always enjoy using it and I'm pleased with the results I get.
There can show up some barrel distortion but it never has bothered me.
Not even when I take architectural shots.
This gallery of Bruges for instance, was taken exclusively with this lens.

Looking forward for the results from your foliage hikes!

Yes, that's a beautiful gallery too Bart. I think the 35mm Ai-s is an awesome lens, but also think it is priced a high--just my opinion. You always show off with it though! Best jt

Bart · Dec 6, 2018

Thanks, JT! Appreciated!

Moony16 said:
Yes, that's a beautiful gallery too Bart. I think the 35mm Ai-s is an awesome lens, but also think it is priced a high--just my opinion. You always show off with it though! Best jt

annette · Dec 24, 2018

Bart said:
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S 50 f/1.4 on Sony A7ii.
I guess I could use this on the Df as well but it looks easier on the mirrorless where the adapter makes no difference between non-Ai and Ai lenses.

View attachment 1625357

Glorious bokeh!! Love it.

Bart · Dec 25, 2018

Thank you, Annette! Appreciated!

gryphon1911 · Dec 25, 2018

I just received an awesome Christmas present from my mother in law. She picked up a decent condition Nikon 85mm f/2 AIS lens. Can't wait to get a chance to run about and give it a go!

Moony16 · Jan 10, 2019

gryphon1911 said:
I just received an awesome Christmas present from my mother in law. She picked up a decent condition Nikon 85mm f/2 AIS lens. Can't wait to get a chance to run about and give it a go!

It sure is awesome--we are looking forward to some of your stuff in here with it too--no pressure though. jt

Moony16 · Feb 14, 2020

Bart said:
Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 Ai on FM3a with Fujichrome Provia100F

Hey Bart, the 58mm 1.2 looks great in your hands: all images are beautiful, but I particularly relish in the 2nd shot--just love subject isolation, to the max. Best! jt

Moony16 · Feb 14, 2020

These 3 are wide open w the 105mm f/2.5 Ai-s.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Bart · Feb 15, 2020

A lovely lens which never cease to deliver. And quite light and compact as well.
These are beautiful images, JT! The detail in the in focus area is excellent.

Moony16 said:
These 3 are wide open w the 105mm f/2.5 Ai-s.

View attachment 1655311
View attachment 1655313
View attachment 1655314