georgms wrote:
For some reasons I still think the Fuji X-system-cameras work best with the lenses invented for it. I have adapters for Nikon- and Leica R-lenses for the Fuji, but after some rounds of playing with a MF-lens on the Fuji I usually go back to the compact Fujinon-lenses. The balance is off for me and that's why I prefer to shoot Fujinon-glass on the Fuji and Nikon-glass on my Nikons.
The almost same can be said about using slighlty larger ore more heavy glass on lighter Nikon-bodies. The 105/1.8 for instance is a wonderful fit for the D7000, the 135/2 feels too heavy or large for this body, while it feels "natural" on the D700 or D3s.
But I'm glad that using MF-Nikon-glass on the Fuji worked well for you and hope you'll be back in the MFNG-business soon ;-)...Show more →
You're right Georg, Fuji glass IS much better to use. But I also enjoy using the Nikkors as well because of the focus peaking and the one button magnification. I never was satisfied with the green dot focus indicator and my eyes were never good enough to focus with just using the viewfinder.
Joseph. wrote:
I feel like my MFNG addiction is coming back
I really love the feel of the all-metal Nikkors. Currently have the 55 1.2 and 105 2.5 PC (both have metal focusing rings) Can you guys please post a list of ALL Nikkors wider than 55mm that have metal scalloped focusing rings?
I appreciate the help.. thanks!
The lenses you're looking for are the pre-AI lenses, all of which will mount on your Df without a problem. Of course, they do necessitate changing aperture BOTH on the lens and in the camera, to work properly. Now, IF, you can find pre-AI lenses that have been converted, preferably with the Nikon AI conversion kit, these old lenses will operate like any manual focus Nikkor of AI or AI-s version.
With regard to lenses worth looking at that are longer than 55, you'll definitely want to check out the 85 f/1.8 H, or ideally, the H.C. Before the 105 2.5 PC there was the first 105 2.5 P with the Sonnar optical design. It is a very sweet lens. There are a few 135 lenses but if you want the scalloped metal focusing ring, the only option is the very fine 135 f/3.5 Q. There is a Q.C. as well but that has a black front while the Q has a silver front. Going longer, the next best choice is the 200 f/4 Q.C. that has a wide scalloped metal focusing ring much like the 105 PC. Finally, there is a 300 f/4.5 H that also has a wide scalloped focusing ring. It is not a great lens, however. The 200 is really fine, the 300 not so much.
Here are my pre-AI lenses when the count was only 15. Now it stands at 24, though some of those are duplicates. I also added the 85 f/2 H.C., a 28 f/2 N.C., a third 55 f/1.2 S.C. AI, a second 135 f/3.5 Q AI, a 5cm f/2 and a 5.8cm f/1.4S. Not shown are the 16 f/3.5 K AI or the 135 f/2.8 K AI, neither of which has a scalloped focusing ring. I guess it is time to take a new photo...
dgjean wrote:
Actually, Curtis, I keep all the chemicals, beekers, etc., in a couple of large plastic containers in my garage. I also have a couple of foldable saw horses that I lay a board across (it's probably 3 x 4 feet). When I'm ready to develop (usually a couple of times a week), I bring everything in and set up in my wife's laundry room (i.e. running water). It takes about ten minutes to set up.
After I develop the film I go upstairs to the room I use as a studio and do the scanning, etc., there. It usually takes a couple of hours--more if I develop more than a couple of rolls of film.
I guess it keeps me occupied and out of my wife's hair.
I do have a small storage locker outside the cottage available to me. That would certainly be the best place to store chemicals. And I do have a sink, two in fact, but one is in the kitchen and one is in the bathroom. I'll have to do some reflecting on all of this. I also don't have a film scanner so that adds another wrinkle. Thanks for sharing the information Don.
I had to chuckle though, when you call it your WIFE'S laundry room... I always do my own laundry. I guess that is one of the privileges that come from being married and living in a culture that has pretty defined roles for men and women. My partner/ex-wife HAS done laundry for me on occasion, but it is the exception rather than the rule... usually things I keep at her condo for longer visits.
Joseph. wrote:
I feel like my MFNG addiction is coming back
I really love the feel of the all-metal Nikkors. Currently have the 55 1.2 and 105 2.5 PC (both have metal focusing rings) Can you guys please post a list of ALL Nikkors wider than 55mm that have metal scalloped focusing rings?
I appreciate the help.. thanks!
As Curtis already mentioned they are all pre-AI
You have the Nikons and the even older Nippon Kodak Japan lenses
Check Roland Vink's lens database.
A lot of data and pictures.
20/3.5 24/2.8 28/2.0 28/3.5 35/1.4 35/2.0 50/1.4 50/2.0 have all scalloped rings (I have them AI-ed and chipped).
Nice flow now. We were talking about inspiration a few days ago. I´ve really been lacking that stuff for a while as well as the ability to use my gear. My thumb has gotten a lot better now. Today was a little different....I think I shot about 200 shots My son had a free day from school, we decided to visit the skatepark as well as taking a little trip to the woods My HC85/1.8 have been atttached to the camera all day, sometimes with extensions. Here´s a few impressions from today!
(Kodak Tri-X developed in Ilford ID-11 (1+1) for 11 minutes at 20° C & scanned with an Epson v850).
Even though I use my Nikon F more then my FM nowadays, the FM was my first camera, and I'm very impressed by the fact that it is still fully usable today. Lovely size, with an MD-12 it balances with bigger lenses as well, and it always a pleasure to use.
Joseph. wrote:
I feel like my MFNG addiction is coming back
I really love the feel of the all-metal Nikkors. Currently have the 55 1.2 and 105 2.5 PC (both have metal focusing rings) Can you guys please post a list of ALL Nikkors wider than 55mm that have metal scalloped focusing rings?
Unlike Curtis, I'm missing a few, but I own those which I use most, and sold off whatever I did not ake with me.
From he widest to the 55mm there are:
8mm f2,8 Fish Eye Nikkor. Scalloped focus ring, scalloped aperture ring
(the 16mm f3,5 Fish Eye Nikkor does have a scalloped aperture ring, but a rubber diamond pattern focus ring)
20mm f3,5 Nikkor-UD (widest rectilinear Nikkor with scalloped focus ring and scalloped aperture ring) ((doesn't need cut aperture ring to fit on my D3))
24mm f2,8 Nikkor-N or Nikkor-N.C (first Nikkor with CRC)
28mm f3,5 Nikkor-H or Nikkor-H.C ((doesn't need cut aperture ring to fit on my D3))
28mm f2 Nikkor-N or Nikkor-N.C (owned one. Amazingly sharp, but barrel distortion. Nice bokeh)
35mm f2,8 Nikkor-S ((doesn't need cut aperture ring to fit on my D3))
35mm f3,5 PC Nikkor (I have to mention that this one, and the earlies f2,8 lenses are of little use on a modern camera because the prism housing prevents shifting the lens up. he lens was designed to be used on the plain prism Nikon F and little thought was given to the design of metered prisms and the extra space towards he front needed to interac with the aperture prongs which oddly enough were already available on the lenses when the first version of the PC Nikkor was released) ((doesn't need cut aperture ring to fit on my D3 because it is a preset lens))
35mm f2,8 PC Nikkor ((doesn't need cut aperture ring to fit on my D3 because it is a preset lens))
35mm f2 Nikkor-O or Nikkor-O.C
35mm f1,4 Nikkor-N or Nikkor-N.C (both versions have a multicoated front element, the Nikkor-N has 9 aperture blades where the Nikkor-N.C has 7. This is the lens with Thorium glass)
45mm f2,8 GN Nikkor
5cm f2 Nikkor-S (earlier versions with 9 aperture blades, later ones with 6) ((doesn't need cut aperture ring to fit on my D3))
50mm f2 Nikkor-H or Nikkor-H.C
50mm f1,4 Nikkor-S or Nikkor-S.C
After these you have the 55mm f3,5 Nikkor-P (or Nikkor-P.C) and the 55mm f1,2 Nikkor-S (or Nikkor S.C). There is also a preset 55mm f3,5 Micro Nikkor, which actually does 1:1 reproductions wihout tubes
CGrindahl wrote:
Looking pretty sweet Buddy! I like these better than spiders...
Though I've long had two jars in my cottage so I can easily capture spiders and put them outside WHERE THEY BELONG...
This camera certainly looks good given that I purchased it (used) in 1995 and intensively used it ever since. This camera was originally manufactured in 1978, my year of birth, and sold by the very same camera store twice. Once in 1978 and once in 1995
I'll also say that a recent set you posted, all of which were shot wide open with the 55 f/1.2 S.C., inspired me to shoot only wide open while following Sue around her favorite store on Fourth Street in Berkeley. Here are a few whimsical photos as I indulge me fascination with bokeh play...
You caught my eye with that shot Peter. Very sweet use of that fine lens. My first car was a 1955 Chevrolet BelAire two-door coupe... though sadly, not the hard top. I had a friend who owned a black 1956 and I was smitten. I also had a friend whose uncle was parts manager at the local Chevrolet dealership. You can imagine where that story went... to a 283 cubic inch fuel injection short block topped by 2 four barrel carburetors. That was the beginning of quite a few years of spending money that led to grease in my eyes and on my fingers. The Nomad models from those years are among the finer cars produced by GM, in my humble opinion. I never owned one but I always seek them out when I'm at a car show. Thanks for the memories...
Curtis, Chris, and Buddy - A massive THANK YOU for the detailed list!
I did explore some AF-S glass the past few months but my MFNG's never left. I am eager to start shooting MFNG's again. I am reading the last few posts and I can't believe that Leighton switched to Fuji and sold most of his MFNG's. If true, that is very sad. You (Leighton) and Curtis, are the driving force behind this thread. Leighton, I hope someday you pick up a Nikon FX body again and start shooting MFNG's again like the olde times.
I'll also say that a recent set you posted, all of which were shot wide open with the 55 f/1.2 S.C., inspired me to shoot only wide open while following Sue around her favorite store on Fourth Street in Berkeley. Here are a few whimsical photos as I indulge me fascination with bokeh play...
The 55mm f1,2 does produce magic when used wide open. It's a bit like fairy dust. Apply liberally for maximum effect
I like your bokeh play. On that day I did exactly the same. Bring jus one camera, one lens and only use it wide open. I did not feel that I missed out on much by bringing the 55mm along. That's almost like cheating, as this would be the one lens I would bring with me on a deserted island. Possibly along with my Nikon F to be battery independent
Clearly Buddy... I own THREE copies of the 55 f/1.2 S.C. AI for a reason... I LOVE the lens. It is definitely a desert island choice. It is a wonderful walk around lens, sharp as a tack at f/2 and juicy as can be wide open...
Since we're giving praises to the 55 1.2, here's one I took with the Nikkor-S.C 55 1.2 with the D810. Amazing how this old lens render on a modern hi-res sensor! From time to time I see people saying "the D810 is very demanding and needs great glass.". Well, the classic 55 1.2 does just fine.
Great shot Joseph. You do both the D810 AND the ancient Nikkor well. It is good to remember, this lens has been out of production for 43 years. I think Nikon new what they were doing when they designed these lenses.
I need help. I have a copy of the 5cm f2 Nikkor-S with 9 aperture blades. I would like to know how to mount it on D810 without modifying. Any particular adapter required or is it unusable on modern DSLR. Thanks.
