35mm lens choice for a Nikon F2

SCguy · Feb 16, 2015

I looking to buy a 35mm lens for my Nikon F2 but I'm over whelmed by the choices. I'm thinking a Nikon 35mm F/2.8 AI from 79-81.

I'm open to suggestions and hoping to find a lens that is sharp wide open. :confused:

frank · Feb 16, 2015

Nikkor 35f2 Ai / Ais, if you can swing it.

jimjm · Feb 16, 2015

I sold my version of the 35/2.8 AI as I was never happy with it, even stopped-down it wasn't very sharp and seemed to have lower contrast than other Nikon lenses. In fact my 35-70/3.5 AIS zoom was much better at 35mm.

I've heard the 35/2 AI/AIS is good, and there's always the 28/2.8 AIS (not AI) if you don't mind going a bit wider. The 28 is a great lens and it's pretty much permanently welded onto my F3.

BrianShaw · Feb 16, 2015

frank said:
Nikkor 35f2 Ai / Ais, if you can swing it.

Plus one (or times two)

Richard S. (rich815) · Feb 16, 2015

You can't go wrong with a nice 35/2 Nikkor-O. I had one for a while, used it on my F2, F3 and FE2, and only sold it as I found an ugly 35/1.4 Nikkor-N for a decent price on KEH. The latter a bit bigger and heavier and known for a having significant "character" especially towards wide open but with a stellar 35/2 Zeiss Distagon on my Leica I've got the sharp and contrasty 35 FOV covered very nicely and wanted something more unique. I'm not dissatisfied at all. A terrific lens and legendary.

trythis · Feb 16, 2015

35 f2 gets my vote. I have a AF-d version but the AI is supposed to be pretty nice as well.

Robert Ley · Feb 16, 2015

Do yourself a favor and get a 35mm f:2. I have two of the Nikkor-O's, one is a pre-AI and the other is a factory AI-ed. They are both very sharp and contrasty and the extra stop over the f:2.8 is a bonus in low light and ease of focusing.

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Xmas · Feb 16, 2015

The series E 35mm is cheap ugly but is still a Nikon lens.

frank · Feb 16, 2015

Xmas said:
The series E 35mm is cheap ugly but is still a Nikon lens.

I really like my nikkor 50f1.8 series E lens. Would like to get a hold of the 100 E.

Loren Sattler · Feb 16, 2015

Another vote for the 35 F2.0. I have a non AI with metal focusing ring that I had converted to an AI in the early 1980's. It is my go to lens for my F2, very sharp and easy to focus in low light. It will not disappoint.

Robert Ley · Feb 16, 2015

The problem with the series E lenses used with the Nikon F2 is the lack of the ears on the lens that allows the lens to connect to the F2 Photomic finders and meter at max aperture.

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Vilk · Feb 17, 2015

dang, i have one on craigslist as we speak (O.C)

trythis · Feb 17, 2015

The series E 35mm?
Can that meter with an F2? It has no ears

j-dogg · Feb 17, 2015

I'm going to toss my vote for the old 35/2.8 Nikkor silvernose pre-AI, I have owned both it and the 35/2.8 AI and I like the optics on the silvernose. My copy is pretty good wide open and only gets better from there.

If you are shooting a lot of black and white definitely go with the pre-AI its coatings are optimized for maximum blue light spectrum transmission which helps with contrast in BW

j-dogg · Feb 17, 2015

trythis said:
The series E 35mm?
Can that meter with an F2? It has no ears

Stop-down metering

Ricardo Miranda · Feb 17, 2015

trythis said:
The series E 35mm?
Can that meter with an F2? It has no ears

You can add the "rabbit ears".

Xmas · Feb 17, 2015

trythis said:
The series E 35mm?
Can that meter with an F2? It has no ears

Yes when you remove a lens and mount the E it clears 'resets' the follower so to meter you push the stop down button.

You can get NOS ears and screws to drill and tap if you want but I don't bother fitting.

ronnies · Feb 17, 2015

trythis said:
The series E 35mm?
Can that meter with an F2? It has no ears

Fine if you have an F2A or F2AS. Or even a plain F2 which of course has no meter.

I have the 35mm f/2D (AF version) and also the Series E 35mm f/2.5. I like both but the interweb will have you believe the AF 35mm f/2 is not as good as the older manual focus versions.

Ronnie

Xmas · Feb 17, 2015

ronnies said:
Fine if you have an F2A or F2AS. Or even a plain F2 which of course has no meter.

I have the 35mm f/2D (AF version) and also the Series E 35mm f/2.5. I like both but the interweb will have you believe the AF 35mm f/2 is not as good as the older manual focus versions.

Ronnie

Hi Ronnie

Less aluminium and brass more polycarbonate (plastic) for sure but better IQ off axis and less distortion off axis.
I like the old single coated lenses for the reduced contrast, but that is not better merely 'different'. None of my photos are sharp anyway.

YMMV.

Noel

E. von Hoegh · Feb 17, 2015

Robert Ley said:
Do yourself a favor and get a 35mm f:2. I have two of the Nikkor-O's, one is a pre-AI and the other is a factory AI-ed. They are both very sharp and contrasty and the extra stop over the f:2.8 is a bonus in low light and ease of focusing.

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I had both the 2 and the 2.8 at one time, both pre-Ai, and kept the 2. The Nikkor O 35/2 has slightly more even illumination,but the 2.8 was otherwise a good lens and it is roughly the same size and balance as the 28/2.8 and the 50/2.

film_man · Feb 18, 2015

A budget was not stated but if it is within your limit the Zeiss 35/2 is just spectacular at all apertures.

35mm lens choice for a Nikon F2

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