Best Nikon Pre-AI or Non-AI lenses

[iKokomo]

I am looking for some Nikon Pre-AI/Non-AI lenses to use.

I was wondering what the best (reasonably priced, cheaper) Nikon Pre-AI (or even non-AI) lenses that I should look for? I am mainly a portrait photographer.

I would prefer to stick with Nikon branded lenses.

 

[BobD]

105/2.5

 

[BradS]

It is a bit like asking what is the best flavor of ice cream....but hey what the hell...I'll play..

Best non-AI nikkors for portraits:
105mm f/2.5 Nikkor-P
50mm f/1.4 Nikkor-S

 

[Down Under]

Keeping in mind that you do mostly portraits. Okay!

For 'environmental' shooting, or to make the most of backgrounds behind sitters, THE ideal is the Nikkor 35mm f/2 OC. Mine is a 'retired' newspaper lens from 1970 and gives the most fantastic mid-tones and exquisite definition.

Standard lenses, the Nikkor 50mm f/2 HC is as much as you will ever want. The best all-round lens Nikon ever made, in my estimation. The 50mm f/1.4 is also okay but more 'boutique' than the slower f/2 which is just as good. If you can find the faster '50' at a good price, go for it. I also have a Series E 50mm f1.8 that is no mean shooter for people images, but it's an AIS from the 1980s, so may not be the era you are looking for.

If you want warts-and-all images, try the 55mm f/3.5 Micro Nikkor. I have an early version, mid- to late 1960, with all the legendary quirks, but needle-sharp definition. For the older sitters, with this lens you may need a Nikon Soft 0 or 1 filter to gloss over those aged skin tones and life creases. Think Steve McCurry.

Shooting the more elusive subjects call for either the Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 or the old classic 135mm f/3.5. Either suits me fine. The former has acquired legend status and often sells at too high prices, the latter will be much cheaper, like less than $100.

Remember that with so many old Nikkors available, 'beater' lenses if the glass is clean and clear and they work well will be your best value. My '35' looks like a bottom-of-the-harbor budget buy, but always delivers the goodies.

The choice is really up to you, depending on your needs. Two or three carefully chosen lenses will suit you, without the need to own the entire Nikkor range.

 

[Joseph Bell]

I adore these:

105 2.5, of course!! Great up close and from a distance!

35 f2 "O" (I am sure the regular 35/2 is great as well. I have the "O" version and am quite enthralled with its rendering.)

50 f2 - everyone loves this lens and everyone is right to love it!

All of these lenses offer delightful color, contrast, and character!

And indeed the 55mm 3.5 macro is a special lens. I agree wholeheartedly with ozmoose's analysis!

 

[jimjm]

There's a reason everyone's mentioning the same pre-AI lenses - the 105/2.5 and the 50/2.0 are especially great. Plentiful on the used market and not too expensive.
The 85/1.8 is one of my favorites, but maybe a bit harder to find and more money.
Get one that's been AI-converted and you can use them on newer film bodies as well as some digital bodies.

 

[Stanislav Boščík]

I am in love with Nikkor-O 35/2 for a long time already. Now 85/1.8 is slowly kicking it out from the sun but those two I really use 99 % of the time.

 

[flavio81]

For portraits the choice is easy;

Nikkor-O 35/2

Nikkor-S 5.8cm/1.4

Nikkor-H 85/1.8

I happen to own all these.

 

[narsuitus]

I have owned and used a number of pre-AI and non-AI lenses on my Nikons.
Here are the ones that were originally non-AI and I had Nikon AI them:
Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 AI converted by Nikon
Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 AI converted by Nikon (lens H)
Nikkor 55mm micro f/3.5 AI converted by Nikon (lens I)
Nikkor 35mm f/2 AI converted by Nikon

Here is one lens I still use but never had it AI converted:
Nikkor 28mm f/3.5 pre-AI

Here are two Series E lenses that are excellent low-cost head & shoulder portrait lenses:
Nikkor 75-150mm Series E Zoom f/3.5
Nikon 100mm f/2.8 Series E (lens F)

I was so impressed with the 75-150 that I purchased a second one just to have as a backup.


Prime Portrait Lenses by Narsuitus, on Flickr


75-150mm Portrait by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[John Earley]

Nikkor 50mm f/2 HC
Nikkor 105mm f2.5
Nikkor 85mm f1.8

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Nikkor 50mm f/2 HC
Nikkor 105mm f2.5
Nikkor 85mm f1.8

You forgot the 35 f:2 Nikkor O and the 20 f:3.5 Nikkor UD.
Possibly the five nicest lenses they made in the late sixties early seventies.
(Well, there was the 135/3.5Q, the 200/4Q the 180/2.8P, the 55/3.5P....)

 

[BradS]

You forgot the 35 f:2 Nikkor O and the 20 f:3.5 Nikkor UD.
Possibly the five nicest lenses they made in the late sixties early seventies.
(Well, there was the 135/3.5Q, the 200/4Q the 180/2.8P, the 55/3.5P....)

but the OP states that he is mainly a portrait photographer...

 

[PhotoJim]

105/2.5 P / PC for sure, and I regret selling my 200/4 Q (never shot a QC).

 

[abruzzi]

while a number of people have recommended the 105/2.5, I don't think most people have stated which one? I have the earlier one, and have quite liked it, but I've never tried the later one.

I generally prefer the 85/18 though.

 

[PhotoJim]

while a number of people have recommended the 105/2.5, I don't think most people have stated which one? I have the earlier one, and have quite liked it, but I've never tried the later one.

I generally prefer the 85/18 though.

The later the better, but even the very oldest 105/2.5 is an excellent lens.

 

[BradS]

while a number of people have recommended the 105/2.5, I don't think most people have stated which one? I have the earlier one, and have quite liked it, but I've never tried the later one.

I have two 150mm f/2.5 Nikkors - an older (ca. 1974) Nikkor-P.C and a modern (ca. 2004) AIS. These are both fabulous and almost brutally sharp.

 

[BradS]

Here is an example of the 105/2.5 Nikkor-P.C ... this is NOT wide open but probably at f/4 or f/5.6

another Saturday morning - before the pandemic by Brad S, on Flickr

 

[flavio81]

You forgot the 35 f:2 Nikkor O and the 20 f:3.5 Nikkor UD.
Possibly the five nicest lenses they made in the late sixties early seventies.

Oh yes, i own those two as well... so my non-AI lenses are:

20/3.5
35/3.5 PC
35/2.0
50/1.4 SC
58/1.4
85/1.8
300/4.5 H

i've also owned the 28/3.5, 50/2 H, and 200/4 H. All nice lenses.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

but the OP states that he is mainly a portrait photographer...

Yup, l read that. I'm just plugging my favorite lenses .
A 50 and or 35 are good for environmental portraits, the 20 only if you dislike your subject.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Oh yes, i own those two as well... so my non-AI lenses are:

20/3.5
35/3.5 PC
35/2.0
50/1.4 SC
58/1.4
85/1.8
300/4.5 H

i've also owned the 28/3.5, 50/2 H, and 200/4 H. All nice lenses.

Mine are:
20 3.5UD
28 3.5H
35 2O
50 2H x4, -HC x1 (one for each body. My favorite Nikkor 50)
105 2.5P (Sonnarl
135 3.5Q
And, 13.5 3.5QC for Contax.

 

[markjwyatt]

I just got a 105mm f2.5 P.C in Contax mount for my Contax iia. It is really big on that camera! I am shooting with it now. I tested it adapted to my Fujifilm XT-2, and it looks good so far.

 

[RLangham]

No one has explicitly mentioned the Nikkor-S 50mm f/2 yet, made about 1959-62, first with... eight aperture blades (I think?) and no click stops and then with six blades and clicks, before being replaced with the equivalent but reformulated Nikkor-H. The front element is nearly flat to the naked eye and deeply recessed in the body like an old Helios.

It's the best lens I've ever owned. It came to me on a Nikkorex F, which was a basic but rugged collaboration between Mamiya and Copal on a Nikon contract job. It's contrasty, razor sharp normal with a great vintage color rendition even on consumer color negative. It can be a little cool in temperature but a very light pink infrared filter can make it magically warm... I wouldn't trade it for a Nikkor S f/1.4 or any other Nikkor.

 

[markjwyatt]

...It came to me on a Nikkorex F, which was a basic but rugged collaboration between Mamiya and Copal on a Nikon contract job...

I have a Nikkorex F. I bought it to try out a Nikkor 50mm f1.4 (non-AI) lens I have. Unfortunately after I got it, I was exercising it a bit, and the wind mechanism jammed, and I cannot wind it anymore. I cannot find much on the internet about how to unjam it, take it apart, etc.

 

[darkosaric]

Short list "best Nikkors" does not exist. So many great lenses, short list is "bad Nikkors".
I have 105 f2.5 (both versions), and they are IMHO best portrait lenses, second to 180mm f2.8 ED and 105/135 DC lenses. When budget is an issue: Nikon E series 100mm f2.8 and 200mm f4 are great portrait lenses.

Edit: Nikkor-H(C) 50mm f2 - I don't know why, but this is also my favorite 50mm Nikkor. I have Nikkor-S f1.4, and E series 1.8, and 1.8 AF, and 1.8 AF-D, and Micro Nikkor 55mm (both 3.5 and 2.8), and 60mm Micro, and I had in the past many other 50mm Nikkors ... but here is something about this Nikkor-H that I cannot describe - why is better than other.

 

[RLangham]

I have a Nikkorex F. I bought it to try out a Nikkor 50mm f1.4 (non-AI) lens I have. Unfortunately after I got it, I was exercising it a bit, and the wind mechanism jammed, and I cannot wind it anymore. I cannot find much on the internet about how to unjam it, take it apart, etc.

Yes, the wind mechanism is the only thing that doesn't feel very smooth on that camera... definitely some big gears and tight springs involved.