FM3a lens?

Henry Alive · Sep 10, 2009

Hello:
I want to buy a 50 mm lens for my FM3a Nikon camera. Is the 50 mm 1.8 AF-D a good choice? What would you recommend me? Thanks,
Henry.

darkosaric · Sep 10, 2009

It is better to find manual 50mm lens (1.8, 1.4 or 2), it is cheaper and somehow nicer to focus on FM3a.

Aron · Sep 10, 2009

I agree with Darko, some believe (including myself) it is easier to build a high quality manual focus lens, than a high quality AF lens (take a look at the manual focus lens offerings from Zeiss in Nikon F-mount). One reason for this is that the lighter the parts the easier it is for the AF motor to move them and speed is cruical in such systems. Another reason is that different people use manual focus/AF cameras and your commitment to manual focus cameras (FM3a) would indicate you would also probably prefer the looks/build quality/etc. of a manual focus lens. I personally think that a manual SLR needs manual focus lenses.

There is a reason at the end, why Leica's M and R systems are still manual focus.

If you can, test each lens you are considering to buy, so you can pick the one with the highest image quality. This is what matters the most.

tom_bw · Sep 10, 2009

Some links that might be worth looking at:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/5018daf.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/50-comparison/index.htm

There are a bunch of MTF tests here - just click on the lens in the "Photodo MTF" column:
http://www.photodo.com/products.html?focaltype=4&name=Standard

I hope this helps!

tom_bw · Sep 10, 2009

Sorry - the above photodo link doesn't quite work. To get to the page I was referrings, start here:
http://www.photodo.com/products.html
Then under "Manufacturer", select Nikon. Under "Focal Type" select "Standard".

colrehogan · Sep 10, 2009

The 50 mm f/1.8 AF lens will perform just fine on the FM3A. I use my 50 mm AF lens on my FM3A.

darkosaric · Sep 10, 2009

colrehogan said:
The 50 mm f/1.8 AF lens will perform just fine on the FM3A. I use my 50 mm AF lens on my FM3A.

It will perform excellent, but focusing is not so smooth as it is with manual lens. But, when I had nikon FG i loved to use 50mm AF on it, because this setup was so light that it was funny

budrichard · Sep 10, 2009

Your FM3a was not designed for autofocus. It may work but why pay for the expense of autofocus? Any of the AIS lenses will suffice quite nicely and all the lenses I use on mine are AIS Nikkors from 24mm to 400mm.-Dick

Henry Alive · Sep 10, 2009

Thanks for the comments. It seems to be true that manual lenses could be the best for manual cameras. So, could you recommend me a specific 50 mm manual lens for my FM3a? I do not know very much about this type of lens. Thanks again,
Henry.

Erik Petersson · Sep 10, 2009

There are several to choose between. There is the series E 50mm 1.8. It is the lightest and smallest, but it is said that it slightly less good than the others. You should consider it if weight and size is very important to you. The most usual one is Ais 50mm 1.8. Everyone says it is excellent, and it is very easy to find used. I have used mine very little though, because I am so fond of my Ais 50mm 1.4, which is a little faster. There is also the very fast Ais 50mm 1.2, which is more expensive and harder to find.

And there are still others. You should look at an excellent web-site with reviews for many different Nikon-lenses: http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html You should be able to find further advice there.

glockman99 · Sep 10, 2009

If I were you, I'd look for a Nikon AI (manual focus) 50mm f/2 lens. I have one, and have found it to be totally excellent. As a plus, because the front lens element is set so far back into the lens body, this lens sort of has a "built in" lens hood.

Chan Tran · Sep 10, 2009

The Nikon AI 50mm f/1.4 looks right on the FM3a. It works well too but look has a lot to do with the FM3a.

johnnywalker · Sep 11, 2009

Anybody have any experience with the 45mm "pancake" lens that was introduced with the FM3A?

budrichard · Sep 11, 2009

This is probably the best resource on the 'net for Nikon http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/index.htm .
I don't believe the Series E lenses are bulit to the quality standards of regular Nikkor lenses.
The compact lens while flat is f2.8 and you should have at least f2.0 or if you want f1.4. The f2.0 or f1.8 Nikkor lenses are usually very good and very reasonably priced. I have one but usually use the 24mm f2.8 Nikkor or tele Nikkor lenses. Purchase one of these 50mm's in excellent condition and get going. You will learn what you need next from experience and the 50mm will not cost much.-Dick

Mike Kennedy · Sep 11, 2009

A "must have" lens for all manual Nikon's is a Nikkor 55mm macro 2.8.
Super versatile.

GeorgeDexter · Sep 11, 2009

From a quality/cost perspective, the AIs 50mm f1.8 and f2 are the best-built, sharpest and cheapest standard lenses for the FM3a. You can probably get one for $40 on the auction sites. The AF 50/1.8 is okay, but it doesn't have the wonderful tactile quality of the metal lenses, and is not as easy to focus. The 50mm f1.4 AIs is also great, but a bit more expensive, though you can probably get one for $150. Don't bother with the f1.2 unless you really like to spend money. It's not all that sharp wide open, and it's no better stopped down than cheaper versions, except maybe the 58mm f1.2, which is legendary and carries a legendary price tag. Hooray, in this case, the cheapest route is the best! That doesn't happen every day.

Henry Alive · Sep 11, 2009

I want to thank everybody for the comments. I will buy a 50 mm lens soon, even though I am not sure which one yet.
Thanks again,
Henry.

GM Bennett · Sep 11, 2009

Henry Alive said:
I want to thank everybody for the comments. I will buy a 50 mm lens soon, even though I am not sure which one yet.
Thanks again,
Henry.

Good luck, Henry - with analog, manual focus gear prices where they are now, I'm sure that you'll get an excellent deal on a "normal" 50mm AIS lens. FWIW, though, I do think the Nikon E-series lenses get short shrift - the 50mm, 135mm, and 75 - 150mm zooms are all fine performers, and the 50mm is very compact, if that's what you're looking for. Construction might be less robust than the Nikkor-tagged lenses, but it's still better than the modern-day plastic "kit" lenses and the glass is very good.

dynachrome · Sep 11, 2009

If you can find one in good condition, the 50/2 AI is very nice.

kivis · Sep 18, 2009

budrichard said:
Your FM3a was not designed for autofocus. It may work but why pay for the expense of autofocus? Any of the AIS lenses will suffice quite nicely and all the lenses I use on mine are AIS Nikkors from 24mm to 400mm.-Dick

No autofocus lens will work as an autofocus lens on a manual camera.

Soeren · Sep 18, 2009

If moneys no object there is also the Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 macro. It is expensive but it is fast for a macro and if its anything like my 25mm in quality (and I suspect it is) its a very good lens.
Best regards

Marc Leest · Sep 18, 2009

Soeren said:
If moneys no object there is also the Zeiss 50mm f/2.0 macro. It is expensive but it is fast for a macro and if its anything like my 25mm in quality (and I suspect it is) its a very good lens.
Best regards

FWIW, I use a CarlZeiss 35mm / 2 on my FM3a and it makes a good normal lens on a NIKON camera with imaging technology.

-m-

Pumal · Sep 19, 2009

Try to get a good used Nikkor-SC Auto 1:1.2 f=55mm
You'll socks come off!

stradibarrius · Sep 21, 2009

I have both Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF-D and the manual focus Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AIS. For a Nikon FM IMHO the manual focus lens focuses smoother and easier than the lens designed for a AF camera. The focus ring on the 50mmf/1.8 AF-d is too small.
When I use my manual focus Nikon FE I always use the 50mm f/1.8 AIS. I use the auto focus lens on my F100 and D300.

Xmas · Sep 21, 2009

The series E is smaller and lighter, it is a real good performer, you wont tell the difference unless you have a MFT machine... and if you find it on a broken E body in a charity shop, you will have saved a lot of money. its build quality may be better then the modern auto, - just slipping on asbestos jacket.

It is not a looker, but if the glass and aperture is good it is a performer.

Noel

FM3a lens?

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