Good lens for Nikon FE

[mtnbkr]

I recently picked up a nice (not too much brassing, not too many dents) FE with two semi-ratty lenses (50mm has ratty glass, but nice body, the 35mm a ratty body but nice glass). Since I already have an N80 and lenses for it, I don't need a bunch of lenses, but I'd like a recommendation for a good lens to add to my collection.

Currently, I have the following:
50mm f1.8 AF
24mm f2.8 AF
70-210 f4-5.6 AF
50mm f1.4 MF (AI? has old style focus ring)
35mm f2 MF (AI? has old style focus ring)

What MF lens would be a good addition. The FE is mainly going to be a backup to my N80 and a "novelty" camera to use when I feel like going MF.

Chris

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

Hello Chris,

The 35mm f1.4 AIS is super nice, though maybe a bit expensive. My favourite 35mm lens, other than that one, is the Nikon 35mm f2.8 shift lens. While not easy to use, it can provide some unique shots not possible with other Nikon lenses (except the 28mm shift lens).

Other than the above choices, if you want a short telephoto lens, the 105mm f2.5 AIS is highly regarded by many, very easy to find used in good condition, and fairly affordable. Other good choices are the 85mm f2.0 in AI or AIS, or the heavy and expensive 85mm f1.4.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio

 

[Joe Brugger]

Looks to me like you're pretty well covered unless you can suggest some very specific need. All of the AF lenses are fulliy functional on the FE.

 

[Monophoto]

I have an old 37-70mm Nikkor that is a great "walking around" lens.

 

[mtnbkr]

I don't have a specific need in mind, but I would like something different than what I have. Can I be more vague?

I like the idea of the shift lens or the short zoom. I've never owned either for any platform.

Chris

 

[LeonardT]

I don't have a specific need in mind, but I would like something different than what I have. Can I be more vague?

I like the idea of the shift lens or the short zoom. I've never owned either for any platform.

Chris

Chris,
The 28mm shift lens is very nice but pretty special. Do you shoot building? I have the 28 but since I started scanning my negatives Photoshop takes care of the distortion.
For a short zoom I like the 24~120mm as a general walk around lens. The 24~85 is also nice but my all time favorite is the 28~105. It's very sharp and has the macro setting to 1:2.

Len

 

[titrisol]

Micro Nikkos 55/2.8 AIS, or the Micro Nikkor 105 AIS

 

[PhotoJim]

The 105/2.5 is inexpensive, a classic Nikkor, excellent for portraiture, faster than anything else you have in that range and is fun, too.

 

[Paul Howell]

I would consider a 300 4.5, long but not to bulky, great for zoos, wildlife, and sports.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

My favorite Nikon glass will always be the classic 50/1.4 AI. Amazing piece of equipment, that. I've never used anything else.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

50mm f1.4 MF (AI? has old style focus ring)
35mm f2 MF (AI? has old style focus ring)

If it has the small row of aperture numbers on the aperture ring closer to the camera than the main numbers, they are AI, or perhaps AI'd lenses. Non AI lenses can be used on an FE, but you will need to use stop down metering. AI'd means that the aperture ring has been replaced or it has been modified by a third party to allow it to sync with the camera's metering system. If it has the old style focusing ring I think it is either AI'd or not AI at all. Here is a nice link that has much more information than I can put in this post. Dead Link Removed.

 

[mtnbkr]

They're definately AI'd at a minimum as they don't use stopdown metering and they have the 2nd row of aperture numbers. That said, I don't know what to look for modification-wise to determine if they were actually modified.

Chris

 

[Wendel4]

Macro, definately

I second Titrisol's suggestion for a macro lens. I got a 55mm f/3.5 for Christmas one year and only felt mildly enthusiastic....until I really started to play with it. Sharp macros can be really fun and impressive. It's also a good normal lens if you have sharp focusing eyes. Bugs, flowers, stamps, and coins will never be the same, among other things.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

They're definately AI'd at a minimum as they don't use stopdown metering and they have the 2nd row of aperture numbers. That said, I don't know what to look for modification-wise to determine if they were actually modified.

Chris

That's all you really need to know for your camera. If they are the older style of focusing ring they are probably AI'd. The page I referred to in my prior post has a photo of the post on the bottom that transmits maximum aperture information to the camera. This post is missing on AI'd lenses, so that should tell you for sure.

 

[Lee Hamiel]

As someone else suggested - a 105 f/2.5 & also consider an 85 f/2 - great lenses

 

[B3Nut]

I'll echo the suggestion for the 105/2.5...any multicoated version AI'd, factory AI, or the late AIS (the version I had, splendid). Anyone with a classic manual-focus Nikon (or AF Nikon with an aperture coupling ring) should at least try one. I'm mainly a Canon user these days but if I ever get my old F3HP fixed I'll be picking up a 105/2.5...one of the all-time great lenses. I love FE's, I used to have a couple. One of my favorite cameras...congrats on your score!

Todd in Beerbratistan

 

[firecracker]

Perhaps a mirror lens? I think the 500mm F8 lenses for Nikon mount are available from third parties also.

 

[Tach]

Bleh.

Go wide. A 20mm is a super fun happy nice nice lens.

 

[Glenn Mathison]

I recently bought a FE-2 to use with my MF 55/3.5 macro lens. I echo the support for macros as a fun lens to play with.

I've since bought a MF 105/2.5AI and a MF 28/2.8AI, both off ebay. Both are exceptional lenses in my opinion. A joy to use and the images are great.

I'm watching for a 20mm as Tach suggested as I borrowed one of those some years back and it was great fun to experiment with.

Whatever you decide, have fun..

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I wasn't aware of this, but there was apparently a 105/1.8 AIS made. That would be an excellent lens for available light portraiture. Expensive, though.

Oh, and the 24/2.8 AI will be the next lens I get. Wider than the 28, not quite as wide as the 20, and very sharp.

 

[Nancy]

I have the 85/f2 and 55/micro both bought at bargain prices from KEH and both super sharp. Even with my near-sightedness and astigmatism I still manage to get sharp images with these two lenses.

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Hah, Nancy...I have that same problem.

 

[stevebarry]

i dont have near as many lenses, but im thinkin about another one too...ill be goin wide i think. ive gota 50 and a 35 MF.

 

[Soeren]

It seeems like you need some closeup- and macroabilities. I'll second the 55mm and 105mm micro suggestions and ads the 28mm f/2,8 AIS that will focus as close as 20cm. Very good for closeups.
Cheers
Søren

 

[MattCarey]

What MF lens would be a good addition. The FE is mainly going to be a backup to my N80 and a "novelty" camera to use when I feel like going MF.

Chris

It took me a second to realize that MF meant "manual focus" not "medium format".

That will teach me to read these at 4am!

For MF lenses, consider some of the E-series lenses. They were made at the same time of the camera, and were designed as "inexpensive" lenses. That said, some of them are very nice. They are also smaller and lighter than the AF lenses you have. They are also so cheap as to not be much of a budget concern.

I have the 100mm Series E lens. It is sharp stopped down and has a nice bokeh open. I also have the 75-150 zoom--similar properties. I found I almost never use the zoom as the 100mm is so small and light (the zoom is light for a zoom, but the 100mm is right in the middle of the range).

Matt