Good lenses for Nikon FM

[Soeren]

Personally I'm a little tempted by the 35mm f/1,4. Any one with experience on that one ?
Cheers Søren

 

[Stephanie Brim]

That was ALSO a bit too rich for my blood at the time. I stuck to a 50 as my focal length while learning to use the camera. From what I've seen it's a fantastic piece of glass.

Bah, this is all making me want to get a Nikon FE again. Or at least an SLR.

 

[Soeren]

That was ALSO a bit too rich for my blood at the time. I stuck to a 50 as my focal length while learning to use the camera. From what I've seen it's a fantastic piece of glass.

Bah, this is all making me want to get a Nikon FE again. Or at least an SLR.

Stephanie
You hear nothing but my voice you feel like sleeping your mind is focused on one thing and one thing only " I need more cameras...more.... SLR's......more.... LF's........MF's..................and RF's.........more RF's
When I say Click you will wake up and you will feel the urge to go out and buy more cameras.....SLR's.........LF's...........MF's and RF's ....................
.........................................Click

 

[gnashings]

The only problem with the 50/1.4 is that it's a relatively sought after lens...it'll run you around $130 from Keh.com in Excellent condition. I got mine off Ebay for $125 with caps and a hard case. Sometimes you get lucky.

That was the main reason why I went with an FD (Canon) system - you can easily have a 50mm f1.4 SSC for well under $50, and I doubt its not as good as the Nikkor (many people say its the best lens in that size/speed - but I don't want to start that war as I simply don't have the evidence or the time and effort to care enough to fight that war ). But, of course, that is just another brand.. and I don't want to be the guy who turns this into a "list what camera YOU like and why I should buy it" thread. But, if you re going to branch out into a whole new system, the price and availability of lenses should be considered. In all honesty, you already have the Oly - there is no good, practical reason to get into another system. Of course, you may simply want a Nikon, and I of all people, can certainly understand that - but it can not be called a "practical reason". Either way, get a basic kit for whatever you have - the old double the focal length rule seems to work well in practice (24, 50, 100). But then again, you probably already know this and want more specific suggestions, sorry to get a little rambly on you

By the way... I have a e-series 50 mm Nikon f1.8 - those lenses get a bum-rap, they are really not that bad at all. Now that I have shot one, I would suggest that given the price, they are not a bad choice at all. Optically strong, a little flimsy - but I have yet to see one just fall apart - and cheap enough that you can easily invest in a $5 rubber hood that will take care of the only problem I have encountered with mine - being a touch prone to flare as compared to other 50's I have shot.

I'll shut up now

Peter.

 

[kjsphoto]

Depending on what you are shooting if after journalism I woudl go with the;

28 1.4, 50 1.4, 85 1.5 a 135 would be nice to finish the kit.

 

[bwlina]

... In all honesty, you already have the Oly - there is no good, practical reason to get into another system. ...

Sigh, Peter, you sound like my mother. I should probably be content with what I have and buy film instead. Thank you for a very sensible suggestion.

 

[John Koehrer]

Re:AF lens compatibility, anything with an aperture ring will work for you. Also the micro-nikkors make nice all round lenses, just not fast.

 

[gnashings]

Sigh, Peter, you sound like my mother. I should probably be content with what I have and buy film instead. Thank you for a very sensible suggestion.

I am SO talking out of my arse... just so you know I am such a hypocrite... I just want you to know I am and am trying to get better, but...cameras...they are... so... pretty... and make nice sounds.... and have personalities all their own... Ah, who am I trying to fool... I am hopeless
Its so much easier to give this sage advice to someone else than to follow it myself...

Peter.

 

[Nicole]

Lina you have some great suggestions here. I'll also add my support for the following very nice lenses: 28mm 1.4, 35mm, 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.8, 105mm, 135mm

 

[bwlina]

Once more, thank you all for your suggestions. This is a great way of testing ideas. Getting input from all kinds of people.

I didn't buy the Nikon FM. Maybe the Olympus way is just as good. Maybe I can get a decent 50 or 35mm lens for the money instead.

But then a 85/1.4 *is* tempting. But then again Olympus has a 85/2 which is pretty good too, isn't it....

I'll borrow my father's OM-1 and give it a good try. Then, if I like it, I shall look out for my own (he'll never let go of his) and not leave the narrow Oly path.

Thank you all for contributing to a (i hope) sensible decision.

Love you all,
Lina

 

[bwlina]

I am SO talking out of my arse... just so you know I am such a hypocrite... I just want you to know I am and am trying to get better, but...cameras...they are... so... pretty... and make nice sounds.... and have personalities all their own... Ah, who am I trying to fool... I am hopeless
Its so much easier to give this sage advice to someone else than to follow it myself...

Peter.

Well, Peter, at least you can give yourself credit for saving the economy of a poor student/photog wannabe. I am deeply grateful, I think.....

 

[Ara Ghajanian]

Damn! I showed up too late for this thread. I had some good suggestions too. Oh well. Good luck with the Olympus, I'm sure it will suit you just fine.
Ara

 

[PhotoJim]

I'm too late too but too bad, I'm replying anyway

24/2.8... they're all good
28/2.8 ... the AI-S is by far the best... AF 28/2.8D is extremely good too if you can live with the looser focus ring
35/2 AF, AF-D, AI or AI-S, all good
50/1.8 AI-S with the coupling shoe is the one you want. The later, plasticky one is a rebranded Series E, which isn't bad but isn't in the same league. I use an AF-D 1.4 which is extremely good.
85/1.8 AF or AF-D, wonderful on manual bodies... an AI-converted 85/1.8 is also good but harder to find
105/2.5 you already have, a must-own lens
200/4 AI-S if you want a longer telephoto

That should get you started

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

Good evening Lina,

Since you already have 24 mm covered, either a 35 mm or a 50 mm would be a good next choice. If you can afford one, the 35 mm f1.4 AIS is quite good. In the 50 mm choices, I find the old AI long barrel version f2.0 to be the best wide open. Of course, you can get an extra stop from an f1.4, but these don't generally perform as well. I went through four of the f1.4 50 mm lenses prior to finding a good example.

On the really expensive side of things are the 85 mm f1.4, and the rare 58 mm f1.2. Both of those are also heavy lenses, so they would unbalance your FM a bit.

Another item that will help with available light photography is the eyepiece rubber cup. This blocks out any side light between your eye and the viewfinder, which makes focusing in low light much easier.

Ciao!

Gordon

 

[MattCarey]

You got a lot of good advice. Let me add a couple of (late) comments

1) The OM1 is a good idea. I loved mine. I got a Nikon FE because I wanted to get something more like an OM1, but could use my Nikon glass.

2) The OM1 is definitely better than the OM10. However, your OM10 has lasted this long...

3) The suggestion about the E-series lenses by Gnashings was good. I have an E-series 100/f2.8 that I love. Best $50 I ever spent. Light too.

4) Galen Rowell was a big Nikon guy. His website (mountainlight photography) still has an article there about his "camera bag". Lots of good hints. Even though he was sponsored by Nikon, he didn't always recommend the newest, most expensive lenses. One he recommended was a zoom lens that is very good. As Jim Galli noted, some of these are surprising.

Looks like the Nikon hints are for posterity--someone later looking through the archives. But, it is still good advice.

I have to say, at camera shows I always look longingly at an OM1...Sorta like getting an Olds trumpet--first loves and all. Maybe someday.

Matt

 

[gnashings]

Well, Peter, at least you can give yourself credit for saving the economy of a poor student/photog wannabe. I am deeply grateful, I think.....

oh have I MUahahhahahaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!???? Now you are going to be one of those psychotic Olympus people... and leave all those sweet sweet Nikkors for my closet Nikon fetish, wihtout one more cut-throat to battle on eBay....

Seriously, I stay far, far away from Oly's because everything I know about them I really like, everyone who has one seems to swear by them (yeah, they have their quirks, but everything does - everything that has any personality that is!)... I am just scared that if I ever touch one it will be like that time at the dog breeders... oops... too late, I petted it, and then I named it... and then... well, you get the point!

Cheers,

Peter.

 

[Ara Ghajanian]

Okay, I can't keep quiet any longer.

I just want to say that the Nikkor 105 f2.5 is a killer lens. Any Nikon fanatic would highly recommend it. Very sharp and a useful focal length. The FM is a nice camera too. If you can get them dirt cheap, I would recommend buying it. I don't think you'd regret it.
Ara

 

[RonJ]

Hello Lina,
For street photos, especially in low light, I'd recommend the 35mm f1.4. It's a bit expensive but worth it. Focus pops in with real authority making it fast to use. Check KEH, they usually have a few used ones in stock. Prices range from around $300/$500 according to condition.