Nikon 35mm 2.5 series E

[Mike Kennedy]

Any users? How do you like this lens?

Budget restraints and an upcoming $10,000.00 kitchen repair bill has forced my to set my sights on more affordable Nikon glass.A Nikkor 35mm would be my first choice but I don't,and won't, have to $$.

 

[Sanjay Sen]

I have the 35/2.5 Series E, but it rarely gets used because I have difficulty focusing it. I have no problems focusing any of the other Series E lenses that I have (50/1.8, 100/2.8, 135/2.8, 36-72/3.5, 75-150/3.5). I've found the quality of the Series E lenses to be pretty good, especially the 50mm.


Regards,
Sanjay

 

[snegron]

I had one years ago and it was the first Nikon lens ever to fall apart on me. It was very sharp when new, but it was not built very well (at least my copy wasn't). The interior elements developed a film/fog effect as well; it was as if the glue had become detached between the elements. The Nikon 35mm 2.0 AIS was a much better lens (IMO) and can be had for a decent price nowadays.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Might be a good idea to save my nickles & dimes and purchase a proper 35mm.

 

[cooltouch]

Which Nikon body do you own? That will have some limitation on the series of lens you can use -- non-AI, AI, etc. If your body can mount a non-AI lens without hurting the meter attachment, keep your eyes open for one of the older 35s. I have a 35mm f/2 that is an old metal barrel non-AI lens (although it was AI'd by Nikon) that performs beautifully. The old non-AI lenses, some which have been AI'd, go for decent prices at eBay.

Best,

Michael

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Hi Michael,
I wanted one for my F3hp.Also have Nikon FE,FE2,N90s and a bunch of Nikkromats.

 

[John Koehrer]

All of the Series E lenses were less durable than the other Nikkors. They were sold as an entry into the system & they're not all that bad. The biggest soft spot in them is their inability to be knocked around, the barrel & focusing ring are "resin" & bounce pretty well but the helical can skip a thread & jam. The good news is unless you actually crack something they can be repaired.
Summation:inexpensive & sorta-kinda delicate. Good for climbing, cycling & hiking.

 

[PhotoJim]

From what I've read (I've never used one), the Series E 35/2.5 is one of the worst Series E lenses. Still, I think it would be reasonable.

That having been said, an older AI-converted 35/2.8 should be very inexpensive. It would be half a stop slower, mind, but much better optically.

 

[Stan160]

Not sure how this compares with a Series E, but I bought a BGN grade Nikkor 35/2.8 AI from KEH for US$49 last year.

Ian

 

[firecracker]

Let's see... I had an E 35mm F2.5 lens once. It was a black one designed for EM and looked pretty ugly on my silver-chrome FM. The pics with it were fine, just slightly softer in contrast compared to the ones took with Nikkor lenses of the same length. One thing I didn't like was the built quality of the lens. I could easily knock it and that would be the end.

I also had an E 50mm F1.8 pancake lens which I got off Yahoo Japan auction. This came with the smell of the seller literally... It just smelled like someone's unwashed clothes or living room carpet. Anyway it was okay to use, but the helicoid part was already a bit loose, and I was just not happy with it, so I got rid of it. The pics took with it were fine in B&W, but in color, they were not as good.

So, I replaced them with the AiS version of the (Nikkor) lenses, 35mm F2.8 and 50mm F1.8. The AiS 35mm F2.8 was really good and much better than the E Series one, but it was not that small or light, so I didn't get to use it as much and got rid of it. I wish it was also a pancake size or somewhat close to it, but obviously it wasn't. Meanwhile, for something slightly bigger, there are good F2 versions (non Ai, Ai, AiS, etc) of the Nikkor lenses out there and they are just far more practical.

The AiS 50mm F1.8 is really good, too. This one is a pancake lens. I have the Japan-only model which focuses down to 45cm instead of 60cm and is built slightly better than the "export" version. And it's multi coated. I mostly shoot B&W with it, but it's so good and sharp. It tends to flare a bit in some situations, but it's the design nature (big front element) of it that causes it.

I like this compact size and its built quality altogether to use it on my FM. And this is the one I will definitely keep for a long time.

 

[mawz]

Used to own this one, regretted selling it for quite a while as I liked it better than either the f2.8 or f2 versions. Good lens, although it shares the simpler coatings of the rest of the Series E line and can be a bit flare-prone.

 

[katphood]

I've never used the 35mm E lens, but I've had the 50 and 100 E. My copy of the 50 was a little soft compared to some other 50s I have, so away it went. One thing to note: the E lenses are single coated, not multi-coated.

 

[kameraman]

Hmmm. I bought that lens about a month ago online from an auctioning site, for just under $30. It was in mint condition when I got it. To be honest, I absolutely love it. I'm seventeen, still in high school- I take it with me everywhere, even to my classes. The build quality is lacking when compared to many of the other E Series lenses with metal barrels, but for me it's not such a problem. As long as you don't go purposely dinging, dropping, throwing or otherwise intentionally damaging this lens, it will hold up fine. I also have the 50mm f/1.8 from the same Nikon line-up, and I actually prefer the 35mm. It has a good feel, although made mostly of plastic, and the image quality is great- I even noticed a good deal of contrast that one other poster on here apparently didn't. Manually focusing is a breeze, at least with my newer dSLR, which lacks a motor, but includes a focusing aid. I love this lens, as well as the 50mm; the 18-55mm lens that came with my camera has been in my bag for weeks. Another strong point of this lens is it's close focusing ability- it can zero-in on a subject at about 4-5 inches, which for me, is quite an upgrade from the 50mm's distance at around 16-18 inches.

If you can find this lens in prime condition, for under $50 USD, go for it. You won't be let down, I promise you.

You can see some of the photographs I've taken with the 35mm f/2.5 and posted to Flickr here- http://www.flickr.com/flyboy211

 

[denmark.yuzon]

i got the 50mm f/1.8 E.. it is the only lens i have.. and have been using it for about 3 months already.. im quite satisfied but never fully.. i still want the 50mm f/1.4 AIS.. but i dont have the money right now.. i plan to trade it for the Ais version and just add some money.. its acceptably sharp..

here's some pics i took with it and has some nice bokeh too..

Nikon FM2n 50mm f/1.8 E Fujifilm Superia 400

Nikon FM2n 50mm f/1.8 E Fujifilm Neopan 400 Pushed to 1600 ISO

 

[nicefor88]

I own the 50 f1.8 which gives good but not excellent pictures. Actually, my wife has to use it on a EM body when we go out. I sait "has to" because I force her to take pictures. It's not acceptable to take pictures alone. Ha!

 

[elekm]

When the Series E lenses and the Nikon EM arrived, there was a lot of chatter that this amateur level Nikon wouldn't meet expectations and would sully Nikon's good name.

As I recall, Nikon tried its best to assure everyone that optical quality wouldn't be compromised by the prolific use of plastic. Heck, Canon had been doing it for a while with its "A" series of bodies, but this was one of the first cameras from the big players that actually looked and felt plastic.

I bought one of these a few years back and was surprised that the bodies and lenses felt more solid than they looked. I eventually gave it to a family friend as a gift.

Denmark: Nice work. I love the guitar player.

 

[denmark.yuzon]

thanks elekm for the compliment..

actually, it feels solid than they looked.. you are right elekm.. but the use of plastics turns me off.. but it is light, and small.. not assuming if you are taking street photos..

i just did an evaluation of all my work.. i guess its time to change my E lens to an AIs.. i was satisfied.. but there's just this feeling inside that something is not right.. that im not getting what i wanted.. hehehe..

 

[finstu]

I bought the 35mm F2.5 to use on my FM2. It's been a good lens. Its compact and light weight. It's not as well made as my 105 2.5 but it is better built than many of the consumer lenses on the market today. I also have the 75-150 F3.5 E it's a great lens as well.

35mm F2.5 E


emma_reading by photogsjm, on Flickr

 

[finstu]

Here's another one the 35mm F 2.5 E

emma_glow by photogsjm, on Flickr

 

[Erik Petersson]

I have most of the E:s, and use the 50 quite a lot, because it is small. The smaller the better. Somehow I have less love for the 35, maybe because I have settled for 50mm and 24mm. Anyhow, I took one of my favourite pictures with it:

(sorry for the bad scan)

 

[j-dogg]

I have the 50mm AIs version as well. Tack sharp lens enough for me to use it with an adapter on my Rebel.

The Nikkor AI 35mm f2.8 is a pretty good lens too, very sharp, I have one of these as well and I am quite impressed by it.

 

[ulysses]

I have both versions of the 50/1.8E which I like a lot. Never used the 35/2.5E because I've had a 35/2AIS forever and it's one of my favorites. Very sharp and contrasty, and the great Nikkor build quality. I had a pre-AI 35/2.8 for a while but don't remember much about it (hey it was 35 or so years ago.) In general, the series E lenses were very good optically, and on par with the early AF lenses in terms of build quality. The 50s may be a bit better than some of the others. If the mechanics on the 35/2.5E are solid, you should be happy with it.

Ulysses

 

[dynachrome]

My 35mm Nikkors include a 35/2 O, a 35/2.8 'K', a 35/2.8 late AI and a 35/2.8 PC Nikkor, second to last version. The 35/2.8 K is very sharp. An early AI version with the same formula was made and I would like to find one. The late AI 35/2.8 has the 5 element formula ans is my only AI 35 Nikkor. It's also a decent performer. The 35/2 O is very sharp but I haven't had it AI modified so I mostly use it on pre-FT3 Nikkormats. At some point I would like to get a 35/2 AI or AIS to round things out.

 

[paulfish4570]

i've been using the e 35/2.5 that came with my fe2.
color samples were shot on memories 200, lab processing/scans:

kentmere 400, my developing and scans:

i am under no illusions as to the toughness of this lens, but the glass is just dandy, and i can focus it very well. it makes a good lightweight kit with the fe2.