Nikon F

tjaded · Feb 11, 2009

Hi all--
I just bought a Nikon F. I've been sorta trying to get one for a little while now but couldn't justify the cost. The one I found seems to be in good shape, came with a 1.4/50mm lens and a Photomic T finder. $80 seemed like a good deal to me, so now I own it. Anyway, what would be the best period Nikkor wide angle lens to pick up for this? I'm looking at a couple 28mm/3.5 Nikkor-H lenses, all of which are more than the camera. Anyway, opinions on a good lens choice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

markbarendt · Feb 11, 2009

Great reference here http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html#rating

Moopheus · Feb 11, 2009

I've had my F, which my dad bought in 1972, for 32 years and still going strong. I use my 35/f2 a lot, a very nice lens. The older non-AI lenses are usually less expensive to buy these days then the later lenses, because they don't work as well with the newer cameras (no metering).

snegron · Feb 11, 2009

tjaded said:
Hi all--
I just bought a Nikon F. I've been sorta trying to get one for a little while now but couldn't justify the cost. The one I found seems to be in good shape, came with a 1.4/50mm lens and a Photomic T finder. $80 seemed like a good deal to me, so now I own it. Anyway, what would be the best period Nikkor wide angle lens to pick up for this? I'm looking at a couple 28mm/3.5 Nikkor-H lenses, all of which are more than the camera. Anyway, opinions on a good lens choice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Matt

Have you checked to see if the meter in the FT finder is working? Remember, you will need to use special batteries for it unless it has been modified by a technician to use 1.5v batteries. Batteries with the correct voltage (1.3v I believe) can be obtined at several places on line. The ones I use for my F are Weincell model MRB625 and I get them at

Dead Link Removed

They last several months in my F.

removed-user-1 · Feb 11, 2009

If you can find a 35mm f/2.8, it's one of the original six lenses introduced for the F and shouldn't cost that much. The others were the 21/4 (mirror-lockup lens), 28/3.5, 50/2, 105/2.5, and 135/3.5.

There is a very complete Nikon lens reference at http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html.

bsdunek · Feb 11, 2009

I think the Nikon F is the best 35mm SLR ever made (IMHO). I have several and love them. I think you will too. As far as cells for the meter, use snegron's advice. I buy them by the carton of 12 from Micro-Tools to get the good price. Mine seem to last about a year, although it depends on how much you use the meter.
The only thing I find goes wrong with the meter (so long as the battery hasn't been left to corrode things) is that the drum resistor inside gets dirty. I have a couple of FTN heads that I have cleaned with electrical contact cleaner and they work like new. I understand the resistor is no longer available, but I've never seen one worn out, just dirty. You have to disassemble the meter head to do this, so if you're not comfortable with that, find a good repair shop that will do it.

My favorite moderate wide angle is the 28mm f/3.5, and I like my 20mm f/4.0 for wider work. I would like faster ones but the f/2.0 versions demand a lot of $. Use a lens shade on these, both to reduce flare and to protect the lens elements, as they are right out front on a wide angle.

Have fun and show some photos!

BobNewYork · Feb 11, 2009

The 24mm and 35mm f2.8 lenses are both excellent. The 105 f2.5 is just stupendous. It remains my favorite portrait lens. For me it was better than the f1.8 and I use the f2.5 on my FE, FM, F3, F100 and on my D200. (spitting as I type!!!!!!) The great thing about the F is that you can take great photos with it - and hammer in deck nails. Enjoy it.

mikebarger · Feb 11, 2009

I don't think there is a better lens made than the 105mm 2.5. My normal lens on a Nikon.

Mike

Bob-D659 · Feb 11, 2009

Welcome to the F club.

The 675 blue tab hearing aid batteries work well too. If you have a Costco membership, a card of 30 of them is around $13 here in Canada

Christiaan Phleger · Feb 13, 2009

Bob, do those 675 need an adapter or can they just slide in?

With my 3-4 F's for wides I tend to use either an older 35mm f1.4 N.C or a 28mm f2 N, both would be 'later' period but correct.

Bob-D659 · Feb 13, 2009

They need an adapter, I made some from "dead" alkaline cells. Well drilling into one kills it rather quickly.

I can carefully put a 675 without an adapter in a Nikkormat and it seems to works fine.

2F/2F · Feb 13, 2009

Hi,

What wonderful cameras these are! I am a Canon FD guy primarily, but I have a Nikon F as well that I just love. It recently made the trip across country and was shot alongside several other FD bodies on the trip, and was one of my three main cameras the whole way, using the 135 3.5 lens. Mine has the T finder as well, though I never use it because it is an averaging meter, and I want to replace it with a plain prism.

I really like the 35mm f/2.0. Get a Nikon F lens (meaning non AI), and the price should be extremely reasonable. I would love to try the 28mm f/3.5 as well. I am spoiled by my Canon 28mm f/2.0, though.

As for batteries, as I have never really used the meter, I have not run into an issue yet, but if I do, I will probably do what I do for all other equipment that takes 625s: I will wrap a 675 1.4V alkaline in a washer.

puderse · Feb 17, 2009

Nikon F wide angle

Bought 2 F's in the late 60's and one of my first lenses was a 20mm. It's still my favorite!!!

dynachrome · Feb 28, 2009

I have two 28/3.5 AI Nikkors which I use on AI and pre-AI cameras. The 28/2.8 AIS is supposed to be even better, especially for closer work but I find the f/3.5 lens to be excellent for distant subjects. if I need to get closer I'll use one of my 55mm Micro Nikkors. I use a 35/2 Nikkor O if the light is low. If the light is good I use a 35/2.8 'K' lens instead. I also have a 28mm f/2 Canon lens which I use with my FD cameras. It's the 28/2 FD SSC. If I need a little more speed in a 28 for my Nikon cameras I'll use a 28/2.5 Vivitar which I have in AI mount. The older 28/3.5 Nikkor H is also a nice lens. It just doesn't have as modern a coating as the AI.

nicefor88 · May 3, 2009

The original 50 f2 is a great lens. I was stupid enough to sell mine last year because of some dust in it.
Otherwise the 35 f2 AI or AIS is excellent. I use it for virtually every subject, from portrait in situation, to landscape, street life, nature, etc, etc.
I used a F in the 1980s but found it too heavy. Also the ergonomics at that time were not on the top list of camera makers. But definitely a good purchase. At 80$ it's an incredible deal. They sell for much more in Europe!

2F/2F · May 3, 2009

nicefor88 said:
Otherwise the 35 f2 AI or AIS is excellent. I use it for virtually every subject, from portrait in situation, to landscape, street life, nature, etc, etc.

Indeed! Also, don't forget the lowly plain-ol'-F-mount Nikkor-O 35mm f/2.0!

Nikon F

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