Nikon FE2 lens advice needed

[J Rollinger]

Today i picked-up a Nikon FE2 on Craigslist and the series E 50mm that came with it has some separation going on. What are my options for another 50mm of higher quality? I heard certain Model 50mm's can damage the mounting. This is my very first time ever touching a Nikon because i have always shot Canon and Pentax and im really like this FE2 with the exception of the on/off being on the advance arm but ill get use to it soon.

Thanks..

 

[macfred]

Ai-S Nikkor lenses at 50mm focal length http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/50mmnikkor/index6.htm

 

[jimjm]

Any version of the 50mm/1.8 (aside from the Series E) manual-focus AI or AIS lens will be great. The 1.8 was only produced as an AI or AIS lens and will probably have the "rabbit ear" coupling on the aperture ring. I've read of an AIS version of this lens that looks like the Series E and doesn't have the rabbit ears, but I've never seen one. The 50/1.8 is plentiful, cheap and an excellent all-around lens. There is also an AI version of the 50mm/2.0, but it'll be harder to find.

Your FE2 cannot accomodate older pre-AI lenses since the AI coupling lever around the lens mount cannot be lifted out of the way. On some bodies like the FM and F3, this lever can be disengaged and you can use stop-down metering with older lenses. You will also come across many older lenses that have been "AI'ed" which means the aperture ring has been modified or replaced so that the lens will fit on newer bodies like yours. Nikon used to offer this conversion service and some repair people will do this as well. Ken Rockwell has a good Nikon lens compatibility page here http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/compatibility-lens.htm .

Your FE2 can also use Nikon autofocus lenses, as long as they have an aperture ring. No G or VR lenses will function.

All The Nikon FE/FM series cameras are great, so you picked up a good one to start with!

 

[J Rollinger]

Thanks for the info! Here is a photo of the separation. I ran one roll through it but wont be able to process it for a few days. How much of a effect do you think it will have on the image?

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Any version of the 50mm/1.8 (aside from the Series E)

There's nothing wrong with the Series E. However due to its simpler coatings and its small size a hood is a must.

I've read of an AIS version of this lens that looks like the Series E and doesn't have the rabbit ears, but I've never seen one.

There are 3 versions of the 50mm /1.8 AIS:
1- Long nose. It is almost identical externally from the AI version. The only give away without looking at the mount is the double row of 22 in orange.
2- Pancake style based on the Series E and only sold in Japan. I have one of these. It focuses down to 0.45m as opposed to 0.60 on the Series E. It has also the aluminium aperture ring and a nice rubber ring for focusing. It is heavier than a Series E. IT was the standard lens for the Nikon EM in Japan and it is the one that appears in the Japanese brochure.
You can see this version here:
[video=youtube;LlYxSJQyKcE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlYxSJQyKcE[/video]

3- Pancake type very similar to the Series E MkII. It also focuses to 0.60m and has the same aperture ring. Focusing ring is in plastic.

There is also an AI version of the 50mm/2.0, but it'll be harder to find.

A very nice lens it is. Some say the earlier Nikkor-H.C is slightly better. Personally I haven't seen any difference.
It was dropped from production in or around 1979/80.
The prospect for the EM dated from 79 still lists it.
It was sold mainly with the EL2 and the Nikkormat FT3.

 

[semi-ambivalent]

http://www.destoutz.ch/lenses_standard_50mm_f2.html

will provide some guidance. Notice "short-nose" #1828564 vs. "long-nose" #3209712. Nice site.

s-a