Older (MF) primes for D3200 or D7000: Need recommendation

[Nemidaelios]

Hi all.
I've recently decided to stop doing C-41 in my sink and buy a DSLR, although I will miss medium format. I have settled on a D3200 because that's the best I can afford; money is extremely tight. I have some Nikon lenses sitting around and want to buy a Nikon for that reason. I do not, however, have what I want most: A prime normal or near-normal lens. I absolutely cannot afford one of the newer lenses, and I absolutely HATE lenses with no aperture ring. Can anyone recommend an older lens I could look for, preferably but not necessarily one that will meter on a D3200? I'm looking for something in the 28 - 40mm range, 1.8 or faster, and something I can get for under $200.

Thanks, if you can help!
-Sicariphus

 

[Peltigera]

I will admit knowing nothing about Nikon but I successfully use old Canon lenses with my digital*Canon. I am told (but not experienced) that film lenses used on digital cameras can be susceptible to flare caused by reflections off the sensor and the back element of the lens. Apparently, digital lenes have a coating on the rear element of the lens top prevent this. As I say, my film lenses work just fine with my digital camera but it might be worth whole trying the lens before buying.

 

[CGW]

Why buy a new D3200 if money is so tight? Besides, no MF Nikkor lens(with a few notable and expensive exceptions)will meter on this body. Something like a used D200 will meter with AI(s) lenses, as will the newer and pricier(and likely soon-to-be discontinued) D7000. Keep in mind both are APS-C sensor cameras with a 1.5x crop factor, so a 50mm lens becomes a 75mm lens, right? A plain old MF 50/1.8(any version) or 50/2 is hard to beat, as is the 28/2.8 or 35/2. Much depends of the kind(s) of shooting you do--no clue there.

Lots of people love the Sony NEX cameras which, with inexpensive adapters, can take almost any MF lens. Their built-in focus peaking feature makes focus fast and accurate.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Hi all.
I've recently decided to stop doing C-41 in my sink and buy a DSLR, although I will miss medium format. I have settled on a D3200 because that's the best I can afford; money is extremely tight. I have some Nikon lenses sitting around and want to buy a Nikon for that reason. I do not, however, have what I want most: A prime normal or near-normal lens. I absolutely cannot afford one of the newer lenses, and I absolutely HATE lenses with no aperture ring. Can anyone recommend an older lens I could look for, preferably but not necessarily one that will meter on a D3200? I'm looking for something in the 28 - 40mm range, 1.8 or faster, and something I can get for under $200.

Thanks, if you can help!
-Sicariphus

I got a Nikkor 50f/1.8 ANDa Nikkor 35f/2 together for less than $100. check in the bay.

 

[Pioneer]

I got a Nikkor 50f/1.8 ANDa Nikkor 35f/2 together for less than $100. check in the bay.

I am not a Nikon fanatic but both of these lenses are great options. They are inexpensive enough though that I would recommend picking them up new. The only time I ever owned a Nikon my used 50/1.8 broke and since I had bought it used I had to either buy it again or move on. But it did provide some excellent pix while it was among the living.

 

[OzJohn]

Just a few observations for what they are worth. I agree if money is tight buy a SH body. I bought my fifth D200 just the other day for $265 with a grip and it has only taken 4K frames - practically new, looks new and behaves like a new camera.

Don't be put off lenses without an aperture ring. You can't set fractional stops with a ring and will find yourself using the control wheels on your digital camera to set these fractional stops even if you have a ring because unlike film they are nearly essential with digital. Exposure is much more unforgiving in digital than with negative film and 1/3 stop difference is easily visible.

I've also read that story about digital lenses needing a special coating and I think it's bunkum. I've used every Nikon lens that I originally acquired for my film cameras on my DSLRs over the past ten years without any issues at all. In fact all the prime lenses that I own were acquired in the film era and today they get regular use on both DX and FX digital cameras with excellent results.

Finally, the Nikon 50mm f1.8D lens is one of the best bargains in the camera shop even when bought new and an even bigger bargain SH where it can sometimes be had for less than $100. OzJohn

 

[John_M_King]

You should find the 50/1.8 AIS the 28/2.8 AIS or the 35/2 AIS Nikkors will work well but you will be restricted to I think centre weighted metering only.

However:-

A while back I used a 135/3.5 AIS on a D200 and it worked but I found that it under exposed by approx 1 stop. Something I have never been able to work out why. It was fine when used on an F3 or an F2

 

[RalphLambrecht]

You should find the 50/1.8 AIS the 28/2.8 AIS or the 35/2 AIS Nikkors will work well but you will be restricted to I think centre weighted metering only.

However:-

A while back I used a 135/3.5 AIS on a D200 and it worked but I found that it under exposed by approx 1 stop. Something I have never been able to work out why. It was fine when used on an F3 or an F2

my D200's sensitivity was overstatedit always differed a bout a stop from the lightmeter. that may have been your issue too.my D7&800are spot on.