older Nikkor S 50mm f1.4 on a Nikon FE2

[darinwc]

I picked up an older Nikkor S 50mm f1.4.
I know it will not meter on a Nikon FE2.. but I cannot even mount it on the camera.
Is this normal?
THX

 

[Luseboy]

I'm not totally sure on an answer for this, but a friend of mine has an em, and the lens from it will not fit on her dad's d90, even though everyone says that all nikon mounts are the same. However, i just got a m42/nikon adapter, and even though the ebay ad said it was for a d400 or something, it fits perfectly on my f2... nikon mounts seem to be odd.
-Austin

 

[2F/2F]

It is an original Nikon F mount lens. They are unofficially called pre-AI, non-AI, NAI, or the like. And if you have ever seen the term "AId" and were curious what it meant, it refers to one of these that has been converted to AI. Any camera that was designed for AI lenses will not take them, with the exception of the models with the AI tab that folds out of the way. I don't remember which models these were, but I really wish that new Nikons had the same feature. I wonder if it would be possible to retrofit a new Nikon with the folding AI tab from one of these older cameras.

 

[dehk]

Yes its normal, The metering tab for the AI (and on) lens will prohibit the NAI lens to mount. Unless you got an FE(1), the tab on the FE can be flipped up.

 

[freecom2]

Yes, it's normal. See this website which details about whether a lens will mount or not (it's a site about AI conversions):

http://www.aiconversions.com/compatibilitytable.htm

 

[Peter Simpson]

Yes, it's normal. See this website which details about whether a lens will mount or not (it's a site about AI conversions):

http://www.aiconversions.com/compatibilitytable.htm

Had this same lens converted by this gentleman earlier this year and can enthusiastically recommend John. He's good at communicating and the lens was gone for around 2 weeks, mostly shipping time. It now works well on my newer AI cameras.

 

[Pumalite]

Those lenses have fantastic glass and manufacture. Get a Polarizing filter and be ready to fall on your back

 

[darinwc]

OK Thanks for the info! I should probably sell the lens and trade it in for a AI version, but the GAS in me wants to get a FE or FM now =]. (or an F3)

 

[fstop]

The ability to work with any lens is why I have FMs FEs and a F3.

I may be selling one of my FMs or a FEs soon or maybe the pair together.

 

[CGW]

OK Thanks for the info! I should probably sell the lens and trade it in for a AI version, but the GAS in me wants to get a FE or FM now =]. (or an F3)

An FE body might cost less than an AI job.

 

[flash26c]

Nikkormat FT3, F4 also have the tab that flips up

 

[r-brian]

The last time I look on the web site for aiconversions, the cost for getting a lens Ai's was only $25-$35.

 

[fstop]

An FE body might cost less than an AI job.

They do. I like the ability to use any lens,there are real deals on non AI lenses out there, why spend a ton of dough on an AIS that gets used occasionaly.
(which unless you are shooting an FA or F4 it is wasting money)

you don't want to AI a non AI lens, to a purist it devalues the lens. If you are willing to spend a few bucks for a conversion you could get a AI lens already and not destroy the intrinsic value of the original lens...

 

[darinwc]

Just to clear the air I am not planning on having my lens converted to Ai.
You can put away your guns now =].

 

[fschifano]

They do. I like the ability to use any lens,there are real deals on non AI lenses out there, why spend a ton of dough on an AIS that gets used occasionaly.
(which unless you are shooting an FA or F4 it is wasting money)

you don't want to AI a non AI lens, to a purist it devalues the lens. If you are willing to spend a few bucks for a conversion you could get a AI lens already and not destroy the intrinsic value of the original lens...

The way I see it, having the lens converted to AI doesn't destroy anything. If it is a good conversion, as John White's are, the lens will still work as designed on a non-AI body and will also work on AI bodies that would not otherwise accept a non-AI lens. True, the lens has been altered, and to a collector be made less valuable. But ask yourself, for the $25 to $35 John gets for his conversion, do you really think you'll be able to get a better lens? I think not. I have a couple of these non-AI 50mm f/1,4 lenses, and they are just fantastic pieces of glass. I find nothing lacking in them at all.

 

[fstop]

The older lenses simply don't have the advanced coatings.Its a buyers market right now,both lenses and bodies are much more affordable than they were as little as 5 years ago.
A second body is a cheaper solution.

 

[CGW]

Older lenses' coatings aren't significantly inferior. Intelligent use of a lens hood narrows the gap between old and new, as does recognizing what causes flare.

 

[Luseboy]

Older lenses' coatings aren't significantly inferior. Intelligent use of a lens hood narrows the gap between old and new, as does recognizing what causes flare.

I personally have the disposition that older coatings make better pictures on film. I prefer the little nikon 50mm on my f2 to any of my dad's canon L-series lenses that i use on my eos a2. I think that could be from the fact that the L series are designed to be used on a digi cam, however i'm not quite sure how thats any different.

 

[brucemuir]

I think that could be from the fact that the L series are designed to be used on a digi cam, however i'm not quite sure how thats any different.

There were "L"'s way before dslr's became widely used.

 

[Luseboy]

There were "L"'s way before dslr's became widely used.

yes i know, but these are modern L's made for dslrs. Although i think comparing my lens to one from the 90's that was specifically made for film, then you might acctually see a better image. But my experience has not seen this with any 90's cameras that i've seen used by kids in my photo class. Personally I think the lenses from the 70's to the 80's and earlier are about optimal for monochrome work.

 

[bblhed]

problems like this are why Nikon F4 bodies sell for higher prices, they work with just about every Nikkor lens.

 

[fstop]

Older lenses' coatings aren't significantly inferior. Intelligent use of a lens hood narrows the gap between old and new, as does recognizing what causes flare.

I use my 200mm Q for the effects you get from its inherant flare,to me its not a flaw but an artistic feature. I was merely commenting that you can not say that and older lens is equal to the newer lenses.The coatings are not comparable.
Not that they are bad mind you.
My point is that instead of spending the money shipping lenses back and forth and paying for a modification that devalues the lens you can get AI lenses for the difference in price. In my case instead of modifying lenses to work I simply bought a body that could utilize them and saved a ton of money.



The irony of the whole thing is that Photo Shop has "filters" in it to mimic these "flaws" older lenses have.

 

[CGW]

I use my 200mm Q for the effects you get from its inherant flare,to me its not a flaw but an artistic feature. I was merely commenting that you can not say that and older lens is equal to the newer lenses.The coatings are not comparable.
Not that they are bad mind you.
My point is that instead of spending the money shipping lenses back and forth and paying for a modification that devalues the lens you can get AI lenses for the difference in price. In my case instead of modifying lenses to work I simply bought a body that could utilize them and saved a ton of money.


The irony of the whole thing is that Photo Shop has "filters" in it to mimic these "flaws" older lenses have.

Any lens can and will flare, coating notwithstanding, when it's positioned unfortunately, i.e., flare-resistant isn't flare-proof. Lens design, mainly the number glass/air surfaces, has far more bearing on image quality than coating technology. Single coated lenses or lenses mixing single and multiple coated elements are no slouches relative to multi-coated lenses.

 

[fstop]

That is also the reason to step up to AI lens instead of converting one,better design.

No matter what the case may be it doesn't change the fact that for the price of just one conversion you can buy a body that will accept the lens(s) without mods.I see no reason to cut up old lenses when AI lenses are available.
The 200mm is a perfect example, Nikkor 200mm F/4 $190
200mm Nikkor Q $150.00

 

[CGW]

That is also the reason to step up to AI lens instead of converting one,better design.

No matter what the case may be it doesn't change the fact that for the price of just one conversion you can buy a body that will accept the lens(s) without mods.I see no reason to cut up old lenses when AI lenses are available.
The 200mm is a perfect example, Nikkor 200mm F/4 $190
200mm Nikkor Q $150.00

Think I said that way upstream.

BTW, your NAI 200mm price is very high. They're south of $100, more like 50-75 bucks.