I've fallen for manual focus lenses and I blame all of you!

[Roland Vink]

I have started poking around a bit, looking for a 20mm Nikkor of some sort.  I'll target the Ai 3.5 if that's the best price/performance option. 
I do have a 50mm f/1.8 in the AF series but I've read the earlier metal Ai-S version is the superior version.  I have the AF Nikkor 35mm f/2D.  I get the impression it isn't that well liked, but I've been happy with my copy.  I've read that the Ai-S version is considered a better performer.  I'll start to look for these MF lenses when I've recovered from my holiday spending.  :-)

I was interested that you mentioned the 135mm f/3.5 Ai.  Do you feel this lens is superior/different enough compared to my pre-Ai f/2.8 version that it's worth finding one to replace my f/2.8 or duplicating the focal length in my collection?

My pre-Ai lenses will go out to Mr. White this coming week.  In the mean time, I'll be experimenting with my latest AF acquisition: an AF ED Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 one-touch zoom.  So far, I'm impressed by its performance and depressed by its weight!

I had both the AI-S 20/2.8 and AI 20/3.5 at one point. I kept the 20/3.5 because was a better fit in my lens kit - it is more compact and the 52mm filter size is the same as my other lenses. It is a little soft in the corners at infinity (the 20/2.8 is sharper) but is fine for landscapes by f/8 or f/11, and is excellent at medium - close distances. It is also quite resistant to flare when shooting into the sun. There is a noticeable barrel distortion which flattens out towards the edges so take care when shooting straight lines near the edge of the frame.

The "long nose" AI and AI-S 50/1.8 has a different optical design from the AF 50/1.8, which is based on the series-E and AI-S "pancake" versions. I think sharpness is about the same, but the AI/AI-S version renders backgrounds smoother.

My impression of the the AI 135/3.5 is that it has better sharpness and contrast than the Nikkor-Q 135/3.5, but the older lens is still a good lens and it has smoother rendition. I haven't had a chance to shoot the pre-AI 135/2.8 versions yet, but the older multicoated versions do have a good reputation. The AI 135/3.5 is also much more compact, and it focuses closer (1.3m vs 1.5m) which is useful.

[pluton]

At one time, I had the 135/2.8 Ai (the later, small one that was offered as K/Ai/AiS), the 135/3.5 Ai, and the 135/2 AiS on hand.
All gave extremely similar image quality at the same stops.
I kept the 135/3.5 Ai.  I'd like a smallish 135/2.8 that has better axial CA correction than any of these Nikkors, but the only such lens in the current market is the gigantic Zeiss 135/2.

[MarcelvanEngen]

Mf is still alive.
All these old MF lenses are made with character and are able to give such joy and satisfaction when shooting. Just came back from Japan. I travelled with only 3 old mf lenses which was a gamble.
Now looking back I am so happy I did. (20mm UD, 50mm, 135mm Q)

For those in Europe/UK I provide modification service slightly more in keeping aka you do not see that a modification was performed once mounted. Suitable specially for Df and others high end Nikon's.
See also: http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,2650.msg114644.html#msg114644
For those interested send me a message. More than willing to help out.

[Frank Fremerey]

wow, the look you got from the woman carrying the mac

yes she looks like having a bad day and you just made it worse 😂🤣😂🤣😂😁

[Frank Fremerey]

Mf is still alive.
All these old MF lenses are made with character and are able to give such joy and satisfaction when shooting. Just came back from Japan. I travelled with only 3 old mf lenses which was a gamble.
Now looking back I am so happy I did. (20mm UD, 50mm, 135mm Q)

For those in Europe/UK I provide modification service slightly more in keeping aka you do not see that a modification was performed once mounted. Suitable specially for Df and others high end Nikon's.
See also: http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,2650.msg114644.html#msg114644
For those interested send me a message. More than willing to help out.

very beautiful cat in window. sensitive shot

[Jacques Pochoy]

An example of the 85mm f/2 AI ! An old frame stuck on the wall in Paris... With the Df

[Jacques Pochoy]

And another example of the 135mm f/2.8 Q on the DF... This time converted in B&W. It's the "Observatoire de Paris" were our scientists mingle to chat about Astronomy...

[John Geerts]

The 135/2.8  QC  on the Nikon D850  (Had all 135 versions of the 2.8 and 3.5 but found the 2.8 QC the best and kept it)


Posted earlier in  http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,8049.240.html

[Jacques Pochoy]

Great shot of the cyclist in the mist... 

[Matthew Currie]

I seem to be  having posting problems suddenly.  I was going to mention that though I like the 135/2.8Q, I find it for some reason harder to hand hold and focus than either the 105/2.5 or the 200/4.  That latter seems to snap into focus easily, and with a bunch of extension tubes, it makes a surprisingly good lens for chasing bugs.  Anyway, the 135 works ok when there's enough light and a tripod, but it seems difficult to get sharply focused, at least on a DX format camera. 

I do, however, like the way it does muted colors like browns and grays.  BAck when I was shooting a lot of film, I may have been one of the very few people who really liked Velvia 100F film, because it did those earth tones so well.  I didn't have the 135 then, but I imagine it would have been just right with that.  If it loads properly, here's a quickie backyard shot which may not show what I mean exactly in JPG and web form, but I really like those earth tones, and I can imagine that this lens would work very well in proper black and white, too.

still won't load.  I have downsized it to 1000/666.....third try coming up.....

[Birna Rørslett]

Failure to post images usually is caused by illegal characters in file name, or file size being bigger than the current upper limit (2MB).

Try saving a file with a slightly lower jpg quality next time. That solves most issues. We also recommend keeping pixel dimensions well within say 2000 x 1300 pix. Any bigger is a waste of everything including screen rendition.

[gryphon1911]

At a chance to play a little bit with the 85/2.  Bitter cold, so wasnt out long.

[gryphon1911]

Also got a Helios 44-2.  58mm was recently introduced to me via the Nikon 58mm f/1.4.  I really liked the focal length.

Still trying to find the "swirly bokeh" on this thing, though.  Again to cold to be out long, hope to have more time to experiment.

[Nasos Kosmas]

Helios is looking nice rendering although a bit uderexosed

[gryphon1911]

Helios is looking nice rendering although a bit uderexosed

True. Still trying to get used to it.  Although the light was much more like the Helios image than the Nikon 85/1.8.  that one was a bit brighter than the actual light. 

The Df metered and exposed as I expected it to with the 85mm, but with the Helios, it frequently exposed weirdly.