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

[Arninetyes]

Well, this is not the For Sale forum, but drop me a PM if you're selling 

Oops. Sorry. That wasn't the intention. I only meant to say that I have a UD and because I prefer the 20/3.5 AIS, I won't be using the UD anymore.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

You should try the 20 UD for IR. It might be the best of all Nikkor 20 mm lenses for that purpose.

[Arninetyes]

I was originally thinking that I couldn't do IR with my D700, without converting it. But my FE2 should work just fine. Do you have any particular IR film you recommend for an IR newbie?

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Film? You mean the stuff stored in round canisters ??

You might read this

http://filmphotographyproject.com/store/135-infrared-fpp-color-infrared

[Arninetyes]

Excellent. Thank you. I'll be happy to give it a try.

[gryphon1911]

Finally got around to getting the 55/3.5 on the Df.  First 4 images are that combo, the last shot was with the 105/2.5.   

Also, found out today that the ZhongYi 85mm f/2 I got in F-mount does not play well when metering in aperture priority mode with the Df.  It is always way over exposed.  If I use it in live view mode, it is OK...in normal shooting configuration(using the viewfinder) and in full manual mode, it is OK.  No matter though as I'll be using it for video work and on the mirrorless cameras.

[richardHaw]

http://richardhaw.com/2017/01/18/repair-micro-nikkor-p-55mm-f3-5-auto/
here's my take on the 55/3.5, I love that lens family a lot 

going back to your ZY optics and in general, the mainland chinese brands like Laowa. their finish doesn't even come close to Nikkors made in the 60s, always alittle rought here and there in fact, some old Russian lenses felt better in a way.

one of my favourite manual lenses is the 35/1.4 Ai-S but I rarely use it outside of the BOKEH factor.

[David H. Hartman]

Here are a couple of samples from the 20/2.8 AIS on a Nikon D800...


D800_DSC2386_CNX2_1.01 by Dave Hartman, on Flickr


D800_DSC2407_CNX2_Crop2_1 by Dave Hartman, on Flickr

These photos are inner space in a rehab hospital in Loma Linda, California. I had problems focusing and used live view to focus on my D800 then framed and shot with the optical finder. That helped though LV isn't that good on the D800. They were hand held. I'm not sure if I could have used a tripod or not. My new(ish) AF-S 20/1.8G ED would have helped with AF.

I might have sold my 20/3.5 AI after buying the 20/2.8 AIS but while thinking about this I checked Bjørn's review on his old site. I was taking for granted the fine low flare and no ghost performance of that lens. I also noted the close-up recommendation and the K1 ring note and bought a K-Ring set for the 20/3.5 AI.

Currently I own the 20/3.5 AI, 20/2.8 AIS and AF-S 20/1.8G ED and don't plan to sell any of them. I'd like a 20/3.5 UD for old time sake.

Dave Hartman

---

Any opportunity to run the 20/3.5 side by side with the newer 20/2.8D AF?  Curious on the IQ differences if any.  I have a 20/2.8, and find that it manual focus' ok.

I'll recommend the 20/3.5 AI for its ability to shoot into the sun and even include the sun in the frame. The 20/2.8 AIS and even the AF-S 20/1.8G ED can't equal the 20/3.5 AI for low flare and not ghost.

Dave

[Akira]

Andrew, the first one from the latest B&W series is just superb!

[gryphon1911]

Andrew, the first one from the latest B&W series is just superb!

Thanks, my fav from the series as well.

[Daniel Bliss]

I'd actually consider the 24/2.8 AIS.  I have the optically similar non-D autofocus one, which was good with the right kind of film (i.e. Velvia), crushingly disappointing on the D200 and mediocre on the D7000, but, get this, really very impressive on the D800 as long as you navigate around the limitations in the corners at wider apertures.  I think something about this lens disagrees with heavy anti-aliasing or thick emulsion.  Also, with the floating elements, it's a complicated design so I can easily imagine some samples being off due to wear and tear.

[gryphon1911]

Lots of 24mm lenses to take into consideration.  Thanks all for weighing in on the pros/cons of the various models.

[Jan Anne]

Andrew, you sure give credit to these opticals gems of the past 

[Bjørn Rørslett]

On this 2014 trip to Germany, I for the very first time was convinced that the 24/2 Nikkor AIS had a future on my Df.

[gryphon1911]

Andrew, you sure give credit to these opticals gems of the past 

Thanks.    They are new to me, and I at one point in time dismissed them, all because of their lack of auto focus.   That is truly a mistake on my part and one I am glad that I had the good fortune to rectify!