Reviews > Lens portraits with the Nikon Df

Lens "porn" with the Df: 36-72 mm f/3.5 Nikon SE

(1/4) > >>

Bjørn Rørslett:
[ Posted 21 January 2014 - 21:25 Edited and reposted by agreement ]

People are always interested in the hidden gems amongst the Nikkors. Sometimes these goodies remain hidden because they are frowned upon as low-end items. Well, you might be mistaken and surprised.

No better example are the Nikon SE lenses created for the humble low-end Nikon EM and FG of the early '80s. Nikon aimed at relatively inexpensive lenses but not necessarily simple designs. They cut down on sophisticated coatings and tried to make the lenses simple to manufacture, leading to some strange practical solutions. For example, some of the lens mounts were integrated into the lens barrel in shape of a layered metal 'cake'. I won't even elaborate how tricky this makes inserting a CPU chip in such mounts.

Here is a true gem, the very humble Nikon SE Zoom 36-72 mm f/3.5. These lenses are plentiful.Thus you can easily pick up a mint sample for < 50 $. Do note that the SE  lenses  are denoted 'Nikon' not 'Nikkor'. People label them erroneously all the time.



Here, I'm just driving by the city streetcar with the 36-72 SE at the ready. Snapshot through the side window of my little red car.




The 36-72 SE does well in IR as well. Its major drawback is the 1.2 m near limit that can be an occasional issue. Add an extension ring and the problem is nicely sidestepped.

Bjørn Rørslett:
 Posted 22 January 2014 - 11:56

Not ready to move off the humble Nikon SE 36-72 mm f73.5 Zoom lens yet. Among its lesser known capabilities is applying it  as a true 'macro' lens. Because the lens can be had so cheap I prefer using a copy of it as a dedicated 'macro' setup. Another  $30 wasted? Read on to learn more.

What you need is the 36-72 itself, and paraphernalia such as a +4T achromatic close-up lens, a few K4/K5 rings to act as spacers, a BR2/2a or equivalent , and preferable something to act as lens shade in front. Even better, combine the shade function with the ability to steer the aperture. I use a BR-4 for this purpose, since I found it first in the odds-and-ends bin, but an E2 or BR-6 would serve the same purpose.




Here all parts are assembled and exhibited alongside the standard 36-72 SE on my Df.



A yardstick familiar to any Nordic DIY enthusiast.



The 100% crop reveals you get unsurpassed 'macro' quality from a $30 lens :D




Do note how difficult it is to line up the camera exactly parallel to the subject when you shoot it hand-held. Thus a properly supported camera is better if the highest level of performance is desirable.

Another aspect of this set up is you can easily change magnification of detail merely by zooming the host lens. The configuration shown here covers the approximate range of 1-3X, which is very convenient in the field.

 

stenrasmussen:
I had to, of course, try this setup and while I skipped the K-rings I reversed the lens with a +4 close up filter attached.
Here's a shot of my Timex:

Bjørn Rørslett:
K-rings are mandatory accessories in your tool box, Sten. They act like "Lego bricks" for the keen photographer.

That point aired, your adaptation apparently works. Stopping more down might have increased depth of field ever so slightly though.

stenrasmussen:
The K-set was left sitting on the shelf while I played 😀
Yes, a click or two more on the aperture ring would be better.
I wonder if I should attempt make the lens focus closer than its native 1.2m? Did this to a 35/2.8 Ai-S and it worked.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page