What lens for early Nikon F
Jun 24, 2013 08:33:53 #
I just got the dream camera of my youth (I used Minoltas)- A Nikon F Body. I need to buy a lens and not sure what to buy. I know its not an "E". Help! - Dave
Jun 24, 2013 08:46:42 #
I have an early Ftn. The normal lens then would have been a 50mm F2.
Like this Nikkor-H pre AI
http://www.momentcorp.com/review/nikkor50mmf2.html
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Nikon-F-Photemic-SLR-camera-with-Nikkor-s-f2-50mm-lens-condition-5F-531-/330943426742?pt=UK_Film_Cameras&hash=item4d0dc3f0b6
Like this Nikkor-H pre AI
http://www.momentcorp.com/review/nikkor50mmf2.html
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Nikon-F-Photemic-SLR-camera-with-Nikkor-s-f2-50mm-lens-condition-5F-531-/330943426742?pt=UK_Film_Cameras&hash=item4d0dc3f0b6
Jun 24, 2013 08:47:25 #
I assume the focal length is not the issue. Rather it's the confusing series of different models as the Nikon system evolved. Ken Rockwell has a good explanation.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm
Jun 24, 2013 09:23:20 #
I would probably agree with Terra Australis of a 50mm f2 H model, but just about any of the older ones will be ok to keep it fairly authentic, if that is your intent- metal, not rubber focusing ring. I have a 1.4 for my old FTn. How old a Nikon is it?
You can roughly tell the year by the serial number.
BTW- old SLR's work great for teaching the Boy Scout Merit Badge. They can easily see the shutter and aperture. I have 3 Nikkormats that I got for next to nothing on e-bay and the kids aren't likely to break them.
You can roughly tell the year by the serial number.
BTW- old SLR's work great for teaching the Boy Scout Merit Badge. They can easily see the shutter and aperture. I have 3 Nikkormats that I got for next to nothing on e-bay and the kids aren't likely to break them.
Jun 24, 2013 16:57:10 #
Thanks all. Goofy - I have OLd view camera lenses I use to show Scouts to show shutter and aperture. - Will the newer 1970- 80 work on the F. I just want a lens that will work. - Dave
Jun 24, 2013 17:04:54 #
wilsondl2 wrote:
Thanks all. Goofy - I have OLd view camera lenses I use to show Scouts to show shutter and aperture. - Will the newer 1970- 80 work on the F. I just want a lens that will work. - Dave
I think as long as it has the metering tab, it should work dandy.
Good idea on the view camera. Would be even more interesting to look through.
Jun 24, 2013 17:38:47 #
Back to the Scouts. I have two view cameras and two Speed Graphics KIds both young and old love to look through themand see the upside down image.
Jun 24, 2013 18:32:54 #
wilsondl2 wrote:
Back to the Scouts. I have two view cameras and two Speed Graphics KIds both young and old love to look through themand see the upside down image.
Exactly!
I could probably write off part of one of these.
Wish I hadn't sent the Crown Graphic to surplus.
It looked almost brand new.
Jun 24, 2013 21:13:09 #
Congratulations on your acquisition! Nikon is nicely backward compatible, so almost any nikon lens from the last 50 years that's not G will work manually. Also some good other-brand lenses with adapters, e.g. Pentax screw mount. Enjoy!
Jun 25, 2013 00:38:45 #
wilsondl2 wrote:
I just got the dream camera of my youth (I used Minoltas)- A Nikon F Body. I need to buy a lens and not sure what to buy. I know its not an "E". Help! - Dave
Hi Dave,
here are a few Nikons from my humble collection with the correct lens for the period.
Your early 'F' would have had a Nikkor-H 50mm f2. A stunning lens even today.
Late 1960s Nikon FTn with Nikkor-H 50mm f2
Looks wrong with later lens
F2-A with Micro Nikkor
F2-AS with 50mm f1.4
F4 with 50mm f1.4D
For lovers of eye candy
Eye candy of them all. The fabulous Leica Red Dial, Self Timer IIIf
Jun 25, 2013 03:42:26 #
To put it simply, any Nikon lens with "ears" on the mounting end of the lens barrel will work. As long as you have those ears, it doesn't matter if it's AI or AIS. Do not use any lens without the ears.
Jun 25, 2013 08:14:18 #
Nice set....Nikon 'milestone's' I'm hanging on to....a Nikon Ftn, a Nikon F3T, an N90, D90 and a D100.
Jun 25, 2013 08:56:23 #
Mogul wrote:
To put it simply, any Nikon lens with "ears" on the mounting end of the lens barrel will work. As long as you have those ears, it doesn't matter if it's AI or AIS. Do not use any lens without the ears.
Many of the newer lenses don't have ears, but they have small center punch marks where the ears should go. These are on the f-stop ring. If you need the ears, let me know. They are scarce as hen's teeth, but I've a machine shop that makes any of the ones I need.
The last one was made of a bit of scrap titanium. I've some that are stainless, etc. Cuts down on the material cost if we use a bit of scrap.
This allowed me to have the ears made, and a camera repair shop mounted them for me. Now, I can use this lens on the D700, as well as my F.
--Bob
Jun 25, 2013 09:20:59 #
Jun 25, 2013 10:53:24 #
peterg
Loc: Santa Rosa, CA
A summary of Nikon lenses and other great info is at:
http://www.aiconversions.com/compatibilitytable.htm
A summary of Nikon/Nikkor lenses and serial numbers is at:
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#50fast
Note: Like rare postage stampes, "Tick Mark" lenses are valuable. Conversions will probably ruin their value.
http://www.aiconversions.com/compatibilitytable.htm
A summary of Nikon/Nikkor lenses and serial numbers is at:
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html#50fast
Note: Like rare postage stampes, "Tick Mark" lenses are valuable. Conversions will probably ruin their value.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.