Is this just a regular 55mm / f1:3.5 lens or something else? (Page 2): I would’ve have bothered opening the post if Nikon had been in the title, since I’ve never owned a Nikon...

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

foxfirerodandgun wrote:

What I was asking was if this lens was a normally found, ("regular") used 55mm lens, or as this post has played out, something much better, being a very well-liked macro lens. Sorry if I confused you with what I was asking.

I would’ve have bothered opening the post if Nikon had been in the title, since I’ve never owned a Nikon inter-changeable lens camera - all the talk sounds like ‘Old McDonald’ to me - “AI, AI No”.

therwol Loc: USA

rehess wrote:

I would’ve have bothered opening the post if Nikon had been in the title, since I’ve never owned a Nikon inter-changeable lens camera - all the talk sounds like ‘Old McDonald’ to me - “AI, AI No”.

Well, if you're interested, and it sounds like you're not, Nikon's original meter coupling was through that prong you see on the aperture ring. After 1977, it was through a groove in the aperture ring. The pre-AI lenses would not mount on the newer cameras without breaking the meter coupling on the camera. When Nikon switched over, they offered aperture ring replacements for the older lenses, but at this point in time, they're almost impossible to find. There are people who will cut the grooves in the older aperture rings for a fee.

Regarding this lens, even though it's one of Nikon's older lenses, it remains one of the sharpest they've ever produced and is still coveted by some, including me. The main problem, other than camera incompatibility, is the 55mm focal length, which gives you a very short working distance between lens and subject when you're shooting in the macro range.

Bill_de Loc: US

rehess wrote:

I would’ve have bothered opening the post if Nikon had been in the title, since I’ve never owned a Nikon inter-changeable lens camera - all the talk sounds like ‘Old McDonald’ to me - “AI, AI No”.

Since you posted anyway, what does this mean?

I would’ve have bothered opening the post

therwol Loc: USA

foxfirerodandgun wrote:

Looks like it is a Pre-AI lens and will not mount on a D7200. SNAP!!

For what it's worth, I did mange to get a factory replacement aperture ring for my lens back in the 80s. I replaced the original aperture ring myself. Perhaps someone on UHH can recommend someone who can modify the original ring so that you can mount the lens on any of Nikon's digital cameras.

Also for what it's worth, the lens is pretty decent for general photography. I'm attaching three photos I took with this lens mounted to my D810. If you want to see detail, look at the people in these pictures and also the ski lift at Heavenly Valley, easily a mile in the distance. Download and snoop around.

(Download)

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

rehess wrote:

I’m not sure what your title means. I am certain it’s not a “regular” lens, what ever that is/was. I suppose “regular” lens might have been interpreted as a “M42-mount lens” at one time. From the replies you’re received, it was a “regular Nikon” lens before the meaning of that changed …… and then changed again.

The M2, is not M42. It is a 27.5mm extension tube allowing the user to go to to a full 1:1 macro with the said 55mm micro. Without the extension the lens itself focuses to 1:2. It does not have the metering prong to mate to the Photomic meter. Nothing changed. That’s always how it has worked.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Bill_de wrote:

Since you posted anyway, what does this mean?

I would’ve have bothered opening the post

I typically don’t read posts in this section if I know in advance they are about Nikon.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

pesfls wrote:

The M2, is not M42. It is a 27.5mm extension tube allowing the user to go to to a full 1:1 macro with the said 55mm micro. Without the extension the lens itself focuses to 1:2. It does not have the metering prong to mate to the Photomic meter. Nothing changed. That’s always how it has worked.

But M-42 was a “universal” mount at one time, since various manufacturers supported it. Over time, some of them “dropped away”. When the OP didn’t specify it was a Nikon lens, I thought it might be ‘a universal lens’; I suppose “Adapt-All” might also qualify”.

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

rehess wrote:

But M-42 was a “universal” mount at one time, since various manufacturers supported it. Over time, some of them “dropped away”.

My only point was that they are not related and of different purposes. The M2 was specific to the 55micro as its length precisely produces the ability to go from 1:2 to 1:1.

foxfirerodandgun Loc: Stony Creek, VA

therwol wrote:

Use Quote Reply when you reply to a post. The post you are replying to will then appear above your reply in smaller letters.

I usually do but forgot. Thanks.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

The others have hit most of the salient points.

That gray lever is the release that allows you to twist the lens and separate it from the M2 extension tube.

From the picture the aperture blades might not be quite symmetrical. Try moving the aperture ring back and forth while watching the blades. Make sure they move fluidly and symmetrically.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

foxfirerodandgun wrote:

I picked up an absolutely mint Nikon F in the Nikon carry case (leather?) w/a carrying/neck strap that has a Nikor-S Auto 1:1.4 50mm lens mounted on it plus this lens. I am unsure what exactly this lens is. Anyone care to enlighten me? Many thanks.

Just a macro lens in excellent condition.
It is a keeper though.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

foxfirerodandgun wrote:

I picked up an absolutely mint Nikon F in the Nikon carry case (leather?) w/a carrying/neck strap that has a Nikor-S Auto 1:1.4 50mm lens mounted on it plus this lens. I am unsure what exactly this lens is. Anyone care to enlighten me? Many thanks.

Early Nikon Macro lens. Such a beauty. Still looks great doesn't it. Interesting to note, Nikon had such a home run with this lens, the lens below shares many of the same elements. And this one was a winner too.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/362957107383?epid=99688962&hash=item5481edf0b7:g:E6oAAOSwJedeYiPs&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4FHTuqE551r6c3de5C%2BJ0K4aFTkFzUmi7hosb%2BnT7gnJdMSMDFrWmaBpF4qFJPgoL1dM8wq6UOTjO8JQbz1gYq02orZUGuVRZlVCrB%2FlFvG87vKVVTV7CEVB4jlTyHYhgZnEdh2UmRyR5gb8q%2F%2F5njTIcCXs4M1PBafHZPHVPL8KoPJNFZ5K1m0UwLdIcYNskk5lHmSEl1asqHvGidNixXpW3asyqujJhU7TNa6GcdluWytprvPVnJry2NN0mk11tw4kwwddLlbeeJ9oGE4C7Amj%2F0%2FSh%2B8fpCM0gIHGkVJz%7Ctkp%3ABFBM6tmQ9-Zh

ELNikkor

foxfirerodandgun wrote:

Thanks. Would it be compatible with a D7200 realizing it would be manual focus?

That lens will fit the D7200 fine and be around an 80mm equivalent macro. It will be all manual. (To verify, I just put my pre-AI 50mm 1.4 Nikkor on my D5100 and took several photos, no problem, the camera will even stop the lens down to your chosen aperture when you shoot.) Just put the camera on "M", and shoot a few, check the screen until you get the correct exposure/aperture/focus.
When on macro, I usually set the focus where I want it on the lens and move the camera toward and away from the subject until it looks the sharpest before shooting, rather than try to "dial in" the focus with the lens, when hand-held. If on a tripod with a still subject, it will work better with focusing the lens.
Not just macro, that lens is great for general shooting as well, rendering very sharp landscapes and portraits.

foxfirerodandgun Loc: Stony Creek, VA

Orphoto wrote:

The others have hit most of the salient points.

That gray lever is the release that allows you to twist the lens and separate it from the M2 extension tube.

From the picture the aperture blades might not be quite symmetrical. Try moving the aperture ring back and forth while watching the blades. Make sure they move fluidly and symmetrically.

Thanks. Will do.

foxfirerodandgun Loc: Stony Creek, VA

ELNikkor wrote:

That lens will fit the D7200 fine and be around an... (show quote)

Thank you.