Nikon F601 Compatible Lenses

<p>G'day Folks,<br>

I recently got my hands back on my Dad's Nikon F601 and i have a desire to get a nifty fifty for it, but i have no knowledge of nikon cameras/lenses at all really. So what lenses are compatible with this system? (I shoot pentax, where this problem doesn't exist) I'm looking for a decent 50mm f1.8/1.4 etc, just to muck around with, any suggestions? Manual focus is absolutely fine, probably prefered, especially if it's going to be cheaper. If it would work with my mate's d80 then it'd certainly be a bonus hah.</p>

<p>The reason i'm so keen on this is that there is a half exposed role of agfa b&w film in here, and no-one has used the camera in at least three years, shall be interesting to find out what is on it. I'm heavily into portraiture with my pentax, strobist etc, hence my want of a nifty fifty. If you can suggest another prime that would be better suited to the task, especially since i'm used to the crop factor of the 50mm, then please feel free :)</p>

<p>Thanks for all your help,<br>

Sean.</p>

<p>Cheap and good - manual focus too - 50mm Series E f1.8. You can get them for around $30 used.<br>

Cheap and really good - autofocus - 50mm f1.8 AF or AF-D (they are both the same with regards to your camera). You can get them for around $80 used.</p>

<p>If it were me I would get a clean, used 50mm Series E f1.8 and see how you get on from there.</p>

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<p><em>"So what lenses are compatible with this system? (I shoot pentax, where this problem doesn't exist) I'm looking for a decent 50mm f1.8/1.4 etc, just to muck around with, any suggestions?"</em></p>

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<p><strong>Any</strong> and all Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lenses will be compatible with the F601, including the AI, AIS (multiple versions), Series E (two versions, the one with a 'chrome' ring ahead of the aperture ring is best), AF (2 versions) or AF-D. AI, AIS, and Series E are manual focus. AF and AF-D are autofocus. Only the current AF-D autofocus version is available new, but the others are all easily found on the used market.</p>

<p><strong>Most</strong> 50mm f/1.4 lenses will also be compatible. Specifically any 50/1.4 with an aperture ring that has <strong>two</strong> rows of f/stop numbers on the ring. That includes AI, AIS, AF and AF-D. Incompatible 50/1.4's would be the new AF-S 50/1.4G (no aperture ring) and the pre-AI 50/1.4 (only <strong>one</strong> row of f/stop numbers on the aperture ring)</p>

 

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<p><em>"If it would work with my mate's d80 then it'd certainly be a bonus hah."</em></p>

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<p>Only the <strong>autofocus</strong> versions of the above will be fully compatible with your mate's D80. The others will mount, but will not meter-couple.</p>

<p>If you go to this site (<a href="http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#50slow">http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#50slow</a> ) and click on the links at left, you can see a photo of each version (scroll down for the f/1.4)</p>

<p>A F601 AF was my first Nikon - a good camera. I would buy a AF 50/1.8 (with or without D-designation). This lens will work on your mates D80 too. I've found the AF 50/1.8 to be sharper and a lot more resistant to flare and ghosting compared to the Series-E 50/1.8.<br>

Have fun and please excuse my english, georg.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help guys, it's much appreciated. I'll now begin my search :)</p>

<p>You can pick up the Nikon 50mm f1.8 AF dirt cheap. They are very common and good value. The f1.4 is dearer but it is of better build quality, even though image wise the 1.8 and 1.4 are rated as similar. This applies to new 1.8s but especially applies to second hand lenses - cheap!.<br>

Of their latest (AF) offerings, all 50s are designed for full film sized sensors so you should not have a problem in this respect. But very very latest Nikon glass does not always have an aperture ring and should be avoided if you intend using it with an earlier camera<br>

Turning to MF, one extraordinarily good value and good performing lens is the early 50mm f2 manual focus lens. It has lovely rendition, many say even better and more "classic" in appearance of its photos than more modern f1.8 versions. Also very cheap if you can find one thats been converted to fit a later camera. (But see below.)<br>

Basically all Nikon manual focus glass can be used so long as its AI or AIS mount or if an older pre AI lens it has been converted. If you do not know about this stuff, just do a little internet search, its not very difficult and generally an Advert will say if a manual lens is AI standard or not.</p>

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<p>50 mm will work great on this camera....i own one and i was never dissapointed by it-always fine results.</p>