Zoom lens for FM2n

i am looking to get a new(to me)lens for my FM2n for Christmas. I

own a 50/1.8 and 24/2.8. I am really looking to get the 105 micro

but with collage and other expenses that will be a little while

before i can afford. I saw Nikkor MF 80-200 F4.5 on KEH for around

$300 USD. I've heard that it has a pretty good reputation as far as

optic quality. I was wondering if anyone has experience with this

lens and think that it would be a good investment. I am not a pro

and only shot for fun but i would like to purchase a nice quality

zoom lens, manual focus preferably. Any suggeestions or

recomendations would be apperecitated.

Get the Nikkor series E 75-150/3.5 lens. Excellent optics, and covers a pretty useful range of focal lengths. At least that's my recommendation.

I recently sold an AI'd version of the 80-200mm 4.5. I used it with an FM2n & F3HP. Optically, it performed very well. The older versions (and perhaps some "newer" versions) seemed to be prone to "loose" zoom/focus rings. There are plenty of them available on the famous auction site for much less than $300. Double check to see that it is the AI version (or converted, like mine). KEH does, however, have a good reputation for returns if you're not happy. Many people rave about the performance of the Series E mentioned by the previous poster. I haven't used it so I can't comment.

I'll just have one word of suggestion: Avoid any variable-aperture

zooms with manual exposure cameras like the FM2n. They change

aperture as you zoom, requiring you to readjust exposure after

every change in focal length.

Nobody has suggested one yet, and they tend to be the lower-end

autofocus zooms, so you probably weren't likely to get one anyway,

but beware of them on the FM2n.

Casey,

 

I dont think a 80-200 zoom will be a good choise on your FM2n, besides the things already mentioned its also a really chunky lens, it weighs 750 gr which is more then your camera. My choise would be the 85/2 or the 100/2.8E lens. They are both light and small, the same as your other lenses, and great performers. The 100/2.8E is IMO the best E-series lens and is very sharp, keh offers it at $100 i think. The 85mm should kost about twice that, the same with the 105/2.5. If you plan to occasionally use macro, buy a close-up filter for your 50mm or a reversal/extension ring. The 105/4 micro-nikkor is about $350 but not very usably as a 'normal' lens.

 

Greetings,

A couple observations: you seem to be looking at KEH 'excellent' grade, consider looking at their 'bargain' grade instead. The 80-200 f/4.5 is $300 in excellent, $200 in bargain. I have bought at least a dozen pieces (camera or lens) of 'bargain' gear from KEH in the last decade and I have not been disappointed. IMO, 'bargain' is for folks who intend to use the gear while 'excellent' is for collectors or people who are very fussy about gear appearance. KEH charges a fair premium for the difference, and I've heard more people 'surprised' by what nice condition the bargains are in than the opposite.

 

The lens you're looking at is a good choice. Consider also this one:

70-210 F3.5 VIVITAR SER 1 MACRO NON AI (67) , KEH 'bargain' at $47 (a steal, IMO). This thing is a tank, but it was one of the first zoom lenses from Vivitar that got grudging respect from the brand snobs. I shot photojournalism with one for a few years, and this lens is a nice combination of range/speed/flexibility. As somebody else mentioned, these large lenses take a little getting used to as they affect the balance of the camera considerably. I found that adding an MD-12 motor drive to my FM/FE setup balanced them beautifully.

 

I also concur with the recommendation of the Series E 70-150 f/3.5. I totally ignored this lens when it was first introduced but I picked one up (from KEH) a couple years ago. Very sharp and compact. You have to get used to / overlook the loose zoom action, it's the nature of the beast. KEH 'bargain' priced at $59.

 

Avoid variable aperture zooms on an FM.

Casey,

 

I agree with the recommendations of the 75-150 Series E. I also own the 80-200 f/4.5, although I use it only when I need the 200mm end. It is a great performer in terms of image quality, but I just prefer the more comfortable Series E. You might talk me into parting with my 80-200. Contact me off forum.

The 80~200/4.5 is the first zoom to be accepted in any numbers

by professional photographers (so I read). I owned one once

though I didnt know to much back then. I sold my pickup to

get one and also a 135/5.6 Componon-S. One thing would be a

requirement if I were buying one: multi-coating.<br>

<br>

Consider also its big sister the 80~200/4.0 AIS. The f/4.5 has a

tendency for one half of the split image rangefinder to black out.

Very careful centering of the eye is needed to prevent this. The

problem is almost unnoticed with the f/4.0.<br>

<br>

The 75~150/3.5 Series E (middle and late versions) have excellent

performance. Sharper in the center than the 105/2.5 but not as

sharp at the edges. Still excellent at the edges but not as

excellent (so I read). Not really a replacement for the 105/2.5

for other reasons but a fine lens. There were an few early 75~150/3.5(s)

with dreadful quality stamped rear lens protectors. Dont buy that version. I had one and traded in quite quickly. I bought the 2nd version for my mother and now have that one. The middle and late versions are highly recommended.<br>

<br>

One thing to note, ghost is more of a problem with zooms. I would

not say ghost is a really big problem except with the old single

coated version of the f/4.5. If you like to point your lens into

the sun primes are better.<br>

<br>

If you want a lens for portraits or candid photos of children I

would recommend the 105/2.5 AI or AIS over the 75~150/3.5 E and the 75~150 over the 80~200(s). The 80~200/4.0 requires a 270° turn of the

focus ring to focus from 1.2m to infinity. This makes it hard for

me to focus quickly. My guess is the 80~200/4.5 was the same but

its been to long for me to remember.<br>

<br>

In summary...<br>

<br>

80~200/4.5 .......... V. Good<br>

80~200/4.0 .......... Even Better<br>

75~150/3.5 .......... Best<br>

105/2.5 ................ Bestest!<br>

<br>

Hope this helps,

Another vote for the 100/2.8 E lens. Great value in a nice, small package. Here's a shot from the 100/2.8.<div></div>

Just a quick note about a previous recommendation to buy a Non AI Series 1 70-210 zoom for your FM2n. DON'T DO IT. It will damage your metering linkage. Look for an AI version.

Get Series E 75-150 or 80-200/4 because they focus down to 1 / 1.2 metres whereas the lens you´re looking at has a MOD of 1.8 or something metres, and that makes a big difference!