ilkka_nissila Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 I just wanted to bring to your attention that the 35mm f/1.4 Ai-S Nikkor ispresently available new (gray market) from B&H for $700. It may be of interestto some D3 users here. The same lens costs over 1000 pounds (!) in London. Quitea difference in price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christiaan_phleger___honol Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Yeah, and in the used section there is a 8+ condition 300mm F2, only 9999.00! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juanjo_viagran Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 considering that the Nikon 200mm f:2 AF-S VR in same condition is about half the price of B&H 300mm 2, those are the most expensive 100mm ever.. :0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Back in 1987, I paid like $450 for a new 35mm/f1.4 AI-S in New York City. That is the only AI-S I currently own. (Oh, I guess I have had that lens for over 20 years.) I should try that on a D3 body some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert_smith Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 The 35mm f/1.4 AIS Nikkor is my favorite lens on my film cameras, but I have not loaded a roll of film in some time now. My DSLR does not meter with AIS lenses, so I have been using the 35mm f/2.0 AF as my "always-on-the-camera" lens. Just yesterday, the lack of that extra stop made its limitation known. While looking at the metered f/2.0 @ 1/20th for a subject that I did not wish to use a high ISO for, all I could think was that I'd kill for that f/1.4. As soon as I get a metering (with AIS lenses) DSLR my 20 year old 35mm f/1.4 Nikkor will be back in the front of the line as my most used lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo5 Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 I've owned four Nikon 35mm lenses over the years. Currently I have none. With film, it's a pretty good focal length. The f2 AI and AIS were my favorites. I've never owned the f1.4 version because of the high price. Even beat to crap 1.4's are now selling for more than $200. With a digital SLR it's a pretty poor focal length, I prefer mounting my AIS 28mm f2.8 instead. I can think of a lot of other lenses I'd rather have for $700. Like the new Tokina 16-50mm f2.8 zoom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harvey_edelstein1 Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 One of our Nikon mysteries of life is why this lens formula has not been updated with the latest autofocus, and chipped for D interface metering. I mean its a lot cheaper than the 28mm 1.4 was and now with FX cameras coming into being who agrees that this is not a big deal thing to ask for Nikon to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walterh Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 "I should try that on a D3 body some time." Shun you are not going to become weak? :-P You are my backbone not to fall for the D3 at present ^^. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilkka_nissila Posted February 12, 2008 Author Share Posted February 12, 2008 Harvey, I suspect the rear element is so large that the contacts are tough to put in there. Maybe. The 28/1.4 is a lot more complex design I think. And the 28/1.4 is so expensive the 35/1.4 feels quite affordable. I think 35mm is great on DX. I prefer 28mm and 50mm on FX, but the f/1.4 is tempting. I would expect Nikon to come up with an AF-S replacement for the 28mm and 35mm f/1.4 now that the D3 is out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_s. Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 If I had a D3 I would so much buy that lens. For DX the 35/2 will have to do. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthuryeo Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 >I would expect Nikon to come up with an AF-S replacement for the 28mm and 35mm f/1.4 now that the D3 is out. That's the suspicion and many are waiting, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harvey_edelstein1 Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 With new ED/LD and asph lenses these days an AFS-D lens should be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jose_angel Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 This lens and the other two f1.4 AiS are a must for film users. I keep them like a treasure. On a D3 this lens is good to have fun, but I would prefer to have AF-S even faster primes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivek iyer Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 I have a sample of non AI 35/1.4 that vignettes even more than the Sigma 30/1.4. Too much cash for this lens even at $700/-. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredrik_sandstrom Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 I'm worried that when Nikon finally releases AF-S versions of their fast primes, they will be G lenses without aperture rings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilkka_nissila Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share Posted February 13, 2008 Vivek, I bet the 35/1.4 Ai vignettes less on the D3 than the 30/1.4 does! :-) To me the 35/1.4 is very tempting. Fredrik, yes, I am sure that new designs will be G. Compatibility seems to be of secondary importance to Nikon at this time. Nikon's DSLR business is bigger than Nikon's film camera business ever was. Aperture rings are apparently not among the things the majority of Nikon's customers want to use. Even though I dislike the G design, I don't use the aperture ring any more even on my D lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivek iyer Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 <i>I bet the 35/1.4 Ai vignettes less on the D3 than the 30/1.4 does! :-)</i> <p> Email me your address with shipping charges and I will let you check my sample (you will have to get it AId) for free. If you like it for whatever reason, it is yours. Even if you do not like it, you can have it. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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