Wide Angle Lens for an FM2n.

I hope that this is the right place to ask.

I want to buy a wide angle lens for my Nikon FM2n , (it will have to be second hand).

I would like to get something in the 20mm to 28mm focal length range.

What do you think that I should be looking for and what ball park price range would be fair , (the local sellers seem to overprice their wares :))

Thank you.

The image quality of Nikon's 20mm's ranges from very good to excellent so you can't really go wrong - but as with all old lenses, sample variation increases with age. Just buy one with what you think has a fair price, and sell it if you are not happy.

I currently own the 20/3.5 Ai which I like a lot; it's tiny and sharp.

 

I have no experience with Nikon's 24mm's. That focal length doesn't work well for me - others will have to comment on that.

 

Nikon's 28mm's are also mostly very good or better. I would avoid the Series E version and the first 5 element AF version. I currently own both the 28/2 AiS and the 28/2.8 AiS. If I were to choose only one, I would probably pick the 28/2.8 mainly for it's smaller size.

I really like the 20mm f/2.8 AiS but they tend to sell for quite a lot in good condition. There are, however, a bunch of 20s to consider. I have 35, 28 & 24, but when I want wide, the 20 is invariably what I go for. Same thing with my digital camera zoom; it goes to 24 and I'm always up against the stop wishing for a few more mm.

The best that I have is the Zeiss ZF 25mm f2. It is sharp wide open and chromatic aberration is well controlled. The other is the Nikkor 28mm f2.8 ais. I have posted pictures with both before and plan to post some with the 28/2.8 tomorrow on film camera week. The 28/2.8 is small and the Zeiss is one of few really good lenses with an aperture ring for the FM2n.

I've been pleased with the results from the Sigma 28mm Mini Wide and 24mm Super Wide. They have good close focusing capability and may be found more cheaply than the Nikon equivalents.

Depending on how wide you want. Get any of the 3 in AI/AI-S mount and with f/2.8. I don't think you would need faster lenses.

...I want to buy a wide angle lens for my Nikon FM2n , (it will have to be second hand).

I would like to get something in the 20mm to 28mm focal length range....

 

Private message sent.

So much of this is about what you are trying to do. I have Nikon 20, 24, 28 (gave that to a friend) and 35. The 20 was often too wide, and the 28 somehow fell between and got little use. I used the 24 most in the wide category, and the 35 as low end "normal". Roberts Used Photo Pro has two 24mm and a 35mm at the moment, the better of the two 24mm, $110. They always understate product condition and do offer a guarantee. If you wait, and shop you can probably do better. Note: I have no association with them ex as a satisfied customer.

Note: I have been a satisfied customer of Vincent as well!:)

Edited October 20, 2021 by Sandy Vongries

Private message sent.

If you live in the US, and Vincent has something that fits your requirements, I wouldn't hesitate.

Thank you all for your replies , and steering me in the right direction.

It appears that most of the Nikkor lenses in these focal lengths are worth buying , I will avoid the "Series E" and the first "5 element AF" versions.

I will most certainly keep a lookout for the Sigma lenses.

Zeiss lenses are not often seen for sale around here , those that have them tend to keep them :D.

Now to see what I can find at a price which I am prepared to pay.

Vincent I have replied to you PM.

Cheers.

I don't know anything about the Series E wide angle(s) but note that some of the Series E lenses are really very good. The 100mm comes to mind.

Series E lenses are cheap but good. Zeiss lenses are very good but I would stick to regular Nikon AI/AI-S lens if not for anything for the look. They look right on the FM2n.

I recommend the 28mm AIS 2.8. Sharp!!!

Some Series E were good but I wouldn’t put the 28mm in that category, adequate is more like it. It was a 5 element design like the first 28/2.8 AF lens, and nothing to write home about.

I have more or less the same wish, My only Nikon Mount wide is a 28mm Kiron. It enjoys a better rep than I thought......but a "Nikon" branded WA is still on the bucket list :)

I always enjoyed the 24mm f/2.8 AiS, doing landscape photos the Galen Rowell or Art Wolfe way. :-) Those Velvia 50 slides were spectacular!

A LOT depends on YOU, and what other lenses you have and what you shoot.

 

I have a 24. At the time, the reason was, it was the widest lens that still used a 52mm filter.

Indoors, wider is better, because I have literally had my back against the wall, not being able to back up any more.

 

However, there were/are many that cannot handle a 24. If you tilt the camera, you will see the wide angle "distortion" more so than a 28, so you had to pay attention to keeping the camera LEVEL. So back then, a 28 was considered the limit of most people, and I contend that it is just as true today.

 

If it is your only wide, I would not get the 20. IMHO, for general use, the 20 is way too wide to be your only wide.

If you have a 35 or 28, then a 20 as a 2nd wide makes sense.

Edited October 20, 2021 by Gary Naka

Tamron SP 24-48mm f/3.5-3.8 (Model 13a). A very small Adaptall II lens, excellent in terms of construction and optics. One of the handiest lenses you can have in your kit, in my opinion.

For the FM series no need to bother with AF lenses. To me there’s a big difference from 20-28 and I would get the 20 for sure and either of the other two as budget allows. The manual focus lenses are nicely priced these days. As mentioned earlier Vincent is a good person to buy from.

 

Rick H.

I just posted 5 pictures with the Nikkor 28/2.8 ais on Film Camera Week for October 33, 2021.

I just posted 5 pictures with the Nikkor 28/2.8 ais on Film Camera Week for October 33, 2021.

 

Should be October 22 film camera week.

I once had the 28mm AIS, but my sample had pretty bad lateral color fringing and un-sharpness at infinity, so I sold it.

 

Later, I acquired a 24mm AI, and my sample is very strong. No optical shortcomings at all.

 

I suspect this is all sample variation, since most people prefer these lenses in the opposite order that I do.

An inexpensive option is the Nikkor 28mm f3.5. I use one, it produces great photos.

Widest lens I have is a Vivitar 19-35 zoom, which I have used with both an FE2 and D700.

 

I haven't tried to measure image quality at all, but it is fun!

 

 

I believe this is one, with the FE2, almost under the Golden Gate bridge.