papa_john Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 <p>I just came across this little lens (Nikkor MF AIS 35/2), clean and solid. I had it on a D3 and the results are fantastic... Sorry, no cable to download my images on my computer but what is your opinion about this lens?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianS1664879711 Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 <p>I'm not much for wide angle photography unless absolutely forced into it, but when I use a WA lens that is what I use and I always have been happy with the results.</p> ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papa_john Posted August 16, 2009 Author Share Posted August 16, 2009 <p>I use a 14-24 and this little 35/2 manual is great! It produces a clean image, not too contrasty but very pleasant.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincent_peri Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 <p>I have one, and it is a great performer. No complaints here.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 <p>I have an older version (Pre Ai but converted) and notice that it produces very nice results on my D200. I think its got the same optical formula minus the multicoating. I tend not to prefer terribly wide angled lenses so a 35mm on a DX camera is not a bad choice for me</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papa_john Posted August 16, 2009 Author Share Posted August 16, 2009 <p>I am not sure if is the coating or the glass but it looks like an image produced by a Leica lens (early glass); not too contrasty and pleasant. I am sure that a pre-AI has a similar formula but my lens is multicoated for sure...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael R Freeman Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 <p>Used to have one and really liked it. Had I not gotten a "steal of a deal" several years ago on a 35/1.4, I would still have it.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audun_sjoeseth1 Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 <p>I use the AIS 35mm/2 on my D700, and I´m very plased with the results. Great value for the money I paid for it.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papa_john Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 <p>Thank you guys, you reinforced what I observed with these little MF lenses... I am so sick of these monsters (14-24, 24-70, etc), G technology, Nano molecular crap when there are so many other cool choices by using old '50s,'70s, '80s technology. Another lens that I learned to adore is the AIS 105/2.5. Yeah, there are people that wrote numerous "reviews" about other "magical" lenses but a cheap, smooth, clean, manual glass is magic to me...<br> Thank you!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo5 Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 <p>I have had multiple Nikon 35mm f2 lenses and all are outstanding. I don't need f1.4 and do not think the f1.4 version is worth 3 times as much as the f2 version. Currently have the AI version of this lens and it is superb in every way. Won't sell it again!<br> <img src="http://hull534.smugmug.com/photos/449771449_ha3o5-L.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" /><br> Nikon 35mm f2 AI with Nikon D700</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papa_john Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 <p>35mm/f 1.4 I've seen it at $900!!!!!!!!! Oh boy!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo5 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 <p>Papa John, <br> Yep, manual focusing a classic Nikkor on a FX format Nikon body is pretty much as good as it gets in digital-land. I "downgraded" from the D700 back to the D300 (which I had before I got the D700) and am happier now. I love manual focus primes, but for travel, it's hard to beat the DX format Nikon 16-85mm VR zoom. Wish the D700 had the 100 percent viewfinder like the D3...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papa_john Posted August 18, 2009 Author Share Posted August 18, 2009 <p>Is hard to relate with your experience; I've been shooting with a D3, FM3a, ETRSi Bronica, FE2, Leica M3. All I know is FX. This year I put a DX on my D3 (I don't remember the focal length) and I didn't liked the results. Out of all these cameras, M3 is been the smoothest, and quietest camera that I ever had... very good for travel. Same with FM3a or FE2. When I pulled the D3, the traffic stops... you get those "deer in the headlights" looks like that is something else. Great combo with the new lenses (G technology) but too bad that you can't use them for the old, film cameras. You can use them on DX. So, "downgrading" as you call it, is more like adaptation. I think is a good thing! </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Rance Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 <p>What is a good price for a totally mint one? My local shop has a late model with no use marks at all for 119 Pounds - is this reasonable or over the top?</p> <p>How does it compare to the AF version?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo5 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 <p>I paid $150 for a near-mint Nikon 35mm f2 AI example on ebay that came with the original Nikon spec brochure. It is the most I'd ever paid for the f2 version since I bought the last 35mm f2 which was an AIS version. I didn't like the AIS version as much so I sold it. The first AI version I bought in 1998 for $175. Ebay has lowered prices for used lenses a bit since then. I feel I got a good deal for the lens I have now, so 119 pounds sounds like a good deal to me.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soeren_engelbrecht1 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 <p>I have the pre-AI version on my F - lovely, sharp, and I paid all of 40 USD for it some eight years ago. Apologies to my wife for posting the shot below :-)<br /><br />Soeren</p><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papa_john Posted August 18, 2009 Author Share Posted August 18, 2009 <p>Soeren, I love it, it's so funny!!!!! I like your gallery too...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soeren_engelbrecht1 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 <p>Thanks, John - I should add that it wasn't posed at all :-)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papa_john Posted August 18, 2009 Author Share Posted August 18, 2009 <p>You better stop man... the more details you give me the worst is going to be for you if you get caught!!!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo5 Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 <p>Bottom line is, Nikon manual focus prime lenses are going up in price thanks to FX format Nikon digital cameras. Even a 30+ year old Nikon lens performs superbly with digital. Don't need no stinkin' $2k+ zoom lenses to take a good photo these days, thankfully.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papa_john Posted August 19, 2009 Author Share Posted August 19, 2009 <p>I agree that some manual lenses perform well, sometimes, even better than modern lenses!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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