50mm lens for Nikon F3HP

[k_m20]

<p>So I am getting a Nikon F3HP and now I have to decide what lens to go with it. I was deciding between starting out with a wide or a 50mm, and decided on 50mm. What recommendations do people have for a high quality 50mm lens. Are lenses with smaller possible f-stops (f/1.4 vs. f/2, for example) better lenses? Or just because a lens can go to a lower f-stop might it still photograph those f-stops that it has in common with other lenses at lower quality (is the only advantage of f/1.4 lens that it can shoot at f/1.4? Will that same lens stopped at f/2 maybe not look as good as an f/1.8 stopped at f/2?) Thanks.<br>

I like shots that maintain a soft quality without being blurry, while still maintaining good focus, like older photographs. Like these by Kubrick.<br>

<img src="http://images.vogue.it/imgs/galleries/peole-are-talking-about/last-short-news/001158/betsy-s3-1-76427_0x440.jpg" alt="" width="430" height="440" /><img src="http://us.acidcow.com/pics/20111206/stanley_kubrick_20.jpg" alt="" width="575" height="600" /><img src="http://christyheyob.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/kubrick-e1323578773221.jpg?w=640&h=392&crop=1" alt="" width="640" height="392" /></p>

[bob_sunley]

<p>For starters, 1.4 is a larger f-stop or aperture than f2. :)</p>

<p>Don't post other peoples photos, they will be removed as you are violating photo.net policy.</p>

 

[craigd]

<p>There are no bad 50mm Nikkors that are compatible with the F3HP.</p>

<p>My recommendation would be the AI or AI-S 50mm f/1.4. Wonderful lens. But the less expensive 50mm f/1.8 is also very good (and somewhat smaller, if that matters -- the f/1.4 isn't all that big to begin with).</p>

[k_m20]

<p>Bob, I was under the impression that a larger aperture corresponds with a lower f-stop. I was told these terms are not synonyms, as you seem to imply.<br /> And I posted pictures from Kubrick in another forum and they turned them into links, but kept them in the thread.</p>

[SCL]

<p>The F3HP was often sold with a 50mm f1.8 series E lens for those on a budget. Although it is considered by some as a "consumer" version of other Nikon 50s, I find it does a fine job in most circumstances. To answer your question whether a larger f-stop lens is "better" than a smaller one, it really depends. A f1.4 gathers more light than a f1.8, is usually larger, heavier, and has a more advanced optical design and more solid construction. Often, its overall performance, because of the aforementioned factors, is "better" at a similar larger f-stops than its cousins, but around f5.6 or so they are usually indistinguishable. Unless you are using a very slow film, most of your sunny outdoor shots will probably be taken somewhere between f5.6-f16. Of much greater importance, IMHO, is your ability to choose lighting situations and compositions which will showcase your subjects.</p>

[jim_momary]

<p>Crude rule of thumb ... most lenses are at their best stopped down about two stops from full open.</p>

<p>Thus, an F1.4 lens really shines at F2.8.<br>

An F2.0 lens comes into its own at F4.</p>

<p>"Usually", a larger aperture lens tends to be better made mechanically and optically as they have a higher price point.</p>

<p>"<em>I was under the impression that a larger aperture corresponds with a lower f-stop</em>" ...</p>

<p>F stops are ...<br>

1.4 2.0 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 22<br>

large ---------------------small </p>

[mva]

<p>Since all Nikkors 50mm are good (*), I would choose one that looks better on your camera. Chrome ring, all black, etc.<br>

(*) The AF-D is good optically, but mechanically wobbly and flimsy and unpleasant to rotate: I'd avoid it.</p>

[kevin mayo]

<p>I always liked the F2.0 50's from Nikon. Nothing you could put your finger on I just like the photos from the 2.0 better than the 1.8's or 1.4's. I have a 1.8 and a 2.0 right now</p>

[luis_g]

<p>I'd go with the 50/1.4</p>

[mfophotos]

<p>I think I have owned or used nearly all of the 50mm manual Nikkors from f1.4 to f/2. Without a doubt, the standard 50mm f/2.0 lens remains one of the best, delivering excellent edge to edge sharpness when wide-open, and because they are so common, remain a bargain. The design did not change much from the early pre-AI to the AIS versions, except for the focus ring, and minor cosmetics. </p>

[mfophotos]

<p>The example images you linked to were most likely shot with medium format cameras, certainly not 35mm w/ a 50mm lens. However, the field of view is probably comparable to a 50mm. </p>

[Matthew Currie]

<p>One of my favorite lenses of all time is the 50/F2 AI. I don't think you'll miss the stop. If it has any vices I have not discovered them. Other 50's are also very good, but the F2 has nice bokeh and a flat field, and needs no hood.</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>There are a bunch of 50mm f/2 and close lenses going from the first lens for the Nikon F (pre-AI) to modern AF versions. These are mostly not expensive and are excellent.<br>

As already said, it's hard to go wrong with any of the 50mm, more or less, Nikkors.</p>

<p>I love low light and natural light images, so I got a Nikkor-S 55mm f/1.2, but I always kept and used the old Nikkor f/2 that I got with my first Nikon mount camera.</p>

[steve_levine]

<p>The last version of the 50/F2 AI is a great lens.</p>

[k_m20]

<p>Well the 50mm f/2 is only $69 in EX condition from KEH. I can maybe get a wide lens on top of that. Anybody have any suggestions for a good 28mm or even a 35mm? Same aesthetic specifications apply.</p>

[vilk_inc]

<p>for the qualities you value--50/1.8 AIS longnose, 50/2 AI and the latest 50/1.2 are in the same league; 28/2 AIS and the old 35/2 O.C. will do what you want, too</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>I do a lot of architectural work, so I got the PC-Nikkor 35mm f/2.8 back in 1971 and still use it today. It's a wonderful lens, but not perhaps (being totally manual in operation) the best for everyday use (although I have actually used it so). My other wide-angle prime is a lovely old 20mm f/4 lens. It's pretty wide, however. Between the two, I never found it cost effective to explore the normal 35mm -24mm range. Mine are pre-AI, but there are later updates to the lenses in AI, etc.</p>

[david_harris15]

<p>I have heard that the 50mm F2 is the best of them but have never tried one. I have the pancake F1.8 AIS & have never found it wanting in performance. For a wide angle maybe look at the 28mm F2.8 AIS. Considered a good lens & way cheaper than the F2.0. I have one & have been very happy with mine. The 35mm F2.8 AIS is not as well regarded, but I have one too & have been happy with it.</p>

[sunray1]

<p>I have a F3HP with both the f1.4 and the f2.0 Both are optically great, are built great and have a great feel for focussing.<br /> I like the 2.0 for walking around/streetshooting w/o lenscap, hood or filter needed for protection since the front element is deeply recessed. And it's cheap to get.<br /><br />Of course it's nice to have f1.4 for some occasions...</p>

[vince-p]

<p>I think the two best Nikon manual focus 50s are the f/1.2 (tre expensive) and the f/2.0 (tres cheap). I'd go with f/2.0. It's a more beautiful lens in terms of rendering than the 1/4 or 1.8, generally sharper at the edges of the frame, and just delightful in every way mechanically. You'll want the Ai version for your camera. There is no AI-S version despite what someone said above. <br>

The 28mm -- Nikon's 28mm f/2 (Ai or Ai-S) and it's 28mm f/2.8 (AI-S only -- do not buy the Ai version of this lens, it is very different optically and markedly inferior by all reports) -- are famously great. Distinctly better than their 24mm lenses. The 28mm f/2.8 Ai-S will run you over $200 usually; the f/2 runs $300 and up. Usually. Keep an eye out. </p>

<p>How to distinguish the AI-S from Ai, you properly ask? Well, the f/stop numbers on the Ai and Ai-s run both above and below the rim down at the bottom of the camera. In AI_S lenses the smallest aperture (f/16 or f/22 in these cases) on both lines is orange. In Ai lenses they are different colors below from above. But there is an even better way: serial numbers. use this page, it's EXCELLENT: </p>

<p><a href="http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html">http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html</a>. If you click on the lens ID you'll get a picture of the lens. </p>