If only I had listened to the wisdom of those old guys decades ago when I was a budding photographer, I might not have wasted gobs of money and emotion pinning away for fast exotic and expensive lenses. What I wanted was seldom ever what I needed. Now I am an old guy and the new kids don’t want to hear from me either. Funny how that works.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I’m exactly the same, nobody could tell me what to do and now I wish I’d listened more.

@jonlouis2582

4 жыл бұрын

I laughed out loud at this, same here.

@sc0or

4 жыл бұрын

That's why it's no doubts a good idea to buy used lenses which you can sell for the same price after some time. They are like gold. I tried so many L lenses (when I was young and thought Canons are good cameras) and almost every lens for my medium format cameras -)) Not to find one which will make perfect pictures for me, but because it was interesting to test them all.

@mikafoxx2717

4 ай бұрын

​@@sc0or Lenses certainly hold their value much better. I can take an old 2005 5D digital and a really good lens, and nobody would be able to tell I was using a 19 year old camera in most cases. I do use autofocus lenses, but second hand EF lenses are getting cheap with people selling off their stuff to buy mirrorless stuff. Good lenses stay good. Though, maybe old lenses weren't as needing to resolve 50 megapixels as film, even 50 iso film was likely not more than 24, and usually under 12 in practice.

The 85/2 is fantastic!

That's the great thing about older lenses, they are pretty much all sharp. Everything was quality back then. I shot Canon in the 80's and still have the camera and lenses.

Really enjoyed the video. I am restarting film photography after a 20 year hiatus. I have a FM2 and have acquired similar lenses. My trinity is a 28mm f2.8, 50mm f1.8 pancake and the 105mm f25. I new addition is the 55mm micro Nikkor f3.5 AI that I am just testing.

@SteveONions

10 ай бұрын

I’m sure you’ll get in just fine with the outfit Daniel, those lenses are made to last.

@danielmadrigal8831

10 ай бұрын

@@SteveONions thanks! After 20 years, relearning all the old tricks of manual photography has been a blast. Trying new types of film, it is amazing the variety we have now in Costa Rica, enven more than 20 years ago when all we had was Kodak and a little bit of Agfa. Cheers

Thanks Steve, for another much interesting video. Your vlog, reminds me of the enthusiasm I felt, in the 90s, every month, with the publication of another new issue of Modern Photography and the pleasure of picking it up from the newstand and finally starting to read . It’s the same enthusiasm I get when I see a notification for a new video, of yours. I do not doubt the immense work that is behind each one of them, but, in addition to the content of the maximum technical competence, what also enchants me is the simple, precise and certain way, as everything is shown and spoken. At least, that's how I see them. What is absolutely consistent with this line of Nikkor lenses and, the message that passes from it, the very old but always current saying - often, less is more.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ricardo. Less definitely is more in photography as in so many other walks of life. I fully know that I do not need all the cameras and lenses I own and on more than one occasion I've sold off most of my equipment to start again and 'keep it simple' I invariably slip back into old habits and end up buying the same stuff back again as it makes me happy and I find the choice is what inspires me to go out shooting. Every camera and lens has its place from the humble Holga and Pinhole right up to the 8x10. Whatever the weather is doing I know I can find something in the collection that will suit the conditions perfectly. All the best, Steve.

Always a great video from you Steve. Thanks for your efforts. Cheers mate.

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks John.

Your videos and ambience you create is very much homely and makes your viewers a part of the process of film photography. This reminds me of the good old days of 1987s when i was learning black n white photography. Best luck and cheers to you🌱

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it took you back Rajshekhar 😊

Very nice collection! I really enjoyed the video. Thanks.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much Marco :)

Well done video! I love film and manual focus lenses.

Lovely collection Steve. I have a similar collection using the original Olympus OM cameras, which Newton Ellis have kept in superb working condition for me.

Great great kit!!!!! Similar to mine and like you absolutely love ❤️ those older Nikons

Excellent and succinct overview of a nice personal collection of Nikkor lenses. Well done.

@SteveONions

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙂

Great video, thanks Steve. Putting together a film kit based on your recommendations! Picked up a mint 135 3.5 yesterday to start. Thank you!

@SteveONions

11 ай бұрын

Hope the outfit gets built up soon David, still lots of excellent examples of old Nikkors out there.

Excellent video presentation. Extremely useful !

I shoot primarily digital (although I'm branching out into film) and I love my vintage Nikkors. In particular, my 55mm f/1.2 (pre-AI) and my 105mm f/2.5 AI-s see a ton of use. They're just such a joy to use, and I love the way they render.

Brings back memories. I made my living with this very line of lenses on a couple of winder equipped FMs and F2s back in the 80s as a press photographer. Except the 2.0/50mil. Not a pancake like your 1.8 but strictly symmetrical thus could be reversed easily for a quick macro/repro shot.

@Jupiter2ignite

3 жыл бұрын

I love the rendering of the nikkor auto H 50mm f2 on my D700. It's the single coated one. Super sharp, and has a certain look. It's been hailed as the japanese summicron

Thanks for making this making video Steve. It emphasizes the right tools for the right job. Most people including me at one point was into getting a lens with the widest aperture, but I shoot mostly landscapes and occasionally take pictures of my kids. But your video reminds me that I do not need such wide open aperture lenses which are far more affordable as they are less sought after. Those Nikkor lenes you showed there is an excellent collection. Thanks once again.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Satish, I also wanted the fast lenses but they are irrelevant for the vast majority of photographers.

Nice review. I’ve always loved the Nikkor O 35mm f2. Lovely lens.

Great content Steve, I remember saving up to buy the EL2, and then to My favourite pre- digital Nikon, the superb F4s.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Both lovely cameras Ron 👍

Great gear tour, thank you! My dad’s Nikkormat FT2 became my first camera and I have loved using it for years and years, ever since my first college photography class when I had only one lens for i! (This was before eBay, and I haunted flea markets and used camera stores but those rabbit-eared lenses were hard to find...) Now I have a nice handful of primes to use, including a Nikkor 45mm pancake that I find is great for urban/street or any long walk, really. There is a “crispness” unique to images made with Nikkor lenses. :)

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I bet the use of the Nikkormat and single lens was a great way to learn photography Laura, more of that approach is needed today methinks. I'd love to try the 45mm pancake too as I prefer that focal length to 50mm - most of my medium format standard lenses equate to 45mm and I can feel the difference compared to 50mm.

I love your references to build quality - the feel of some old lenses is just immaculate. I have used Nikon gear through film and now digital and have a lovely set of 4 35mm AF primes. I recently bought a used D750 Full frame and I am looking forward to using them with that.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I have also thought about getting a few AF primes for the little F80 Keith, which ones do you have?

@keithratcliffe5576

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions I have a 24 2.8D, a 28 2.8, a 35 2D, a beautiful 50 1.4D and a 16 2.8D fisheye. I was friendly with a guy in Jessops in Coventry where I then lived and he looked out for stuff for me so all except the 50mm came from there. I used them extensively on an F90x and then just before switching to digital an F100. I still have both cameras and occasinally put a film through them. BTW they work very well with the D750 - I wasn't sure if it had a mechanical AF connection but checked before buying it.

OUTSTANDING!! I enjoyed that you speak highly of these old lenses. I try hard to share the great optical quality of these lenses, but hardly anyone wants to believe it. I just say, more for us. I have all except the 28mm f4. You should try the 180 2.8, wow! Nikon made some of the greatest lenses to date. Again, it was so wonderful to hear you show the passion that you have for these lenses. It was like seeing my own passion in someone else. Have a great day!

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it isn’t just me who likes these lenses. I couldn’t ask for more in a lineup to be honest.

Excellent video, love the channel!

That's a beautiful collection Steve. I have a similar one with a few variations of course. I have a sweet spot for the Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 in my collection. Love using full frame lenses on my D7000 crop frame camera. I feel with less glass the more dimension shows up on the image and many of those older Nikkor lenses only use four elements. A superb line of lenses designed for one filter size, compatible with all Nikon F mounts back to the 50's. Thanks for the video. Keep safe and healthy. Cheers from Nova Scotia, Canada.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Wayne, I really need to get a 105 soon. I like the low element count lenses in general as it gives images with more character.

@GregoryVeizades

4 жыл бұрын

I also have a 105mm f/2.5 as well as the 135mm f/2.8. Tough to pick between them but the 105 tends to have less contrast.

@barrycohen311

4 жыл бұрын

@@GregoryVeizades I think that 105mm is the infamous "Afghan Girl" lens? Whatta photo that was... I have the 135mm f/2.8 and it is a great lens. I got a really clean copy from a seller in Japan.

@PPISAFETY

2 жыл бұрын

Funny that you mention the D7000. I have one made late in its production history, and I love it, especially with the manual focus Nikkors. It is a small thing to most photographers, but I have a very nice shot of the full moon that I took handheld in my yard in south Florida, with my D7000 and the 200mm F4 AI lens. A city official saw it on my mobile phone one day, and now a 16x24 inch framed print that they asked me to sign hangs in the lobby of our city hall. The level of detail produced by that 16mp camera and a 40 year old lens, bought for $40 USD is amazing.

@h.e.hazelhorst9838

8 ай бұрын

Yeah, there’s nothing wrong with getting nearer to your subject to get the right shot.

Great video lot of recognition since I have collected a range of primes for my F3 HP absolute superb lenses are the 50mm F1.2 and the 85mm F1.4 though not the cheapest.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Not cheap indeed Aad but lovely glass, I would love to try those one day.

This is a very interesting video. I also love Nikon's manual focus lenses.

Beautiful collection my dream list 👍🏻

Enjoyable video Steve given the fact that my pride and joy is my Nikon F2. Therefore a video like this is right in my wheelhouse.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it 🙂

Awesome video thank you I love small Nikon primes. The E versions are very impressive for the cost

Thanks for validating my love of these lenses. I have the 200mm which I never use but also the 55mm Micro Nikor and the 50mm 1.4. I wish used them more.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Our 200mm's would get on fine, neither gets any use!

Looking forward to more film videos. I too, have all those Nikkor prime lenses save for the 85mm (I have it by another maker) but I also have the 55mm macro, the 24mm, the 105mm f2.5 and the 300mm 4.5, they are great. I recently obtained the 60mm f2.8 & the 105mm f2.8 macros.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I'm jealous !!!

Steve, I love your Nikkor lens collection! And I love that you use a Nikkormat FT2. I have one too and I think it's totally underrated. I'm sure you know even though the 50mm f/1.8 doesn't have metering prongs it can still meter on your Nikkormat by using the stop down feature. I also have the 28mm f/3.5 AI and I have been blown away with this lens' sharpness. I have 50mm f/1.4D and 85mm f/1.8D lenses which double as AF lenses on my D700. An excellent lineup you have.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

You’re right, stop down metering works fine too 😀

I have three of the E Series lenses and I just love them!

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I used to have a set too Grantley, I miss them (and might buy them back!).

Thanks for the tips. I'm just returning to film photography and already have 4 of the lenses you mention as I rebuild my kit. This makes me feel confident in my choices so far. The 85mm is next!

@SteveONions

9 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful Michael, the 85mm is one of my favourites.

Great collection, I have the 35mm and 85mm. The 35 is my goto lens for my nikon FA. The 85, I was unsure of ghe start with, but recently started using it on my d7100 and love it.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I think they make a lovely pairing Henry 👍🙂

Earlier this year I decided to make my F2 my dedicated B&W camera for many of the reasons you cited. Light weight, easy to use and just plain simple to use. I love the fact that all of the lenses are 52mm. I happen to have the same line up except I have a 24 mm instead of the 20 mm The 135 mm is probably the most underrated lens. Great lens for portraits. I prefer the 105 to the 85 mm but both are great.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

The 52mm filter size is really important to me Michael, I hate messing around with adapters or overly large options.

Thanks for this very helpfull video. I use 105 micro nikkor f4.0 Ai and its very good !

I have all these lenses exept 28mm and 50mm. Fantastic lenses, they work great with my D750 :)

Beautiful instruments!! D.

I just recently got into Nikon film cameras. I have the 35Ti and a really sweet F3 HP with the 50mm 1.8. I'm totally blown away by their quality and just how fantastic they feel in your hand. Delicate yet a solid as a brick. I'm adding a Nikkor Micro 105mm 2.8 Ai-s which I should have in several days.

@SteveONions

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you are enjoying the Nikon system Sophie, that 105mm micro is a bit of a star.

I love the 24 mm 1.8 Nikkor and the 105 mm 2.5 lenses. I agree with your choices!

I totally agree with you that the Nikon FM, FE, FE2, most of that part of the Nikon range come to that , are superbly compact and comfortably portable for carrying all day with this range of lenses. I could not have imagined being without mine as a professional. A great introduction for film users Steve, and for all of the right reasons.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gary, it seems there are a lot of us who still value this lineup.

I particularly like the 55mm f3.5 macro, which I use with an attachment on my Fuji xt3.

@SteveONions

Жыл бұрын

Nice lens 👍

Iv'e also got a nice collection of old nikon prime lenses I am using on a new fuji xt4 and the results are fabulous. The look and feel of the vintage style camera and video capabilities are hard to beat.

@SteveONions

3 жыл бұрын

I agree, I found older lenses look lovely on modern cameras.

Love your Nikkor lineup Steve. I have an FE2 and currently only have the 28, 50 and 100mm Series E range. But even the budget Series E lenses are still built very well and take great images, particularly when stopped down. Maybe one day i will replace them with the full blooded Nikkors. The 52mm filter threads are so convenient.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Good choice Milo. Those 3 lenses will cover most uses and I never had any issue with the E series lenses I owned.

I'm using the 200mm F4 Ai for my headshots... The clients love the photos and even me...I used so many 70-200,135 and 85 but that one...The contrast is sweet !

@SteveONions

Жыл бұрын

I also like the 200 f/4 but it doesn’t get out enough sadly.

A great collection of Nikkor lenses. My favourite is the 50mm 1.8 pancake. Another lens you might want to consider is the 55mm 2.8 micro Nikkor it is a cracking lens. 👍

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Cheers Nick. I used to have the 55mm Macro but it ended up dumping oil all over the apertures blades and I sold it very cheaply. Should have got it CLA'd 😕

That's a great collection of lenses. A few months ago I bought a Nikon F100, and I'm slowly starting to build a set of lenses for it. There's a few there in your set that I'm off to learn more about!

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Good choice Glenn, the build quality has ensured that there are still many many lenses out there in perfect working conditions.

Nice collection. With you on the Nikon thing. If there were a fire at my house and I could only grab one set up I think it would be my Nikon F3HP and a 50mm f1.2 - and I say that in preference to my F, F2, F4, F5, M6 and Leica glass, Rolliflex, all my canon and Olympus stuff etc etc. The Nikon and its lenses has been with me pretty much since day one in the early eighties and been around the world with me.... Cant wait to see the urban stuff by the way!

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Marc and that's a nice range of cameras you have there. I love shooting handheld with the manual focus gear and hopefully I'll cover at least one day out shooting in an urban environment this year.

This is a really nice collection!

@SteveONions

Жыл бұрын

Thank you, I’ve also been adding to my autofocus collection of F mount lenses.

Lovely collection , Steve. I've had most of those you've shown, and was ever delighted with them. And I am so grateful to Nikon that it produces digital bodies to accept those old beauties.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

We are very lucky to have such choice Gene, using the same lens mount for 60 years was a brilliant move.

@Machster10

3 жыл бұрын

I did not even know that current Nikon camera bodies accepted these lenses.

@genegoranov5865

3 жыл бұрын

@@Machster10 dslr's do, but as to mirror less you have to get an adapter.

@Robert96904

Жыл бұрын

f

Nice presentation. I sold almost all of my cpu lenses and just bought a second hand 24mm ai-s. It’s in the mail. I have always wanted some old Nikon glass but never got around to actually buy. I’m really excited to try it out.

@SteveONions

7 ай бұрын

I have bought and sold a lot of Nikon lenses but don’t want to part with the older manual focus models if possible, so satisfying to use.

I'm a recent convert! Been shooting ALL types of film cameras for 6 decades. Have literally drawers full of all brands and types of 35mm cameras/lenses. I just ventured into Nikons. F, FTn, FT2, and non AI lenses. Boy What I have been missing! Thought they were all fluff and brand name recognition. I WAS WRONG! The drawers will be emptying out! Thanks for your channel! Great stuff!

@SteveONions

3 жыл бұрын

Welcome to the wonderful world of Nikon Wayne 😊

The 85mm is the best portrait lens I've ever owned. Just beautiful for family pictures.

Very interesting Steve, thanks for sharing. I'm just an old guy that likes to take casual snapshots, but I happen to use almost the very same lenses, my 50 is a very similar series E, and my 135 is a K f/2.8 that had belonged to an older gent before me. The 20mm and 35mm are looking pretty rough, but they still work fine. I had expected the series E 50 to fall apart years ago, so I bought a back up copy, but it soldiers on, as well as the FM-10 that it was mounted on.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I've been very impressed with the E series lenses Jon and found them better built than most 3rd party versions. Even a well worn Nikkor can give excellent results and they seem to soldier on for years.

I enjoy using Nikon F mount lenses on my Canon FD cameras with an adapter ring. They're great.

I recently acquired a 135mm f2.8 E series. Beautiful lens

@mrtrailesafety

4 жыл бұрын

bennyob01 the 135 is a gorgeous portrait lens.

I'm an Olympus/Zuiko guy myself, but I can completely relate to the various reasons you give for owning and using your Nikkors. The Zuikos are truly diminutive while not sacrificing anything on the image quality front. On film especially, they're outstanding. Beautifully engineered too with the best focus feel of any lenses I've ever tried. I also feel that 3.5s and even slower longer telephotos are typically bargains and often even better optically than their faster equivalents for only a half or two-thirds stop difference in speed, which is trivial. Much lighter too. The Zuiko 135 f3.5 weighs 290g, for comparison.

@SteveONions

Жыл бұрын

I had an Olympus setup for some time and also found the lenses to be excellent and small. I wish other manufacturers had made the likes of the 200mm f/5.

I would agree with you that Nikon compatibility across the range is one of there strongest points, that and the availability of all the focal lengths and for every budget. Many thanks Steve.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Phillip. The range is so extensive you could spend a lifetime and small fortune amassing it.

I have the same kit except for the 135. Instead I have the 105 2.5 which I must say is also excellent. And you’re absolutely right, I love to take these with my FM3a for travel photography. Good stuff :).

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Ooh, FM3a, very nice 😊

Very nice line-up indeed :) I'm also in love with the vintage AI and AI-S. A 16mm fisheye or one of the 105mm (or even the 300mm) would fit into your collection too. I'm sure you would enjoy the Micro-Nikkors (55, 105, 135) as well..

@SteveONions

3 жыл бұрын

I’d love some of those too - maybe this year !

I have to agree with you on all of these lenses, I have a good collection of Non AI , AI and AI-s lenses as well. the one I dont have yet that you showed is the 35mm..but will be keeping an eye out for a good example. I have both the 2.8 and 3.5 version of the 135 mm lens and as you said, there's no real difference between them in image quality. the little 50mm AI-s pancake lens is another brilliant one, I ended up getting 2 I was so happy with mine. the 20mm is another I'm yet to get but will one day. the build quality of the old all metal Nikkors is also superb, they'll out last us and our cameras. thanks for a great informative video.

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

I also liked the 50mm E series along with the 100mm too. Glad you like the 135 f/3.5 as it features in this weeks video.

hello Steve, love your channel, always top quality videos (and photos!) personally i find the best mf nikkor is the 55mm micro-nikkor, either 2.8 or 3.5. very sharp, flat field and zero distortion.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, very nice lenses. I had the f/3.5 version about 10 years ago but it died with oily aperture blades sadly 😕

Love these old lenses too! I standardized on just 3 in my film days; the 24 2.8, 50 f2 H, and 200 f4 Q. Always wanted the 85 f2, but never got one. Shot with FM & FE, then FM II, & FE II, then F3.

@SteveONions

Жыл бұрын

Nice solid setup 👍

I have the Micro 55mm F2.8 ais and have just fell in love shooting with it. So sharp and close focuses as close as I want. Plus it so affordable. On the other end I picked up a 135mm F2 and it is a very special but chunky lens. I shoot them on the F3hp.

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

I used to have the 55mm but it died, oil everywhere sadly 🙁

Great film Steve!

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙂

Nice! This guy has several lenses I owned myself… I used them with the Nikkormat FTn, Nikon FE and FE2. The 135mm/3.5 is superb. I still have a 50/1.8D and 200/4.

@h.e.hazelhorst9838

8 ай бұрын

The 85/2 was a perfect match to the 35/2. At the time, I did weddings and other ceremonies, these lenses did everything. And the FE had the best ergonomics of all time! No feature bloat, everything at your fingertips. This camera, and the FE2, was a true workhorse.

Absolutely agree. Phenomonal lenses on any of my DSLR's or SLR's. Have them all plus many more manual Nikkors.Only use AF for wildlife/sports.The 105mm f2.5 and 105 mm f4 Micro are also worthy of mention.

@SteveONions

8 ай бұрын

They just don’t build them like that any more 🙂

I come from the 52mm filter Nikon days. It was much more common to use filters back then. Mostly because of BW film shooting, but also for polarizers and split neutral density filters for landscapes. Galen Rowell was my hero as I grew up near where he did, and he really changed the face of photography. I’ve owned most of the lenses shown here over time. The build quality blows away just about anything made these days! I have some from the seventies that work like new. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

@SteveONions

3 ай бұрын

I was also brought up on 52mm filters and even to this day hate carrying lenses with different diameters. Galen really was the master of lightweight gear and showed the importance of getting into the right place at the right time.

What a nice video, I've just ordered a mint condition 135mm f3.5 from Japan for £69 after watching this. I've been looking at buying an AF 135mm F2 but I can't really justify spending that much just to have some fun with a 135mm lens. Liked and subscribed! Thanks

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

Have fun with the 135mm, I have a video coming up soon using that lens to great effect.

Would be very interested to see more of your cityscape work Steve

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I'll definitely cover that side of my work this year Albert, just need to figure out how to do it without looking like a total idiot!!

@_julen__

4 жыл бұрын

Steve O'Nions Haha, yeah I can imagine vlogging is a lot easier with only sheep to witness it, looking forward to it anyhow!

Just bought a Nikon F3, perfect timing for this video !

@photog1529

4 жыл бұрын

Better get some lenses quick...Steve may have just raised the prices on Ebay. :)

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I had an F3 about 10 years ago, almost mint for £120 then I went and sold it a year later 😢

@Reversefilms

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions I was torn between the F3 and the Fe2. I hope I made the right decision, I got it for a very good price. They're going anywhere from £200 to almost £600 now !

@Ryan-lu9km

3 жыл бұрын

@@Reversefilms Good luck with it ! You might miss the 1/250 flash sync on the FE2, or if you don't use flash never bother... The F3 is solid and can have many acessories, waist level finder, mirror lockup, motor drive etc. Only thing is that the F3 is pretty hard to use with flash (as mentioned), because of 1/80 flash sync and a proprietary hot shoe that works only with dedicated Nikon flashes. Motor drive is quick bulkier that the FE2's, and the LCD display of the F3 is dimmer and harder to read than the neddle lightmeter of the FE2/FE.

I've got a similar setup with my Minolta x-700. I have 24, 35, 50 and 135. I also have the Jupiter 9 I can use with an adapter on my X-700. I often adapt them to my Fuji X-T2 and they have far more character than modern day clinical lenses.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I've found the same Howie, the images look more natural and less contrasty which suits my type of photography.

When I chose to go full frame Nikon, with a 700, then a 750, I was delighted to pull out my stable of old trusty manual Nikon lenses. And I looked forward to hearing you praise your beloved living antiques. Imagine my surprise that we did not share a single lens in the whole range! No 24mm, no 55 macro, no f/1.4 50mm (that came with my original Nikormat?) No 105 for portraits?. It shows how a line of lenses covering the same focal length range could satisfy so many specific and discriminating needs with no overlap at all. What an amazing time that was! My only disappointment was that my beloved 24mm was a very early model with poor coating and could not handle backlght without terrible flare, something I hadn't notice back then. Apparently, the optical formula for that lens was used for years, so I replaced with with a recent autofocus version that can handle the flare with ease. Still beautiful lens.

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

There are so many old Nikkors to chose from it’s entirely possible for a full range to differ from another user. It’s quite incredible that such old equipment can still be adapted for modem use, not many other examples I can think of.

Great video, Steve! I’m not quite ready to get an FE, but I’m keeping an eye open. I typically use a D700. I’ve got the 20mm/4 and love it. I’ve also got the 135/3.5 and an old Q 135/2.8 and I think there’s better contrast with the 3.5. I’ve also got a Q 200/4 , but would love to have the AI version. I’ll have to consider the others! Thanks for the informative video!

@SteveONions

4 ай бұрын

Lovely lenses and I also have a D700. The 135 f/3.5 is one of my favourites and there’s nothing anywhere near as compact in the autofocus range.

Beautiful stuff, Steve, I have the same 85 and 200. And I have the 135/2.8 and the 50/1.4. I still want the pancake too because it's so small and light ^_^ but I need cover the wide end better, indeed -- I haven't (yet) done a lot of landscapes. Cheers!

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

It's a never ending quest - thankfully!!

Looking forward to seeing your urban photography! And it's funny: my entry into the Nikon world was the very F301 with the 50mm f/1.8 pancake you just showed in your video. The rest of my Nikon lenses are all from the AF series to go with the F90x. No difference regarding the glass, but their plastic framing causes eye cancer, especially when mounted on older cameras!

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I'm planning to give my 301 some use this year Carsten, I forgot just how bright and clear that viewfinder was and the little hand grip is perfect too. Agree totally on the AF stuff!!

@carstenlueter2250

4 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately, my 301 gave up on me already in the 90's and I was kind of fed up with both the noise of the motor and the electronics, so I went for an FM2 back then...still one of my favourites!

Great video

@SteveONions

4 ай бұрын

Thanks!

I used them on DSLR, the feeling of their focus rings and image quality were simply amazing compare to modern lenses.

Back in the seventies, I bought my first SLR--a Nikkormat, just like the one you showed. I wanted Nikon optics but couldn't afford the F-series bodies. Over the years I've acquired other lenses and bodies so I've got a pretty heavy camera bag now. Ironically, I chose Canon for digital when I got into that a decade or so ago, but you've got me thinking now I should look at used Nikon DSLR bodies to make more use of my lenses. I still shoot film on occasion, but not nearly as often as digital. I really lust after that 20mm f4 ultra wide.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

I think a Nikon body would go well with your lenses Lex. I have bought and sold a few Nikon DSLR's as I didn't like the feel of them but I may well try again at some point.

Great collection! Two lenses are missing which I think are great lenses as well. The Nikkor 55mm Micro f2.8 and/or the Nikkor 60mm Micro f2.8d.

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

I agree, I had a 55 f/3.5 but it died an oily death about 15 years ago so I should really get another dedicated macro.

No "indulgence" needed here. It's a great guide. Down-to-earth, can be used as a starting point or just as it is

@SteveONions

Жыл бұрын

Thanks John.

Please do a video about your urban work soon, I would be totally interested to see your work and subjects!

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Will do 😀

I have pretty much the same lenses that you do and I'm very happy with them. Try out the 55mm 2.8 micro and the 105mm 2.5...those are so lovely!

@laurarivera7406

4 жыл бұрын

I second that recommendation; love using my 55 mm micro!

@michaelakamatsu

4 жыл бұрын

The 55mm micro is one that I don't have. I'll have a look around. Thanks for the tip.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Both on my radar - I had the 55 but sold it cheap when it got oily aperture blades !

Started with a bellows and slowly built a nice collection of AI/AIs glass. The 20mm and 135mm f/2.8 and a 50mm f/1.8 and the 105mm for my bellows. Shooting alot more B&W.

good one Steve !!! ... I have 3 Nikkormats , 2 FTN's and a EL ... the NON AI lenses are a very cheap way to get Nikkor lenses ..... I have several that were GREAT deals ... and they work well on my Canon 5D :)

Thanks Steve.

Very interesting. I have over the last 2 years bought some manual focus Nikkor lenses. (24, 100, 135 & 180, all f/2.8) for use on 810. They certainly do have a feel to them, and they are robust and sharp. The 100 is an E-series, but still wonderful performance.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Very true Anthony, that lineup will still give excellent images on something as new as the 810. The 100E is indeed a superb lens.

@anthonybeggs9173

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions Many thanks for your reply. They are all exquisitely sharp, and have made me think more about composing a photo. I have taken an ear of barley with the 180 at f/4 and it is magical. I have cropped images with the 100 to about 1/20th and still great detail.

I have so many of Nikon's manual lenses, but none of these. I used them on my Fuji S2 & S3, and now on my Nikon D7200. They're just fabulous. Built like tanks, and still produce wonderful images. As long as you can work around their shortcomings, you'll enjoy them.

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely 👍

@user-lm7pf3tx4h

Жыл бұрын

I have D7200 and I'm planning to buy a second hand 28mm f2 AI lens but I'm not sure if it will work on my camera. Do you have an idea?

@globalfunseeker6733

Жыл бұрын

@@user-lm7pf3tx4h Hi Peter, I see no reason why it wouldn't work. Hit the menu button and scroll down to the 5th icon (Setup Menu). Hit the right side of the command dial. Then scroll down the menus until you see Non-CPU lens data. Again, hit the right side of the command dial. For Lens Number, choose any number. If it's the first non-CPU lens you're adding then select #1. You can add as many an nine different lenses. Hit the bottom of the command dial until the Focal Length (mm) option is selected. Set the focal length. In your case that would be 28mm. Hit the bottom of the command dial one last time to select the Maximum Aperture Setting. Set it to f2.0. Then you're done. You have to manually select it when using it so that the camera can identify the lens. There are short cuts so that you don't have to go through the Menu system every time you want to select the lens. Let me know if you have any other questions. Again, I don't see why that lens wouldn't pair with the camera. You have to stay away from non-Ai lenses until they've been converted. Non-Ai lenses will not mount to the D7200.

I enjoyed seeing this. I have the same set of manual focus Nikkors, except that I have the 105mm f2.5 rather than the 85mm f2, which I used to own. It was a fine lens, but a friend offered me at least double what it was worth so I let him have it. My 28mm f3.5, which I think is an underrated lens, came to me without its meter prong. That annoyed me to look at, and it wasn't fully functional on my older F's. I got a prong and screws on eBay from BRCamera (he still has some as of now). They are $13 USD plus $5 to ship. You might live a little and "upgrade" your 50mm with a prong. It only takes a minute and a small screwdriver. Not only are these lenses optically fine for any realistic photographic purpose, using devices of such high mechanical quality is a joy compare d to today's plastic Chinese lenses. I have some autofocus Nikkors and they are great as well, but using them just isn't quite the same experience.

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree Tom, wonderful lenses.

I like the Nikon holy trinity. 24mm 2.8af 50mm 1.4 ai 105mm 2.5 ai

I own 8 Nikon film cameras and something like 30 or so lenses from 20mm up to 300mm. I have used them from journalism to landscape to macro work. I have found though, that one of my favorite lenses to use on my Nikon bodies is the Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4. Nikon glass will last decades if stored in proper, low humidity environments. Great to use adapted to mirrorless cameras too. If you are looking to save a few dollars, look at the AI version of the lenses. In the 28mm range, the f/2 is the best all around, the f/2.8 AIS is best close up, but not as good at infinity, and the f/3.5 is stellar in the center of the frame but weaker in the corners. I own two 28mm f/2’s, but my favorite 28mm is a Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 pancake that was only made for a few years. Like others have said, the 105mm f/2.5 is a legendary lens, but I have found the 75mm-150mm f/3.5 to be near as good and a great budget event photography lens to use.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Zach, you have an extensive range of lenses, I am jealous! I've never looked into the Voigtlanders but will do some research, if you have any links I'd be grateful. I also love the shot tele zooms and often carry a Kiron 70-150 f/4 that does most of what I need when coupled with a 20 and 35 prime.

Thank you for this review Steve. You have a lovely collection of older Nikkor primes, all of which are sharp enough for all but obsessive pixel-peepers (some of which would satisfy even that crowd). And we all know that sharpness is by no means the sole criterion by which to judge photographs - not by a mile. Moreover, modern lenses - most of them ultra-sharp - have plastic components, are stuffed to the gunnels with electronics, and have a finite life. The masterpieces of engineering that are older Nikkors can confidently be passed on to one's children and grandchildren. Mind you, if lenses were made like that today, their cost would be prohibitive and pretty much signal the end of future lens sales. BTW, the Nikkor 180 mm f/2.8 ED AI-s is nothing short of a masterpiece - both mechanically and optically.

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

I couldn’t agree more. I have mid range and cheap lenses from 40 years ago that feel better than pro lenses from today. The simplicity of design and robustness means years of trouble free use and great satisfaction in their operation. Watch out for a video coming soon on exactly this subject 🙂

@AntPDC

2 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions Looking forward to it Steve. BTW, I'm very much enjoying your pinhole series. I'm guessing that one could poke a small hole through the body cap of any DSLR/mirrorless camera and get similar results, right?

@PPISAFETY

2 жыл бұрын

Hello AntPDC. I've been very curious about the 180mm f2.8. Since you've used it, I wonder if you think it is worth owning if one already has the 200mm f4? I love that lens and my only complaint is that I wish it focused a bit closer. What is your opinion? Thanks!

@joanarling

Жыл бұрын

@@PPISAFETY Well, I'm not ANtPDC, but anyway... I think, the 4/200 is better for travel (small filter vs 72mm), but among my bagful of lenses -- if I were allowed to keep only two, these would be the 105/3.5 and the 180/2.8. Perhaps my UWA, 12-24/4.5, too. For the pure joy of using it, the 180 is well worth it. From a purely pragmatic POV, perhaps not, but we do what we do for the love of it, don't we?

It's really interesting you do a work you haven't featured on the channel. I'd love your walkthrough on your body of work in general. What do you do when you don't shoot vlogs, etc.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Good point, I video at lot of what I shoot nowadays but not the urban subjects - I'll definitely rectify that this year.

@JonnyRobbie

4 жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions "But who *is* Mr. O'Nions exactly?" Joking aside, I appreciate you have a personal life you want to keep for yourself, and I don't suppose your youtube persona is that much different from your real-life you (like in the case of some mainstream contemporary content creators), but I'd love to learn about you as much as you let.

One very important issue relating to these old, manual lenses often goes overlooked, and that is the ease of cleaning them. In Central America, where I reside, there's no way to service most of the newer, autofocus lenses, and with the heat and humidity being what it is, that's of great concern. The lenses have to be shipped to the US, either to the manufacturer or an authorized dealer for cleansing, and that costs a heap of money. In many cases, more than the lens is worth. I've had two Tamron lenses, neither of which was weather sealed, develop fungus, but couldn't get them cleaned/repaired. Whereas, the local Nikon tech guy has no problem cleaning my Ai-S lenses. For people living nearer to authorized service centers this isn't often a concern, but it makes more sense for me to invest in old, manual lenses that I can service, than newer, autofocus lenses that will later have to be tossed.

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

That’s an interesting point that I’d never considered. I suppose it applies to other areas like manual bodies v modern electronic models.

You have a very nice collection of manual focus Nikkor lenses. My collection is similar but I use two macro lenses. 180mm f/2.8 135mm f/3.5 105mm f/2.8 macro 85mm f/1.8 55mm f/3.5 macro 35mm f/2 28mm f/3.5 24mm f/2 18mm f/3.5 I use my lenses on Nikon F2 and F4 bodies.

@SteveONions

Жыл бұрын

Nice set, I also have an F4 for occasional use.

@Narsuitus

Жыл бұрын

@@SteveONions My F4 is my only autofocus film camera. I use it when I shoot my auto focus Nikon zoom lenses and my only three auto focus Nikkor prime lenses (14mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.4, and 85mm f/1.4).

I've gotten int adapted lenses over teh last couple of years. Once you let go of autofocus and auto iris (who does that anyway?) your options expand exponentially. Likewise once you stop limiting yourself to sub f2 primes there are a lot of great options. That washed out f1.4 look only works on hipster glamor shots anyway. Haven't tried Nikkor yet. Currently exploring Contax-Yashica and Russian glass.

Nice! I’ve mostly focused on M42, especially Takumar’s, but am interested in the Nikon’s.

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Eris. Some nice M42’s out there like the tiny 135 f/3.5 🙂

@sparkleglitch13

4 жыл бұрын

Steve O'Nions I actually have my dad’s original copy of this lens he bought in 1976 :-) haha

Hi Steve it seems we got similar collection : I just got a 135mm F2.8 and a 24mm but thé rest is thé same. For caméras I got an FE and an FM2 and I really love them. I was zoom addict with my digital cameras but what a pleasure to use thèse AI prime lenses which are at a very good price on eBay. And with film you take you Time before shotting as 36 pictures come fast.

@SteveONions

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you’re enjoying the film cameras Phil, despite price rises in recent years they’re still excellent value.

I have two Nikon F's, and always end up with the 50mm F2, I've had the 1.4 before, which is a nice object, but in practical use the F2 is better as it's sharp right up to F2, the 1.4 isn't. Thanks for sharing your collection, I would like to try the 80mm at some point!

@SteveONions

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Simon, I also find the slower lenses to be optically superior at normal apertures. You sacrifice a lot for that extra stop.