new (old!) 135mm f2.8 AI-s MF .... what next!?

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So just picked up an old 135mm f2.8 AI-s Manual Focus Nikkor (I'd guess 1983ish - very good condition with no dust/fungus and only tiny tiny cleaning scratches... need to look hard to find them).

Here are some shots from the garden... just 'testing' so nothing special... really enjoyed the experience of shooting with full manual focus and controls :). Taken at sundown so ISO is a little high to show off the full sharpness (and I'm in no doubt I need more practice @ MF) but still... what a bargain :). £100.


NNikkor 135mm f2.8 AI-s (1983 lens). by _Jo Gray, on Flickr
D7000 | ISO 1250 | 1/200 | f2.8 | 135mm


Nikkor 135mm f2.8 AI-s (1983 lens). by _Jo Gray, on Flickr
D7000 | ISO 1250 | 1/200 | f2.8 | 135mm


Nikkor 135mm f2.8 AI-s (1983 lens). by _Jo Gray, on Flickr
D7000 | ISO 360 | 1/160 | f2.8 | 135mm

So what next as a manual focus old lens :)? 105 f2.5 perhaps... 180mm f2.8 ... something wider?
 
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I have this lens myself which I bought a few years ago, and is a terrific lens to use, and were still in production up to around 2003/4. As for which to go for next, well there are plenty of manual focus Nikkors at your disposal, depending on the type of photography you enjoy. Perhaps you might like a couple of prime wide angles to go with your choice of telephoto lenses.
 
I've got the 35mm f1.8 but looking at the 24mm f2.8 at the mo on eBay :). I've got the 17-55 f2.8, which to my eye is prime quality, but sooooo big.
 
I've got the 35mm f1.8 but looking at the 24mm f2.8 at the mo on eBay :). I've got the 17-55 f2.8, which to my eye is prime quality, but sooooo big.

I love Nikon manual lenses myself - in saying that, I'm still using manual film cameras anyway. ;)

For wide angles, I can seriously recommend either the 24mm f/2.8 or the 28mm f/2.8. Both are exceptionally sharp, nice compact lenses, and take 52mm filters. The faster f/2 versions crop up from time to time, but they are much more expensive particularly when in nice condition. To be honest, I prefer fixed prime lenses to zooms myself but at the end of the day it's down to personal preferences. Hope you enjoy them.
 
Uh oh...you'll get the MF bug if you're not careful ;) I can second the recommendation for a 24/2.8 (I have the AiS version) and will add the 20/4 Ai into the mix as well, and if you can find one, any version of the 28/2 :)

Yeah I just think I might have caught the bug hard... these things are so nice to work with and the IQ is spot on. Size is a bonus too and I can use an adapter on my m4/3 kit! (know I can with my existing AF lenses but they aren't as 'nice' to MF as this!).
 
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