Nikkor primes on Full Frame Nikon digital bodies?

Jao

Jao

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Adrian
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I am very tentativelly considering an equipment change of direction. I wonder could any Nikon users give me your views about Nikkor AIS primes performance on say a D700 body? In particular 35 and 24's performance for landscapes?

Any thoughts, advice, reflections or warnings gratefully received.
 
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The 24mm is a really nice lens, far better than the afd version in my opinion. I nearly bought one but used prices seemed very steep. I ended up with a voigtlander 20mm instead though there were a lot of recommendations for using an Olympus 21mm and adaptor as well.

Not tried the 35mm I'm afraid.
 
The 35 and 24 aren't cheap. But both are stunning lenses that really shine on Nikon FX bodies
 
Many thanks for the responses everybody.

My original post probably was not clear, I already own these Nikkors and have mainly been a film photographer. I know that some will go Aaaargh, but my digital camera is a Canon. Yes I shoot Nikon Film and Canon digital! Long story. I should say I have been really happy with my crop sensor Canon.

Having slipped a bit further down the digital slope I am now considering going full -frame and if my collection of AIs Nikkors will perform well on a full frame camera I am considering going for a Nikon full frame rather than a Canon one, given my EFS lens collection will have to go anyway if I move to full frame.

Some more investigations now into which body?
 
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Ade, I have two Ais lenses, a 35 F2 and a 50 F1.4.

Both are optically superb and far better than my newer AF lenses of similar style.
 
Fracster many thanks, there is a clear message emerging about AIs's on Digital Nikon's!

The slope just got even more slippy and it is starting to look like the move to Nikon is on the cards.

I will be sad in some ways to move from Canon because I have have had a couple of crop bodies that have been great.
 
Well, i`ll probably get slated for this, but the D200 is a superb camera at a ridiculously low price now. If you don`t need high iso, then it is a complete steal at the current prices on the secondhand market.

From another Ade for the record..........:)
 
I used a Nikkor 28mm f/3.5AI lens when I was shooting digital with a D700 and the nice thing about the D700 is that it will meter fine with the lens as you can set it up on the camera's database of non chipped lenses.
I only ever used it in manual exposure mode but I believe it will also work in aperture priority mode (not shutter priority or program though).
These AI & AIS lenses actually have a proper focus ring and are much better built than many of the more modern AF lenses.
 
fracster said:
Well, i`ll probably get slated for this, but the D200 is a superb camera at a ridiculously low price now. If you don`t need high iso, then it is a complete steal at the current prices on the secondhand market.

From another Ade for the record..........:)
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Warning! If as I think it is,a D200 is a crop sensor it is a lot harder to manual focus than it is with a full frame.:)
 
Adrian and Adrian, many thanks for your comments they are really helpful in planning the next steps. I think as soon as funds permit I will look for a D700 and give my Nikkor glass a go on that. Need to start saving now!

Kestrel, I plan on going for a full frame but thanks for the alert about manual focusing on crop sensors.
 
I shot Nikon in the film days and still have my F2, FM and lenses; but ended up with a Canon 30D for digital. There were a few reasons, but the main one was price.

I've no plans to go FF right now, and probably won't in the future either, but I'd definitely go with Nikon if I ever do. Many of the older Nikkors are stunning.

Manual focussing with a crop body can be a pain, and my eyes are ageing, but I do use a couple of Nikkor lenses on the 30D with adapters. It's feasible.
 
Isn't the old Nikon 20mm f/3.5 a favourite for a lot of landscape photographers due to its very compact size. Well thats what Ken Rockwell says and we know he's right all the time! ;)

I was watching one on ebay a few weeks ago. The closing price was £125.
 
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I have a stack of Nikon AIs lens, ranging from 16mm up to 300mm f2.8 and use all of them on the D700 and they all work very very well.

It is the one reason I picked the D700 was because of its backward comapatability with the older lens.
 
Knikki said:
I have a stack of Nikon AIs lens, ranging from 16mm up to 300mm f2.8 and use all of them on the D700 and they all work very very well.

It is the one reason I picked the D700 was because of its backward comapatability with the older lens.
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Yip. Tempting, but the D700 is far beyond my means!

AFAIK, all the Nikon DSLRs are compatible with most of the old lenses because Nikon have never changed the mount, but only the D200 upwards will meter with them. MF is obviously easier with the FF bodies.
 
MartynK said:
AFAIK, all the Nikon DSLRs are compatible with most of the old lenses because Nikon have never changed the mount, but only the D200 upwards will meter with them. MF is obviously easier with the FF bodies.
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Pretty sure you are correct in that Martyn.
 
I shot Nikon in the film days and still have my F2, FM and lenses; but ended up with a Canon 30D for digital. There were a few reasons, but the main one was price. QUOTE]

This was much the same for me Martyn I bought my 30D based upon price, inspite of my stock of Nikkor primes.


AFAIK, all the Nikon DSLRs are compatible with most of the old lenses because Nikon have never changed the mount, but only the D200 upwards will meter with them. MF is obviously easier with the FF bodies.
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Yes you are right I believe, mechanically the mount is the same, I guess my original question was about whether they worked in terms of IQ.

Well as the thread demonstrates I think all the responses suggest they will be great!

So I am now officially saving up for a D700, beyond my reach at the moment and it will be some way in the future but I am officially on a mission!

Many thanks to all who have responded to my original question, it demonstrates for me the value of this forum. I'd have never got this level of knowldge and advice from a camera shop! No offence to anyone working camera shops, I used to work in one myself many many years ago.
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Jao said:
Some more investigations now into which body?
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At the moment, a D700 no question. Possibly the best FF body available unless you need the extra robustness of a D3. There is a new body just hitting the shelves I believe, the D600 IIRC. Can't help feeling that prices will drop a few quid once initial demand has dropped off.
 
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Thanks Nod. Been reading up on the D700, looks the best choice. I am hoping a Ro bag a second hand one in about 6-7 months once I have restocked the pigGy bank!
 
rjbell said:
Isn't the old Nikon 20mm f/3.5 a favourite for a lot of landscape photographers due to its very compact size. Well thats what Ken Rockwell says and we know he's right all the time! ;)
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Yes, i say you're right. I have that lens, albeit on a crop D300, but its a spanking little lens. KR was right
 
I am working on borrowing a D700 to try out, in my head though I am pretty set on this as the way to go. Just need to save now!
 
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