Lil Judd , Nov 27, 2008; 02:19 p.m.
Yes I'm excited. My very first Nikon was a black Nikon FM. I had two of them & both were stolen - - one out of my
apartment while I was taking my dog for a walk (they removed the window somehow...) & the second one on a plane
while traveling with my then four month old daughter. Mother-in-law was in charge of my camera, but she forgot it
on the plane & I didn't realize it until the next day.
Anyhow, last night on eBay I decided to buy a mint FM & I'm excited about it. I've even bought an eyepiece for
it. Now, I really want it primarily for nostalgic reasons & I have a 50mm f/1.2 for it. But it's a great camera &
I have some film for prints. So I'd like to pick up one more lens. I'm thinking maybe a 24, 28 or 35mm - - but do
I have to buy a MF lens? I'm presuming I can get a AF lens so I can use it with the other cameras as well (N90s,
D200 & D300).
Am I lost or correct in this?
To those celebrating Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving
Lil :-)
Michael Bradtke , Nov 27, 2008; 02:31 p.m.
As long as it is not a G type lens you should be fine. I use lots of AF lenses on my F3 with no problems. I use them on my F too but I have to stop down meter with the F because they do not have the meter coupling
Phil Evans , Nov 27, 2008; 02:44 p.m.
But maybe you would want to take this opportunity to explore some older ai/ais glass anyways. I have
7 of them that I use on my d200, they are inexpensive and some of them are amazing. Maybe try a
105mm f2.5.
Oskar Ojala , Nov 27, 2008; 02:48 p.m.
You can get AF, but a well-made manual focus lens would be nice to use on a manual body. Those wide AF Nikkors are a bit flimsy and not that precise for manual focusing.
Ronald Moravec , Nov 27, 2008; 03:07 p.m.
second Phil Evans. I don`t own a full frame zoom for my D700. My pick would be a Ai or later 105 2.5 and a 35 pick your speed.
The AF lenses are not made nearly as well, but if/when you go digital, they auto focus. For now stick with Ai or AiS. My 105 2.5 Ai cost $100 at a camera show.
Lil Judd , Nov 27, 2008; 03:24 p.m.
Thanks Michael, Phil, Oscar & Ronald. I'm bidding on a 105mm f/2.5 AiS on eBay right now. Found a few & especially one I like the looks of.
I like the old Ai & AiS lenses - one of the reasons I got the 50mm f/1.2 - - & they work well with the D200 & D300 as well.
I will look for a 35mm as well....
Thanks
Lil :-)
Keith L , Nov 27, 2008; 03:40 p.m.
Get an AI/AIS lens. While an AF lens will work, manually focusing an AF lens is not quite the same experience.
Get a 24mm/2.8 (AI has longer focus throw than the AIS) or a 28mm/2.8 AIS (NOT the AI)
On the longer end, get the 105mm/2.5 AI/AIS.
My Nikon SLR kit: FM3A, 24/2.8 AIS, ZF 50/1.4 and 105/2.5. I also have an FM2N and 50/1.4 AI.
Lil Judd , Nov 27, 2008; 04:13 p.m.
Thanks Keith,
I'm now actively looking for a 24mm f/2.8 as well.
Lil :-)
Charles Becker 
, Nov 27, 2008; 04:19 p.m.
I had the 24mm f2.8 AIS when I had an FE2 and it was a great lens; you are certain to like it. regards, cb :-)
Jose Angel 
, Nov 27, 2008; 06:01 p.m.
I hate to use AF lenses with MF cameras. The 24/2.8AF focus ring has a not-so-good feel in comparison with MF
versions, but usable. What is really ugly is the aperture ring. Don`t try it.
I agree with Keith: from the 24s, my favourite is the Ai version. Sadly, althought seems to share optics with the AFD,
performance is not the same. Perhaps older coatings, dust or whatever; my Ai sample is a bit softer. On the Ai, that
longer throw is great for prefocused shots. Check the clear coloured DoF marks. Also, the Ai black paint will match
the FM paint, thought. Some later AiS versions have a different texture (I`m sorry, I`m a freak, I know).
If 24 is too wide or want a better performer, I`d go for the 28/2.8, AiS version. Optics are different.
24/2.8AFD, 24/2.8Ai and 28/2.8AiS
