What Nikon Non AI lenses to consider?

[edcculus]

I have a Nikon F2 and am looking to expand my lens collection. I also have a Canon F1 with a ton of FD lenses I inhereted from my grandfather. There is just something about the Nikon I just like better though. When I'm reaching for a camera, it always seems to be the Nikon.

I currently only have a Nikkor 50mm 1.4 lens. I really love this lens, but was looking to get something wider. Any suggestions on something specific to look for? Since Its an F2, its OK if the lens is non AI, especially if it will make it cheaper.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[Jesper]

Depends on your own photographic style but a 105/2.5 might come in handy. Plenty of them around at good prices.

[edcculus]

I'm mainly shooting landscapes/stills at the moment. 90% B&W. I am somewhat interested in getting into portraits soon also.

[rich815]

105/2.5
28/2.8
35/2
24/2.8

[E. von Hoegh]

105/2.5, Nikkor-P, either version is fabulous.
55/3.5 Micro-Nikkor-P. Focusses from half lifesize to infinity, slow but very good.
50/2.0 Nikkor-H. Like a Summicron-R with a tiny bit of barrel distortion (which you'll never notice).
20/3.5 Nikkor-UD, big, heavy, and excellent.
35/2.0 Nikkor-O - not one of their legendary lenses, but I like mine.

[narsuitus]

If I had a Nikon F2 with a 50mm f/1.4 lens and wanted to expand my lens collection for shooting landscapes, still life, and portraits, here is what I would get in descending order of priority:

1. Nikon 28mm f/2.8 (for landscapes)
2. Nikon 105mm f/2.8 macro (for portraits and still life)
3. Nikon 18mm f/3.5 (only if I needed something wider than the 28mm)

[CGW]

Try to find an 85/1.8HC or 135/2.8 for portraits. The 105/2.5 is over-priced and over-rated. The 55/3.5 macro is widely available, cheap, and pin-sharp. Check out the lens reviews at www.nikonlinks.com, too.

[edcculus]

Thanks everyone. I was able to use some of these suggestions, and search "nikkor non-ai" on fleabay to get an idea of what was out there. I'm likely going to try picking up a wide lens first, then look at the 105mm later.

[rich815]

Check this out, and other links in this site for awesome info on early Nikkor glass:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography...wides/28mm.htm

[Aja B]

Since Its an F2, its OK if the lens is non AI

Assuming you have a metered prism, it would be important to ensure non-AI metering without having to resort to stop-down metering. Which prism do you have?

Amongst the 28/2.8 Nikons, the AIS is widely agreed to be superior to all other models (even AF). The 28/3.5 is often overlooked but certainly respectable and very inexpensive. If you're entertaining thoughts of ever aquiring a more recent Nikon, I would bypass the non-AI lenses and go with AI or AIS for metering capability. Would be a bummer to have to regularly do stop-down metering on any number of bodies.